FOOD AND COUNTRY focuses on Ruth Reichl,—trailblazing NY Times food critic, groundbreaking Gourmet Magazine editor, best-selling memoirist, and for decades one of the most influential figures shaping American food culture—grows concerned about the fate of small farmers, ranchers, and chefs as they wrestle with both immediate and systemic challenges as the pandemic takes hold. Reichl reaches across political and social divides to discover innovators who are risking it all to survive on the front lines. As one person leads her to the next, she follows the unfolding stories of ranchers in Kansas and Georgia, farmers in Nebraska, Ohio, and the Bronx, a New England fisherman, and maverick chefs on both coasts. As she witnesses them navigate intractable circumstances, Reichl shares pieces of her own life, and in doing so, begins to take stock of the path she has traveled and the ideals she left behind. Through her eyes, we get to know the humanity and struggle behind  the food we eat. As Reichl says: “How we grow and make our food shows us our values – as a nation and as human beings.” FOOD AND COUNTRY director and co-producer Laura Gabbert joins us to talk about this informative and entertaining film and how she enlisted subject, co-producer and trailblazing food writer, Ruth Reichl, to be our guide into the precarious state of America’s food system. Through Reichl’s eyes we see the humanity and struggle behind the food we eat.

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About the filmmaker – Director/Producer Laura Gabbert’s critically-acclaimed films deploy humor and emotion to tell penetrating, character-driven stories about American culture and society. Her newest documentary, Food and Country is premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Her previous film, Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (IFC/Hulu 2020), explores chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. of Gold (Sundance 2015), the feature documentary about Pulitzer Prize winning food writer Jonathan Gold, which was released theatrically by IFC Films in over 50 markets and named by Vogue Magazine among their “66 Best Documentaries of All Time.” Additional work includes feature documentaries No Impact Man (Sundance 2009, Oscilloscope) and Sunset Story (Tribeca 2005, Independent Lens), as well as the non-fiction short Monument / Monumento (Field of Vision 2017). Gabbert executive produced the Netflix Original Disclosure, and is currently completing a 6-part non-fiction series, The Power of Film, based on the work of legendary film scholar  She also directed City Howard Suber. Gabbert is a member of AMPAS. For more go to: lauragabbertfilms.com

About the subject – Producer / Participant Ruth Reichl is arguably one of the most influential figures shaping American food culture since the 1970s, Ruth Reichl served as restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine, and has written five bestselling memoirs: Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, For You, Mom, Finally and Save Me the Plums. Her novel, Delicious! was published in 2014, and her cookbook, My Kitchen Year, 136 Recipes that Saved My Life in 2015. She edited Best American Food Writing 2018, and The Modern Library Food Series, which currently includes ten books. She was Executive Producer and host of the public television series, Adventures with Ruth and a judge on Top Chef Masters. She is the recipient of six James Beard Awards. Her newest novel is forthcoming and a documentary film she produced, Food and Country, is premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

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Reviews:

“An invitation into caring about the truth of how we eat.” – Vox

“That sounds like too many things to pack into a movie, but Reichl is a winsome guide who uses some of her own history as an activist, a critic and an avid cook to guide us through the maze of questions.” – Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times

““A dynamic look at the precarious state of America’s food system.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“Through this Herculean task of bringing so many voices and frontline food workers into the spotlight, Gabbert serves an audience who would like to know more and make a change for the better.” – Sabina Dana Plasse, Film Threat

“In introducing us to people who care deeply about the work they do, the animals they ranch, the people they employ and the food they bring to market or offer at their tables, the documentary stirs a sense of possibility.” – Lisa Kennedy, Variety

“Food and Country is a surprisingly comprehensive documentary that offers a spread of compelling perspectives and stories.” – Joel Copling, Spectrum Culture