User reviews

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.

I liked the premise of this Hallmark outing. Something just seemed off to me, and I think it was that there just wasn't any chemistry between Kelly (Ali Liebert) and Stephen (Brett Dalton). Ali is a fine actress but I think she works much better as a supporting character or villain than a romantic lead. I think this movie would have actually been better served by having Kimberly Sustad (Jessica) as the love interest. I would have found her more believable. I also appreciate the light humor she always brings.

Its not an awful movie by any means. Its a good movie for a relaxing rainy afternoon.

.... something was off with the lead actress and her eyebrows. Ugh, distracting through the whole movie!

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.

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!

Cute story. Fine actors. But something was off with the lead actress and her eyebrows. Ugh, distracting through the whole movie!

Watchable if you like the actors.

Week 7 -- Valentine -- Premiered: 2/11/2018

Hallmark hit a home run pairing kind hearted television producer Kelly (Ali Liebert) a producer for kid cooking show The Little Gourmet with the cocky hot-headed chef Stephen Harris (Brett Dalton). The chemistry between them almost feels real and very believable. What I really liked about this movie is: (1) Kelly and Stephen helped inspire the children chefs to achieve great things; (2) there were no intruding/competing girlfriends or boyfriends; (3) supporting actress Jessica (Kimberly Sustad) is always lovely and delightful; (4) child actor Becca (Aria Birch) won my heart from beginning to end.

Ali Liebert is beautiful and quickly becoming one of my favorite HM leading ladies, I hope we see her in many upcoming movies!

Through the first seven weeks of the Hallmarks 2018 movie season this is by far my favorite HM movie of the year.

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.

Ali Liebert once again shows us that she is as good as any other Hallmark leading lady. Her performance was outstanding. There was chemistry between her and Brett Dalton. Kimberly Sustad should have had a bigger part. The only thing keeping this movie from being a 10 is the presence of Jeremy. His part in the story could have been left in and his onscreen presence left out, or better yet casting could have found an actor with actual acting ability for the part. I have seen Preston Vanderslice in other Hallmark productions and all I have seen is more of the same. The children were great. In spite of an amateur (Vanderslice) working with professionals, a really good Hallmark movie. With 1 point lost for casting, my score 9

This is one of the films that make me LOVE Hallmark! So cozy and adorable. Loved the storyline - was getting so tired of characters meeting old flames or going back to their home towns. This one is unique with characters meeting each other for the first time. Also, the cooking show with kids is right up my ally! So good, came away with a wonderful feeling! A MUST SEE for Hallmark fans and anyone who loves a feel-good movie! :)

REALLY made me want to cook!

This was a great Hallmark movie. The lead actors had a great chemistry. I saw the oddity of the eyebrow thing with the lead actress but is was not worth further notice once the story pulls you in. Bravo.

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.

I enjoyed this movie and watched more than once. It has a good plot.

Love the cast especially the little chefs. I also liked the chemistry between the two leads.

This was overall a great movie with a lot of predictable things but it's hallmark. Bad boy chef turns good by the girl lead like any other romance film

Fun story. Characters were likable but not one dimensional.

I think any Hallmark movie lover (with Hallmark movie expectations) would love this! The lead and supporting actors, the theme, the filming. Really "sweet" and heartwarming. Not cheesy and overly predictable. I would recommend this movie anyday and will definitely watch it again!

The children were a delight. Great acting from them all and they didn't cause the movie to have any "flat" scenes as one would have expected.

Ali and Brett's chemistry was plausible and subtle. It was nice to see how the "goodness" in her was slowly revealed to him.

The other big lesson is not to judge anyone's reaction without understanding the preceding action i.e. The viral video where Brett had assaulted the food critic.

All in all, definitely a 10/10 for me!

7.9 stars.

A female producer must find a replacement for the host of a children's chef reality show. She makes a very unpopular choice, but it turns out to be the best one.

I found "Cooking with Love" to be just enough inspiring, just enough romantic, and just enough entertaining to be one of the better Hallmark films. It's not quite in my top rated picks, but 7.9 places it just below the most irresistible of the 200+ that I've seen thus far.

"Cooking with Love" will not be one to watch every year, but almost. What I most love about this movie is the chemistry of the leads. These two are not oft seen as leads as they only grace the screen on very rare occasions. She is usually seen as a supporting cast member while he's rarely seen at all, which I can't figure. I find them both to be splendid actors and I wish they were both in more films.

"Cooking with Love" has a very enjoyable plot about a bunch of child contestants on a reality show very similar to "Masterchef Junior". The backstabbing usually seen in behind the scenes television production was spot on. The most irresistible aspect of this movie is the undeniable endearment between the leads. They share an attraction that is rarely seen.

This was a great Hallmark movie but the changes are the alternate Reel One Entertainment logo is replaced by the original 2005 logo in the start of the film. In the end of the film, the alternate Reel One Entertainment logo plasters the 2005 logo. The movie should have been released on YouTube Movies and. It has to be Top 1 in Movies on Netflix. I have to watch it. I hope it will be great but not until I get my roots donee. Make me happy. I will never let the 2005 Reel One Entertainment logo be barrasing myself. And I aplogize that I won't have a big maneha in the movie. Understood. Thank you.