The Bay Area's Influence On "Ratatouille"
"The central challenge was making food look appetizing in animation," said [Brad] Lewis, adding that when it came to the actual ratatouille, it really had to be spectacular.Additionally, "Ratatouille" features Keller's voice in a cameo role as a restaurant patron. In the French version, the role went to Guy Savoy, while the Spanish one has El Bulli's Ferran Adria.For inspiration and authenticity, they went to Keller. The Yountville chef tutored the film's creators on the inner workings of a French kitchen and acted as the key consultant for the cooking. Producer Lewis, who interned in the French Laundry kitchen as part of his research for the film, gave the chef an extra challenge.
"I asked him how he would prepare the ratatouille if he knew the most famous critic in the world was coming in to the restaurant," he said.
Just think of all the children who will be inspired to become the next great chef; maybe they'll roles in "Ratatouille 4: Cook Free or Die Hard."
Bay Area flavors food tale [SFGate]
[Photo courtesy: Official Site]
