The Best Food Movie Ever Made, According To Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain was known as somewhat of a contrarian during his time on this earth. Trained in the art of making classic French cuisine at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, the "No Reservations" star had a strong opinion about seemingly everything, from ordering mussels at a restaurant (not a fan) to the latest up-and-coming food trends he hated with a passion. Yet, that's not to say he was contemptuous about every aspect of pop culture. Bourdain, also known as a lover of rock and roll and provocative literature, was no stranger to films focused on food and the culinary industry, and his favorite may surprise some folks who know him best as a man with a somewhat haunted personality.

The G-rated 2007 animated motion picture "Ratatouille" held a special place in Bourdain's heart as a movie that showcased the true nature of upscale kitchens and cuisine. For those unfamiliar with the film, it centers on an aspiring chef who just can't seem to please his boss, even though he'd landed a role at a distinguished restaurant in Paris. Given that Bourdain cut his teeth as an executive chef working at the famed Brasserie Les Halles, it makes sense that he would gravitate toward a flick about classic French cooking. Still, it wasn't necessarily the cutesy characters or child-friendly dialogue that impressed Bourdain while he was watching "Ratatouille," but rather the accuracy with which it portrayed an industry he revered.

With Anthony Bourdain's deep connection with food and the culinary industry, he was grateful for films that conveyed a true appreciation for not only cuisine but the chefs who prepare it. Being able to relate to characters who were experiencing pain, anxiety, and feeling undervalued for all the arduous labor they put into their craft was key, and "Ratatouille" hit those marks with surprising accuracy for a G-rated flick. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the "Parts Unknown" star shared what truly stood out to him that made "Ratatouille" stand apart from other food-centric movies, saying, "They got the food, the reactions to food, and tiny details to food really right — down to the barely noticeable pink burns on one of the character's forearms."

The 2007 animated feature wasn't the only culinary motion picture that Bourdain appreciated, but there were plenty that he thought missed the mark. At the end of the day, Bourdain was as much a chef and writer as he was a cynical critic of many aspects of world culture, perhaps best illustrated by his longstanding feud with Guy Fieri. While explaining what he thought was great about "Ratatouille," he sarcastically pointed out the folly of the movie industry when it comes to making quality cinema showcasing upscale fare. He said, "It's a measure of how deficient Hollywood has been in making an accurate restaurant food based film that far and away the best was about an animated rat."