Bon Appétit
David Pinillos / Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland / 2011 / 71 min
Spanish with English subtitles
Ambitious and talented, Spanish Chef Daniel arrives at world famous Zurich restaurant “W” intent on becoming restauranteur Thomas Wackerle’s protégé. Despite Wackerle’s perfectionism and the kitchen’s frenzied competitive atmosphere, Daniel manages to forge friendships with Hugo, Wackerle’s Italian sous-chef, and Hanna, the restaurant’s sommelier. The trio soon becomes inseparable, sharing after-hours drinks together. Then, one night to prove a point, Hanna kisses Daniel, and his carefully constructed life begins to unravel. First, his long-distance relationship with his girlfriend grows ever more strained, then his burgeoning feelings for Hanna are upended when he discovers she is not only Wackerle’s mistress, but also carrying his child. Like other kitchen confidentials such as Big Night, Mostly Martha, and last year’s Mediterranean Food, Bon Appétit charts the complicated camaraderie and zealous rivalries at play among the culinary elite, while also managing to provide a delectable feast of romantic frisson.