year 3 day 136

movie: Spinning Plates
starring: Grant Achatz, Mike Breitbach
genre: Documentary
year:2012
format: Netflix Canada

plot: Following three different chefs as they discuss the tragic events that led them to push for success.

Three different chefs from three different parts of the U.S.  One is a Michelin star chef, the other two are known in their communities.
I have to admit, I wanted to see this because I read Chef Achatz's biography few years ago, Life, On the Line. His part of the documentary talks about his battle with cancer, overlaid on top of scenes of him and his crew creating works of art for dinner. The beauty of the food creations leaves you in awe.
The Breitbach part of the film, talks about how they lost their restaurant not once but twice to fire within a year, and how the whole town helped to rebuild it. The sense of community is overwhelming from their segments.
The Martinez part of the film, talks about how their little restaurant is their world. How everything hinges on making it work, in order just to survive.

I loved that the last few minutes is done as a montage of the Breitbach and Martinez segments with a voice over by Achatz, talking about how he got his start in his own parent's diner, and how growing up in the back of the kitchen molded who he is at his core. And when it comes down to it, all three families are telling the same core story about family and community and comfort.