Foodie Movies

I found a list of foodie movies and signature dishes on star news online but have added a few additions that I feel they have missed out on. Some of these I have not seen as yet but next time it is cold and raining, Chloe and I will have a dvd and cooking day and I will have marked them all off my list!

Julie and Julia (2009)
I loved this book (and now it's a movie, I haven't seen yet but will be in Australia in October) based on Julia Powell attempt to rediscover her life through cooking all 524 recipes of Julia Child's book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. With Meryl Streep playing Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julia Powell, this movie is sure to be my favourite of the year.
'Tampopo' (1985)
Essentially a Japanese noodle western, in which a truck driver tries to help a woman turn her restaurant into an Asian version of pasta paradise.
Signature dish: Ramen, in all its many variations.
'Babette's Feast' (1987)
The 1988 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film is about a French woman living in a 19th century Danish village who prepares an elaborate meal for a birthday celebration.
Signature dish: Cailles en sarcophage, quail cooked into puff pastry.
'The Scent of Green Papaya' (1993)
A Vietnamese Cinderella Story. Discover beauty from the most simple things.
Signature Dish: I haven't seen it yet but will update!
'Like Water for Chocolate' (1993)
A bit of mexican foodie erotica. Tita cannot marry as she is the youngest daughter of a traditional family. She promptly falls in love and expresses her passion, sadness and joy through cooking. People who eat Tita's dishes feel what she feels.
Signature Dish: Quail and Rose Petals from Pedro
'Eat Drink Man Woman' (1994)
In director Ang Lee's film, a Taiwanese chef lives with his three grown daughters, and every Sunday he cooks a massive family meal.
Signature dish: Steamed deer spareribs with ginger.
'Big Night' (1996)
Two brothers (Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub) who own a failing Italian restaurant hope the fancy meal they plan for visiting star Louis Prima will rescue their business.
Signature dish: Timpano, a layered pastry dish stuffed with pasta, ragu, meatballs, peas, chicken and mozzarella.
'Chocolat' (2000)
A single mother and her six-year-old daughter move to rural France and open a chocolate shop. First they have to break through some of the strict catholic barriers and enable people to embrace their emotions and feeling good.
Signature dish: Chili hot chocolate

'Mostly Martha' (2001)
A German chef rules over her kitchen until she locks horns with an Italian sous-chef. Remade in 2007 as "No Reservations," with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart.
Signature dish: Monkfish l'armoricaine, monkfish tails cooked in a sauce composed of Muscadet, shallots, carrots and other ingredients.
'Tortilla Soup' (2001)
Retired Mexican-American Chef loses his taste for food but not life. Martin a widower lives with his 3 adult daughters and still relishes the tradition of cooking a beautiful sit down dinner each night. A movie about finding love and cooking great food
Signature dish: Obviously Tortilla Soup

'Spanglish' (2004)
Celebrity chef (Adam Sandler) with insecure wife (Tea Leoni) must deal with his attraction to his hot new Latina housekeeper (Paz Vega).
Signature dish: The World's Greatest Sandwich, a BLT made with rustic country bread, fried egg and Monterey Jack cheese.
'Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle' (2004)
Two college stoners spark up a doobie and get the munchies.
Signature dish: White Castle "Slyders," square mini burgers steam-grilled on a bed of onions and served with a pickle on a soft bun.
'Waitress' (2007)
Unhappily married waitress (Keri Russell) bakes wonderful pies and names them after events in her life.
Signature dish: Pregnant Miserable Self-Pitying Loser Pie, a fruitcake mashed into lumpy oatmeal, then flambeed.
'Ratatouille' (2007)
Animated feature about a French rat who dreams of becoming a great chef.
Signature dish: Ratatouille, a French vegetable stew made from tomatoes, garlic, onions, zucchini and other goodies