“Detroit: The City of Chefs,” a documentary film made by Keith Famie, explores metro Detroit’s culinary scene, including the educational component taught at institutions such as Schoolcraft College.
A documentary highlighting some of the best chefs in metro Detroit comes with a side of Schoolcraft College.
“Detroit: The City of Chefs,” a film created by legendary local cinematographer Keith Famie, tells the story of the region’s culinary heritage. With a whole host of auto executives traveling to the city beginning in the 1960s, the region’s food scene ramped up and saw influence from chefs from across the world.
Playing a major role in this story is Schoolcraft College, a community college located in Livonia, Michigan, with its world-renowned culinary arts program. Several chefs – including alumni and instructors – are featured in the film, sharing stories and how the school impacted the culinary arts in Detroit.
“It’s an honor to have the Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts recognized for the role it’s played in growing Detroit’s culinary tradition,” said Chef Chris Misiak, CCE, CEC, the program coordinator for Culinary Arts. “Our program has educated many of the region’s best chefs and we were pleased to work with Keith in helping tell this incredible story.”
In addition to chefs being featured in interviews, Schoolcraft College’s top-of-the-line facilities are featured heavily in the film, including in the film’s opening sequence. The College’s kitchens serve as the backdrop for the opening credits, where several stop-motion figurines come to life and become animated after a group of Schoolcraft College chefs wrap up constructing a cake for the evening.
This opening was animated by students at the College of Creative Students, with several sound recordings created using chef’s tools in Schoolcraft College’s sound recording studio. The College’s new Collaborative Learning Studio, a one-of-a-kind demonstration kitchen that opened in 2023 after a massive renovation of the Vistatech Center, is also used throughout the film, as well as the College’s kitchens.
Famie made multiple trips to the College, getting to know the chefs and the way culinary arts students are educated.
“Schoolcraft College has been wonderful to work with the last several months as we create this love letter to Detroit’s culinary arts history,” Famie said. “There’s no question that the food scene we have in Detroit today can be attributed to the wonderful education many chefs received at Schoolcraft. It’s been a pleasure to get to see the campus and incorporate it into this film.”
“Detroit: The City of Chefs” premieres Dec. 9 at Emagine Theatre in Novi. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the theater’s website, emagine-entertainment.com. More information about the film can be found at detroitcityofchefs.com.