HOW TO ENJOY THE WHOLE CABOODLE OF COOKING AND JUST ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!!

There is no onE on the planet who does not enjoy good food.  We share that as a very common thread throughout the world and through the generations.  I feel sure that this wonderful lady who is now 95, Diana Kennedy would agree, and the fact that as an English woman in Mexico who travelled extensively and often drawing up recipes for all the best food in the country would not fall under criticism as an immigrant as The Mexicans regard Diana as one of their own.  Diana Kennedy, though subject of this documentary very late in life, comes across as a very VERY witty and funny lady who was elegant and cultured in her earlier years and sadly lost her beloved charismatic Irish husband through cancer and never married again.

Diana lives in the wilds of a Mexican forest and grows many of the ingredients for her dishes.  There is an engrossing scene of her making Guacamole where she insists garlic should not be an ingredient.  There is another engrossing scene which is so magical due to the pots and pans used when Diana makes coffee beans which have been hand picked into drinkable coffee. She also runs very high end cookery classes for restaurant owners.

Diana has compiled a plethora of recipe books and spoken on the world stage on cooking.  She spent a short time in New York when her late husband was getting treatment for cancer  but immediately returned to Mexico when he passed.

A number of really unusual and delightful fresh ingreidents pop up in the story.  Elizabeth Carroll who appeared at the Q and A compiled this film which took her many years (5.5)  to make.  Elizabeth is American but loves all things Mexican including the Spanish language. Diana is portrayed as a “crusader of her own belefi system” interested in feminism, food, environmentalism,  climate change, politics and other issues.  Elizabeth Carroll is looking for a European distributor of the film. To witness Diana in action in the forest, kitchen or on stage, one feels an experience of being at one with greatness.  She is 97, born  on March 3 2020.  Elizabeth describes Diana as a having a “therapy of being alone” but I think she could no forget her love for her husband and could not marry again for that reason.

Diana is filmed going round markets and shops looking for certain types of food. She will chat in Spanish with people all about the wares and exactly what she is looking for or indeed offer her opinion on what she thinks of the produce.  it is noticed that it is a “Grand Moraility” that Diana has tapped into in Mexico.  Diana is part of the “bigger thing”.  Elizabeth said it was a “stressful, and a  difficult process making the documentary” but well worth it. Diana observes on her dedication to food in Mexico but also adds that once her faculties have gone and she cants cook or enjoy her food anymore then she will make her choices about how to handle that moment.  Hats off to a throughly funny and clever wonder of the world who wont bow down to anyone and has brought taste and happiness to many.

ENJOY

Penny Nair Price