Favourite Oscar films and the dishes they could be
It’s that time of year again, when ten shiny new film contenders compete for the coveted title of ‘Best Picture’ at the prestigious Academy Awards! In celebration of the 2022 Oscars this Sunday evening, and because film and food are two of my favourite pairings, I’ve compiled a list of some of my top Oscar films from previous years and what I think they’d look like as a dish. Enjoy!
Image: filmgrab.com, Columbia Pictures
Forrest Gump
Unlike a box of chocolates, you always know what you’re going to get with Forrest Gump – a feel good classic! This Tom Hanks film ‘ran, Forrest, ran’ all the way to the Best Picture awards in 1994 and is still a cult classic today. In honour of Forrest’s Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and storyline I thought I’d whip up my coriander, lime and prawn soup.
Titanic
My heart will go on, just like Titanic did when it scooped the Best Picture award in 1998. This James Cameron doomed romance epic is the ultimate cinematic classic and holds up almost 25 years later, even if you need a box of tissues to get you through it. Just like Rose says in the film, ‘I’ll never let go’ of my love for this movie. In keeping with the luxurious first-class cruise liner theme, for the slightly happier, slightly less iceberg-y first half of the movie anyway, I’d prepare my oysters four ways recipe straight out of JAN the Journal Volume 8.
Silence of the Lambs
Anthony Hopkins and Jody Foster’s chilling psychological thriller about a cannibal slash serial killer might not be the movie you turn to relax after a long day, but its thrilling take on the suspense and horror genre is sure to give you goosebumps, one of the many reasons it managed to scoop Best Picture in 1992. Lamb might not exactly make an on-screen appearance but in celebration of the title here is my biltong-crusted lamb recipe to try at home.
The Shape of Water
This unique 2017 film turned Best Picture winner is centred around a love story between a lab captured ‘fish man’ and a lonely hearing impaired janitor working in the facility where he is being kept and studied. Yes, you read that right… Director Guillermo del Toro did a brilliant job of bringing this unique and weirdly touching film to life, and to the Oscars, and to celebrate it I think you should try my trout pate the next time you decide to watch it.
Pulp fiction
Always worth a rewatch, even if it’s just to see John Travolta and Uma Thurman hit the dance floor, this LA-based gangster story took home Best Screenplay in 1995. The cult classic by Quentin Tarantino makes several references to a certain fast food brand known for its cheese burgers and iconic golden arch, but in the spirit of trying to eat a little bit cleaner, these veggie deluxe burgers are a delicious and healthy treat to tuck in to next time you want to watch Pulp Fiction.
Slumdog Millionaire
This inspiring, colourful and just a little bit heartbreaking film won Best Picture in 2009 and makes me feel like a millionaire every time the credits roll. To celebrate, I can’t think of a better excuse to try our own slightly deconstructed take on millionaire shortbread with this delicious shortbread and rooibos caramel recipe.
The Godfather
As Vito Corleone says in this iconic mobster film and Best Picture winner from 1973, ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’. Another dish that can be served cold is the tasty cheese tortellini with fresh herb dressing. Buon appetito!
Life of Pi
I love this movie for its stunning visual effects and cinematography, no surprise since those are the awards it won at the 2013 Oscars. I also love having some fun with word play which is why I’ll always think of its food counterpart as a good old piece of lamb pie!
Marie Antoinette
This elegant, flashy and absolutely extravagant Sofia Coppola film has some of the most beautiful costumes I’ve ever seen on screen, so it rightfully won Best Costume Design in 2007. In honour of the tragic French queen and in the spirit of ‘let them eat cake!’, here’s one of my go-to French confectionery creations that is easy to indulge in at home, the Gateau St Honoré .