6 Movies and Documentaries About Food Martha Stewart Finds Delicious

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When people think of celebrity cooks, Martha Stewart is often the first name that comes to mind. Her love of food began in 1976 when she started a catering business with a friend, operating out of her basement. While she’s explored many different business ventures, cooking has always been a central passion. Over the years, Stewart has become a well-known author and television personality in the culinary world. As Sherry Paprocki’s biography, Martha Stewart: Lifestyle Entrepreneur, details, Stewart learned to cook and sew from her mother, and she picked up the skills of canning and preserving from her grandparents in Buffalo, New York.

I was so excited to see what Martha Stewart chose as her favorite food films for the Tribeca Shortlist – it’s cool how they get celebrities to share movies they love around a certain topic! And honestly, she has amazing taste. Her picks aren’t just mouthwatering; they actually teach you a lot about cooking. But most of all, they’re really fun to watch. Seriously, get comfy, grab a snack, and get ready for a movie night!

6
‘Chocolat’ (2000)


Miramax Films

The film Chocolat, based on Joanne Harris’s 1999 novel, follows Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter, Anouk (Victoire Thivisol), as they arrive in the sleepy French village of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes just before Lent. Despite initial resistance from the locals, Vianne opens a chocolate shop that quickly charms many of the townspeople and unexpectedly changes their lives.

Chocolate Is the Food for Love

Those familiar with the original novel (a Creative Freedom Award winner) will likely draw comparisons, but the film is clearly different. While Vianne Rocher is capable and appealing in the book, the movie portrays her with a more hopeful and radiant energy. The book’s Vianne is naturally awkward, creating a sense of sadness and fragility, whereas the film version appears much more self-assured, leaving no question that she’ll overcome her challenges. Actress Juliette Binoche deserves all the credit for this compelling portrayal.

Honestly, watching Chocolat is like actually tasting the chocolate right along with the characters – you can feel how good it is just by watching everyone enjoy it! Beyond that, it’s a really sweet love story, and that’s why I think it’s one of the most charming romantic movies from the 2000s. It was a big deal at the Oscars too, getting nominated for Best Picture, and Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench both got nominations for their acting. Plus, it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score!

5
‘A Place at the Table’ (2012)


Magnolia Pictures

The documentary A Place at the Table sheds light on the widespread problem of hunger in the United States. It shows that over 50 million Americans, including one in four children, struggle to get enough to eat. The film follows the stories of three people affected by this issue: Barbie, a mother in Philadelphia; Rosie, a fifth-grade student in Colorado; and Tremonica, a young girl from Mississippi who deals with both obesity and asthma.

The Unheard Cries of the Tummy

“A Place at the Table” is a powerful and moving documentary that truly makes you think. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush skillfully combine personal stories with expert analysis to highlight the issue of hunger in America, while also revealing deeper problems like low pay and frustrating government policies. Ultimately, the film is a call for fairer policies and a more just society.

This documentary is a stunning visual achievement, as impactful and thought-provoking as any news report. In its 84 minutes, the film beautifully and sadly portrays living conditions, using sound effectively to enhance the experience. Its quality was recognized with a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, and it later won the Pare Lorentz Award at the 2013 IDA Documentary Awards for its focus on important social issues.

4
‘Food For Thought, Food For Life’ (2015)

Do we ever consider the environmental consequences of our food choices? The documentary Food for Thought, Food for Life, narrated by Tony Robbins, explores the ecological and ethical issues surrounding how food is produced today. It reveals how large-scale farming harms the planet, may contribute to health problems, and uses up valuable natural resources. Through interviews with people involved in the food system – farmers, scientists, and activists – the film offers potential solutions to address climate change and protect global health.

Be Sure to Eat Responsibly

Martha Stewart’s passion goes beyond just enjoying food; she’s deeply concerned about the environmental impact of how we produce it. While the documentary Food for Thought, Food for Life didn’t receive major awards attention, it’s a film everyone should watch and consider. At under an hour long, it presents important information in a straightforward and concise way. The film’s message is further strengthened by Tony Robbins’ compelling narration, which leaves a lasting impression on viewers and encourages thoughtful reflection.

The film’s stunning visuals really enhance the experience. Beautiful shots of farms, forests, oceans, and cities highlight the contrast between sustainable and unsustainable food practices. Despite the topic potentially feeling like a lecture, the documentary avoids being preachy. Unlike many films about climate change, it doesn’t ask viewers to make drastic lifestyle changes – instead, it gently encourages small adjustments to what we eat.

