Erik Thomson reflects on Aftertaste, celebrity chef culture and the 'age of the middle class male' - ABC News

Erik Thomson is one of Australia's best known on-screen dads, but fans might find his latest role a little less palatable.

Key points:

• Aftertaste stars Thomson and Rachel Griffiths, and will hit screens next year
• The comedy-drama tells the story of a disgraced celebrity chef's attempt to rebuild his career
• Filmed throughout the Adelaide Hills, it created much-needed jobs for an industry battling coronavirus

The award-winning actor stars in upcoming ABC comedy series Aftertaste as celebrity chef Easton West, who disgraces himself on the international culinary circuit.

"He's the kind of guy who says what's on his mind. He's got no filters, he's got issues with anger," Thomson said.

"He's been brought up in that classic French kitchen scenario of hierarchy and doesn't suffer fools.

"He's your classic celebrity chef. Gordon Ramsay-esque and a Marco Pierre White."

West returns home to the Adelaide Hills for a taste of humble pie, reconnecting with his alcoholic father and pastry chef daughter.

Described by producers as a "story of family, food and fame", the six-part series — which will premiere next year — follows White's endeavours to "rebuild his career and restore his reputation".

Aftertaste is the first production shot in SA following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.(Supplied)

Thomson, whose own distinguished career includes the popular paternal role in drama series Packed to the Rafters, said he enjoyed portraying the character despite his abrasive personality.

"We're kind of exploring the themes of gender power and kind of the age of the white middle class male is coming to an end," he said.

"I've had a lot of fun doing that because I've never done that before on screen."

Jobs created in time of need

Aftertaste was shot at locations across South Australia, including Stirling, Kangarilla and Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills, a region known for its fresh food and agriculture.

Producers said the project — which also stars Rachel Griffiths — created more than 300 jobs for local creatives and generated business for other providers during trying economic times.

Rachel Griffiths stars in the new six-part series.(ABC Sydney)

It also breathed new life into Patch Kitchen and Garden, a well-known Stirling cafe that shut its doors at the start of the pandemic.

It was reopened as a fictional restaurant owned by upstart Ben Zhao, played by Remy Hii.

Thomson said food and drink were central to most scenes in the series — sometimes serving as metaphors for connection and conflict, but always showcasing the South Australian industry.

"When I saw the material, I saw South Australia. It's a great marriage," he said.

"It's a foodie place, it's a beautiful place to shoot, it's an easy place to shoot … it's a no-brainer — and I live here."

A COVID health officer was employed full-time during filming.(Supplied)

SA 'uniquely positioned' for resumption

Production of Aftertaste was postponed for three months after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is the first major television production to go ahead in South Australia since then, and Thomson said the on-set culture was different.

"Gratitude for being able to work is foremost in our mind. These hours have been pretty gruelling, the weather hasn't been great," he said.

"All the reasons you would have to complain, you just have to remind yourself that we are lucky to be working."

Thomson says the Adelaide Hills was the perfect place to film the show.(Supplied)

Producer Rebecca Summerton said the production set the standard for a "new normal" for the nation's film and television industry.

A full-time onsite coronavirus health officer was employed to ensure cast and crew observed hygiene and distancing measures.

"That's a big change for the film industry," she said.

"Usually if someone's unwell you soldier on through but it's very important for all of us all over the world, especially on a film set, if you get a little bit sick you head home and get tested and get well."

Rebecca Summerton said the show proved film production was still possible amid coronavirus.(ABC News)

Summerton said the project would not have gone ahead without the support of the State Government and SA Health, which granted exemptions for some interstate actors — including Griffiths, Wayne Blair and Peter Carroll — and crew to enter the state.

"I think that South Australia is uniquely positioned to be able to provide a safe place for film and television production to happen," she said.

"We're very lucky at the moment to have a little or no community transmission, which as a producer helps you sleep at night, to know that if everyone is following the processes, the chances of someone on the crew getting sick are reasonably small."

Filming took place throughout different locations in the Adelaide Hills.(Supplied)

Summerton said while audiences should probably expect less locally made content, the industry was bouncing back.

"We're moving into quite a busy period towards the end of the year here, which is really exciting," she said.

"Hopefully the lull is only temporary."

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2020-09-04 23:07:00Z
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