Christmas, Love and Fudge (2024) Movie Script
1
93 degrees for the mirror glaze.
Perfect.
All right, team, listen up,
15 days to go and after the year
that we've had,
we really need to win The Big
Holiday Pastry Show.
So, let's get baking.
Santa's coming.
There you go.
Enjoy.
Hi there.
Welcome to Well Bread.
What can I get you?
Do you have any of those
"macarownie" things here?
Sorry, we don't crossbreed
desserts here.
Why not? Crossbreeding
leads to amazing things.
Really? Like what?
Golden Doodles.
Seedless watermelon.
Sporks.
Well, if you want
a Frankensweet,
you can go across the street,
with all the other
internet sheep.
I'm not actually
here for a pastry.
I shepherd the internet sheep.
Oh, no, no, no thank you.
Hear me out.
You can still scale
your products nationwide.
You were just partnered
with the wrong people last time.
Really?
I can get you back on track.
Simon, is it?
Do you know what 10,000
returned units due to mislabels,
improper temperature
storage, and several scathing
reviews across every major
food publication
does to a chef's reputation?
Decimates it.
Yeah.
That's why you need me.
Ten minutes.
That's all I ask.
Fine.
Have a seat.
I'll get you a macaroon.
A real one.
Great.
Look forward to it.
Get your CPA down, use affiliate
advertising, and drop shipping.
Your last launch didn't
have a real internet presence
and your social media could
really use a boost.
How come you're not in
any of the videos?
- I mean, why would I,
why would I be in the videos?
You're a great chef,
and you're beautiful,
it's a no-brainer.
Um, no!
No, I am a pastry chef.
I am, I am not an influencer.
You might be the queen of
pastry but where's the sparkle?
I... I have sparkle.
Bring my company on
to partner with you.
Just because you had
one bad launch doesn't mean
you should shy away
from new avenues.
Growing companies is what I do.
Hmm.
You know what? I think
that I have heard enough.
But thank you for coming.
But I haven't even shown you
my slides
on social media strategy yet.
I'm good.
Fine.
Suit yourself.
Whoa. Sorry. Whoa.
- What's with Hercules?
Ugh, don't ask.
Hi!
Hi! Oh.
Why don't we go back to
my place and unwind?
You unwind?
You're so funny.
How was the trip?
Set the mood.
Um, look, I know you
don't want to relive
the nightmare
of your brief foray
into the frozen foods
aisle, but...
No, I don't.
Uh, maybe this Simon
guy has a point.
Maybe social media
will put you more in control.
I don't wanna spend my day
cooking for likes.
No more angel investors,
no more scoring.
I mean, this Big Holiday Pastry
Show is gonna be televised.
Celebrity chefs.
Back in the gauntlet.
Just a real chance for me to
show that I'm still in the game.
Get my bakery back on track.
Hmm.
Diana, have I lost my sparkle?
Don't be ridiculous.
It's just Christmases,
there used to be a zoo
at Well Bread, and now they're
a, they're a library.
I mean, I went from wunderkind
to irrelevant overnight.
- You're very sparkly.
You'll do the competition,
and you will win.
Yeah.
Ahem.
Oh, speaking of,
this is the producer right now.
Marianna, hi.
Uh, yes.
Right now? Okay.
No problem, I'll be right there.
What?
Uh... they moved up the call
time
for reading the brief on camera.
Now?
Yes, now.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Okay, how's my hair?
- It's perfect.
- Okay.
Okay, no, give me your stuff.
Okay, here you go.
- Here you go.
- Good luck!
I'm good.
Camera rolls...
And now, The Big Holiday
Pastry Show.
We're here at the Chicago
Christmas Market,
which will host
The Big Holiday Pastry Show!
This competition is a true test
for these master pastry
chefs' skills.
They'll have between now
and Christmas to prep
their creations, based on a very
difficult brief.
Then they'll present
these masterful creations
right here on Christmas Day.
These four chefs represent
the best and brightest
in the world of sugar.
And some are hometown heroes,
here to regain
their former glory.
And some are here to prove
that tradition isn't everything.
That's right, we've got
the inventor of the "macarownie"
joining us this year,
Miss K.T. Cinnamon.
All right, chefs, let's reveal
this year's brief.
The judges want you to build
your Christmas pastry creations
with your childhood in mind.
