Have You Ever Worked at the Grand Budapest Hotel?

As everyone in the Industry knows, there is the imaged world of hospitality and then there is the real, everyday world that encompasses our work. There is the front of the House, and then, well, there is the back of the House. 

Now there is a new movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, that takes both worlds to humorous extremes. Written and directed by Wes Anderson, who also made the critically acclaimed, Moonrise Kingdom, this creative movie offers viewers, literally, a new perspective on both humor and film.

The film centers around the adventures of Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), the legendary concierge at this imagery but still world famous European hotel between World Wars I and II. Accompanying him is Zero Moustafa, his assistant lobby boy, who becomes his most trusted friend and ally. 

With a cast of international stars elite enough to frighten even the most experienced front desk, this delightful film is a joy to see, starting in March 2014. It's a perfect work-break film when you need to laugh at all that can (or could) happen in a single hotel.

That said, there is only one remaining question to ask: Have you ever felt that you worked at The Grand Budapest Hotel?

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

How to Feed 100,000 People a Day

In a world that seems unable to work together even to solve the simplest of problems, Valerie Berteau and Philippr Witjes have produced a stunning documentary film, entitled Himself Who Cooks, that follows the efforts of hundreds of volunteers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India as they feed up to 100,000 people every day. 

Yes, that’s correct -100,000 meals in a day from the Temple's Langar Kitchen.  Bertau and Witjes capture in beautiful imagery, frame by frame, the spontaneous choreography of hundreds of hands moving in unison to the pulse of a spiritual expression found through the creation and sharing of food for all. 

The Golden Temple is itself as unique as the film, because it is not only a central religious center for Sikhism but also serves as a shining symbol of brotherhood and equality for all people. As a result, everyone, regardless of creed, race, sex, nationality or social status, is welcome without hindrance or restriction to dine respectfully together in peace and fellowship.

What makes this documentary even more unique is that Philippe Witjes, who worked with Berteau as co-author and film maker, is himself a professional chef.  As a result, many images of everyday beauty, that others might have overlooked, are captured and presented as moments of meaning within food service.

Many thanks to this creative team for reminding us all, that between the plates and pans, food, when all is said and done, is about fellowship with others and so, hopefully, with the world around us.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013