Tasting Menu

Behind the Scenes of Tasting Menu (2013): A Multilingual Feast with a Star-Studded Cast

Roger Gual’s Tasting Menu (2013) is a culinary dramedy that serves up more than just gourmet dishes—it’s a melting pot of languages, cultures, and unexpected behind-the-scenes dynamics. Set over one final evening at an elite Costa Brava restaurant, the film weaves together the lives of its international ensemble cast, all while navigating the challenges of multilingual filmmaking and a script that blends humor with heartache.

A Script as Rich as the Menu

The film’s premise—a divorcing couple reuniting for a once-in-a-lifetime meal—might sound simple, but the execution was anything but. Gual, who co-wrote the script, crafted a story that unfolds in real time, with dialogue in Catalan, Spanish, English, and Japanese . The linguistic diversity wasn’t just a gimmick; it reflected the restaurant’s global clientele and added layers of authenticity to the setting. However, juggling four languages on set likely required meticulous planning, from casting multilingual actors to ensuring seamless transitions between scenes.

The script’s focus on "recipes for life" rather than just food drew mixed reactions. Roger Ebert’s review noted that while the film aimed for emotional depth, it sometimes lacked the "joy of fine eating" found in classics like Babette’s Feast . Still, the ensemble’s chemistry helped sell the story’s blend of comedy and drama.

Casting a Global Table

The film’s cast reads like a who’s who of European and international talent. Irish heavyweights Stephen Rea and Fionnula Flanagan brought gravitas to their roles, while Spanish actors Jan Cornet and Claudia Bassols anchored the central divorce storyline . Bassols, in particular, had a close working relationship with Gual—she appeared in his earlier projects and even participated in a DP/30 interview alongside him, where they discussed the film’s collaborative process .

Other standout performances came from Togo Igawa, a Japanese actor known for his work in Hollywood, and Vicenta N’Dongo, a Spanish actress with a strong theater background. The diversity of the cast mirrored the restaurant’s clientele, reinforcing the film’s theme of connection across cultures. Rumor has it (though unconfirmed) that the ensemble’s off-screen camaraderie helped smooth over the logistical challenges of filming in multiple languages.

The Challenges of a Single-Location Shoot

Filming Tasting Menu in a single restaurant setting likely presented its own set of hurdles. The movie’s 85-minute runtime suggests a tight, dialogue-driven narrative, but capturing the energy of a bustling kitchen and dining room over one night would have required precise blocking and scheduling . The Costa Brava location, a picturesque region in Catalonia, added visual appeal, but shooting in a real restaurant (or a meticulously designed set) would have demanded careful coordination to avoid disruptions.

One unverified detail: some sources suggest the film’s budget was modest, which might explain why the production leaned heavily on the cast’s improvisational skills to keep scenes lively. If true, it’s a testament to the actors’ ability to elevate the material.

A Film That Divides (Like Its Couple)

Tasting Menu premiered to a mixed but curious reception. While some critics praised its ensemble and ambitious multilingual approach, others found it lacking the warmth of its culinary inspirations . The film’s trailer, featuring Rea, Flanagan, and Bassols, teased the blend of humor and melancholy, but the final product left some viewers hungry for more .

Despite its flaws, the movie remains a fascinating experiment in blending cultures, languages, and genres. For fans of character-driven stories, it’s a rare treat—a film where the real drama happens not just on the plate, but around the table.