Writer Joanne Harris said her 1999 novel “Chocolat” was born “between the beautiful chocolate shops of western France and the close little Yorkshire community that shaped so much of my childhood: a story, not just of chocolate, but of people living together in a place formed by traditions; of insiders and outsiders; of folklore and religion; tolerance and cruelty; feasting, fasting, and family.” When whipping up her heroine chocolatière Vianne Rocher, she actually had Juliette Binoche’s face in mind, and when it was turned into a Lasse Hallström film only a year later, Binoche brought much sweetness to the role and the lives of characters portrayed by Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, and the director’s wife Lena Olin.
The 1959-set gastromance “Chocolat” was nominated for 5 Academy Awards, including best picture and best actress for Binoche’s work as the new-to-town confectioner that tempts the indulgences of a rigidly religious French village during the 40 days of Lent. Binoche did her homework by staying at the house of writer Harris, as well as working with chocolate specialist Walter Bienz, but didn’t get to eat too much while filming, “because of continuity we weren’t allowed to pick up chocolate off the set, and it was melting under the lights, but I had some very good chocolate in my dressing room!”
Recipes — Harris was later inspired by her own work to release a full cookbook “The Little Book of Chocolat,” which includes the recipe for “Brioche Juliette.”