Food often plays a pivotal role on the big screen, becoming an integral part of the plot. In some cases, unknown dishes are showcased, while in others, well-known recipes or ingredients gain immense recognition depending on the film’s success. From the green fried tomatoes in Whistle Stop Café to the macarons in Marie Antoinette, discover dishes and cheeses with fascinating stories.
Timpano, Big Night (1996)
The classic cooking film Big Night, starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, could not miss having at least one standout dish. It is believed that the film changed how American audiences viewed Italian cuisine, showcasing that it offers much more than just spaghetti and meatballs. The featured dish in Big Night was the timpani, a recipe consisting of layers of pasta that led many restaurateurs to add it to their menus after the film’s release.
Wensleydale Cheese, A Close Shave (1995)
Sales of the creamy Wensleydale cheese plummeted dramatically in the early 1990s, to the point where one of its largest producers, Wensleydale Creamery, was on the brink of bankruptcy. The creamy cheese regained fame thanks to the film A Close Shave, in which Wallace admits that Wensleydale is his favorite cheese. This acknowledgment not only quadrupled sales but also revitalized the company, which now employs around 200 workers and produces the label “Wallace and Gromit Yorkshire Wensleydale.”
Fried Green Tomatoes, Whistle Stop Café (1991)
In the film Whistle Stop Café, food takes center stage, particularly the fried green tomatoes. The movie is credited with popularizing this dish worldwide. The preparation is quite simple: the tomatoes are sliced, breaded, and fried. A large portion of viewers outside the U.S. discovered this dish for the first time through the film.
Shawarma, The Avengers
Marvel is known for its post-credit scenes, and this dish is featured in one of them. In the scene, beloved superheroes enjoy delicious Lebanese food, which Tony Stark (Iron Man) mentions earlier in the film. In Los Angeles, there was an increase of up to 80% in the popularity of Lebanese restaurants after the film’s release.
Beignets, The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The 2009 film made viewers yearn to visit New Orleans to try beignets. The protagonist, Tiana, is a talented chef who dreams of opening her restaurant to serve her delicious beignets—sweet treats resembling doughnuts, typically dusted with powdered sugar.
Stinking Bishop, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
A decade later, Wallace and Gromit made another product famous. This time, the cheese that starred comes from a small cheesemaker producing the aptly named Stinking Bishop cheese. In the film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the mention of the cheese led to difficulties for producer Charles Martell and Son in meeting the heightened demand. Reports indicate that consumers even bought empty wooden boxes, with the cheese selling on eBay for up to €72.
Ladurée Macarons, Marie Antoinette (2006)
According to the film Marie Antoinette, the famous queen preferred to indulge in beautiful and, of course, pastel macarons. The movie led to a revival of this well-known dessert, with sales increasing, especially in the aesthetically pleasing macaron market of Ladurée.
