Lee Brian Schrager has expanded his signature program for the Miami Int’l Film Festival after its successful debut last year. The 2013 premiere of his Culinary Cinema program featured the documentary “Why Did You Leave?”. Following the noontime screening, the chefs, who were also the stars of the film, prepared an inspired brunch at the garden rooftop restaurant Juvia on Lincoln Road.
This year, the director of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival has whipped up an enticing mix of food-themed narrative and documentary feature films that are paired with film-inspired dinners and Plymouth Gin cocktails at premier Miami area cinemas and restaurants.
Six cinema and cuisine experiences are folded into the 2014 edition of the Miami Int’l Film Festival (MIFF), which will run from March 7th to March 16th. The Culinary Cinema program opens on Saturday, March 8th with the romantic dramedy BRASSERIE ROMANTIQUE (Brasserie Romantiek) from Belgium.
Following the film’s 7PM screening at the Regal South Beach Cinemas on Lincoln Road, film-loving foodies will travel nearby to the esteemed LA GLOUTONNERIE for a 3-course French feast especially prepared by Chef Christian Testa & Plymouth Gin libations.
Other 2014 Lee Brian Schrager’s Culinary Cinema events:
- FINAL RECIPE is an English-language drama, set in Shanghai, about a young man becomes a contestant on a reality cooking competition TV show Shanghai-set melodrama is matched with Midtown’s new restaurant BLACKBRICK for Chef Richard Hale’s Chinese 3-course dinner. Sunday, March 8th at 5PM.
- LE CHEF (Comme Un Chef). Jean Reno stars in a French/Spanish-language drama, with English subtitles, is paired with a French buffet at Daniel Boulud’s DB BISTRO MODERNE in Brickell. Monday, March 10th at 7:30PM *
- FOOD FOR LOVE features three Greek mothers who fiercely love their children as well as love to cook. The dishes featured in this Greek-language documentary, with English subtitles, will be prepared at Design District’s EGG & DART. Thursday, March 13th at 7PM.
- JADOO, which centers on two rivaling chef /brothers who are serving up drama in their respective Indian restaurants in the UK, is followed by an inspired meal at Ritz Carlton – Coconut Grove’s BIZCAYA. Friday, March 14th at 7:15PM *
- Prior to MIFF and during the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, SOUL OF A BANQUET will screen outdoors, for free, on the lawn of the New World Symphony on Lincoln Road. From the director of The Joy Luck Club, this doc profiles Cecilia Chiang, the amazing chef who introduced authentic Chinese cuisine to American palates. February 23rd at 7PM
Lee Brian Schrager Culinary Cinema program of film & dinner event packages are $65 or $75 per ticket. On Sunday, March 16th, the films will be screened solo at various festival theater venues for $12 per ticket. For more information on culinary events, venues, and prices, visit Miami Iventize or Miami Int’l Film Festival online.
*Film only screens again on Sun. March 16th.