L'amour sucré salé

This film is a perfect watch for a Sunday afternoon with the whole family.

The story is that of a TV producer and a chef with attitude, who get wrapped up in making a children's cooking show, work out their differences and finally fall in love! So the backdrop is the set of Little Gourmet, which is the show within the show. The challenges that it throws up with the producer Kelly feel very real - promotion, politics, diva chef, illness of the previous presenter.

The transformation of the successful nasty Ramsay-style chef played by the handsome Brett Dalton is pleasing to see! The chemistry between the leads is completely plausible. Who wouldn't be tempted by a Michelin starred chef and the cute girl-next-door producer??

The real highlight of the film is the children, who instead of being the downfall for the film via patchy acting, but instead they were a real joy! The acting solid and the stories moving.

The film is pretty great: cute, kids, nice acting, chemistry and casting, pretty great!

Ali Liebert is so solid in this role. She is perfect for Hallmark. Then add a pinch of Brett Dalton. Mix thoroughly. They combine so well in this movie.

The story has a few cliches and you knew what would happen in the final scene, but with these actors it worked.

Kelly is a producer on a cooking show for kids and when the host is injured she needs to find a replacement as soon as possible. She suggests Stephen Harris, a famous chef, with a famous restaurant who lately acquired a bad reputation so this show is the perfect opportunity to improve his image.

I'm not gonna lie: I didn't have a good first impression of this movie. While I thought the theme was original I did find it quite boring and I didn't actually got into it after the first half.

The leading actors deliver an acceptable performance given the characters they had. But I didn't connect with any of them. Chemistry? I'm still not sure. I got the sense that they got along just fine but I didn't sense any romantic chemistry between them. I did find two of their scenes lovely but nothing that makes me melt inside like some Hallmark movies have before.

There were not any jokes, and while the ending was pretty predictable I was surprised there was no pre-ending drama between Kelly and Stephen.

Why is Kimberly Sustad here? She has been in this type of movies as the leading lady and she always delivers.

To sum up, this movie is not disaster, but I felt something was missing and I did not enjoy until the second part of it. Did I regret watching it? No. But Hallmark has provided much better material than this.

Of the two leads, there is more familiarity with Ali Liebert (this reviewer has liked what has been seen of her acting and most of the films she's been in). Have not actually not seen very much from Brett Dalton, but he did impress in one of last year's best Hallmark Christmas films 'One December Night'. The most familiar name to me here is Kimberly Sustad, who has consistently impressed whether lead or supporting. While not a new idea, 'Cooking with Love' did sound charming.

And it was. While not cooked all the way through, which is true of all the Hallmark films centered around food, 'Cooking with Love' is cooked just about enough and is pretty good on the whole. Not perfect or great, but it is a good representation of both leads and has a lot to recommend it. Liked all the 2018 Countdown to Valentine's Day films, of which 'Cooking with Love' is one, and while it is not the best one ('A Secret Valentine') it is proof that Hallmark fillms should not already be dismissed.

'Cooking with Love' is formulaic, with surprises and originality being very little (anybody who has seen any of the culinary set Hallmark films will know exactly what to expect as the formula is followed closely). Did find the ending on the slightly undercooked side though sweet and not as too tidy as most Hallmark films).

Preston Vanderslic is amateur hour in an unnecessary, out of place unlikeable role that adds absolutely nothing to the story. While it was not awkward and was there, there could have been more chemistry between Liebert and Dalton, a relationship that could have been fleshed out more and perhaps utilised more.

Libert and Dalton are immensely engaging and charming leads, Dalton has a nice understated charisma and Liebert never seemed bored and personally didn't find her acting forced at all. Sustad also doesn't disappoint and has a very appealing, amiable personality that has been present in almost all her roles (do wish there was more of her though). Other than Vanderslic's, the characters were worth caring about and they are not too perfect or have flaws taken to extremes (the latter is a common problem with Hallmark, and Lifetime, and is a bit of a big bugbear).

The production values are easy on the eyes, the scenery doesn't disappoint and there is nothing slipshod about the filming. The music fits well enough and doesn't feel over-scored and it's directed competently. Really liked the light-hearted-ness and warm heart that the script had, and it flowed naturally and didn't come over as cheesy or over-sentimental. The story is a long way from perfect, but it has charm and is light-hearted.

Overall, not great but solid Countdown to Valentine's Day effort from Hallmark. 7/10.

After several turns as "the best friend" of the heroine, where she all but out shown the leads, Ali Liebert has finally been getting much deserved leading roles in these Hallmark seasonal romances. This one is the best yet. Kudos to Hallmark for recognizing her appeal and giving her prominent roles. I hope she becomes as ubiquitous as Chabert, Reiser, Boston, Polo, and several others.

This one is also helped by a tightly woven plot, good character development and an attractive leading man who has a real arc into becoming (or being revealed as) a good guy after all. I must quibble at this point over one plot hole. Our hero, a diva chef, has his career almost ruined by a viral video of him throwing food on a restaurant critic in a fit of temper. He reveals later that the the video edited out the fact that prior to the food on the lap incident, the victim had made his waitress cry by being so mean to her. Why didn't he just explain that on facebook or twitter? Instead of needing an image rehabilitation, he becomes a hero. It is also absent some of the overdone stupid gimmicks that most of these Hallmarks seem to hinge on. No angels, City bad, country good, factory shuttings, time travel, nor I hate (just fill in the holiday). What keeps it from getting a higher rating from me is the lack of depth, suspense, pathos, or super hot chemistry between the leads. But it's good. Really good.

Ali has the super nice girl who is maybe a little too nice role down pat. Plus she has the most energetic eyebrows I've ever seen. Very cute, if a bit distracting. Couldn't take my eyes off of them.