Antonin Carême rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe. His story is coming to Apple TV+ as an eight-episode French drama.
Carême’s life had more excitement than one might expect from a chef and author, as he also served as an unwilling spy for France.
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Antonin Carême: ‘the king of chefs and the chef of kings’
Carême isn’t a household name today, but he was the most famous chef of the 19th century, serving as chef de cuisine for Tsar Alexander I when he was the most powerful man in Europe. He took on the same role for other rich and powerful figures. His fame spread partially because of the multiple books he wrote about grande cuisine.
In the upcoming Apple TV+ drama, Carême is an orphan blessed with culinary talent, who dreams of becoming the most famous chef in the world. But Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord ensnares Carême, forcing the chef to become a spy for France.
The series juxtaposes the harsh reality of 19th century kitchens with the opulence of the mansions and sophisticated aristocrats they serve.
The series stars César winner Benjamin Voisin (Lost Illusions, Summer of 85) as Carême. César nominee Jérémie Renier (My Way, Saint Laurent) plays Talleyrand, while César winner Lyna Khoudri (Papicha, November) stars as Henriette, Carême’s lover … and most dangerous threat.
The Apple TV+ drama is inspired by the book Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême, The First Celebrity Chef, by multi-award-winning historian and actor Ian Kelly.
A premier date for the series had not yet been announced. Watching will come with a $6.99-per-month subscription to Apple’s streaming video service. And subscribers will also be able to enjoy Ridley Scott’s epic starring Joaquin Phoenix as French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, which premiers on Apple TV+ in fall 2023.
Source: Apple TV+
