Filming Begins on A Waiter in Paris
Peter Hoar's feature debut, based on Edward Chisholm's memoir, has started shooting in Paris with Leo Woodall and Clémence Poésy in the cast.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in French Food
Production has begun on A Waiter in Paris, the feature film debut of director Peter Hoar, adapted from Edward Chisholm's memoir of the same name. Filming is taking place in the heart of Paris, with the story set in the chic brasserie Au Comptoir Bleu.
Why it matters
The project brings a memoir-based story about life in the Paris restaurant trade to the screen, offering international audiences a look at the city's brasserie culture. It also marks a debut feature for Hoar and adds a further production to the growing interest in Paris-set dining stories.
The film's production details were announced without accompanying numerical metrics, with the cast list and executive producers serving as the primary verifiable details. Release timing, distribution arrangements, and budget remain unannounced.
The players
Peter Hoar
Peter Hoar is the director of A Waiter in Paris, making his feature film debut with the project.
Leo Woodall
Leo Woodall is an English actor known for his role in the television series The White Lotus, who stars as L'Anglais in the film.
Clémence Poésy
Clémence Poésy is a French actress known for her work in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the television series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, cast in the film.
BBC Film
BBC Film is the film division of the British Broadcasting Corporation that backs independent feature films and has executive produced this project through Eva Yates.
The details
Leo Woodall stars as L'Anglais alongside Clémence Poésy, with additional cast including Julien de Saint Jean, Manon Bresch, Theo Costa-Marini, Victor Poirier, Kinsley Camachee, Andrea Dolente, and Thibault de Montalembert. The film is produced by John Gore Studios with John Gore, Jason Solomons of Movie Love Productions, and Phin Glynn, and Eva Yates executive produces for BBC Film.
Timeline
Filming began in Paris in November 2026, according to the announcement published on November 5, 2026.
Culture Shift
The project follows a line of memoir-based films about restaurant life, the tradition popularized by Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential and its screen adaptations. A Waiter in Paris extends that model to a French brasserie, reflecting continued audience interest in the behind-the-scenes culture of dining.
Viewers will be able to watch the film once it is released, though no release window, platform, or theatrical schedule has been announced. Readers interested in the project can follow the production's updates as distribution details are confirmed.
The takeaway
A Waiter in Paris shows how a personal memoir about restaurant work can become a film, giving audiences a view of the Paris dining scene from behind the counter.
Further reading
Explore more on French Food to see how the country's dining traditions shape stories like this one.
