Introducing the First-Ever Celebrity Chef from the Napoleonic Era: Careme
Rewritten Article:
Straight from the glamorous red carpet, here's a sneak peek into the star-studded premiere of Apple TV+'s new French series, "Carême". The series focuses on the extraordinary life of Antonin Carême, a pioneering 19th-century chef who rose from rags to riches, becoming one of history's first celebrity chefs.
Pictured are French-Cape Verdean model and actor Alice Da Luz, and Belgian actor Jeremie Renier, who were all smiles as they made their way to a screening of the highly-anticipated drama at the Hotel Meurice in Paris on April 2. [AFP/YONHAP]
The series is set during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte post-French Revolution, when gastronomy was emerging as a form of diplomatic soft power. As Parisians struggled to find solace amid the revolution's aftermath, fine dining and gastronomic culture became status symbols.
At the heart of it all, Carême (played by Benjamin Voisin) was born into revolutionary-era poverty but used his culinary genius to escape destitution, eventually gracing the tables of European royalty and political elites. His rising fame, however, made him a target for politicians seeking to exploit his access to powerful figures. Navigating espionage plots while maintaining his culinary integrity becomes a demanding undertaking for the daring chef.
The series delves into Carême's architectural culinary style, showcasing his theatrical flair through innovative displays such as unveiling a pyramid-shaped pastry display by setting paper aflame during a diplomatic dinner for a British ambassador.
The intriguing narrative also takes creative liberties by depicting a fictional affair between Carême and Napoleon’s first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais. Despite the romantic twists and turns, the show accurately portrays Joséphine’s real-life infertility and political struggles. Carême eventually becomes entangled in Napoleon’s efforts to secure an heir, cooking for Marie-Louise Habsburg, whom Napoleon married after divorcing Joséphine.
The combination of comedy, drama, and eroticism creates an engaging backdrop for exploring how cuisine intersected with power, art, and desire in post-revolutionary France. Blending historical accuracy with creative liberties, the series premiered globally on April 30, 2025, and is based on Ian Kelly’s biography Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême. The first episodes promise a rollercoaster ride filled with intrigue, betrayed passion, and mouth-watering culinary creations!
- The premiere of Apple TV+'s new French series, "Carême," delves into the world of 19th-century politics, showcasing the life of Antonin Carême, a renowned chef who rose to fame in the realm of entertainment.
- As the series unfolds, it reveals how Antonin Carême navigated the hazardous landscape of politics, with politicians attempting to exploit his connections to powerful figures.
- The series also explores the intersection of culture and industry in the post-French Revolution era, illustrating how gastronomy was used as a form of diplomatic soft power, becoming a status symbol even amidst the struggles of Parisians.
- Innovative displays of Carême's culinary flair, such as a pyramid-shaped pastry display ignited by fire during a diplomatic dinner, are featured in the series.
- Beyond the kitchen, Carême's life intersects with the world of celebrities and even movies-and-tv, as the series depicts a fictional affair between Carême and Napoleon’s first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais.
- The series, which premiered globally on April 30, 2025, offers a captivating blend of drama, comedy, and eroticism, providing a thrilling exploration of how power, art, and desire intertwined in post-revolutionary France.
