Local art nonprofit organization FotoFocus has whipped up a delicious event recipe sure to satisfy film aficionados and foodies alike.
The free virtual event, SECOND SCREENS: Foodie Edition, is a four month-long “cinematic and culinary experience” that celebrates food in film, bringing dinner and a movie right to your home.
From February to May, each month will feature a new film and a movie-inspired recipe created by a local Cincinnati chef.
Participants can download the recipe, prepare it at home, and stream the paired movie all while enjoying their homemade, restaurant-style meal.
“The series is dedicated to Cincinnati’s restaurateurs and industry workers, hit especially hard by the pandemic,” says Jill Robinson, associate director of consulting brand Cultural Counsel in an email to CityBeat.
Foodie Edition will launch Monday, Feb. 1 with the film Big Night (1996), a story of two Italian brothers who own a restaurant on Jersey shore. Chef Chrissy Antenucci of The Wheel in Oakley will demonstrate her hand-rolled cavatelli pasta recipe.
The schedule also includes Japanese food in March with Spirited Away (2001) featuring Chef Hideki Harada, of Kiki in College Hill. Harada will demonstrate his onigiri, or rice balls recipe.
Chef Frances Kroner of Sleepy Bee Café will take folks on a journey of chocolatey indulgence in April, while they kick back and watch Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).
And last but not least, in May, the film Amelie (2001) will be accompanied by French cuisine, led by Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel of French Crust Case & Bistro, showing participants the art of French sauces and dressings.
"Engage your senses by cooking and eating delicious food while watching a great film, and pay tribute to the regional restauranteurs and industry workers who help make 'Dinner and a Movie' even possible," FotoFocus film curator C. Jacqueline Wood says in a release. "SECOND SCREENS: Foodie Edition is truly a fun cinematic celebration of the cultures and cuisines represented in these movies."
FotoFocus will also include recorded interviews with the chefs every month where they will discuss their thoughts on the film and their recipe.
The nonprofit will share the recipes, interviews on its social media account every Tuesday, and streaming links will be available on the FotoFocus website.
