This past summer, Canterbury Court residents were offered up a unique dining experience that combined the fun of watching a movie with enjoying the foods portrayed on screen.
Christopher Calhoun, Canterbury Court’s Dining Event Coordinator, made a New Year’s resolution to create experiences for residents that were a step beyond the regular parties he plans. Inspired by the “Fork n’ Film” series put on in New York and Los Angeles, he worked for months planning the first Canterbury Court Fork and Film dinner. The movie for this event was Ratatouille, a Pixar animated film about a rat named Remy who aspires to be a chef and ends up working with a kitchen boy to make delicious dishes at a fancy restaurant in Paris.
The night’s menu took its cue from the movie itself, with course after course reflecting the on-screen offerings. Chris and Chef Montise Brown with assistance from Sous-Chef Edrion Williams, worked together to create an amazing menu that included rat poison (a “smoking” lemon drop martini), “trash can” salad, lightning mushrooms, and, of course, ratatouille. Guests also got to participate in the culinary fun by dressing up their own bowls of potato leek soup. The last of the courses was a banana Crème brûlée. “The food was great,” says Barbara Blender, Chair of Canterbury Court’s Movie Committee. “Chris really went out of his way to match the food to the story.” Among Barbara’s favorites were the ratatouille and the lemon drop, which “provided a big ‘oooh’ moment!”
Christopher drew on the movie’s locale for the decor theme–transforming the event space into a Parisian bistro, complete with checkered tablecloths and personalized place settings. Canterbury Court dining staff took their roles seriously and worked hard to serve up the meal in coordination with the on-screen happenings. While a maximum of twenty could have signed up, Chris was happy with the intimacy that having a group of twelve provided. Since this was the first attempt at such an event, the smaller group made things easy to manage and learn from as well.
“It turned out to be a great event with the residents; they absolutely loved it,” says Chris. Chris and Chef Montise had an open discussion with the diners after the movie and got lots of great feedback. Participants continued to chat with Chris about Fork and Film for weeks afterward, complimenting the dinner and telling him that they are ready for the next one. Chris says he is taking notes!
“It was just a wonderful evening,” says Barbara. “You would have thought they had done it before…they worked very hard to make it special.” She looks forward to the next one and thinks word of mouth may make it a sell-out the next time around. Chris will work with Barbara to pick the next Fork and Film feature. Some contenders include The Princess and the Frog, Alice in Wonderland, Beetlejuice, and The Little Mermaid.
