"AppleTV+'s 'Carême': A Series Blending Cooking, Romance, and Intrigue"
In the vibrant world of TV shows, "The Bear" paved the way for merging visually captivating kitchen settings with the allure of historical series. AppleTV+ has taken this concept to new heights with their latest offering, "Carême."
This riveting series focuses on Antonin Careme, one of the first renowned chefs who captivated the French aristocracy of the 19th century with his culinary masterpieces. He dished up delicacies for various high-profile politicians, including a wedding banquet for Napoleon and Marie-Louise of Austria.
In the series, Careme (played by Benjamin Voisin) comes across as a charismatic yet self-absorbed rockstar, leaving women swooning - from his lover Henriette (Lyna Khoudri) to the First Lady Josephene. As he ascends the social ladder unexpectedly, the ambitious chef finds himself ensnared in a web of deceit and intrigue. Yet, his groundbreaking recipes allow him to dictate political agendas with ease. At one points, Careme averts a diplomatic crisis by choosing the perfect dessert, and at another, he employs his culinary and non-culinary allure to extract secret information.
Sex and intrigue dominate "Carême," but one significant aspect gets somewhat lost in the shuffle - the art of cooking itself. For all its visual appeal, the series doesn't shy away from tackling important themes like ambition, power, espionage, and the interconnectedness of food, sex, and politics.
"Carême" premiered on AppleTV+ on April 30, 2025, with the first two episodes dropping immediately, followed by weekly releases. Martin Bourboulon helms the director's chair for the series, while an impressive cast, including Benjamin Voisin, Lyna Khoudri, Jérémie Renier, and more, brings the historical figures to life. So, grab some popcorn and get ready to dive headfirst into the world of Carême's culinary endeavors!
- What about the cooking techniques used in "Carême", given that it's a captivating series about a famous chef?
- In the food-and-drink realm, "The Bear" and "Carême" can be compared as they both bring an entertaining twist to the lifestyles of chefs.
- As a notable chef in the 19th century, Antonin Careme's culinary skills and etoile-worthy dishes were not just seen on the dinner table, but even impacted politics to some extent.
- In contrast to his charisma and intriguing personal life, Careme's cooking skills in "Carême" could be somewhat minimized when compared to the focus on movies-and-tv elements like sex and politics.
- Cooking, like entertainment and movies, plays a significant role in shaping peoples' lives, and maybe in future series we'll see more of a bear-like depiction of the art of cooking.
