Review - 'Eat what you watch'

“Eat What You Watch” is a brilliant cookbook for movie lovers written by American YouTuber, cookbook author and celebrity chef Andrew Rea.

This book was given to me by my mother for Christmas in order to inspire me to start cooking more. Did this work? Well, all I will say is that yes, I am more inspired since the recipes come from iconic food moments from classic movies we all know and love. Dedicating it to his mother, Andrew Rea writes that “Food in movies and television plays just as vital and important a role as any of the human characters.” Going on to explain how “Food and movies are both sources of diversion, comfort, and togetherness, and they constantly inspire one another.”

Some amazing movie meals Andrew includes in his cookbook are the Angel Food Cake from Groundhog Day, 1993, the birthday cake from Sixteen Candles, 1984, the Blueberry pie from Stand By Me, 1986, the Boeuf Bourguignon from Julie and Julia, 2009, the breakfast dessert pasta from Elf, 2003 (my personal favourite), yummy Butterbeer from the Harry Potter series (another favourite), chicken with mole and saffron rice from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961, chocolate truffles from Chocolat, 2000 (Chocolate and Johnny Depp? Yes please), Remy’s Confit Byaldi from Ratatouille (this one is amazing), Hawaiian burger from Pulp Fiction, 1994 (who doesn’t love a tasty burger?), the “I’m Sorry” Carrot Cake from Bridesmaids, 2011, the shrimp cocktail from Beetlejuice, 1988, tiramisu from Superbad, 2007, and so many more!

I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for some inspiration on what to cook, and just make it fun knowing that the meal was in your favourite movie or your favourite character was eating exactly what you are about to eat. These recipes can be great for date night, dinner parties or just for your own pleasure.

TIP: Here’s an idea I found from Tik Tok to make a girl’s night in, or date night a little bit more fun and creative, especially if you’re a crafty person. Basically, create little cards, handwritten or printed, and write the names of different movies either from the cookbook or another and underneath write the name of a meal to make for dinner, a drink and a dessert/snack to go with it. Make a bunch of those and get your friends or significant other to choose, spend the afternoon making these together and then kick back and relax and watch a movie.

Andrew Rea also has an awesome Youtube channel called Babish Culinary Universe where he uses his love for food and movies to show you how to recreate the amazing meals, drinks, and desserts, you’ve always wanted to try so check it out!

References

• Beetlejuice. 1988. [film] Directed by T. Burton. United States: Warner Bros.
• Breakfast at Tiffany's. 1961. [film] Directed by B. Edwards. United States: Paramount Pictures.
• Bridesmaids. 2011. [film] Directed by P. Feig. United States: Universal Pictures.
• Chocolat. 2000. [film] Directed by L. Hallström. United Kingdom, United States: Miramax Films.
• Elf. 2003. [film] Directed by J. Favreau. United States: New Line Cinema.
• Groundhog Day. 1993. [film] Directed by H. Ramis. United States: Columbia Pictures.
• Harry Potter (film series). 2001-2011. [film] Directed by C. Columbus, A. Cuarón, M. Newell and D. Yates. United Kingdom: Warner Bros. Pictures.
• Julie and Julia. 2009. [film] Directed by N. Ephron. United States: Sony Pictures.
• Pulp Fiction. 1994. [film] Directed by Q. Tarantino. United States: Miramax Films.
• Ratatouille. 2007. [film] Directed by B. Bird. United States: Walt Disney Studios.
• Rea, A., 2006. Babish Culinary Universe. [YouTube] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/user/bgfilms&gt;
• Rea, A., 2017. Eat what you watch. London: Harper Collins Publishers.
• Sixteen Candles. 1984. [film] Directed by J. Hughes. United States: Universal Pictures.
• Stand By Man. 1986. [film] Directed by R. Reiner. United States: Columbia Pictures.
• Superbad. 2007. [film] Directed by G. Mottola. United States: Sony Pictures Releasing.