Greta Gerwig, the visionary behind Barbie and Little Women, and Noah Baumbach, acclaimed for The Squid and the Whale and Marriage Story, share their delightful Sunday lunch tradition. They delve into how food intertwines with filmmaking, discussing a nostalgic steak recipe that symbolizes connection. The duo reflects on family cooking memories and the role of meals in their upbringing. Through humor and heartfelt anecdotes, they reveal how shared experiences around the table inspire creativity and foster meaningful relationships.
The weekly Sunday lunch tradition among friends highlights how food can build deep connections and cherished memories over time.
Discussions about cooking techniques reveal the joy of food preparation and its significant role in artistic expression within filmmaking.
Deep dives
The Tradition of Sunday Lunch
The hosts emphasize the significance of their Sunday lunch tradition, which started with a simple invitation between friends. This weekly gathering became a cherished ritual, symbolizing friendship and connection as they look forward to meeting regularly. The sharing of meals transformed into a joyful custom where questions like 'What time are we meeting for tradition?' revealed their deep bond. This ritual highlights how food can foster relationships and create lasting memories among loved ones.
Cooking Techniques and Memories
An engaging conversation unfolds around cooking techniques and food preparation, focusing on a classic steak recipe accompanied by horseradish sauce. The importance of resting the steak after cooking is highlighted, demonstrating how proper techniques enhance flavor and juiciness. Specific instructions for grilling the steak illuminate the joy of cooking and the camaraderie that comes with sharing meals. This discussion reveals how cooking skills, passed down through generations, influence personal traditions and food preferences.
Food in Film and Personal Connections
The conversation reflects on the role of food in cinema, with examples from iconic films that integrate meals into storytelling. Discussions about food in childhood and how it shapes adult preferences often evoke nostalgia and warmth. The hosts share specific food memories tied to films they worked on, illustrating the connections between food, comfort, and creativity. This highlights how personal experiences with food can deeply influence artistic expression and storytelling in film.
Comfort Foods and Community
Comfort food takes center stage as the hosts share their favorite dishes that evoke feelings of love and community. Personal anecdotes about memorable meals prepared by friends and family showcase food as a source of emotional comfort during both ordinary and challenging times. The significance of sharing meals with loved ones reinforces the idea that food is not just sustenance, but a catalyst for relationships and emotional connections. The lighthearted reflections create a sense of belonging and warmth, emphasizing the comfort found in familiar tastes and shared experiences.
When the great filmmakers Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach wrote to say they were moving to London for a year, we decided to meet for Sunday lunch with their son in The River Cafe. After that first lunch we made a date for the following Sunday, and the next one. Soon they became a tradition.
Today, Noah, Greta and I are here in The River Cafe to talk about food and life, food and friendship, and the beautiful movies they've made for all of us — Barbie, Little Women, The Squid and the Whale, and Marriage Story.
And after our conversation, we will have lunch, together. Now that's tradition.
Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.