Boiling Point – “A kitchen drama”
A conversation provoking drama which exposes the reality of working behind the scenes in the hospitality industry
Emerging Kitchen Dramas are on trend right now, the show ‘Bear’ has been hugely successful in the US and closer to home BAFTA nominated ‘Boiling Point’, has received critical acclaim and unprecedented worldwide success. Initially ‘Boiling Point’ was a 20-minute short film and in 2021, a full feature length adaptation was released, starring award winning actors Stephan Graham and Vinette Robinson. Such dramas are a novel concept although reality and competitive cooking and food shows have been around for many years, this movie and subsequent T.V show can be best described as a form of dramatic realism. The audience are exposed to the intricacies of working in hospitality, a behind-the-scenes portrayal of this intense working environment.
The Boiling Point – A Snapshot
Actor and Director, Philip Barantini worked in the industry for many years, becoming a head chef for a time. Many of the themes, situations and characters are drawn directly from his own experiences. His aim was to present an intriguing snapshot of real-life kitchen drama. an authentic representation of a frantic work environment, the camaraderie, conflict and stress of the staff. The storylines centre around the experiences of the kitchen staff and how their personal and professional lives merge.
The film is set at Christmastime on one of the busiest nights of the year. The making of the film took place in a real venue, ‘Jones and Son’ a stylish upmarket restaurant in London. The ‘one shot no takes’ immersive filming style captures the true essence of a fast-paced high intensity kitchen. Film reviewers praised the authenticity of the film and its accurate depiction of the restaurant’s working environment.
“There is a barreling momentum of the film make game that feels true to the cut and trust of restaurant life”
“A raw and honest depiction of restaurant work and the stresses of modern living”
Energy of the Kitchen Working Environment
Barantini recruited hospitality consultants Ellis Barrie, former proprietor of Liverpool restaurant ‘Lerpwl ‘and Tom Brown head chef at ‘Cornerstone’ in London. Their role was to help create kitchen scenes which mirror real life experience and scenarios and the energy of the kitchen working environment. For performance purposes, they demonstrated to the cast some cheffing skills, knife work and how to plate up dishes and how to take orders. Barrie also provided information and an understanding of current issues in hospitality, which informed storylines and character development.
Dramatic Realism of Mental Health and Addiction
The film explores the pressures, stresses and ambitions of the staff and how the work-life balance of the characters is compromised as a result. Issues such as mental health, self-harm and the devastating impact of addiction emerge as we become more acquainted with the characters. The film also addresses racial microaggression, poverty and the impact of social media on businesses in the industry. To quote, Radio Times reviewer Morgan Cormack
“If you want to learn how to perfectly sear some venison’s, tune into a cooking reality show because here you are learning about humanity’s, emotion and so much more”
Boiling Point – Valuable Insight for Hospitality
For the hospitality industry, this is a valuable and relevant depiction of what takes place behind the scenes of a busy restaurant, as it highlights many of the current issues which many businesses in the industry can relate to. The industry has faced many challenges and crises over the years and the reputation of the industry has been called into question many times. It is important to continue to address these issues and to value and promote the wellbeing of your whole team. Businesses flourish through people and a people centred approach is paramount to success in this industry.