3
‘Like Water for Chocolate’ (1992)


Miramax

Inspired by Laura Esquivel’s novel, Like Water for Chocolate is a story set in 20th-century Mexico. It centers on Tita, a young woman who isn’t allowed to marry because family tradition requires her to care for her mother, Mama Elena, for the rest of her life. Tita falls in love with Pedro, but he marries her sister, Rosaura, just to be near her. Tita finds solace in cooking, and discovers her feelings somehow affect anyone who tastes her food. What happens as a result?

Food Is More Lethal Than Cupid’s Arrow

It’s surprising how much impact food can have on a story! The movie Like Water for Chocolate beautifully uses magical realism to move the plot forward. There’s a memorable scene where someone eating feels such intense desire that they actually start to steam, and things escalate from there – an outhouse even catches fire! Lumi Cavazos gives a fantastic performance as the woman at the heart of the story, making you truly feel for her struggles. Marco Leonardi is also excellent as Pedro, the man caught in a difficult situation, forced to marry someone other than the woman he loves.

I was really struck by how the movie dealt with old ways versus new ideas. It showed characters pushing back against what was expected of them – things like traditional gender roles and outdated rules – and you really see the impact of those choices. Honestly, it all came together to make a truly wonderful film. It was a big deal too – it got 10 nominations for the Ariel Awards (Mexico’s equivalent of the Oscars), including for Best Picture, and was even considered for a Golden Globe! Plus, when it came out, it actually became the highest-earning foreign-language film ever released in the US, which is amazing.

2
‘Food, Inc.’ (2008)


Magnolia Pictures

As a total film buff, I was really struck by Food, Inc. It’s a hard-hitting documentary that pulls back the curtain on how our food is really made in America. What’s most disturbing is how a handful of huge companies seem to run everything, and they clearly put profits ahead of things like our health, the environment, and how animals are treated. The filmmakers talk to people who really know what’s going on – farmers, food scientists, activists – and they reveal some scary truths about things like unfair labor practices, genetic modification, and even how the government seems to be involved in keeping things this way. It’s a film that really makes you think about what you’re eating.

Time to Change Where We Get Food?

Robert Kenner’s documentary, released 17 years ago, urged people to choose organic, locally-sourced food, a message that still resonates today. The film took three years to make, and a significant portion of the budget went towards legal costs – Kenner anticipated and prepared for lawsuits from large food companies and manufacturers of pesticides and fertilizers. A practical concern raised by the film is whether organic farming alone could feed everyone, and it’s likely not fully possible. Fortunately, the follow-up film, Food, Inc. 2, released on April 12, 2024, explores some of these issues further.

Visually, Food, Inc. is a well-made film, using dynamic camera work that many filmmakers would admire. The sound design is also excellent and complements each scene effectively. The documentary received several award nominations, including the Academy Award and Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature.

1
‘Jiro Dreams Of Sushi’ (2011)


Magnolia Pictures

As a total film buff, I was completely captivated by Jiro Dreams of Sushi. It’s a documentary that follows Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master, and his incredibly famous, three-Michelin-star restaurant in Tokyo. The director, David Gelb, really shows you Jiro’s dedication – how he tirelessly searches for the perfect ingredients and spends hours perfecting every single dish. It’s also a fascinating look at his relationship with his sons, who he’s training to carry on his legacy, and it’s surprisingly complex – there’s a lot of pushing and mentoring going on. It’s a really beautiful and absorbing film.

Made in Japan

Skip the typical entrepreneur movies and watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi. It’s not just about the incredible food; it offers valuable lessons on running a family business. Director David Gleb beautifully captures the relationship between Jiro and his sons, showing both their love and occasional disagreements. The documentary honestly portrays a group of intelligent and strong-willed people who sometimes clash, but ultimately work together seamlessly. Everyone in the family is self-aware, confident, and clearly expresses what they want, and their deep respect for each other is truly moving.

Dedication, effort, and building something lasting are key to success in any profession. Remarkably, Jiro Ono recently celebrated his 100th birthday with no intention of slowing down. He stated in October 2025, on Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day, that he aims to continue working for another five years, according to AP News.

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2025-11-07 21:41