Incorporate a favourite holiday
recipe from when you were kids.
Ingredients that invoke memories
and bring you back
to your Christmas past.
We want you to capture
the essence of Christmas.
Tell us the story of what
you created, and why.
Now, go "sleigh"
those holiday sweets.
Should be interesting.
- Bye, Jakey.
- Good to see you.
- Amanda.
- K.T.
Hmm, surprised to see you here.
I wish I could say the same.
It's so brave of you, though,
to compete again, after such
an embarrassing year.
Yeah well, you know me,
never one to um,
to back down from a challenge.
- Oh.
- And I, I mean, I have
won this before.
- Huh.
- Several times.
- Hmm.
- So, there's,
there's really no reason why
I can't do it again.
Oh, we'll just see about
that in a few weeks.
Hi.
Is K.T. Cinnamon her
real name?
No! Of course not.
She's intense.
Right?
Let's go.
- Ugh.
Okay.
- Hmm.
So, childhood memories.
I mean, whatever I come up with,
it's got to win over not only
the judges' tastebuds,
but their hearts, too.
Well, what are your favourite
memories from growing up?
Um, I mean, tobogganing all day
long on Sugar Hill with Tanya.
And then going gift shopping
with you.
Ah.
I mean, it's Paisley.
It's our hometown.
Well, maybe you should come
back with me for Christmas.
I mean, you haven't,
you haven't been back to Paisley
since your parents moved.
If the brief says
childhood memories.
- Uh-huh.
- Well, then, there's no better
way to jog those than...
making the pilgrimage back.
- This is true.
- Yeah.
It would be a great way to
bring back some memories.
You know, cooking with
my mom and then
finishing every Christmas
meal with...
Jackie's Joy to the World Fudge!
Do I still have her number?
Ahem.
Good morning,
Little Shop of Fudge.
Jackie! It's,
it's Amanda Stewart.
Amanda, my favourite
French pastry chef.
Oh.
Are you coming back home
soon for the holidays?
Well, that's exactly
why I'm calling.
Oh?
Do you still make that
incredible
Joy to the World Fudge?
Here we are, home, sweet home.
Hey, hey, hey.
Barritone.
How's it goin', Amandatron.
- Hi. Good to see you.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, you guys, the house,
it looks amazing.
But where are
the Christmas lights?
Are you kidding?
As soon as Diana told me you
were coming, I had to wait.
You know how much I like putting
our house guests to work.
Barry, no distractions.
Amanda has a lot
of baking to do.
Good.
I haven't eaten since lunch.
- Let's go.
- Ah!
Do you remember, freshman year,
you baked the entire football
team cinnamon rolls.
- Oh.
- Yeah, you were, you were up
all night.
I had the biggest,
most irrational crush on Kevin.
Well, yeah, he was
the quarterback,
and the first kid in our grade
to grow facial hair.
So, I mean, who could blame you?
True.
Oh, oh, ah, they're ready.
Barry!
- Okay.
- Mm.
Well, that smell is so good
I could cry.
- So, we have chocolate chip,
we have gingerbread,
we have shortbread.
One of these is going to
be the base.
Now, it needs to be
strong enough
to support like,
a good amount of weight.
Now, as you try them,
I want you to imagine them
filled with the flavour
that transports you
back to the very best
of childhood Christmases,
Jackie's Joy to the World Fudge.
Which... I'm going to use
as a mirror glaze.
Hmm.
Is that a good sound
or a bad sound?
I'm, I'm sorry but these...
- Yeah.
- ...are out of this world.
Oh, okay.
Thank goodness.
You scared me.
Mm. Mm-hmm.
Amanda, these are incredible.
Okay, perfect.
Wait, did you say Jackie
was going to Finland?
- Mm-hmm.
- She met someone online.
- Christmas romance.
- Mm-hmm.
Aunt Jackie, you can trust me
with your shop while
you're away.
I do.
Of course I do.
But I've never left
my shop before.
Much less during Christmas.
Nothing to worry about.
You are looking at one
of Bay Area
Business' Top Disrupters.
I think I can handle your little
shop for a few weeks.
How hard could it be?
I know that you think
that because you spend a lot
of time hobnobbing with suits
in boardrooms
that somehow those skills will
translate here.
But you're in for
a wake-up call.
It's in good hands.
