(1978)

Submitted by Curt Wiederhoeft

POOPER:
The secretary murdered the cooks because she thought they were killing her boss.

LONG VERSION: (Thanks Jen)
Natasha O’Brien (Jacqueline Bisset), a celebrated American pastry chef, is summoned to London by food magnate Auguste Grandier (Robert Morley) to prepare a decadent dessert for his upcoming cookbook. Meanwhile, Europe’s top chefs are murdered in methods mirroring their signature dishes. Food critic and Natasha’s ex-husband, Max (George Segal), joins her to investigate. The first victim, Chef Boulanger (Jean Rochefort), is burned alive in a crepe machine, resembling his crêpes suzette. Next, Chef Fauntaine (Philippe Noiret) is suffocated under a giant soufflé (soufflé surprise), followed by Chef Moulard (Luigi Proietti), drowned in a vat of butter (sole veronique).

Max, initially suspected due to his critical reputation, is cleared as the pattern continues. Chef Koss (Peter Sellers), known for bombe Richelieu, is stabbed with skewers, and Chef Kandinsky (Joss Ackland) is frozen in liquid nitrogen (Neapolitan ice cake). The killer taunts Natasha by sending her a coffin-shaped dessert, hinting she’s next.

Auguste’s longtime assistant, Beatrice “Beecham” O’Brien (Madge Ryan), is revealed as the murderer. Motivated by protecting Auguste’s health (he has a heart condition), Beecham kills the chefs to prevent them from completing the cookbook’s rich menu, fearing Auguste would succumb to temptation. In the climax, Beecham attempts to kill Natasha by trapping her in an industrial oven to mimic her Beaumes-de-Venise tart. Max rescues her, and Beecham is arrested.

The film ends with Auguste reluctantly dieting, while Natasha and Max reconcile.

ORDER OF DEATHS

  • Chef Boulanger (Jean Rochefort): Burned alive in a crepe machine, resembling his crêpes suzette.
  • Chef Fauntaine (Philippe Noiret): Suffocated under a collapsing giant soufflé (soufflé surprise).
  • Chef Moulard (Luigi Proietti): Drowned in a vat of butter, echoing his sole veronique.
  • Chef Koss (Peter Sellers): Stabbed with skewers, mirroring his bombe Richelieu.
  • Chef Kandinsky (Joss Ackland): Frozen in liquid nitrogen, reflecting his Neapolitan ice cake.