Cooking with Stella review

A drab clash of cultures as a Canadian couple relocate to Delhi

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Don’t be fooled by the title – there’s nary a culinary tip to be found in this misjudged culture-collision-com.

A Canadian couple relocate to Delhi after she, a diplomat, gets a new job. Chef Michael’s left to play house hubbie, and bonds with housekeeper Stella (played with sly grit by Seema Biswas).

Once it becomes clear Stella’s pilfering from her employers, the cosy Upstairs, Downstairs dynamic gives way to more serious, less successful, drama.

Biswas aside, performances are uninspired and director Dilip Mehta mars his third act with a moralising ending that’s neither plausible or earned.

Writer

Emma Didbin is a writer and journalist who has contributed to GamesRadar+, The New York Times, Elle, Esquire, The Hollywood Reporter, Vulture, and more. Emma can currently be found in Los Angeles where she is pursuing a career in TV writing. Emma has also penned two novels, and somehow finds the time to write scripts for Parcast – the Spotify-owned network that creates thrilling true crime and mystery podcasts.