Do you know that I grew eight
businesses
in the last year alone?
I'm sure you've
heard of Genius H2O.
Who?
Well, you will.
Just signed a deal
with every major airport
in the U.S.
What does this have
to do with fudge?
- Aunt Jackie,
go follow your heart to Finland.
I got this.
Its just fudge.
Simon, come here.
I appreciate that you are here
and goodness knows it's nice
that you're getting some
time away from Silicon Valley.
But it's not just fudge.
I don't run my place like
a Fortune 500 company.
That's true.
This isn't going
to be a cake walk.
If you're here to putz around
on vacation,
then I've got news for you.
I promise I will not fudge
around while you're away.
If you promise to be fully
present on your trip with Onni.
I've got everything
under control.
Well, I suppose the best way
to learn how to swim is to jump
into the deep end.
You deserve to love again,
Aunt Jackie.
It's what Tio would want.
Your Tio loved me very much.
- Mmhmm.
- And you.
You have his smile.
You know that?
More fudge?
You can never have enough.
Trust me.
It's just fudge.
How hard can it be?
Famous last words.
Sorry, did you say something?
Mm-mm.
Hello?
Jackie? It's Amanda.
I'm just here for the uh, fud...
Oh, my gosh.
I'm just having
a piece of fudge.
Hope that's okay.
And it's incredible, by the way.
Excuse me.
You.
You.
What are you doing here?
I could say the same
thing about you.
Oh, don't tell me that
you're turning this place
into one of your little
clickbait shops.
Clickbait.
How did you even find out
about this place anyway?
Do you have like, a little
database of amazing businesses
ripe for corrupting?
Jackie's my aunt.
Oh.
I'm in charge while she's away.
Oh.
And we're closed.
Oh.
We open at 10 A.M.
tomorrow, though.
Uh, that's okay.
I'm just, I'm just here
for the Joy to the World Fudge.
Jackie, she um,
she put some aside for me, so.
Don't see anything for you
here. Sorry.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Maybe she forgot.
Um, that's okay,
I'll just, I'll just buy some.
All right, then.
Um...
- Need a hand?
- Me? No. No, I got this.
The...
Funny, I could've sworn
that was the one that...
Hmm.
Boop.
Right.
Look, are you sure
that she didn't put some aside?
It's just, it's not like
her to forget.
Well, if she did,
she didn't specify where.
Well, can you keep looking?
Because I need it for
the test bake.
Test bake?
The Big Holiday Pastry Show.
It requires recipes from
childhood Christmas.
You're using my aunt's fudge
for a competition?
Oh, yeah.
So, if we could just
speed this along.
You can't make something else
for the competition?
I mean, there must be
a gazillion other things
you could whip up.
Joy to the World Fudge has
a completely
unparalleled flavour profile.
It is singular.
Did ya check under the register?
Why in the world
would she leave it under
the register?
Ahem.
Huh.
Oh.
Oops.
Ahem.
On the house.
Wait a minute, just one box?
'Cause I'm gonna need
a lot more.
You're gonna have to come back
tomorrow if you want more.
We're closed. And I have to take
inventory
before I can sell anything.
Jackie does inventory by hand,
so unless you wanna hang out
and wait for me
to count each individual
piece of fudge.
Hard pass.
Ahem.
Good luck with that.
Merry Christmas.
Yeah.
How was Jackie? Did you
catch her before she left?
No, but I did meet
her nephew, Simon.
Or should I say, re-met?
Mm, these look good.
They're still a little hot.
Hey, I remember Simon.
He used to come to Paisley
to visit his aunt
a few Christmases.
Hmm.
But he was cute then.
What does he look like now?
I don't know, you thought
he was cute the other day.
- What?
- It turns out Jackie's Simon
is the same Simon from the tech
company
that wants to influencer-ise me.
So, the cute guy that was at
your shop
is actually Jackie's nephew?
Mm-hmm. And she's asked him to
watch the shop
while she's gone.
Which makes him the gatekeeper
to the fudge.
Hmm.
I got this.
Hello?
Um, be with you in a sec.
Okay.
Tanya?
Uh, Amanda.
What are you doing here?
Well, I... I mean, I'm,
I'm home for Christmas.
Hey.
- Hey.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
M-me, totally.
I'm, I'm happy to see you.
You don't really look like it.
