Young Nigel Slater has big culinary aspirations, even though all his mother knows how to make is toast. When his mother dies, relations grow strained between Nigel and his father, especially when he remarries a woman who wins his heart with a lemon meringue pie. Nigel enters culinary school, starts working in a pub, and finds himself competing with his stepmother - both in the kitchen and for his father's attention.
Acting
Freddie Highmore's subtle, yearning performance
Cinematography
Toast never looked this emotionally devastating
Production
1960s Midlands Britain, all beige and repression
Director
S.J. Clarkson
Freddie Highmore
Nigel Slater
Ken Stott
Dad
Victoria Hamilton
Mum
Oscar Kennedy
Young Nigel Slater
Helena Bonham Carter
Mrs Potter
Matthew McNulty
Josh
Rob Jarvis
Fishmonger
Selina Cadell
Ruby
Amy Marston
Primary School Teacher
Marion Bailey
Mrs. Adams
Tracey Wilkinson
Sheila
Clare Higgins
Mavis
Ben Aldridge
Stuart
Kia Pegg
Milk Girl
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on real chef Nigel Slater's memoir; the actual Toast became a BBC publishing phenomenon and influenced British food writing's confessional turn.
The real Nigel Slater makes a cameo as the chef who hires adult Nigel—the film essentially watches itself come true.
US
GB
