SAVORING THE THYME - Video Portrait for Chef Nicole Mendes
Savoring the Thyme
A Video Portrait for Chef Nicole Mendes
I had the pleasure of meeting Nicole Mendes, an international Traveling Chef, while working as a videographer and editor for a precious and intimate three-day wedding celebration in Burgau, a tiny village in the south of Portugal. As a graduate of Johnson & Wales and Umass Amherst with degrees in Culinary Arts, Sustainable Farming & Business, Nicole spent seven years working in some of Boston's most prestigious kitchens, such as Rialto & O Ya. She also spent time in Costa Rica, perfecting her nourishing and wholesome approach to cooking without compromising the quality and integrity of the products.
“I realized I wanted to showcase more of her as a person and chef and began crafting a collage process necessary to create a fuller portrait of Nicole”
While filming Nicole cooking at the wedding, she asked me to create a short video portrait for her. As I started working on the short video, I realized I wanted to showcase more of her as a person and chef and began crafting a collage process necessary to create a fuller portrait of Nicole, rather than just limiting it to the unplanned shots at the Wedding. To achieve this, we included additional archival footage from Nicole's past work experiences, as well as photos and videos of her culinary creations. I also incorporated quotes from previous clients Nicole had gracefully provided to me, to add context and depth to her story.
To further personalize the video, I included Nicole's handwritten signature as a distinctive visual element. As an artist with a background in drawing, painting, and collage, I enjoy creating a handcrafted aesthetic in my video editing, using scans, graphics, texts, and textures.
Working with Nicole on this project was an exciting experience, allowing me to craft a branded portrait of her as a traveler and chef. As she embarks on her new journey as a freelance private chef, this video will help communicate her expertise and magic to prospective clients. If you're interested in having your own video portrait created for your service, contact me for more details.
Photography: Martin Jacobsen