Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival 2008

Every two years, the sporting world's attention focuses on either the Summer or Winter Olympic Games, but meanwhile, another kind of Olympiad is being played in Lyon, France. The Bocuse d'Or is a bi-annual cooking contest founded ten years ago by acclaimed French chef Paul Bocuse; in which the creation of undeniably complex dishes is performed live in front of an audience and judging panel inside a sports arena. The pressure is intense as the chefs have five and a half hours to prepare 12 portions of three selected meals.

After a challenging series of national heats, 24 chefs are chosen from around the world and the chefs represent not only themselves, but by extension, their national cuisines. Director Lopez-Linares' documentary follows one contender, top Spanish chef Jesus Almagro, as he struggles to master the menu for the 2006 contest: Bresse chicken, Norwegian halibut and Red King crab.

Spain's 20-year victory drought is something of a national thumb in the eye, especially since by itself San Sebastian, the capital of the nation's Basque region, boasts of having more Michelin-starred restaurants per square kilometer than any other place in the world.

It's easy to root for the extremely likable and candid Almagro as he goes to great lengths to understand and perfect the subtle nuances of traditional French techniques, not to mention his nerve-racking efforts to please his countrymen chefs, as they help him prepare for the competition.

This film features haute cuisine at its best, where a great chef not only needs a sophisticated palate, but also the heart of a champion.

Please note: Online ticket sales end 24 hours before each event. Tickets may still be available for purchase at the venue.