Presented by the Food Network and Cooking Channel, ten uniquely talented chefs showcased their version of a dish paired with an iconic movie at the Napa Valley Film Festival.
Led by Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence who has been with the Food Network for 23-years, patrons and movie goers were able to take a break from movie viewing and engulf their senses with amazing bites inside the Charles Krug Winery’s Redwood Cellars.
The dishes were prepared at ten food trucks parked outside and brought to the individual tasting stations inside served with a variety of Charles Krug wines.
The food Pairings from the food trucks included:
Mark the Spot Fine Food – Oooh Girl Sticky Chicken for the film “Smokey in the Bandit” (1977)
Tai Chi Jianbing – Traditional Chinese Jianbing for the film “Jiabling Man” (2015)
Addictive Toast – Original Toast for the film “Ingrid Goes West” (2017)
Crossroads Chicken – BBQ Chicken Pizzetta’s for the film “Vatel” (2000)
Pico Modern Taqueria – Mexico City “Hot Dog” for the film “Amores Perros” (2000)
Roli Roti – Roasted Pork Loin for the film “Goldfinger” (1964)
Clif Family Bruschetteria – “White Russian” Vanilla Chiffon Cake for the film “The Big Lebowski” (1998)
West Coast Style Frozen Custard – Salted Butter Popcorn Frozen Custard for the film “Shrek” (2001)
Following the tastings, chefs and patrons were invited to a panel discussion in the winery’s Carriage House featuring Florence, Melissa King and other food-loving filmmakers and actors to engage with the audience about their favorite dishes and the role of food in films.
A theme among the panelist was to enjoy various cultures and their special ingredients. Be able to mix food and travel. Go rustic with a slight elevation. According to Florence when it comes to creating unique dishes your creativity of originality has to be obscure and off the grid. Another panelist described food as their energy asking the question – “What color does my body need and what’s in season and is fresh?” Another said that “your experiences and culture creates your unique story and inspiration.” The sample bites served during the tastings were all distinct and challenged the taste testers palate.
One of the questions asked – what is the panel’s favorite food movie. Florence started off describing Ratatouille because it reminded him of his humble beginnings. Other food movie favorites were Like Water for Chocolate, Blue is the Warmest Color, Hundred Foot Journey, Eat Drink, Man, Woman.
Florence also shared background on why he directed a documentary, “Uncrushable” about the devastating Northern California’s wine country fires of 2017 and how the community came together to rebuild with the help of neighbors, strangers and friends? The film uses real people and First Responders telling the same story from different perspectives. Florence said this film is a blue print for any community to get out of a national disaster whether it be hurricanes, fires, floods or tornadoes. Everyone stepped up wanting to help. Part of that help was the food scene feeding the First Responders and those displaced from their homes. The documentary has one more showing during the Napa Valley Film Festival on Sunday, 12:30 p.m. at the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena.
Photos & Story Courtesy of Kari Ruel, Napa Valley Life Magazine
