Pizza lovers everywhere will rejoice in Ciro Oliva’s quest to become the first ever pizzaiolo to be awarded a Michelin Star in ‘Stella'; ‘Bread: An Everyday Miracle’ explores the transformation of a daily staple into a brand in its own right; while ‘Come Back Anytime’ serves up an intimate portrait of Japan’s culture of food, community, and work through the lens of am unassuming, hole-in-the wall ramen bar in Tokyo.
Then in this month’s iWonder What Top Five, five culinary documentaries focus on the passions, personalities, and unique journeys of some of the world’s most inspirational chefs.
Stella
#Pizza #Italy #Gastronomy
Launches 17 Oct
‘Pizza means Soul,‘ Ciro Oliva strongly proclaims in 'Stella', a mouth-watering feel-good film following a young, highly spirited and proud Neapolitan pizza chef who passionately aims to be the first pizzaiolo ever awarded with a prestigious Michelin Star.
As the Michelin Guide is one of the most influential, notoriously secretive and critical institutions in gastronomy, Ciro's quest to elevate his restaurant Concettina ai Tre Santi to star level is far from easy, as other famous chefs, experts and journalists confirm. While Ciro and his dedicated crew are working hard, the cheerful customers of Concettina ai Tre Santi simply have the time of their life.
Bread: An Everyday Miracle
#Enlightening #Traditions #Industry
Launches 22 Oct
Once merely a basic foodstuff, bread has now become a brand-name product with ever more varieties and suppliers. But do we know what we are actually eating every day? This documentary takes us on a journey into the world of bread and its production today.
We meet traditional artisan bakers and cereal farmers who can vouch for quality and sustainable ingredients. Director Harald Friedl also shows us the baking factories of transnational food corporations, who go to great technological lengths on their mission to recreate authentic taste.
Industrially produced bread is fast becoming an artificial product. How can the craft of baking survive? And what will the bread of the future be like?
Come Back Anytime
#Japan #Produce #Legendary
Launches 24 Oct
Self-taught ramen master Masamoto Ueda and his wife Kazuko have run their Tokyo ramen shop, Bizentei for more than forty years. Together with their customers, they have created a welcoming place of community. On the weekends, they venture together across the Japanese countryside, harvesting pears, bamboo shoots, and wild mountain yams. An official festival selection at Hot Docs and DOC NYC, this delectable documentary features gorgeous scenery, mouth-watering dishes, and a delightful cast of regular customers.
iWonder When
16th October 2024
In 2024, World Food Day will mark the 20th anniversary of the Right to Food Guidelines, calling for global commitment to adequate food for all through sustainable agri-food systems. With events in 150 countries, the day will promote action against hunger, emphasising the importance of diverse, nutritious, and accessible foods.
Despite enough global food production, 733 million still face hunger due to issues like weather shocks and inequality. World Food Day will highlight that healthy diets are crucial for people and the planet, urging collective efforts to create a sustainable food future.
iWonder Who
Bittor Arginzoniz
Star and subject of ‘The Art of Cooking with Fire,’ launching on iWonder this October, Bittor Arginzoniz, is a renowned Spanish chef celebrated for his mastery of grilling techniques at his Michelin-starred restaurant, Asador Etxebarri, located in the Basque Country.
Known for his innovative use of wood-fired grills, Arginzoniz has elevated traditional barbecue to high culinary art, highlighting the natural flavours of locally sourced ingredients. Self-taught and driven by a passion for simplicity, he has crafted a unique style that emphasises minimalism and purity in each dish. His restaurant consistently ranks among the world’s best, earning acclaim for its rustic yet refined approach that blends tradition with modern culinary craftsmanship.
iWonder What
Yes Chef
In this Month’s iWonder What Top Five, we get up close and personal with chefs crossing the globe, genders, and generations, to get a glimpse into what it takes to produce, pioneer, and promote world-class cuisine.
1) She Chef
#Gender #Journey #Work
Launches 29 Oct
'She Chef' is a portrait of a newly crowned world champion chef. After completing her training at Austria's top restaurant, "Steirereck," 25-year-old Agnes embarks on an exciting journey to learn from the best chefs in the world and develop her own culinary language.
We accompany Agnes on her own path to becoming a top chef in a time when women are no longer content to simply take a backseat. She Chef raises questions about the future of the workplace, work-life balance, and the dreams of the next generation. Along the way, the film introduces us to the sensual beauty of this craft beyond the usual celebrity culture.
2) The Art of Cooking with Fire
Launches 15 Oct
#BBQ #Iconic #Minimalist
"His restaurant Asador Etxebarri in Northern Spain, ranked #3 of the world's best restaurants in 2019"
Self-taught Bittor Arginzoniz has achieved world fame as a grill genius with his restaurant Asador Etxebarri. Bittor has revolutionised the way people roast meat, fish or vegetables. He has a remarkable ability to coax out explosive flavour from seemingly simple ingredients, most of which are grilled over his famous adjustable-height grills.
The film offers viewers an exclusive look into Bittor’s way of working, from the obsessive search for the best product to preparation and cooking. Bittor shares his sources of inspiration and motivation.
3) Seasons at Terroir
#Mentor #SouthAfrica #Learning
Join acclaimed chef Michael Broughton for a year of seasonally inspired cooking at his world-famous restaurant Terroir. Michael pushes his young chefs and trainees to greater heights as they cook for some of South Africa’s top food critics. Can they rise to the pressure in this increasingly competitive arena when nothing less than perfection will do?
4) Floyd’s India
#India #Curry #Nature #Keith Floyd
On his food-finding mission across the Indian sub-continent, Keith Floyd takes us to West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Along the way he unlocks the secret to fine Indian cooking, searches for the true origins of the humble curry and even introduces us to cooking with cowpats. Floyd being Floyd, there is no shortage of friendly interaction with the local people, and wildlife, as he takes in sights of historic interest and natural beauty.
5) Floyd’s Ford Fiesta
#Scandanivia #Scenic #Diverse #KeithFloyd
Join the ever-enthusiastic chef Keith Floyd on another mouth-watering trip around some of the world's most dramatic scenery. This culinary adventure traverses the frozen arctic wastelands of Lapland, crosses Sweden and Denmark, heads to Norway's majestic fjords, and concludes in Greenland. From herring fillets with dill and parsley to smoked loin of pork in cherry sauce, Scandinavian cuisine is brought vividly to life.
