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NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
La Cocina best served in-cinema for glimpse into exciting, exhausting NY restaurant life
Director Alonso Ruizpalacios, left, alongside striking Mexican actor Raúl Briones, right, at a 'La Cocina' press conference in Mexico. Photo / Getty Images La Cocina, directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, is in cinemas now. Set during the lunchtime rush of a bustling New York restaurant, La Cocina portrays the hurly-burly of the kitchen, blending personal drama with warm-hearted camaraderie, dashed with swear words hurled in the mother tongues of its immigrant staff. Central to the story is boozing troublemaker Pedro (striking Mexican actor Raúl Briones), one of several undocumented cooks employed in the famous tourist trap. His arrogant antics are wearing thin. 'Three strikes and you're out!' bellows Lee Sellars' head chef as Pedro takes unscheduled smoko breaks and mucks up meal orders. Chief among Pedro's distractions is Julia (Rooney Mara) a self-possessed waitress with her own problems. The film is loosely based on Arnold Wesker's 1957 play The Kitchen, and though this updated cast wears modern-day sneakers and hoodies, Mexican director Alonso Ruizpalacios maintains the old-fashioned feel of a Times Square institution, where staff smoke as they slave over hot stoves and make calls from payphones, not cellphones. Adding to its throwback charm, La Cocina is shot in beautifully crisp black and white photography, illuminating the natural performances by a superb cast of mostly unknowns representing an authentically diverse immigrant community. Tensions boil over during a scene with cooks and servers humorously cursing each other out in their florid local slang, while Max, the sole white monolingual American chef, angrily despairs. It's not quite Boiling Point or The Bear but things do get stressful – pounding sound design adds to an intense scene shot in one long take in which everything that can go wrong seemingly does. The script's stage origins are evident in a couple of theatrical moments: a soliloquy in the meat freezer, and the occasional earnest monologue between workers. Brought to the screen, however, the melodramatic aspects are mitigated by the stunning monochrome cinematography. Amidst the companionship and cuisine some vaguely surreal moments still somehow feel in keeping with the overall tone. La Cocina is best served as an in-cinema experience, for immersion in an exciting, exhausting, behind-the-scenes world. Rating out of five:★★★★
Sydney Morning Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This plot might work in an hour of TV – unfortunately, this is a movie
LA COCINA ★★ (MA) 139 minutes If there were a prize for Most Obtrusive Cinematography, Alonso Ruizpalacios' La Cocina would be in the running. The main setting is the basement kitchen of The Grill, an imagined restaurant close to Times Square that operates on the scale of a small factory (filming was mostly in a studio in Mexico City). The camera tracks laterally along the overhead shelves, and the film's whole midsection is occupied by a single chaotic but carefully choreographed long take in which all hell breaks loose during the lunchtime rush. Elsewhere, dialogue scenes are filmed in heavy alternating close-ups, or the actors are pushed to the edges of the frame, with shots edited so their eyes don't appear to meet. Most of this is in black and white, with the old-school Academy screen ratio boosting the feeling of claustrophobia – though a couple of scenes make use of colour, and the screen expands from time to time, as if Ruizpalacios feared we might be getting bored. Very loosely based on Arnold Wesker's 1957 play The Kitchen, the film is an ensemble piece that follows a large number of employees, the majority of them undocumented immigrants from Latin America, over a single day spent toiling in The Grill's depths. The central plotline involves Pedro (Raúl Briones Carmona), a Mexican cook near the end of his tether, and his waitress girlfriend Julia (a typically tense and whispery Rooney Mara). She's pregnant, he wants the baby and she doesn't, and there's an issue about getting money for an abortion – all of which might be just about enough to sustain an hour-long episode of conventional TV, with other subplots woven in.
The Age
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
This plot might work in an hour of TV – unfortunately, this is a movie
LA COCINA ★★ (MA) 139 minutes If there were a prize for Most Obtrusive Cinematography, Alonso Ruizpalacios' La Cocina would be in the running. The main setting is the basement kitchen of The Grill, an imagined restaurant close to Times Square that operates on the scale of a small factory (filming was mostly in a studio in Mexico City). The camera tracks laterally along the overhead shelves, and the film's whole midsection is occupied by a single chaotic but carefully choreographed long take in which all hell breaks loose during the lunchtime rush. Elsewhere, dialogue scenes are filmed in heavy alternating close-ups, or the actors are pushed to the edges of the frame, with shots edited so their eyes don't appear to meet. Most of this is in black and white, with the old-school Academy screen ratio boosting the feeling of claustrophobia – though a couple of scenes make use of colour, and the screen expands from time to time, as if Ruizpalacios feared we might be getting bored. Very loosely based on Arnold Wesker's 1957 play The Kitchen, the film is an ensemble piece that follows a large number of employees, the majority of them undocumented immigrants from Latin America, over a single day spent toiling in The Grill's depths. The central plotline involves Pedro (Raúl Briones Carmona), a Mexican cook near the end of his tether, and his waitress girlfriend Julia (a typically tense and whispery Rooney Mara). She's pregnant, he wants the baby and she doesn't, and there's an issue about getting money for an abortion – all of which might be just about enough to sustain an hour-long episode of conventional TV, with other subplots woven in.
