Fork n’ Film Chicago Event – Ratatouille
At a Fork n’ Film event, they show a movie centered around food, and serve that food to you just as the characters are eating it on screen. I am a huge Disney fan, especially the Pixar movies, and Ratatouille might be my favorite of all time. This event was one of my favorite things I have done since starting as a student at DePaul, and it’s one of those events that only happens in an amazing city like Chicago.
This event was part of the Fork n’ Film series which is put on in a handful of major cities throughout the U.S. and Europe. The idea is to select a movie that both offers nostalgia and is centered around delicious, themed food. As of now, the Chicago location is showing Ratatouille, Beauty and the Beast, and The Princess and the Frog. These are all Disney options, but they informed us that they have done non-Disney movies in the past and will likely do more in the future; however, I am definitely a fan of the Disney theme. They bring in experienced chefs who are well-versed in fine dining and can prepare the food from each scene very accurately. The event was held in the 21c Museum Hotel which is located in River North. The screening and dinner service was in a gallery room, and being surrounded by works of art really added to the entire experience.
As I mentioned, I love Ratatouille. I genuinely think that the overall experience of this event has made me realize that it is my favorite movie. That might mean I am a little biased and enjoyed this experience more than the average person, but I think everything I am saying is true regardless of how big of a fan you are. To eat the signature food from a movie, prepared by talented chefs in a fine-dining environment, while watching the exact scene that the food is from is an entirely different level of immersion, and is truly just such a fun time!
The meal began with a salad served in a miniature garbage can as Remy and his family rooted through the trash to find food on screen. This was followed by a charcuterie board, and then a mushroom with a sparkler to represent the mushroom that Remy cooks with lightning in the movie. Then there was a break, and the next dish was the soup that Remy makes inside the kitchen of world famous Gusteau’s. Then, a main course of short rib was served as Chef Linguine made the same dish on screen. Finally, the main dish, the ratatouille. This is a pinnacle scene in the movie, and it was so cool to enjoy the dish at the same time as all of the characters. They finished the meal with a delicious creme brulee, and I was extremely satisfied.
I’m sure you now understand my excitement around this event, and I assure you it is well deserved. As I mentioned earlier, these are the types of events that are only found in a place like Chicago, at least in my experience. I highly encourage you to check out a Fork n’ Film event next time you are in the city. Getting to experience things like this while I am getting my degree is truly a privilege, and goes to show just how impactful the city of Chicago is on the experience of the average DePaul student.
~Jeff