Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last month/year/decade, you probably already know that July 21 is the release date of the one, the only, the Barbie movie. And not to be outdone, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (a thriller about the theoretical physicist who was known as “the father of the atomic bomb”) is coming out on the very same day. It’s Barbenheimer summer y’all, and I’m so here for it. Naturally, people on the internet are already making in-depth plans for how to watch both films on the release date.
This got me thinking, what better way to hype your friends up for a Barbenheimer double feature than throwing a Barbenheimer dinner party? And what better way to plan said dinner party than with the latest potentially destructive man-made technology? So I asked ChatGPT to plan a Barbenheimer dinner party.
The Results
First of all, ChatGPT dubbed this theoretical event “BarbieOpp Dinner Feast,” totally missing the obviously better “Barbenheimer Dinner Party.” This somewhat relieved my concerns about AI replacing writers anytime soon. But anyway, onto the party.
The Dress:
I asked ChatGPT to suggest an outfit for the Barbenheimer, sorry, BarbieOpp Dinner. Here’s what it spat back.
For Her: A shimmering pink cocktail dress with a fitted bodice and a flared skirt, reflecting Barbie's glamorous fashion sense. Look for a dress with metallic accents or sequins to incorporate a touch of scientific elegance.
For Him: A tailored suit in a sleek silver or charcoal gray shade, representing both elegance and scientific sophistication. Pair it with a crisp white shirt and a solid-colored tie in a shade of pink, nodding to Barbie's iconic style.
The AI also recommended “cufflinks with atomic symbols or miniature beaker designs to incorporate a scientific touch” and “a pocket square in a vibrant shade of pink to tie in with the Barbie theme.”
Gender norms aside, this does sound pretty sharp. But now for the real test: the menu.
The Menu
Appetizer:
Barbie's Atomic Fusion Shrimp Ceviche: Fresh and zesty shrimp ceviche infused with Oppenheimer's favorite spices and served in vibrant pink lettuce cups, representing both Barbie's love for freshness and Oppenheimer's scientific flair.
My comment: Sure, I can get down with a ceviche. Also, a quick Google search confirms that pink lettuce is a thing, and now I have to try it.
Soup:
Oppenheimer's Glamorous Gazpacho: A chilled gazpacho soup featuring a medley of colorful and fresh vegetables, elegantly presented in a shot glass with a sprinkle of edible glitter as a nod to Barbie's glamorous touch.
My comment: Some people have strong feelings about gazpacho, but I actually love it. However, the combo of edible glitter and gazpacho might be a bit much, even for me.
Salad:
Barbie's Scientific Garden Salad: A blend of crisp greens, edible flowers, cherry tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers, drizzled with a tangy raspberry vinaigrette. The salad incorporates Oppenheimer's scientific precision and Barbie's love for vibrant and healthy ingredients.
My comment: The Oppenheimer connection is a bit weak here, and where are the radishes and beets? Total missed opportunity to incorporate pink. But it does sound delicious.
Main Course:
Oppenheimer's Molecular Gastronomy Beef Medallions: Tender beef medallions cooked using the sous vide technique, served with a captivating display of molecular gastronomy elements. Accompanied by spheres of red wine reduction, edible soil made from dehydrated mushrooms, and nitrogen-frozen asparagus foam. This dish combines Oppenheimer's scientific innovation with a touch of Barbie's flair for presentation.
My comment: Damn, this sounds like The Bear. I’m a bit nervous about the edible dirt, but I do love a good dirt cake, so I’m keeping an open mind. Asparagus foam, on the other hand? I’m gonna have to pass.
Dessert:
Barbie's Glittery Atomic Cake: A multi-layered cake in Barbie's favorite shade of pink, filled with layers of raspberry mousse and frosted with silky vanilla buttercream. Adorned with edible glitter and topped with an atomic symbol decoration, representing both Barbie's glamorous style and Oppenheimer's scientific brilliance.
My comment: Sounds delicious, although as a chocolate lover, I’d really like to see a chocolatey element here. Maybe a “chocolate mousse bomb” buried within the cake? Also, “an atomic symbol” is really vague, because (*checks chemistry notes from freshman year*) there are 118 different atomic symbols, one for every element, obviously.
Beverage:
Oppenheimer's Eureka Elixir Mocktail: A refreshing and sophisticated mocktail featuring muddled berries, citrus juices, and sparkling water, garnished with a twist of lemon peel and a sprinkle of edible gold dust. This mocktail celebrates Oppenheimer's "Eureka!" moments and incorporates Barbie's love for fancy and colorful drinks.
My comment: Can’t lie, this sounds really delicious. But it would be even better with vodka. And what does this beverage have to do with “Eureka!” moments? I’m not seeing the connection. Also, I can find no evidence that Oppenheimer ever said “Eureka!” so it’s all a lie. Although, he definitely did say “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” But I guess it’s harder to make a mocktail based on that.
ChatGPT wrapped it all up with this cute conclusion:
“Each dish in this menu combines elements from both Barbie and Oppenheimer, representing their unique characteristics and interests. The fusion of scientific innovation and glamorous presentation creates a memorable dining experience that pays tribute to both icons.”
Okay, sure…I mean, IDK if I would consider Oppenheimer an “icon,” but this does sound like a pretty fabulous dinner party. Now I just need AI that can actually host the dinner party, make all the food, and clean up for me. That would be a scientific innovation I can get behind.