A starred chef shares his experience of losing his sense of smell in a captivating documentary on Arte

The documentary “Smell: In Search of the Lost Sense” immerses us in a fascinating exploration of one of our most little-known senses. This film makes us discover the incredible impact of the loss of smell, highlighting poignant and often overlooked testimonies. The story of Emmanuel Renaut, starred chef at the Flocons de Sel restaurant in Megève, is the common thread. His personal experience with anosmia, a condition he suffered after infection with Covid-19, illustrates how crucial this aspect of our perception is in our daily lives. Deprived of his sense of smell, he had to reevaluate his entire vision of gastronomy. The documentary also addresses the cultural and emotional dimensions of smell, making it accessible and relevant for everyone.

The unexpected discovery of anosmia

For three-star chef Emmanuel Renaut, the loss of smell was not just an inconvenience, but a major sensory eclipse. Lose your sense of smell is often accompanied by a loss of taste, which presents an immense challenge for someone whose life depends on cooking. The ordeal began in the spring of 2020, when he contracted Covid-19 and quickly felt a strange “blank slate” feeling in his mind. He says: “I was dry: no taste or smell sensitivity anymore!” This poignant testimony illustrates the brutality of the situation he had to face, just like millions of other people affected by the pandemic.

Emotional impact of loss of smell

Cosima Dannoritzer, the author of the documentary, highlights how much our existence depends on our olfactory sense. She states: “We tend to believe that we are intellectual beings who operate with our eyes, our ears and our brains.” Losing your sense of smell can cause real depression that goes well beyond discomfort. Emmanuel Renaut testifies to his feelings, affirming that “to no longer feel anything is to lose a little of one’s joy of living”. This personal struggle with anosmia not only had an effect on his career, but also influenced his well-being and mental health.

Rebuilding a career without smell

For a chef, the smell of food is essential. Emmanuel Renaut had to learn to readjust, to cook without the sense of smell. In cooking, smell is essential. It is often the first taste trigger and a fundamental indicator for evaluating the quality of prepared dishes. Emmanuel was then confronted with a fundamental skill in his profession that he could no longer master. “Smell is the first trigger of taste. It is better to see nothing than to smell nothing, it is more penalizing,” he explains. Thus, he had to demonstrate exceptional resilience, pushing his limits in an environment where he once had perfect mastery.

Rediscover flavors

The process of rehabilitating the olfactory sense is long and laborious. Emanuel Renaut talks about the difficulties encountered, explaining that, even while cooking, he was unable to determine whether his dishes were correct. “Deprived of smell, you can cook but you don’t know if it’s right.” This path to rediscovery of flavors is an intense emotional experience. It is with immense joy that he says he rediscovered the smell of burnt toast, it triggered powerful memories and a renewed passion for his profession. “It was the first smell I’d smelled in weeks, and I was really glad he let it burn.”

Increased awareness of smell

After this experience, Emmanuel Renaut became aware of the importance of smell, not only for himself but also for his teams. He now disciplines his colleagues to pay attention to aromas and use them as a guide during the preparation and tasting of dishes. “I pay even more attention to it and I make my teams aware of the place of the olfactory dimension in tasting. Finally, I think that I am better than before!” This observation demonstrates the positive evolution of a traumatic experience which allowed him to appreciate even more the smallest detail of his culinary art. His perseverance in the face of adversity strengthened not only his passion, but also his culinary skill.

The importance of olfactory culture

Olfactory culture goes beyond simple cuisine. Scientific studies show that smell plays an essential role in relationships, emotions and even our perception of safety. People who have lost this sense often report feelings of vulnerability and isolation. This documentary highlights these concerns in a new light. Emmanuel Renaut, in his fight to regain his sense of smell, also embodies the challenges faced by millions of others, providing a voice to those who are often forgotten in public discourse.

An ode to smell

The documentary “Smell: In Search of the Lost Sense” is a tribute to this often neglected sense. Broadcast on Arte, it reminds us of the subtleties of smell and its importance in our daily lives. With an immersive and engaging style, he approaches the subject in an accessible way, whether it is gastronomy or health. Fascinating and instructive, it invites us to rediscover the world through the prism of our senses. Recently, many voices have been raised to defend increased awareness of the importance of smell, and Emmanuel Renaut is a leading figure in this regard. His testimony, full of emotions and reflections, underlines a fundamental conviction: every smell tells a story!

Source: www.telerama.fr