The Apple TV+ French Drama 'Carême's Trailer Mixes Food & Pleasure
Benjamin Voisin and Lyna Khoudri in "Carême"
(Photo: Apple TV+)
The French period drama Carême represents Apple TV+'s latest foray into the world of international programming, joining shows like Liaison, La Maison, and Drops of God. Based on the biography of real-life French chef Antonin Carême, the series chronicles his rise from poverty-stricken origins to culinary fame across Europe, including being credited with codifying the so-called "mother sauces" – Velouté, Béchamel, Allemande, and Espagnole – on which classic French cuisine is based. If the first trailer is anything to go by, it will do its best to sex up French history by telling the story of a famous chef who also happens to be a spy for the government.
Carême was perhaps most well known as a pâtissier (a pastry chef), particularly for his ambitious pièces montées — elaborate, towering table decorations sculpted in sugar —which became famous throughout the country. The series trailer features such a display, a constructed sugar replica of the famous glass pyramid outside the Louvre, which is burned away to reveal decadent candies underneath.
The Apple TV+ drama appears to be leaning hard into the idea of Careme as a celebrity who easily attracts women, power, and attention. It's a read that makes sense given that his notable patrons included famous figures as varied as Napoleon Bonaparte and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Though there's no historical evidence for this particular side hustle, rumor had it he was also a spy for French foreign minister Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, using his access into the world of the Paris elites to pass information to the government.
But don't worry, if sex and espionage aren't your proverbial cup of tea, there will still be plenty of impressive food.
Here's the series synopsis.
Carême follows the thrilling story of the world’s first celebrity chef, Antonin Carême, who rose from humble beginnings in Paris to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe. While he dreams only of becoming the most famous chef in the world, his talent and ambitions attract the attention of renowned and powerful politicians who use him as a spy for France. Determined to escape poverty and fulfill his dream, Carême can choose revenge, or he can have it all — women, wealth, fame — but at what cost? His love? His soul? His life?
The eight-episode drama features a cast of notable French actors, including Benjamin Voisin (Fiertés) as Carême; Jérémie Renier (Slalom) as Talleyrand; Lyna Khoudri (The French Dispatch) as Carême’s lover Henriette, and Alice Da Luz (And the Party Goes On).
David Serino (The Bad Guy) adapted the series with author Ian Kelly, inspired by his best-seller Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême, the First Celebrity Chef. Director Martin Bourboulon (Eiffel) helmed all episodes. Executive producers are Vanessa van Zuylen for VVZ Production and Dominique Farrugia with Banijay’s Shine Fiction for Apple TV+.
Carême will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with the first two episodes, followed by one episode weekly every Wednesday through June 11, 2025.
