Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles

Very enjoyable look at what goes into a special event like this. Not sure about the fountain and jellies.

Interesting idea but in the end you're left, pardon the pun, hungry for more! No real substance to this mediocre documentary.

"Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles" is a sumptuously visual documentary that digs into the relationship between food, art, and history from the vantage point of pastry. Opening with the coupling of famous chef Yotam Ottolenghi and a team of cutting-edge pastry chefs, who are commissioned to devise works of edible art framed by the excesses of Versailles. The cinematography captures the intricate details of these outrageously elaborate pastries, making everything a feast for one's eyes. While it succeeds to a great extent in highlighting these facets of creativity and skillfulness in the individuals, it, at times, gets too caught up in the scope of this study to the detriment of the greater cultural and historical background, leaving one wanting from Versailles more than just food that tastes good. Even with all these problems, "Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles" remains something of a delightful film for anyone into food or craft.

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles is a slightly misleading title. While there is an actual cake present, there aren't as many as the title would suggest. This film shows Ottolenghi as he goes through the process of finding unique and fabulous pastry chefs and creators to join with him in creating sweet treats for a Versailles themed event at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art. I enjoyed seeing some of the behind the scenes of putting together an even like this. Unfortunately too much information was left out: not enough about the actual event, not enough about how this event was received and viewed, not enough about what went into the actual 'cakes', but rather just a few bits of information about many different aspects of the process. One thing I do feel was well represented and enjoyed was about Versailles itself and the role food played there.

"Follow celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi as he assembles a star-studded team of the world's most innovative pastry chefs to put on a Versailles-themed culinary gala at the Met in NYC" - This is the description on Hulu and Prime (I assume Netflix has the same one). This is not a documentary only about cakes, but also about the chefs behind the pastries and their modern spins on a historical profession. If you're looking for a documentary about cakes alone, then look elsewhere. If you're looking for a documentary about the thought process behind organizing a niche food gala, learning a little about the court of versailles, and learning about the people recruited this is for you.