Talk to me.
- Lawrence and I broke up.
Lawrence, Lawr..., wait a
minute, Lowlife Larry?
You were dating low-life Larry?
He stopped being a lowlife
after high school.
He's an insurance salesman now.
He dumped me.
Ah, honey.
I'm fine.
What about you? What are
you doing here?
I thought you had a fancy bakery
in Chicago to run?
Oh, I do, I'm just,
I'm actually in town prepping
for The Big Holiday Pastry Show.
Oh! That's so cool.
Wait, does that mean
you know K.T. Cinnamon?
I am obsessed.
I follow her on everything.
Yes.
Yes, I know her.
I wanna hear everything.
It's, it's been ages
since we hung out.
I know! I know!
You know what?
Why don't you come over to
Diana's tonight
and we can have a proper
catch up?
- That sounds nice.
- Great.
Okay.
Put that in here.
You say three? Three, okay.
Wow.
- There you go.
Thank you.
Quite busy.
There you go.
Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Oh, uh, just one second, okay?
Uh...
Uh, Little Shop of Fudge.
Can you hold, please? Thank you.
Hi there, you seem very busy
but I, I baked you cookies.
A little peace offering.
Can you watch the register
for me?
I have to go check in
the kitchen.
Oh. Sure.
Hi there.
What can I get for you?
Let me guess,
Joy to the World Fudge?
Here you go.
Oh, excellent.
That is perfect. Thank you.
Enjoy.
Okay, who is next?
Hi there.
I love your jacket.
Two of these? Great.
- Thank you.
- Just one moment.
This place is a zoo
and my front of house called
in sick today.
Well, I will get outta
your hair.
I just need 30 boxes of Joy
to the World Fudge.
I'm all out.
- He's so funny.
You're...
you're joking, right?
You just sold the last box.
- Wait, are you serious?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, when are you getting more?
Oh, when Jackie gets back,
I guess, so, uh, sometime
around New Years.
What?
We're out. What do you want
me to do about it?
Well, you just, you go
and you make some more.
Me? I don't know how
to make the fudge.
You go get your employee
to make some more.
They don't know how
to make it either.
I, I'm sorry,
I'll be right with you.
Jackie is extremely secretive
about that recipe.
You would have better luck
tracking down the nuclear codes.
But I need it.
I need it for my competition.
Do the competition without it.
Gah... okay.
You know what?
It's totally fine.
I'll just make the fudge myself.
Um, where's the recipe?
Call Jackie.
Hmm, no.
No can do.
I promised I would not
bother her on her vacation.
What?
Relax, okay?
You can just make something else
for the competition.
It's just fudge.
- Just fudge.
Mm-hmm.
You listen to me, you very
tall, corporate vampire,
I am not gonna let you ruin
my comeback.
You get Jackie on the phone
and you get that recipe, now.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Okay.
Okay.
Just be one minute.
Ahem.
This is Jackie.
I'm on vacation and ignoring
my phone for once.
Don't leave a message.
Oh, and if this is Simon
calling,
figure it out!
Ha, ha.
It appears we are on our own.
Did ya hear that everyone?
Joy to the World Fudge is 86'd.
That means we're sold out.
Aw!
I'm sorry, we're sold out.
Ruined Christmas.
Huh, okay, that's fine.
Wait a minute, what are you...
You're just, you're gonna close?
I'm tired, and this is
supposed to be my vacation.
Great. Now I have to rework
my entire strategy.
Thank you. You know what?
Your aunt,
she'd be disappointed.
Hey, wait.
Um...
What?
Didn't you win
some kind of blind taste
test in France?
Yeah.
You've tasted the fudge before.
Can't you just guess
the ingredients?
- Oh, okay.
It is not that simple.
It took Jackie an entire
Christmas
to create that recipe.
How do you know that?
The story.
The, the one that was in every
box that you sold.
You mean that little holiday
poem thingy?
It's the Joy to the World story.
You know, five days,
five magical ingredients.
Wow.
So, kinda like a recipe.
No, no, it's not a recipe,
it's more, it's more like um...
a riddle.
Actually, Joy Fudge,
it has to be Jackie's classic
recipe base
with five magical Christmas
ingredients added.
So, if we can figure out
the riddle,
then we have the recipe.
Where's the poem?
I actually don't know where
Jackie keeps the inserts.
