STEP UP TO THE PLATE

This latest documentary on another culinary genius goes beyond his kitchen and shows a family dynasty beginning to come to terms with the patriarch as he tries to step down and out of the limelight. It is in fact the dynamics of the relationship between master chef Michel Bras and his son and heir Sebastian, an extremely accomplished chef in his own right, that sets this movie apart from the norm, and makes for a fascinating story.

Michel is, to all intents and purposes, a quiet and well-mannered man and although he seems devoid of all the usual kitchen histrionics that seem de-rigour in celebrity chefs this days (on TV anyway) he is still very much an exacting one, and pain-stakingly obsessive about every last detail. Whether it be the stunning restaurant he had built on top of hill in the middle of some breath-taking French countryside, or a new recipe that his son has spent hours creating. Even picking out the herbs and vegetables in the Market hours before sun-rise is a precise art for this man who will not be rushed.

As a child, Michel helped his mother in the kitchen of the small Hotel the family owned in the town. After he came back from culinary school he came in to his own, winning his first Michelin star, before leading up to the three he has today. For a small-town young man it was a remarkable achievement and somehow along the way the man who spent 24/7 in a kitchen actually got married…. and Mde Bras then became his Hostess ….and they had a child which he admits he spent very little time with.

The fact that this workaholic ended up with a son who not only admired him so, but who freely chose to follow in his footsteps, is quite remarkable. But then the whole relationship the film showed was of two very undemonstrative men who clearly had total respect and such genuine affection/love for each other without seemingly ever having the need to verbalise about it.

The inspired touch to the telling of the story was the complete lack of any narration. Scenes were juxtaposed to each other and one either got the entire picture, or just left wondering how things came about. This lack of explanation throughout the movie was perfect and suited how these two men function …. and their families …. as they prefer to show their emotions clearly on their faces, and in their smiles in particular.

The Bras have recreated their restaurant in another spectacular remote setting in Japan, and even though I’m sure they have no financial worries, they were still remarkably unfazed about creating their impeccable food and standards in this totally foreign culture. They embraced the challenges of working with completely alien ingredients just like It was simply another day in the kitchen.

There are now 4 generations of Bras ….. Granny gave up working many years ago …. but Sebastian’s young son Alum helped out in the Restaurant Kitchens during the school holidays, and without any pressure from either Dad or Grandad it looks like he knows what future is instore for him. If he has the extremely good-naturedness of Sebastian and the unwavering patience of Michel …. and lest I forget …. the culinary genius of them both …. then the Bras Restaurants will be in safe hand, and the 3 Stars will remain intact.

Mouth-wateringly wonderful even for non-foodies

Available at Amazon

★★★★★★★★