American Cuisine

Cuisine américaine, known internationally as American Cuisine, is a 1998 French comedy directed by Jean-Yves Pitoun. Shot in English, the picture did not reach American cinemas until 2001.

At its center is Loren Collins, a young man whose plan to learn cooking in the US Navy ends when a clash with a superior officer gets him thrown out of the service. Short on money for proper culinary schooling, he heads to Dijon, France, and talks his way into a job at a well-regarded restaurant run by Louis Boyer, a celebrated but ill-tempered chef. Working under Boyer's demanding eye, Collins tries to turn his raw ambition into real skill.

Jason Lee leads the cast, with Eddy Mitchell as the cantankerous restaurateur and Irène Jacob in a principal role; Isabelle Petit-Jacques appears among the supporting players.