Cuisinart Cookbook
What comes to mind when you think of filming food? Fruit falling through the air in a black vortex? A silky voiceover salivating over “not just any” roast lamb? Or PVA glue subbing in for fake cheese on those pizza adverts?
Although this kind of movie magic definitely exists on some commercials, our experience of working with Cuisinart was altogether different. We wanted to create a more authentic experience, working with Instagram’s favourite food lovers to cook their most beloved recipes, celebrating the idea that everyone can get creative in the kitchen.
So here’s a few insights into how we made those mouth watering meals but still keeping it real. Like any good recipe, the ingredients you choose to create your film makes all the difference.
First on your shopping list should be a top drawer Food Stylist, someone who really knows their bouillon from their beurre noisette. The PH Collective, our creative agency collaborators, recommended the brilliant Marina Filippelli, who conjures up incredible looking dishes for Waitrose, John Lewis and many a celebrity chef. She can make even the simplest cheese toastie look and taste divine. Trust us, we’ve checked, several times!
Marina and her team set up a mobile kitchen in every location, effectively working like a pop-up restaurant on site. To ensure we have enough food for multiple takes, extra meals are plated up, ready to be swapped in to save precious shooting time. This often means a whole production line of Cuisinart ice cream makers, grills or air fryers are temporarily installed - constantly churning out sorbets, grilling fish or baking cupcakes.
“Check out my grilled prawns!” We relied on natural reactions to all the meals we created live in front of the cameras.
The next not-so-secret ingredient - get yourself a pro-level Product Adviser. They work with the Food Stylist in pre-production, creating recipes that can be made using the Cuisinart gadgets we’re advertising, with no cheating or short cuts using other fancy equipment behind the scenes.
The Product Advisor is also on set for any mishaps or malfunctions, an inevitability in this line of work. When shooting with the Cordless Blender for example, our first take captured Reece Richards (of Netflix’s Sex Education fame) powering up the whisk and accidentally flinging flour and egg yolk all over himself and half the kitchen. A quick tutorial with the Product Adviser and a wardrobe change put us back on track.
“POV: you’re a freshly made chocolate cupcake.” - We took apart an Air Fryer to get some unexpected camera angles.
The final ingredient is a dash of camera wizardry. Some of the most satisfying takes we got on set used a Laowa Macro Probe Lens - an awesome bit of kit for capturing objects close up, giving the shot a unique macro perspective. DOP Paolo Bischi made the recommendation, using it in conjunction with a Technik Skater Dolly to create the super smooth tracking on kitchen surfaces. We even dismantled a Cuisinart Air Fryer to fit one through the back, capturing the influencers as they pulled out their delicious culinary creations.
Contrary to popular belief, the crew don’t often get to try the dishes featured in the films, mostly due to how vital it is to have food ready to go for extra takes. That said, to satisfy any tummy rumbles you may have from reading this blog, here are three great recipes we did get to gobble up on set. Enjoy!
And for even more foodie inspiration, check out all the fabulous cast who featured on Instagram.
Adam Riches - @thehonestdad
Preena Desai - @myhungrylittlehelpers
Bryony Morganna - @brymorganna
Reece Richards - @reecejrichards
Kate Smith - @thehumblepescatarian
Dina Macki - @dinewithdina
Adam Shaw - @at_dads_table
Joseph-B Cumberbatch - @kitchenwithcumbers
Emma Hollingsworth - @mrshollingsworth
Christianna Aristidou Karaolis - @eathappyfeelgood
Charlotte McElvogue - @familylife_with_us_
Lily - @foodie_lilly
Lathu & Aki - @eatwithlaki
Tom Swanson - @tastesliketom
Elliot - @snackzcitybitch
And also a special shoutout to the brilliant DOPs Paolo Bischi & Tom Wright and our amazing Food stylists Marina Filippelli & Becks Wilkinson for making the shoot everything it was.
