Founder, Shanika, shares her favourite dishes from iconic movies.
When you think about your favourite films, what do you remember? The setting? The actors? The soundtrack? For me, it's the food. I find that food can be as important as the characters and can add to the plot. I hope that this list inspires you to cook something new or that you find something to cuddle up and watch with your loved ones!
RAMEN FROM TAMPOPO
Every person in my life has heard me reference this film. This spaghetti (actually—ramen) western has a little bit of everything: food, romance and action. The best part? It highlights one of my favourite dishes: ramen. Food is interwoven into the multiple storylines told throughout the film including a couple, oyster divers and more. The main one focuses on Goro, Gun and Tampopo who work together to find the best ramen recipe from the noodles to the broth; every detail is studied and perfected. If you are a ramen lover, this film will make you apprecaite the work that goes behind making the dish.
ICE CREAM FROM BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY
The film is about Bridget Jones, a writer, who desperately wants to fall in love and finds herself caught between two men. She slowly has to figure out what she wants and more importantly, who she wants. What she knows for sure is: nothing cures a broken heart like spending your evening with Ben and Jerry. To me, it makes total sense. Why wouldn't you want something sweet that reminds you of warm summer days and your childhood to help mend your heart? FYI: her flavour of choice is Chocolate Fudge Brownie. I'm more of a Cherry Garcia kind of girl.
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS FROM LADY AND THE TRAMP
I grew up on Disney, I adore dogs and I love pasta. So this film checks all of my boxes. It is a classic tale about an upper-class cocker spaniel named Lady and a stray schnauzer called Tramp. They go through many adventures together and the one that stands out is when the canine couple shares a candlelit dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. To make the scene even more perfect, they are serenaded with Bella Notte. Give our recipe a try!
CHAR SIU (ROAST PORK WITH BOK CHOY) FROM EAT DRINK, MAN WOMAN
The opening scene from the film makes my foodie heart skip a beat. It is everything. Eat Drink, Man Woman is one of director Ang Lee’s lesser known films but, it is a must-watch for all foodies. The film is about a chef who has 3 unwed daughters and every Sunday, all of the daughters come over to help their father prepare an elaborate meal. Though the tasty meal is meant to bring the family together, it also creates tension between the very traditional dad and modern thinking daughters.
GRAPE RIATA FROM THE LUNCHBOX
I’m so glad my friend recommended this film! It tells the story of Ila, a young wife who is trying to spice up her marriage. She thinks she can add romance back into her marriage by cooking new and exciting food for her husband. She prepares a meal to be delivered and the lunchbox ends up in the hands of Saajan, a widower. The film transports you to India but, has a theme that is universal: unrequited love. It is so magical and the food featured throughout will make your mouthwater.
CORNED BEEF SANDWICHES FROM WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
There are few scenes that stick in your mind like this one from When Harry Met Sally. I’ll set the scene for you: neon signs, glass ketchup bottles, big hair and the iconic Katz Delicatessen...and a very loud Sally. The film is about Harry and Sally in a classic "friends turned soulmates" plot line. I always thought that a delicious corned beef sandwich was something that I could only get into New York. But, with a little planning, it's something you can make at home. Try our Bessie Brisket today!
FRIED CATFISH FROM SOUL FOOD
Closing out my list is a film that I closely relate to. Soul Food is an honest portrayal of a large extended family trying to navigate the turbulences of life while maintaining long-held traditions. We've all been there. Sometimes, life gets busy and I have found myself not going to Sunday dinner or missing out on something important for my not-so-little-anymore cousins. The film reminds you to focus on what matters: your loved ones and the connection that comes through tradition.
Get cooking:
Want to try our beef? | Order a Classic Bessie Box today!
Read more | Check out more Bessie recipes