French cinema doesn't plaster "based on a true story" on its facade, but modestly blends a very interesting story into a wonderful picture. Where the film lacks story, fictionalizes names and misses character building, the Mitterand representation by Jean d'Ormesson is heartwarming. The style of the film is pleasant and a representation of what French cooking is about.

Guys! You by-passed this film's most important message! This film is a scathing criticism of France's misogynistic, male - dominated institution of Haute Cuisine"! The whole film is not about how good the food looks, but how the Elysée Palace's male chefs gang up against this woman who dared to be chosen above them! This is a must see that uncovers the lingering prejudice against women in France's best established institution.

I LOVE this film and have told many people about it, especially the ones who have many copper pots and love to cook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jean d'Ormesson as the President of France, well, I wanted to cover him with kisses!I learned how to pronounce truffles!

If you are a foodie, a chef or a food and wine person, or someone who wants to have a glympse into the lives of chefs, this is your movie! I enjoyed immensely. If the cooking world is your passion see it.

Nice French comedy on the work of the personal chef of the president of France between 1988 and 1990. The movie is something like a joyous portrait, like the advertising poster for the cinemas, light but well directed.

I had to watch this movie in my French class and it's terrible. There's like no plot. A lady cooks for the president and it's kind of hard? What type of conflict is that?! It also gives the you the feeling that the most important thing the president does is the food that's cooked for him. Don't see this movie it sucks

Strong female cooking for French President. Tres bien! An entertaining, inspiring, and beautifully filmed movie.

I don't get the reviews that complain there is no conflict in this movie. It seems there must be man on man or man on environment conflict for the conflict to be recognized. There is a small conflict between the kitchen staff, but the biggest conflict is within Hortense herself. Here you have an extremely passionate woman, one deeply in love with food. She doesn't see it as a job, and she must choose between a role that she deems a great honour and being true to herself. I think it is a beautiful story. I loved it. I put it up there with other food favourites of mine such as Hundred Foot Journey. I'm a sucker for French food movies, and this one didn't disappoint.

From 11/01/2014. Here's a trailer of the film Haute Cuisine (Les Saveurs du Palais), a 2012 French film on the true story of Daniele Malet-Delpeuch, a private chef for two (2) years to 1981-1995 President Francois Mitterrand (1916-1996). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxxI9_BLj88 I like the film. The president and the chef love authentic French cooking. Here's the dialogue of the final scenes between them before the chef resigns to later become a truffles farmer in New Zealand. One evening, the president visits the private kitchen. Chef: Can I help you, Mr. President? President: I'm fine. Mrs. Arvelet said you'd received some truffles. Chef: Yes, that's perfectly correct. Do you want to see them? President: Do you mind? Chef: Not at all. President: I suppose they're the first of the season. Chef: Yes. Look at that! President: How marvelous! Are you familiar with truffles a la croquet au sel? Chef: There's little about truffles I'm not familiar with. After preparing the truffles for the president, the chef opens a bottle of wine. Chef: Chateau Rayas 1969. President: Thank you. Perfect. They're making life hard for you? Me, too. Adversity.... Personally, adversity keeps me going. The spice of life. You see? Good evening, Ma'am. Chef: Good evening, Mr. President. Please take great care of yourself, everyone, and thank you for all you do. Love, Mel & Gracie

Great food and a wonderful story, even if embellished....well acted

Really enjoyed this movie! It works on many levels.

It appears that Haute Cuisine focused too much on making the audience hungry and forgot about the message it was trying to portray

more than just a foodie film. an interesting story of behind the culinary scenes at the french presidential palace.

Might read her book. Interesting life.

As far as storytelling chops goes, HAute Cuisine is a bon bon, not a full course meal. However, anyone who derives pleasure from watching beautiful work being done on the screen and presented in the most prideful way will enjoy much of this movie. And there is plenty of gastronomic titillation for French cuisine enthusiasts.

Too bad it lacks plot. The rest of it is delicious.

Interessante mai banale, anche se il tema lo lascerebbe supporre. Non decolla mai veramente, però.

Worth five stars for Catherine Frot's beautifully crafted and understated performance: but also nicely filmed, with plenty of humor, and lots of good food ideas!

loved what's her name. i think the french made her too charitable for a french woman though :)

A simple movie, but that's not necessarily bad. Not when it's the creme de la creme of food porn. Yum.