Food in Literature and Film

Food is an important component of life, no doubt. In some countries, such as France, Japan and Mexico, food is renowned and owns a unique taste. It is a part of culture and perhaps even history. But it is also a centric part of each person’s home, a cause for joy and memories, time to fill an empty stomach or savor a new delicacy. Food is, you will agree, something quite special. 

Sometimes, food even stars in books and movies. For example, Mexican writer Laura Esquivel’s “Like Water for Chocolate” is not just a story with some cooking recipes. It is life adapted to the cooking recipes, how each moment in Tita, the protagonist’s, life has a dish to fit. A moment filled with forbidden love and passionate desire deserves a deliciously cooked steaming chicken breast with accompanying hot rose petals sauce. A moment filled with hatred and frustration at a confined life deserves spicy fried chilies stuffed with assortments of spices and meat. Esquivel offers a recipe for each of the twelve months and takes the reader along to see how Tita becomes a gifted cook and how it ultimately keeps her sane in the injustice and cruelty of Mexican family traditions.

Food is often taken as an important theme in films. Off the top of my head, the most recent ones would include “No Reservations” and “Julie&Julia.” In the former, the protagonist is the head chef with an iron fist… and an iron heart. She has become such a perfectionist and taken such pride in her cooking that she allows no mistakes, no complaints and no enjoyment. With the arrival of her orphaned niece and a carefree cook, however, the protagonist begins to enjoy the food, the taste and the art of cooking. Likewise, in “Julie&Julia,” cooking has a healing quality. It helps the protagonist regain self-esteem and conviction that goals can be achieved. It is a journey to find oneself and, in a way, the meaning of life.

Food is so much more than simply eating.