Chef Alice Waters of Lulu and Chez Panisse Restaurants Will Participate In a Q&A
By Dolores Quintana
The timeless tradition of combining dinner and a movie takes on an innovative twist as culinary visionary Alice Waters teams up with UCLA to bridge the gap between the world of film and the artistry of food. Renowned for her pioneering role in the farm-to-table movement, Alice Waters joins forces with the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Hammer Museum to shed light on the captivating interplay between cinematic narratives and culinary creation.
The films that will be screened are:
“Harvest” on August 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Billy Wilder Theater. There will be a pre-screening Q&A with chefs Alice Waters, David Tanis, and farmer Alex Weiser (Weiser Family Farms and Tehachapi Grain Project), moderated by Laurie Ochoa of the Los Angeles Times.
“Our Daily Bread” and “Under the Fig Trees” on August 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Billy Wilder Theater.
Admission is free. No advance reservations. Your seat will be assigned to you when you pick up your ticket at the box office. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The box office opens one hour before the event.
Alice Waters, co-founder of the acclaimed Chez Panisse in 1971 alongside film producer Paul Aratow, has played a pivotal role in reshaping this narrative. A revered chef and restaurateur hailing from the Bay Area, Waters has emerged as a fervent advocate of the farm-to-table movement, championing the use of seasonal, organic, and locally sourced ingredients in restaurants, educational institutions, and households alike.
At the core of Waters’ culinary philosophy lies the belief that eating is inherently political. She emphasizes the significance of sourcing one’s food mindfully, understanding the origins of sustenance, and advocating for sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to resilient and thriving communities. This philosophy resonates deeply with the ethos of the farm-to-table movement, fostering a deeper connection between consumers and the food they consume.
This collaboration between the UCLA Film & Television Archive, the Hammer Museum, and Alice Waters sets the stage for an ongoing series that unveils the symbiotic relationship between films from around the world and the representation of food and its production.