User reviews

I've never heard of a contest cooking show where the contestants were unknown to each other (and my wife watches dozens of them). But of course we can figure out why fairly early in the game and it's not a mystery for long. There are some twists and turns, but most of them are predictable.

These are two veteran Romance movie stars and they mesh well together. The two of them are more appealing than the story. This was a good role for Cahill. Without them, or actors of the same caliber, this would be more like 5 stars.

I'd like to see Chelsea Rankin again, but her resume is short and spread out.

A close copy of Just Add Romance (2019) with a few different plot details and different lead actors. Overall the story is a cute premise and not terribly angsty which is a nice change for Hallmark.

This is simply a sweet Hallmark movie! Brendan Penny with his crinkly-eyed smile is getting better with each movie and age. Erin Cahill is lovely and these two had good on-screen chemistry. The formula was refreshingly different which is why I liked it. I think it would have helped to up the humor which would result in a higher rating. Worth a watch for Hallmark fans!

What is "the secret ingredient"? Well it always has to be love, doesn't it?

A boy and girl grew up as friends in a smaller N. Carolina community, both enjoyed cooking and especially baking, and naturally they grew up to become engaged to be married. But she wanted to stay home, he had greater ambitions and went to Paris to train. Now some years later the two 40-ish former lovers meet again and, as luck would have it (or a setup by a sister) both of them compete for the $100,000 prize on a syndicated TV show in NYC.

This movie pretty well follows the established and successful Hallmark formula. It is just a sweet movie with attractive people, no violence, sex, or foul language. That's just what we need sometimes to escape the strangeness of the world for 90 minutes.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library.

Really liked the idea of the setting, which was quite different for Hallmark, even if some of the plot tropes are very familiar. Have also liked Erin Cahill and Brendan Penny in other things, Cahill in my view has been more consistent (also excelling in this kind of role without being too samey) whereas Penny has times where he is good and other times where his characters and leading ladies work against him. The title is also a lot less cheesy than some Hallmark films.

'The Secret Ingredient' was a more than worthwhile and charming watch. A great film it may not be, but it is one of the better 2020 A Little Romance Hallmark films and better than the previous two. While liking 'Matching Hearts', 'A Valentine's Match' didn't really do it for me. While there are shortcomings with 'The Secret Ingredient' and it could have afforded to be fresher, it also had a lot of things that came over as well done. As far as the 2020 Hallmark films go, it's closer to being one of the better ones rather than the worst.

Not everything works. It could have done with more freshness, really liked what was done with the setting but the basic story is pretty formulaic and there is not much surprising about the twists and turns. Maybe it could have had less characters, 'The Secret Ingredient' is not one of the films that is too thin and uneventful but has the opposite problem of at times trying to include too much.

Have often found Hallmark endings too neat and on the rushed side, and that here is no exception.

Both Cahill and Penny are immensely likeable and both of them have an easy going charm and characters that suit them perfectly. Their chemistry is also very natural and genuine. The supporting cast are solid. The direction is not innovative, but 'The Secret Ingredient' is one of those films that doesn't require that. It still shows a nice understanding and control of the material and the character interaction doesn't come over as static.

Production values are well crafted and never look cheap, the scenery is especially nice. Hallmark tend to over-score their films, the music here fits nicely and doesn't come over as constant or too loud. Certainly not to the extent where you can't hear the dialogue. The dialogue here is suitably light-hearted and playful, while also having the right amount of seriousness without being melodramatic. The story makes great use of the setting, which has great nostalgic value, and while unoriginal and formulaic it is also lively and has a light and warm heart.

Overall, pretty good. 7/10.

I happened to watch The Secret Ingredient, Just Add Romance and A Dash of Love very close together but actually they are quite different. Defo watch JAD before this movie if you can, as TSI has the more developed plot. I wouldn't say Hallmark were exactly romcoms, but TSI was a bit amusing at times. There are quite a lot of characters in this show so they don't get bogged down with too much detail, but they are all integrated well. A great film for all-ages.

7.4 stars.

If you like reality baking shows you might find this movie familiar, although this is a strange sort of reality baking show. Kelly stays home in a small town and builds a bakery from the ground up, while Andrew leaves her behind and moves to Paris to become a chef. Several years later he comes back to visit and both of them seem to be over the breakup. They quickly rekindle the friendship.

The rest of the film is about a reality baking show in New York City that Kelly is a contestant on. Meanwhile Andrew is also in NYC for business. They happen to run into each other and grow a little closer. Will they have another chance at love?

I sense that people really enjoy this movie for the energy and fun of it. It does not lack for liveliness and activity in the big city. For any foodies out there, "The Secret Ingredient" might have some appeal.

The end was wrapped up very nicely, you could say it's the icing on the cake, however it wasn't enough to elevate the movie beyond average. For me this is just another attempt at a reality show themed Hallmark. It's not terrible, bad, good, or great. It's just okay.

If you love Hallmark movies + cooking shows, this movie is definitely for you! It was great and really well mad ... I loved it! It's like watching two shows in one!

I could tell their next move from the beginning till the end. It's not so bad if you're just looking for something to fix your eyes on but it's not all that.

This film was such eye candy! I loved every minute of it. The storyline was so good with some twists and surprises.

Boring movie - wasted time watching this one. I like Erin in other movies. I think she should have skipped this one.

Predictable storyline with so so characters - will skip it next time it's on TV.

It is difficult to use Erin Cahill, Brendan Penny , a small town, option for Paris, a patisery contest and to make mistakes . It is a sweet Hallmark, nice crafted, not high ambitions, seductive for humor and roots of romance, for honey cake and for the confession of Andrew after the contest. Short, just comfortable, the smile of Brendan Penny being, in some measure, enough for seduce.

I love this movie. I like how food brings s couple back together and the food looked declicious. Good work hallmark

The list of actors is missing one of the main characters, Chef Andrew York, played by Brendan Penny. Small town bakery owner makes it to a nationally televised baking contest in New York and is surprised when she runs into an old flame who is in town to help open a friend's restaurant

So, I was counting on the plot lines perfectly suited to light brain use and smarmy dialog. But I was repeatedly jarred out of my pleasant coma by François' horrific French accent!

Felt like I was watching a baking challenge on Food Network - complete with Maneet Chauhan ... everyone's horror judge on Chopped. Two hours of a baking championship...boring. I'm giving it a 5 mainly because of Brendan Penny - who usually pulls these movies out of a hole. Erin Cahill is adorable - but not very believable In most roles. That may have worked in Power Rangers - but it doesn't translate to movies with a real storyline. Haven't really liked much of what she's been in. BTW - this baking championship concept was already done as a Lifetime Christmas move with Cindy Busby ... it was boring too (Christmas Cupcakes). This one wasn't about saving a family business (thank goodness - that's been way overdone) ... two successful family businesses come into play. Come on Hallmark! Stop making movies for quantity-which was refreshing ! Go back to the quality stories - you've had some really great movies over the years. This one doesn't come close.

This was an enjoyable, easy to watch movie. Smokey Robinson's "Really Got A Hold On Me" was a great touch! Does anyone else think Brendan Penny very much favors a young Paul Newman!

It makes me sad how much was changed from the book. The details in the book kept me interested, but the movie was boring and very predictable. I hate when books are turned into movies and done this way. I expected a little more from the movie. Big sections were left out altogether or changed completely. Even some characters left out altogether. I realize time in movies and in books are different but I just feel it could've be done better. Andrew's character in the movie was more cold and cocky than how he came across in the book. His character in the book was more loving and charming, this made me like him less in the movie.