Well, can you help me look?
Okay.
I mean, it's gotta be
around here, right?
Uh-huh.
Anything in there?
Hasn't she ever heard of a PDF?
What kind of system is this?
Okay, you know what?
I'm, I'm gonna go.
And for the love of fudge,
let's hope that you find it.
Brr.
Hello?
You guys?
You would not believe what
that Simon guy... did...
- Hi.
- Kevin, hi.
I invited Kevin over for dinner.
I thought it would be great
for all of us to catch up.
How unexpected.
Amanda, did you know that
Kevin is a doctor now?
Yeah, he's the new resident
at Paisley General.
Uh, congratulations.
Thank you.
You look so great.
- Thank you.
So do you.
Diana, can I talk to
you about that thing?
Uh, what thing?
The, the thing.
Uh, yeah.
I, I, I will be right back.
Just give me one second.
Right. Okay.
Are you joking me right now?
- What's the big deal?
- A set-up?
Oh, come on, Amanda,
it's dinner.
We all need to eat.
Oh, come on.
Come on, you two were bananas
for each other growing up.
And all that stood in the way
was that you went to schools
in different countries.
You are unbelievable.
I, I am very busy right now.
Come on, just give it a chance?
Please? There might still
be something there.
Uh...
Uh, Barry, can I talk to you,
you, about the thing?
- What thing?
- Just get up, Barry.
It's okay.
So...
You know, I was in a work
conference a few years ago
in Chicago and I, uh, I thought
about reaching out.
Really?
I even walked by your bakery.
There was this line-up out
the door.
I could see you through
the window and, uh,
you looked so accomplished.
So happy.
- Well, why didn't you come in?
I don't know.
I guess I... didn't
wanna bother you.
I'm really sorry if, if this
whole thing blindsided you.
I had no idea that Diana wasn't
gonna tell you I was coming.
Oh, no, no, no, no, that's fine.
I mean it's...
...it's really good
to see you, Kevin.
- It's good to see you.
Hi. Oh, sorry,
am I interrupting something?
No! Not at all.
Hi.
- Hi.
- You came.
Yay!
- Hi, Kevin.
Tanya.
Kevin, you've got to try
these shortbread cookies
that Amanda made.
They're diabolical.
- Oh, no thanks, Barry.
Uh, the butter goes
right to my midsection.
Cream binders.
Moment of truth.
Ah!
Use a notoriously crumbly cookie
for the entire foundation
of your dessert.
What was I thinking?
What?!
Hello? Um... Simon?
Who's there?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
wait, wait, wait.
It's just me.
It's just me.
Ugh!
What is with you?
Are you, are you blind to
"We're closed" signs?
Well, why in the world
are you closed right now?
It's 6:30 A.M.
Sorry.
- Baker's hours.
Huh.
Ahem. Baked fresh
this morning.
I'll make some coffee.
Great.
Is this you?
Yeah.
Pre-braces.
You look very, very happy.
Christmas was my favourite
time of year.
Was?
I've worked over Christmas
the last 10 years.
I love Christmas.
I live for the S&P 500.
- Of course you do.
So, did you find it?
Oh, thank you, Santa.
Ye of little faith.
- You ready?
Mm-hmm.
"One magical Christmas,
five breathtaking dates.
Two strangers becoming
lifelong soulmates.
We set off together,
hand in hand,
creating our own winter
wonderland.
This fudge is made of love
that we savoured each moment
in time,
in new Christmas
flavour."
This is just mumbo jumbo.
Okay, okay.
Well, maybe there's some clues
in the text here.
Like um, okay, this last line,
it seems important,
"This fudge, it's made of
pure Christmas joy.
The pairing of soulmates,
one girl and one boy."
I mean, this,
this is a love poem.
Who was Jackie writing about?
My Tio, Miguel.
He passed away eight years ago.
I used to love
visiting for Christmas
and learning about his culture.
He was the light of my Aunt
Jackie's life.
Miguel must have been a really
amazing man
to inspire this poem.
And the fudge.
These are just activities.
Uh, things she and my Tio did
when they first met.
Not things you can put in fudge.
Well, maybe the activities,
they inspired the ingredients.
Maybe we need to retrace
their steps.
How?
You know, we need to do
everything
in the poem ourselves, in order
to source the ingredients.
