Can music inspire more flavorful cooking?

How can a cook produce the most flavorful cooking? While many people believe that cooking, food and recipes are a delicious expression of emotions that words cannot say, can music be the rhythm to a more flavorful food experience? Sometimes, the soundtrack to food television might be that inspiration to get whipping, sautéing and roasting to a more delicious meal.

In the Sony Pictures documentary Julia, the film not only delves into the story of the infamous Julia Child, but it captures the sentiment of her world. From her love affair with her husband to her evolution as a person, Child is more than just the affable chef that grew from public television into a cultural icon.

Beyond the expert direction of Besty West and Julie Cohen, the film entices viewers to create their own culinary story. While Child sought to guide food lovers through an exploration of the cooking experience, it was more than perfect cooking techniques, mother sauces and an exquisite dish. It was a culinary expression on the plate.

As seen in the musical score by Composed by Academy Award-winner Rachel Portman, the notes are as important as the mouthwatering visuals. Since food is enjoyed by all the senses, it is vital to take everything into account.

Even the directors Cohen and West appreciate that the score anticipates viewers desire to delve into that Julia Child world. They said, “This is music as fresh as salad nicoise, as tender as sole meuniere, and as rich as chocolate ganache. Rachel’s luscious score hits all of the emotional notes we could have dreamed of to bring Julia’s story surging to life.”

That type of all encompassing emotion is vital not only to the documentary’s vision but also to the flavorful cooking lessons taught by Child. As both West and Cohen previously shared, Child wanted to change how Americans thought about food. It was time to move away from the simple and explore the nuanced. Whether it was the perfect timing or just a hunger that needed to be satisfied, Child was that right bite at the right time.

While the documentary Julia is only one slice of the story, the role of music both in the film and in the kitchen sparks another conversation. Although the fictional story of Like Water For Chocolate implores people to believe that cooks can fold their emotions into each layer of a dish, the imaginative take may not be far from the truth.

It might be time to experiment with a little music played during the mise en place. From a fast paced beat to keep the chopping in time to a melodic simmer that brings all the flavors together, it would be a fun test to see if those sentiments find their way to the plate.

Whether or not the music can inspire more flavorful cooking may not be a functional science experiment put to the test, but it can make the time in the kitchen more enjoyable, which can make for a tastiest final meal. Maybe that concept of whistle while you work might need to come back en vogue.

Do you think that a cook’s mood can be tasted on the plate? Or, do you think that this concept is a bunch of rubbish?