Antonin Carême, the legendary French chef, is brought vividly to life in the new Apple TV+ period drama Carême. Set in post-revolutionary France, the series follows his remarkable journey from destitute kitchen boy to culinary icon of Napoleon’s court. Played by Benjamin Voisin with a deliberate Mick Jagger flair—scruffy hair, gold earring, and rock-star attitude—Carême is portrayed not just as a master chef, but as an alluring figure entangled in power, sensuality, and ambition.
From the very first scene, the show sets its tone with a sultry food-tasting that quickly transforms into a passionate encounter, interrupted only by a demand to prepare dinner for Napoleon’s soldiers. This fusion of food, sex, and politics defines the series’ narrative energy. Carême isn’t merely a cook—he is manipulated as a spy by the cunning diplomat Talleyrand, played by Jérémie Renier, and pulled into political games far beyond the kitchen.
Voisin trained intensively for the role, spending two months learning the intricacies of classical French cooking, including Carême’s famous croquembouche and the vol-au-vent. He is supported by Alice Da Luz as Agathe, a talented sous-chef who teaches him kitchen discipline and technique. Both actors trained at the prestigious Ferrandi culinary school, bringing realism to their on-screen kitchen choreography.
The show’s production spares no expense. A lavish, specially built kitchen set was used in place of historically cramped kitchens. Costumes—1,000 made from scratch—mix period flair with contemporary touches. Every detail, from the 3,000 handmade candles to the 96 fresh flower arrangements, adds authenticity and opulence. The season’s climax is a grand banquet filmed in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, featuring velvet-draped tents, enormous meats, and 5,000 handcrafted cream puffs assembled into towering displays.
Director Martin Bourboulon’s vision for Carême explores what people are willing to risk to achieve greatness. Each character chases a dream, but the price is often steep. Ultimately, when Carême crowns himself with his iconic white hat, it symbolizes his hard-won rise—not just as a chef, but as France’s first true culinary celebrity.
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