You wanna do exactly what my
aunt and uncle did 40 years ago?
Well, if that's how Jackie
discovered the recipe,
then maybe we can find it
that way, too.
Huh.
Oh, come on.
Just... read the first clue.
The sweet slopes of winter did
beckon us forth,
and after, a reward
that replenished our warmth.
Sweet slopes of winter,
could be skiing.
Hmm, my Aunt Jackie
hates skiing.
She says, and I quote,
"It's a hobby reserved
for people without
common sense."
- Wow.
- Yeah. She and my uncle
preferred to sit in the lounge
at the Sugar Hill Lodge.
Okay, but wait a minute,
the, the story,
it says, "And after,
a reward that replenished
our warmth."
Wait a minute.
That would explain the barrels.
The barrels?
I always wondered why
she hoarded so much cider
in here.
Cider! Of course.
Sugar Hill Lodge always
had the best hot cider.
- They really did.
- Mm-hmm.
Wow, your aunt, she really
cherishes her ingredients.
So, now what?
Now, we grab a barrel,
start cooking.
- Wah!
- What?
- Wah!
- What is it?
It's on me. It's on me.
Get it off, get it off.
Get what off? Hey, stay still.
It's just...
- Ew.
- A tiny, little cobweb.
Oh.
Cool.
All you.
I'll get the door.
Okay.
Are you sure you
don't need a hand?
Yeah, I got it.
I got...
- You wanna...
- Hold on.
I just need a little rest
and I'll be good.
Okay.
That's a...
that was a lot heavier
than I expected.
I think I got it.
Voila.
Not bad.
Let's crack this puppy open.
Wow.
Come on! Ugh!
What kind of sorcery is this?
Whoa!
What are you planning
on doing with that?
Say, "Open sesame."
Just tell any customers
that come in
to try some of our other
flavours.
Yes, I know people are upset.
We're working on it.
Whew! Townspeople are gonna
show up
with pitchforks any minute.
The employees are taking a lot
of heat over at the store.
Don't worry about it.
We are gonna figure it out.
Your confidence is next level.
Ahem.
I'm baking and it's Christmas.
I don't know if I told you
this but...
I love Christmas.
You might have mentioned it.
Looks good on you.
What does?
You, in your element.
You know, this is exactly
the kinda content you should
be making.
Baking, doing what you do.
Shimmying like you shimmy.
There you go.
No.
No, no, no, no.
- Yeah.
- No, no.
Shake it like you bake it, baby.
No, no, no.
Can we focus?
Okay, okay.
This is good stuff.
Will you focus.
Please.
Ahem.
Okay, try this.
Tell me what it tastes like.
Aunt Jackie's classic
chocolate fudge?
Okay, good.
Now this?
Same thing.
Good.
Ahem.
One's Jackie's, one's mine.
That's a heck of a party trick.
So, now that we have
Jackie's classic
chocolate fudge base...
What's this?
Try it.
Apple cider.
Mm-mm-mm!
I mean, it's only one
of the five secret ingredients,
but it's definitely one of them.
All right, so what's
the next activity?
Well, I have to go build
a very big mould
for an ornament.
Huh?
It's my showpiece.
It's gonna make the macarownie
look like child's play.
Okay. While you go do that,
I will be at the store
staving off the mob.
I will see you there
first thing.
Um, at a reasonable
time, please.
What's reasonable?
Ten A.M.?
Six.
Nine.
7:10.
8:30.
My place is surrounded
by cameras,
so I'll know if you try
to break in again.
You win.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
What makes my pastry
the essence of Christmas?
Hmm, it is...
So, talk to me.
About?
Your date?
Date? Oh, no, no, no,
Simon and I, we're, we're just,
we're just working together.
I'm talking about Kevin.
Last night? I felt some vibes.
Oh, also not a date.
Why not? He's cute
and he's a doctor.
I mean, Kevin's great,
but I'm just, I'm so busy
trying to recreate this recipe
that it's all I can think about.
That and that Simon guy.
Driving me nuts.
Jackie's nephew, Simon?
Yes, he's just, he's so...
arrogant and stubborn and...
Handsome?
Yes.
No.
I mean, uh, yes, but it...
it's, it's strictly
professional.
Okay? I am helping him
to help me to help him.
And look, the, the point is that
it doesn't matter
that he's really good-looking.
