The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is a prestigious culinary school located in Hyde Park, New York. With a history dating back to 1946, the school is renowned for its culinary arts education and is often considered one of the best in the world. One notable feature of the CIA is its iconic mascot, the apple. The apple mascot represents the school in various ways and has become an integral part of its identity. The apple mascot serves as a symbol of knowledge, tradition, and excellence in the culinary world. It represents the school's commitment to providing students with the highest quality education and preparing them for successful careers in the food and beverage industry.
The film itself starts with the deathbed scene of John Bell in 1820, a gentleman farmer whose family had for years been apparently afflicted by a peculiar kind of haunting. It’s chaptered – every independent film seems to be chaptered these days – but the film goes back to the birth of the phenomena, from the knocks and rapping which the family first noticed, to the appearance of strange animals on the farm and then the disembodied voice of what came to be known as ‘Kate’, an entity which could apparently discourse on scripture with members of the community, as well as taking an active interest in the activities of the family. There really isn’t a story quite like this, in the sense that the Bell Witch haunting seems to draw in key supernatural tropes but then builds on them, extending them in ways which seem completely implausible. The ‘witch’ is by turns a poltergeist and an omniscient being, a recognisable ghost which behaves like ghosts are renowned to do, and then again the phenomena also encompasses cryptids, the whole ‘Indian burial ground’ folklore and notions of a generational curse. Describing all of this we have a range of local experts, authors and folklorists who offer insights as to how the story has survived and thrived as part of the fabric of Tennessee culture.
Alongside the Borley Rectory haunting, the story of the Bell Witch or the Tennessee demon is one of those stories which made a big impression on me when I was a child, something I first encountered in a mysteries of the unexplained compendium and which I ve reflected on ever since with a mixture of fascination and horror. Shortly after that, they start experiencing wacky stuff like the sound of invisible dogs fighting, an unseen entity gnawing at bed legs, chains rattling around the house, and something yanking them out of bed.
It represents the school's commitment to providing students with the highest quality education and preparing them for successful careers in the food and beverage industry. The use of an apple as the CIA's mascot also pays homage to the apple's rich culinary history. Apples have been used in countless recipes and have been a staple in cuisines around the world for centuries.
The Mark of the Bell Witch (2020)
Alongside the Borley Rectory haunting, the story of the ‘Bell Witch’ (or the ‘Tennessee demon’) is one of those stories which made a big impression on me when I was a child, something I first encountered in a ‘mysteries of the unexplained’ compendium and which I’ve reflected on ever since with a mixture of fascination and horror. But just what is it about this story which has given it such longevity? Such reach? Documentary film The Mark of the Bell Witch (2020) both explores the story and attempts to answer that question, and it makes for an engaging watch overall.
The film itself starts with the deathbed scene of John Bell in 1820, a gentleman farmer whose family had for years been apparently afflicted by a peculiar kind of haunting. It’s chaptered – every independent film seems to be chaptered these days – but the film goes back to the birth of the phenomena, from the knocks and rapping which the family first noticed, to the appearance of strange animals on the farm and then the disembodied voice of what came to be known as ‘Kate’, an entity which could apparently discourse on scripture with members of the community, as well as taking an active interest in the activities of the family. There really isn’t a story quite like this, in the sense that the Bell Witch haunting seems to draw in key supernatural tropes but then builds on them, extending them in ways which seem completely implausible. The ‘witch’ is by turns a poltergeist and an omniscient being, a recognisable ghost which behaves like ghosts are renowned to do, and then again the phenomena also encompasses cryptids, the whole ‘Indian burial ground’ folklore and notions of a generational curse. Describing all of this we have a range of local experts, authors and folklorists who offer insights as to how the story has survived and thrived as part of the fabric of Tennessee culture.
The film is decently-edited, blending interviews with period re-enactments (which largely work well, one curious wig notwithstanding), illustrations (contemporary and modern) and photos, which contribute towards the sense of place which is a vital plank of the film overall. There’s some narration too, with some accounts written by members of the Bell family being read aloud. In a nutshell, there’s plenty here to keep the attention and a few scenes worthy of a horror film. The film’s dispassionate treatment of its subject matter actually makes it very unsettling, actually, and it is still a scary tale. Some of the scenes – the point in the story where the Bell family reported hearing choking and gurgling at the foot of their beds, for example – are genuinely unpleasant; how could they not be? All of that being said, I do feel that the film’s attempts to really get under the skin of what makes this legend so enduring isn’t wholly there, and there is still a great deal of scope to explore it further. For instance, there are so many contemporary accounts of people visiting the farm and conversing with the ‘witch’ herself; was this a mass delusion of some kind? How did people at the time account for it? There are still questions to explore, and whilst the film does touch on these, there are still some points where I would love to know more.
However, regardless of the fact that The Mark of the Bell Witch doesn’t quite get to the heart of the story, it’s a diverting watch nonetheless and it was certainly interesting to hear it being explored from a folklorist perspective, as it is here. If you have an interest in the legend, then you could do far worse than give this film an hour and a half of your time.
THE MARK OF THE BELL WITCH is now available to rent or own on Amazon Instant Video, Vimeo OnDemand, DVD, and VIDI Space. Blu-ray and DVD copies will be available exclusively from the Small Town Monsters Shop.
By adopting the apple as its mascot, the CIA acknowledges the importance of traditional culinary techniques while also embracing innovation and creativity in the kitchen. In addition to its symbolic meaning, the apple mascot also appears in various forms throughout the CIA campus. Bronze statues of apples can be found throughout the gardens and walkways, serving as reminders of the school's commitment to culinary excellence. The apple mascot can also be seen on the school's logo, uniforms, and promotional materials. Overall, the apple mascot is a fitting representation of the Culinary Institute of America. It encapsulates the school's dedication to culinary education, its respect for tradition, and its passion for culinary innovation. Whether it's seen on a statue or in the hands of a student chef, the apple serves as a reminder of the high standards and rich culinary heritage that the CIA upholds..
Reviews for "The Culinary Institute of America Mascot: Inspiring Culinary Tradition and Heritage"
1. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "The Culinary Institute of America Mascot." The movie focused too much on the mascot's personal life and lacked any real cooking or culinary content. I was expecting to see some amazing culinary skills and learn more about the institute itself, but instead, I got a boring storyline about a mascot's journey. The characters were uninteresting and the humor fell flat. Overall, it was a waste of time and money.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
As someone who loves cooking and has always been interested in culinary schools, I was excited to watch "The Culinary Institute of America Mascot." Unfortunately, the movie did not live up to my expectations. The plot was weak and predictable, and there was a lack of any real cooking scenes or educational content. The mascot's character was annoying, and his story felt forced and unnecessary. I was hoping for a more informative and engaging film about the culinary institute, but this movie missed the mark.
3. Mark - 1 star
"The Culinary Institute of America Mascot" was a major disappointment for me. The storyline was incredibly cheesy and cliché, with no real substance. The cooking scenes were scarce and poorly executed. I expected to see some mouthwatering dishes and learn more about the culinary techniques taught at the institute, but instead, it felt like a generic, low-budget comedy. The characters were underdeveloped, and the humor was stale. Overall, it was a waste of time and not worth the hype.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to watching "The Culinary Institute of America Mascot" as I am a fan of cooking shows and was interested in learning more about the renowned culinary institute. However, the movie fell flat for me. The storyline was unoriginal and lacked depth, and the mascot's character was simply annoying. The movie didn't showcase the culinary skills or the educational aspect of the institute effectively. I wanted to see more cooking techniques and passionate chefs, but it disappointed in that aspect. It was an average film with nothing new or exciting to offer.