Reel Eats – Chocolat Edition

Another Reel Eats, Another Success!

The third instalment of Reel Eats we ate food inspired by the film Chocolat.  Adorable film – maybe one of my favourites. But I was there for the yummy food and incredible storytelling. And that there was!

The sold out Reel Eats event, hosted by Mary Luz and Sang Kim  highlighted some of the best French food has to offer.  Big thanks to the talented Chocolatier and pâtissier Chef Bruno Elsier accompanied by Chef Vanessa Yeung, who prepared the tasty and Chocolat inspired meals.

On the menu

Salade de Folle Lardons et Pigions de Pin Sautes al la Beurre de Cacao et Pepins de Cacao a la Vinagrette de Balsamique

Crème de Lentille et Echalote a la Mycryo Buerre de Cacao

Cassoulet a La Saucisse de Toulouse au Chocolait au Lait

This dish was one my favorites of the night. It was very rustic and hearty – reminded me of something my grandmother would make me.

Sorbet de Vine Jaune a l’Armagnac Flambee Gradnmere

Beouf Bourguignon au Chocolat Noir

How can you have a French inspired meal (post release of Julie and Julia) without Beouf Bourguignon?

 Pomme Frites et Mayonnaise Epice au Chili Chocolat Mayo

For dessert we enjoyed Ombres et Chaleurs de Chocolat, Mousse ay Chocolat Blanc au Limon and Chocolat au lait Crème Brulee et chocolat Amer Chaud Epice

I loved this dessert. And I’m not a dessert person. In fact, I loved it so much I didn’t photograph the final masterpiece. Straight to eating!

Chef Bruno Elsier

The Storytellers

Wow. Where do I even begin?

Let me start with the incredible and scandalous Dwayne Morgan. His spoken word poem about his edible experience with his lady – threw most of the Reel Eats guests off their seats. Pancakes, nipples, berries, syrup, naked bodies…you get the idea. It was one of the most entertaining things I’ve heard in a long time – maybe even ever.  He also shared with us one of his signature spoken word poems “The Sum of Her Parts”, an incredible account of women’s struggle with the media and body image. Feminist manifestos and food – could you make this gender studies grad any happier?  I think not. Check out Dwayne Morgan’s “Sum of her Parts” here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsXrJeLmIdE

Mardi Michels

Mardi is a renaissance woman. She’s a teacher, mother, blogger, Macaroon maker, Parisian tour guide, the list goes on. She shared her heartfelt story of living in Paris as an young, timid and wide-eyed Australian determined to become Parisian. It very much reminded me of my experience living in Neuchatel, Switzerland. I tried so hard to be Swiss- adapting my Quebecois French accent to the more ‘refined’ Swiss French, exchanging bonjours, merci beaucoups with every Swiss person I knew – didn’t help much. I did however eat my own body weight in chocolate and cheese.

Patricia Bradbury

Last but not least was Patricia Bradbury. A Montreal native who spoke about her incredible travels and culinary adventures crossing the Arctic Circle and the northern delta.

Mario Stojanic (one Reel Eats creators) and Mama Coop

Also a big thanks to Mama Coop for inviting me as her guest for the evening !!