GOURMAND is a psychological thriller set in the rarefied world of avant-garde haute cuisine, where John, a young American, moves to France to work in the most revered kitchen in the world, ruled by the enigmatic Chef Cyrille. When Julia unexpectedly earns a place beside him, their shared dream begins to unravel. Cannelle, the reigning protégée, views John as a threat to her inheritance and wages a quiet war where seduction is leverage and competition becomes ritual. Their rivalry metastasizes into a dangerous triangle, pitting ambition against love. This culminates in a final dinner at a remote château, where a transgressive culinary act seals their fate. At the intersection of Black Swan, The Bear, and Eyes Wide Shut, GOURMAND explores the destructive cost of jealousy and the pursuit of perfection.
Project Mission
GOURMAND is a feature film in development set inside the seductive and unforgiving world of a three-star Paris restaurant, where an American enters a ruthless rivalry with a brilliant aristocratic protégé. As professional jealousy evolves into a dark love triangle, passion, obsession, and perfection collide—and the kitchen demands a sacrifice. Taste has its price. The film marks Mandalay Productions’ first planned collaboration with emerging writer-director Matthew Antonino, whose decade of filmmaking experience, work reaching more than 100 million views, and firsthand experience living in Paris bring authenticity to his feature directorial debut.
Mandalay Productions Creative Producer Hunter Finley will work alongside Matt, bringing experience across filmmaking, technology, and international creative environments, including Google TV and Hogarth (Apple). A San Francisco–trained filmmaker and longtime Mandalay Productions collaborator, Hunter brings a global perspective to culturally resonant storytelling, strategic production, and exceptional creative talent. Together, the team envisions GOURMAND as an internationally driven feature exploring rivalry, identity, desire, and the human cost of pursuing perfection.
We are actively seeking culinary collaborators, restaurant locations, and crew. If GOURMAND resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you hunterfinley@gmail.com and hunterfinley@mandalayproductions.com
