British food connoisseurs turned world-renowned culinary TV superstars Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright are the titular Two Fat Ladies in this four-disc 24-episode compilation of their 1996-98 televised gastronomic adventures preparing sumptuous meals for groups ranging from Portuguese field hands to Cambridge University oarsmen. Each episode follows the gourmet duo—who, according to their theme song, are “itchin' to get into your kitchen”—in a Triumph Thunderbird motorbike with sidecar as they meet and greet their prospective diners, wander around looking for fresh ingredients and engage in spirited dialogue with the locals, and delve into food prep and cooking, culminating with the ladies' closing comments, often relaxing with a drink—and a smoke for Paterson. In “Fish & Shellfish,” the duo works up a béchamel for fish pie, prepare monkfish with anchovies, harvest periwinkles and mussels on the beach (using a bike helmet to cover the pot while they cook up a quick snack), and wind up going on a boat trip with a fishmonger. Other programs feature “Fruit & Vegetables” (with stuffed artichokes and ‘poached peaches Cardinal Hume' for clerics at Westminster Cathedral), “Cocktail Party” (with cod cakes, blinis, and drinks at the Dorchester bar for a party at London's Brazilian embassy), “Afternoon Tea” (featuring Edwardian mustard butter/ox tongue sandwiches and savory pastries for a men's cricket team…during which Wright tries her hand at umpiring), “Christmas Dinner” (including a roast goose and ice cream bombe for a boys' choir, as well as the ladies' exchanging funny gifts), and “Caribbean Christmas” (in which the gals fly to Jamaica to make a jerk suckling pig and rum punch for a polo team). Ingredient lists be damned: while the liner notes include eight “yummo” recipes, for the most part the ladies' culinary instructions consist of phrases such as “put evenly so everybody gets a fair share.” Paterson and Wright's easy banter, bursts of song, and graceful lumbering around various kitchens is endearing, even though just looking at some of the lard and cream-sodden delicacies on display here made my arteries clog. Not only for food lovers, but for armchair travelers as well, DVD extras here include a 40-minute “One Fat Lady, One Large Life” tribute to the late Paterson, narrated by BAFTA-winner Miriam Margolyes, as well as text bios of the ladies. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)
Two Fat Ladies
(2008) 4 discs. 731 min. DVD: $59.99. Acorn Media (avail. from most distributors). Volume 23, Issue 5
Two Fat Ladies
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