The Herald Scotland
27-04-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Five best bluebell woodland walks with great cafes nearby
Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian This gorgeous, nature-packed park is home to deer, badgers, foxes, rabbits, hares and, if you're very lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive otters on the River Esk. To witness the bluebells in all their majesty, take a meander along the Red Trail. According to a recent post on the Dalkeith Country Park website: 'Our bluebells have appeared earlier than usual this year, with the first wave now beginning to bloom.' After your walk head to Restoration Yard, a stylish and contemporary shopping, dining and wellness space housed in a converted 18th-century stables block, where eating areas include The Kitchen restaurant, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. The Coffee Bar offers a more casual alternative, with hot drinks, sweet treats, gourmet sandwiches and soups. The Larder is open seasonally on weekends for takeaways. Keil's Den, near Lower Largo, Fife At this time of year, the floor of the ancient woodland at Keil's Den typically looks like it has been draped in a thick blanket of bluebells. Highlights include views towards the Firth of Forth, Pitcruvie Castle and Largo Law. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife, such as wagtails, great-spotted woodpeckers and soaring buzzards. Although there isn't an on-site eatery, there are some wonderful places in the surrounding locality. Pop along to The Aurrie, a cafe, arts and events space in a former Baptist hall beside the beach slipway in Lower Largo. Read more Susan Swarbrick Glen Finglas, near Brig o'Turk, Trossachs There is a choice of routes for a bluebell-themed daunder, depending on your fitness level and inclination. Little Druim Wood is a family-friendly amble, with natural play features and a sculpture trail, covering around ¾ of a mile (1.5km). The Drippan Loop, meanwhile, is a short-and-steep climb of roughly half-a-mile (900m) that rewards with spellbinding vistas of Loch Venachar. A short drive along the A821 is the Brig o' Turk Tearoom, a quaint, green-painted wooden building dating from the 1920s. Fun fact: it enjoyed a cameo in the 1959 remake of The 39 Steps, a film shot largely on location in Scotland. Today it is a vegetarian cafe, with a stellar reputation for homemade scones, cakes, traybakes and soda bread. Locally grown, seasonal produce feature highly on the menu, with vegan and gluten-free options also available. A view from Luss (Image: PA)Luss, Loch Lomond, Argyll The hillside above this pretty village comes alive with bluebells. One of the best ways to see them at close quarters is via the Quarry Path, a 30-minute walk taking its name from the slate extracted here in the 19th century, bound for the roofs of Glasgow tenements. Luss will be familiar to most, thanks to its long-running, starring role in the now-defunct STV soap opera High Road. It has a couple of decent cafes to refuel post-stroll: The Village Rest and Coach House Coffee Shop. Other idyllic spots for bluebells around Loch Lomond include Inchcailloch Island and the picturesque stretch between Rowardennan and Inversnaid. Cruise Loch Lomond runs water bus services that link well with all three locations. If you're over that eastern side of the loch, swing by the ever-excellent St Mocha at Balmaha for coffee or an ice cream. The Oak Tree Inn next door has a top-notch bar menu. Mauldslie Woods, near Dalserf, Lanarkshire The paths around Mauldslie Woods are renowned for their magnificent bluebell displays. Not only are these violet-hued flowers a delight for the eyes, but the nostrils too, as the fragrance mixes with the heady smell of neighbouring wild garlic to create an instantly memorable aroma. Occupying a tranquil setting beside the Clyde, the land here was formerly a royal hunting forest and orchard. It is ideally placed in proximity to the many superb coffee shops along the Clyde Valley, including one of my favourite haunts: Silverbirch Garden Centre at Crossford. Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @
Korea Herald
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Chef Edward Lee serves dinner for children
A group of youngsters were treated to a special dinner when celebrity chef Edward Lee of Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' cooked for them at an event held at The Kitchen Il Forno in downtown Seoul, Saturday. Twenty middle and high school students from children's homes and 10 youths preparing to leave children's homes who are interested in pursuing a career in cooking or the hospitality industry took part in 'Cooking Day with Edward Lee.' The event was organized by You Are Not Alone, a group dedicated to supporting children in orphanages as well as those transitioning to independent living. Children in orphanages are required to leave when they reach 18. On the five-course dinner menu for the evening were two dishes prepared by Lee — fried chicken with sesame sauce and pork and penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. The dinner was followed by a Q&A session, with the US-based chef, author and restaurateur taking questions from his guests. "You have one life, make your own story," he said, advising the youngsters not to be afraid of failure. Recalling how he opened a restaurant at 26, only to close it at 29, Lee said, "I am glad I have failed. Even if it hurts, it's not the end of the world. Young people are afraid to fail, but it's okay to fail." "I'm not the smartest, best chef but I work hard," Lee said, emphasizing the importance of hard work in achieving success. "Some of it is talent, but you need to put in hard work. I can work 10 hours when others work eight," he said. "You have one life, make your own story," Earlier this year, Lee donated 20 million won toward a meal for children and their teachers at 31 orphanages around the country. 'I've received so much love in Korea, and I am happy to have this chance to return the love to society through YANA,' said Lee about his participation in the event.
