The Taste of Things

In the year 1889, Eugénie is established as the cook on a beautiful country estate in France. She takes pride in her culinary skills, creating intricate dishes that delight the palate of Dodin and his friends.

Eugénie, along with her assistant Violette and Violette's young niece Pauline, prepares an elaborate meal for Dodin's circle of friends. This gathering highlights Eugénie's talent and the appreciation her guests have for her culinary artistry.

The group is invited to an eight-hour meal prepared by a visiting prince's chef. The experience is disappointing and contrasts sharply with the delicious offerings made by Eugénie, leaving them yearning for her cooking.

Dodin, who is in a long-term relationship with Eugénie, proposes to her multiple times. Despite his intentions, Eugénie prefers to keep their relationship as it is, enjoying their shared passion for cooking while maintaining separate living quarters.

Eugénie sees great potential in young Pauline's cooking talent and suggests her parents allow her to train as a cook under her guidance. However, Pauline's parents are hesitant to accept this proposition.

Dodin plans a grand meal for the prince, focusing on a classical dish called pot-au-feu. His aspirations for this event reveal his commitment to showcasing Eugénie's cooking to high-profile guests.

As time passes, Eugénie begins to experience fainting spells, causing concern for Dodin. Despite his worries and the efforts of his doctor friend Rabaz, Eugénie insists she is healthy and dismisses their concerns.

After another fainting spell, Dodin prepares an exquisite meal for Eugénie with great care. He concludes the dinner by hiding an engagement ring within a dessert, a gesture of his love that leads Eugénie to finally accept his proposal.

With their wedding plans in the air, tragedy strikes when Dodin finds Eugénie has passed away in her sleep. This shocking event leaves him heartbroken and serves as a pivotal moment in his life.

In the wake of Eugénie's death, Dodin is consumed by grief and loses interest in food altogether. He rejects any offers of cooked meals and retreats into a melancholic state, struggling to cope with the loss.

Pauline's parents inform Dodin that she wishes to learn from him, inspired by Eugénie's cooking. However, Dodin, still mourning, turns down the opportunity to mentor her.

Dodin’s friends attempt to help him by sending a cook to prepare an omelette, a dish he used to love. Angered by the reminder of Eugénie's absence in his life, he violently rejects the cook's offer.

In an effort to overcome his grief, Dodin decides to interview new cooks for the prince's upcoming menu. This marks a shift in focus, as he looks to dedicate himself to his culinary plans once more.

After several unsuccessful interviews, Dodin’s friend presents him with a dish created by a talented cook from a nearby location. This new lead excites Dodin and reignites his passion for cooking.

In a poignant flashback, Dodin recalls a conversation he had with Eugénie, wherein they discuss their relationship dynamics. Eugénie queries if she is merely his cook or possesses a deeper significance in his life.