A young and talented chef finds it difficult to work under one of the world’s greatest chefs in Brad Courtemanche’s kitchen drama Trumpet Gumbo.

For a long while now, people around the world have found it interesting to see what goes on in the kitchens of famous (and some not-so-famous) restaurants. If it isn’t reality shows like Hell’s Kitchen or Kitchen Nightmares (featuring multi-Michelin star winner Gordon Ramsay), it’s narrative dramas such as Chef, Boiling Point, and The Bear. We, the viewing public, seem addicted to watching fiery head chefs berate those working below them, all in the name of good food.
With a short that lasts just under fourteen minutes (including end credits), Brad Courtemanche gives us another slice of kitchen drama pie with Trumpet Gumbo—a great-looking short with all the right ingredients.
Buddy Bontemps (Brandon Scales) is a young chef looking to make it in the world of fine dining. Having recently won a television reality show (likely one that was mentioned above) he is confident, but working under the tutelage of famed chef Enzo Deluca (John Fiore) may send him over the edge. Whilst Buddy’s deceased father may have been a famous New Orleans musician, Buddy doesn’t receive any favoritism and is berated by all those around him in the kitchen.

After an accident that results in a hospital visit for one of the kitchen staff, Buddy is given the opportunity to work the line on the garnish station, but he soon finds himself under fire from Chef Deluca, with the pressure getting to him. But with the help of his father’s trumpet music playing through his earphones, Buddy may just come through the other side.
Trumpet Gumbo is a beautiful-looking slice of New Orleans kitchen life, with a nice colour grade to compliment the excellent framing. The imagery is accompanied by crisp audio and a trumpet song throughout. The performances of all, especially that of Brandon Scales, are all tight and believable. With a tight time allowance, maybe the film featured a little too much of Buddy prepping the food in the kitchen when we could have seen more of the drama between the Head Chef and protege, but Courtemanche does very well in giving us a delectable slice of kitchen drama.

Trumpet Gumbo is a polished short drama. It looks and sounds great and may have the audience demanding another helping. Catch it as the short makes its way around festivals this year.
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