La Jolla High School graduate Natasha Feldman loves food. She also loves film, and it was the simple marriage of these two passions that led to the creation of a unique — and decidedly not simple — venture: a cooking show for movie buffs. Feldman, 24, and her business partner, Julianna Strickland, 25, fused their talents to create “Cinema & Spice,” a weekly web-based cooking show that teaches viewers how to make healthy recipes inspired by the duo’s favorite films. Everything about the episodes — from the tablescapes, menus, cocktails, food presentation and over-the-top wacky wardrobes — is painstakingly planned, bursting with creativity and centered around the theme of the chosen film. Examples of past creations include a New York deli-style menu inspired by “Annie Hall,” recipes with a Southwestern kick for “Raising Arizona” and high tea inspired by the film “The Importance of Being Earnest.” For the holidays, the “Cinema & Spice” hostesses even dressed as Whoville characters for a festive “Grinchmas”-themed feast, complete with green eggs and ham quiche, a Cindy Lou Who cocktail, Who hash and applesauce, roast beast, Grinch beans and a “growing heart” cream pie. The duo also hosts unique DIY craft tutorials to go along with the theme of the dinner party, teaching viewers everything from unique gift-wrapping tips to creating quick and easy place settings and decor. Feldman, a trained chef, caterer and theater major, and Strickland, a USC film-school graduate with film knowledge and an eye for design, met while working at Real Food Daily, a popular vegan restaurant in Santa Monica. “Neither of us are vegans, but we’re both health-conscious and frequented the restaurant before working there,” Feldman said. “Although we were friendly at work, the idea for ‘Cinema & Spice’ germinated when we became roommates a year later.” Their business plan developed after evaluating how their skills and passions were connected, and how they could use those talents to carve out their own unique niche in the market and stand out in a sea of ever-expanding web-based tutorials and shows. “We realized that our varied talents — film expertise, eye for design, crafting skill, cooking experience, menu planning, comfort in front of the camera — could coalesce into something missing in the market,” Feldman said. “It is completely homegrown. Our friends help shoot and edit each episode, and they even help prep the food sometimes. They volunteer as production assistants and are at the dinner table to enjoy the food.” “Cinema & Spice” has now been in production for a little over a year — and positive feedback for the show has been growing. Most recently, Feldman and Strickland exceeded their $10,000 kick-starter fundraising campaign goal, allowing them to fund and expand their show in 2012. Feldman said their ultimate goal for the show is to grow into an Internet or TV-based weekly show and have people from around the world throwing “Cinema & Spice”-inspired dinner parties. “We love everything about creating ‘Cinema & Spice’ — although it’s challenging to do all of the work necessary while also working full-time jobs,” she said. “Choosing the film, planning the menu, testing and perfecting recipes, dreaming up cocktails, creating the tablescape, and finally, shooting the episodes and enjoying the evening with our friends — it’s all rewarding.” To watch “Cinema & Spice,” visit www.cinemaandspice.tumblr.com.