Right.
You keep telling yourself that.
Well, I would like
another latte.
I am on a break.
But for you, I'll make
an exception.
He's not that good-looking.
I mean...
- And then Mrs. Fletcher
was all, "Girls, you must
stand taller."
"Uh, no bachelor admires
slumped shoulders."
Why did she always talk like
she was from the 1800s?
"Lateness, it's a moral
dilemma, ladies."
To Mrs. Fletcher.
- Yes.
- Mrs. Fletcher.
Hmm, who's that?
I don't know.
Coming!
Maybe it's Mrs. Fletcher.
Hi.
Come on in.
Look who's here!
Look who it is!
Kevin.
What a surprise.
Uh...
Ladies.
What's going on?
Wow.
What do you think?
Pretty good, right?
- It was... thank you.
Ahem, so Amanda... Amanda.
Mm-hmm.
Kevin.
Will you go out with me,
Thursday night?
Uh, sure.
- Yes!
- Yeah, of course.
Yes! Woo!
It worked.
- All right.
Okay. Okay.
Okay, bye!
- All right, good night.
- Thank you.
Oh, come on.
That was sweet.
What just happened?
Oh.
Hmm.
Not bad.
Wow.
Okay.
"We spruced up the home
with a tradition of mine,
creating zesty beauty,
one jewel at a time."
Wow.
Wait a minute,
spruced up the home.
Oh.
Morning.
Were you a rooster
in a past life?
Hilarious.
What are you doing
here so early?
I thought I'd get a jump
on the day.
Pre-empt any break-in attempts.
I have a cell phone, you know.
Could've called me.
I made more shortbread.
Thank you.
I've been thinking about
the poem,
going over it.
- Mm-hmm.
- And then it dawned on me.
- Hmm?
- They're decorating
a Christmas tree.
So, maybe Jackie and Miguel,
they went and they picked
a Christmas tree
and they decorated it together.
And in doing so,
she got the inspiration
for the next ingredient,
spruced up the home.
Spruce trees.
Spruce trees.
Hey, he's not ugly,
he's just got character.
He's the Quasimodo of pines.
Well, every tree needs a home.
The whole point of picking
a tree
is to find the perfect one.
Well, things can be special
without needing to be perfect.
I mean, you can't Photoshop
real life.
Look! He's cute.
Might not be the star
quarterback
but you gotta admit,
he's got a little like, flare.
Okay.
It's growing on me a bit.
Oh.
Why is that?
Just is.
Huh.
I'm sensing a personal
connection.
Explain.
Okay.
I was short and smaller than
the other boys growing up,
so I've always rooted
for the little guy.
I have a hard time
imagining you short.
I had a growth spurt
in high school.
You wouldn't understand.
You were probably
popular your whole life.
- Kinda.
Knew it.
Bet you were prom queen.
Guilty.
All right, little Simon,
are you ready to be bedazzled?
Please don't call him that.
Nope, still crooked.
- Really?
You gotta, you gotta
move it to the left.
The, the other left.
The other left.
Okay. And then, and then uh,
move it forward a little bit.
Back. Back, back, back, and then
move it forward a little bit.
Back.
No, too much.
Toward, towards, towards.
But back a little bit.
Uh, it's too much.
All right, that's enough.
It's still crooked!
What happened to not
Photoshopping real life?
Let's decorate.
Okay.
Ugh.
- Done.
- Done.
Uh... your side could use
a little imagination.
Yours could use an edit.
So, does it look
like Jackie's tree?
Definitely not.
Something's missing.
Well, I don't know 'cause
we used all the decorations.
Unless...
Maybe it's missing these?
- Not quite.
- Okay.
I don't know.
Maybe we're being too literal.
The spruce is the actual
ingredient.
No, never mind.
That was a terrible idea.
It's been so long.
I can't remember what my aunt's
tree looked like.
I wish there was
a way I could go back in time
and just look at how
she decorated it.
Wait a minute.
What's missing?
- Oh.
Um...
Dried oranges.
Dried oranges.
- Ah!
- Sorry. Kidding.
- It's my baking arm.
- Is this enough?
- Um, I, I think we're good.
Get zesting.
Okay.
Whoa, easy.
What?
We don't wanna bruise the rind
and create too much bitterness.
Okay.
So, those investors you worked
with
that tanked your frozen
product line.
