RAT- ATOUILLE

How appropriate that, having recently celebrated the beginning of Chinese Year of the Rat, a new Disney-Pixar DVD pops up, starring what else but a rat?

Actually Ratatouille (named for a Mediterranean vegetable dish) was released last year. It is a superb animated film about Linguini, a young chef in Gusteau’s, a Parisian restaurant. Actually he isn’t really a chef at all to begin with. He’s simply a kitchenhand but, courtesy of a very special rat, a mentor named Remy – a rodent with a refined palate (I know, unlikely) – he triumphs.

It’s a cute fast-paced tale made even more winning by the intricate animation that sees at times the entire kitchen seething with Remy’s rat-relatives as they chip in to get things back to ‘normal’.

Best of all, for kiddies it has some useful food handling tips (wash your hands before you touch food) and for the Mums and Dads some insights into the vagaries of the restaurant industry and the fickle power of restaurant critics.

Australia’s favourite French chef, Gabriel Gate, has been announced as the Ambassador for Disney Pixar’s DVD launch of Ratatouille. With a talent for preparing fine French food, Gabriel has a passion for cultivating and encouraging an interest in food with children and adults alike.  

“Ratatouille captures what is most important to remember when cooking – that you do not need to be a master chef to cook a healthy delicious meal,” Gabriel said.  “It’s important to remember to enjoy cooking. Like Remy, don’t be afraid to experiment with flavours. Visit your local market to discover what herbs and produce are in season,” he said.

Great advice for children or adults.

Visit www.freshforkids.com.au for great tips on healthy eating for children.

Ratatouille is now available on Disney DVD from all good DVD retailers.