Foodies: The Culinary Jet Set

Foodies: the Culinary Jet Set is a fascinating 2014 documentary about obsessive gastronomy from directors Thomas Jackson, Charlotte Landelius, and Henrik Stockare. This intriguing film offers an intimate, inside look at the international subculture of the food connoisseurs and hobby gourmets known as "foodies". These wealthy food obsessives spend their time and money chasing high-class, gourmet meals around the globe, led by their love for exquisite taste and unique culinary experiences.

The documentary takes you on a journey around the world with these culinary adventurers, enlightening viewers about what it means to be a foodie and providing us with a look at food culture from a different angle. It's about not just extraordinary food, but people's relationships with food, the obsession, the devotion, and the lengths some go to for that perfect dish.

Andy Hayler, one of the major characters, is not a chef or restaurateur but an IT specialist whose claim to fame is being the first person to eat at every three Michelin Star restaurant worldwide. His extreme passion for food is depicted in detail, allowing viewers to understand the lengths that true foodies will go through to satisfy their gourmet cravings.

Aiste Miseviciute, a former model, turned her fascination with food into her profession. She runs a food and fashion blog, "Luxeat," where she shares her ultimate food tasting experiences and chronicles her gastronomical journey. Her food mania has driven her to the lengths of quitting her lucrative career in fashion and trading it for an uncertain future revolving around her taste buds.

Then there's Perm Paitayawat aka The Skinny Bib, a grad student who moonlights as a food blogger. Despite not having the income of his peers, he consistently finds a way to feed his high-class culinary obsession even if it strains his budget to the breaking point.

Pieced together, these diverse narratives give an extraordinary insight into the complex world of gastronomy. The directors showcase unique perspectives, smart insights, and allow the viewers to question the nature of this high-end food obsession. Footage in some of the world’s most renowned restaurants like El Celler de Can Roca, Noma, and Jean-Georges provide vibrant imagery and promote a cultural understanding of the culinary world.

The documentary makes us question: How far would we go for a plate of food? Is this level of obsession harmless, or can it grow into something destructive? Does the constant pursuit of culinary perfection lead to a more enhanced understanding and appreciation of food, or does it result in a loss of joy in the fundamental act of feeding oneself?

Viewers are also provided with glimpses into the lives of the people serving these foodies, including some rightly famous chefs. There's a subtle exploration of how an increasingly fast-paced, globalised world has changed cuisine. It covers revolutions in food where the humble, home cooked meals have paved way for molecular gastronomics and unimaginable kitchen inventions.

What sets “Foodies: The Culinary Jet Set" apart from traditional documentaries is its inward-looking lens, compellingly exploring human passion, pursuit, obsession, and identification along with the outer world of food. It’s not merely about opulent plates and matching wines, nor the sparkly chandelier in a fancy restaurant. It forces us to question our connection with food and the lengths we go to chasing our passions.

A combination of inspiring scores and beautiful cinematography by Jonas Hartzell, combined with the food enthusiasts’ narratives and the chefs' interviews, creates an overall enticing experience for the audience. If you have a keen interest in gastronomy or the human psyche, this film provides both elements that are artfully wrapped together highlighting the phenomena of food infatuation in an unprecedented manner.

The documentary concludes by leaving viewers to ponder the true value of 'Foodies,' considering if they are genuinely sincere gastronomes, individuals who elevate the culinary arts to heights earlier unknown, or are they mere elitists who use food as a tool to differentiate themselves from ordinary people? It raises questions about the direction our food-obsessed culture is heading and what impact it could have on us.

"Foodies: the Culinary Jet Set" is an enthralling watch for anyone interested in the food world, social dynamics, or simply an extraordinary human story.