The Harry Potter series introduced us to Butterbeer (which I frequently turn into cupcakes), chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. But now, a new era is upon us. While there aren’t too many new magical foods featured in Fantastic Beasts, one character—a baker—steals the show, and I also caught some Easter eggs that involved food, of course.
Muggles and No-Majs beware: this article contains spoilers, so if you still haven’t seen the movie yet, I’m afraid I cannot obliviate you if you continue to read.
Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
Tina’s hot dog
When we first meet Tina Goldstein, an ex-MACUSA auror who had gotten demoted, she’s eating a hot dog. This sets the scene perfectly since it takes place in New York, where the hot dog is a signature street food. But when she finally tracks down Newt Scamander after witnessing him using magic in front of No-Majs, Newt points out that she still has mustard on her lip.
Most importantly though, did anyone else realize this is almost exactly how movie Hermione and Ron meet?! She points out dirt on his face. Easter egg, #1.
Jacob, the aspiring baker
Jacob Kowalski is a No-Maj canning factory worker, who has a dream to open his own bakery. Unfortunately, his paczkis aren’t enough to get him a bank loan. But when his case of pastries get mixed up with Newt’s suitcase full of magical beasts, he’s in for a special treat that’s even better than his grandma’s recipe.
The floating lollipop
During one scene, a young boy with a lollipop is walking down the street with his father. He then sees a half-eaten apple floating mid-air, but then his lollipop is snatched by the invisible beast (Dougal, the demiguise).
Familiar? In the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, Harry, while wearing his invisibility cloak, snags Neville’s lollipop in Honeydukes. Easter egg, #2.
Dinner at Tina and Queenie’s
This was one of my favorite scenes because it showed magic being used in everyday life—including cooking—which was something that didn’t happen too often in the Harry Potter films because Harry and his crew were underage.
I also got the Fantastic Beasts screenplay, which goes into more detail about the meal. I just wish Queenie and Tina would magically make me strudel and hot cocoa every day.
Gigglewater
The quad goes to the Blind Pig, a speakeasy which reminded me a bit of places like the Leaky Cauldron or the Hog’s Head. While at the Blind Pig, Queenie orders six shots of gigglewater (the only new wizarding food or drink, but is also based on real 1920s slang for alcohol), and well, the movie clip above shows it all.
Jacob’s bakery
Ah, the final scenes of the movie. Jacob eventually had to be obliviated because of exposure to magic. But Newt sneaks occamy eggshells to Jacob as collateral, so he can receive a loan to open his bakery.
But, did the obliviating rain actually work on Jacob? It appears that he retained some memories because his pastries take the shape of some of the beasts he encountered. And Queenie pays him a visit. However, this starts a whole new conversation…