04

From the outset, you’ll find out that you’re not watching not just any period drama but one which is both highly sensual and intentional in its scenes and dialogue/script. Although it’s French in nature, its backdrops and certain parts do remind me of Downton Abbey. However, generally, unlike most slow-paced period drama type stories, this one tends to move at a fast pace, I caught myself rewinding slightly – a reminder that native speakers may not always sound like a textbook. Nevertheless, it’s advantageous if you have at least an Intermediate level of French, even if you have the convenience of subtitles.

Yes, indeed Carême is a feast for the senses because you’d just feel or taste everything shown or presented to you onscreen. From the kitchen scenes, to the scenes involving medical attention, the scenes of darkness that comes after the war, and even the erotic ones.

Carême after all is the chef who cooked for the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte – history buffs will surely be into it. Very rarely do you get three elements in one episodic series – a blend of history, sex, food in a spy-type movie.

Some form of comedy is also present, though it’s of the intelligent and sly type.
This series is also filled with metaphors. There is definitely adult language, due to the multisensory nature of this series. You can thank me later.

Perhaps, it’s also Apple TV+’s way of attracting a younger audience by having a good mix of actors and actresses who really can play their part well, even if it’s to do with something that had happened many, many, many years ago. I know one thing that’s for sure – I now have a deeper appreciation for French cuisine, even though its taste may not be as varied as Malaysian cuisine.

This series feels like an invitation to France through your armchair. There are stunning attractions, even in the suburbs of Paris – one of them is the Château de Champs-sur-Marne, which is a neoclassical castle. Filming took eight months, from sources.

Like most, Carême starts off humble as a rookie, before eventually climbing up the ranks, directing the others to actually say: Oui, chef!

The eight-episode series is based on the nonfiction book Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême, The First Celebrity Chef, by Ian Kelly. Kelly also writes the screenplay with Davide Serrino.

Benjamin Voisin plays the lead role (Antonin Carême) of a master pastry maker who needs guidance on how to slice onions, while the Algerian-French actress  Lyna Khoudri plays Henriette, his lover. Belgian actor Jérémie Renier plays the role of the diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord.

Cast members had to brush up on their history and even attended cooking classes to make this series as believable as possible.

Episodes are between 42 minutes and 45 minutes each.

New episodes are released every Wednesday.