In the realm of culinary arts, few have left as lasting a legacy as this iconic figure. Known for constructing ambitious cream-puff towers and possessing a charisma akin to rock stars, Antonin Carême remains an enduring legend, despite having passed away in the 1830s. While Napoleon Bonaparte is a household name, Carême’s tale isn’t as widely recognized, even within France. This new Apple TV+ series, “Carême,” seeks to change that by portraying him as the inaugural celebrity chef in history, complete with a cooking competition reminiscent of “Top Chef.” It’s a fusion of “The Bear” and post-revolutionary Paris, with phrases like “Oui, chef” adding to the excitement.
The drama, premiering its first two episodes on Wednesday, explores Carême’s life beyond his culinary genius. He is intricately involved in political scheming through his astute employer, the diplomat Talleyrand, who uses Carême in espionage. Despite these entanglements, Carême’s primary ambition is to be the world’s greatest chef. One notable scene shows him orchestrating an extravagant outdoor banquet, culminating in donning a tall, white chef’s hat, symbolizing his ascent to fame.
The man cast to bring Carême to life is Benjamin Voisin, whose portrayal carries a certain rebellious charm akin to Mick Jagger in the ’70s. Director Martin Bourboulon exclaimed that Voisin’s audition made him an immediate and perfect fit, embodying Carême’s insouciant appeal and energetic demeanor. The series doesn’t shy away from the sensuality of Carême’s life. A scene early on showcases this with a playful and passionate interaction between Carême and his lover, Henriette, interrupted only by the demand to cook for Napoleon’s troops.
Voisin underwent rigorous culinary training to convincingly step into Carême’s shoes, learning the intricacies of French gourmet traditions. The actor dedicated two months to mastering Carême’s whimsical creations, such as towering crowning achievements like croquembouche. Although Carême eventually embodied excellence in the kitchen, his initial clumsy attempts, even at simple tasks like chopping onions, were a part of his journey, aided by Agathe, a skilled sous-chef portrayed by Alice Da Luz.
Da Luz herself immersed in culinary arts, refining her abilities at a renowned cooking school in Paris alongside Voisin. She takes pride in her acquired skills, including impressively swift onion chopping. The production team painstakingly constructed a spacious, authentic kitchen environment for the actors, providing them a luxurious workspace compared to the typical cramped quarters of the era.
Historically set after Napoleon’s rise in 1799, the show intertwines real events with creative storytelling. Voisin admits to previously only knowing broad strokes about Napoleon, learning more about Carême’s extraordinary culinary contributions along the way. Similarly, Lyna Khoudri, who portrays the enigmatic Henriette, discovered the depth of French culinary heritage through her involvement in the series.
Da Luz embraced the challenge of researching her historical role, blending limited historical data with creative interpretation to revitalize a minor yet pivotal character from the past. Meanwhile, Jérémie Renier as Talleyrand delved deeply into his role, enlightened by Talleyrand’s multifaceted historical impact and his cunning survival through turbulent times.
Renier perceives the series as exploring ambition, the lengths one will go to attain dreams, and the sacrifices involved. This central theme carries through lavish set designs and period-influenced costumes. The creators crafted new dinner services and produced thousands of candles to evoke an authentic historic atmosphere, setting each scene in lush settings across selected châteaus.
The show’s crescendo—a spectacular banquet—was meticulously crafted, filmed at the picturesque Parc de Saint-Cloud. Grand tents with velvet interiors was erected, filled with sumptuous fare like massive legs of lamb and gigantic tuna—symbolic of the celebration’s grandeur. The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the creation of thousands of cream puffs, assembled into awe-inspiring structures, a fitting tribute to the man credited as the world’s first celebrity chef.