Yes?
Turns out I went to school
with one of them.
A notorious corner cutter.
Ugh. This again.
You are relentless.
I just know a good
opportunity when I see one.
I read that interview
you did with Food, Wine,
and Dine Magazine.
- You did?
Mm-hmm. Your mission to bring
your creations to people
at affordable prices,
that's a good mission.
Thanks.
Ahem.
Okay, ah, ah, ah.
Thank you.
Okay.
Let's get this in the fridge.
Why don't... I'll hold
the tray, you pour?
Sure.
Nice to have help.
Ooh, that's perfect.
Now what?
Now we wait.
Okay.
Ooh!
All right.
Moment of truth.
Ah-cha!
Ooh.
Oh, wow.
Cheers.
Mm.
Two down.
- Three to go.
- Mm.
Uh, I should get back
to the shop.
Lots of disgruntled
customers to diffuse.
Looks like the employees might
mutiny at any minute.
Okay, let me just pack this up.
Hey, Tanya.
- Hey.
- Hi.
You just missed Kevin.
He looked so cute.
He was wearing his scrubs.
That's nice.
I'm surprised you aren't totally
freaking out right now.
If it was me, I would be totally
freaking out right now.
About Kevin?
N-no, about the, the stuff
online.
I, I figured you'd be losing it.
What... what stuff online?
Uh... nothing.
What do I know about big
holiday baking competitions?
What stuff online, Tanya?
You're kinda trending.
Trending?
Isn't that a good thing?
Well, K.T. Cinnamon tweeted
that your grocery store products
taste like old clay.
And then someone edited a video
of your head and K.T.
Cinnamon's head
on the body of two snow
yetis fighting.
How am I in an internet beef?
I'm not even on this platform!
They're calling
it #Doughmageddon.
What?
Don't you want a latte?
You have the sleeps schedule
of Nosferatu.
Why are you still awake?
You've been baking for hours.
Because I am going
to destroy K.T. Cinnamon.
I mean, they're, they're saying
that I am a nobody, okay?
Everybody's all, like,
"Team K.T.!"
I mean, there is a dance.
They, they made a dance
about it.
Okay.
Let's just, just put
down the whisk.
- Yep.
- Yeah, okay.
How is it possible that my
reputation
is getting worse?
Forget the internet trolls.
Forget about the pressure.
Just, just do what you love.
That's what made you successful
in the first place.
Right? You love Christmas.
- Mm-hmm.
- And sugar.
That's who you are.
Just remember that.
You'll be fine.
How do you know?
Because. I've seen you make
the most amazing desserts
out of whatever's available
to you.
- True.
- You're resourceful.
You always find a way.
- Thank you.
Oh.
Okay, listen to me.
Nap.
Yeah.
Please try to get some sleep.
Don't obsess so much.
I can't promise that.
Okay, good night.
Good night, get some sleep.
- You too.
- Thank you.
"Two rivers of gold flowing
forth
from barrels preserved
for mirth."
Two rivers of gold.
Okay.
Hmm.
Looking for me?
Coffee?
- Cookie?
- Mm.
By the way, are you going
to respond to that woman
calling you a sellout all
over the internet?
No. No, I'm just planning
on beating her,
fair and square,
at the competition.
See, this is where having
a platform would be useful.
Maybe you could bake a cake
of her head
for one of those real
or cake videos.
Team K.T.
Team K.T.
Ooh, ooh, baby.
Amanda's goin' down, down, down!
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
- You learned the dance?
What? How could you?
- What? It's catchy.
Traitor.
Can we just focus on finding
the next ingredient?
Fine, suit yourself.
Fine.
Hey!
Ooh, ooh, ooh!
Rivers of gold.
Could be honey.
Or melted cheese.
Why would she put
melted cheese in fudge?
I'm just thinking out loud.
Ugh.
Uh, well, we know that she likes
supporting local vendors.
True.
Maybe the poem's referencing
something that's sold
here in town.
Rivers of gold.
- Can I see that?
- Yeah.
"Rivers of gold preserved
in barrels for mirth.
A dawn break dish
for a couple's first kiss."
I cannot handle another
thing stored in a barrel.
Dawn break dish means
they ate in the morning.
They used to have
brunch at the caf.
- It's worth a shot.
- Now?
Aunt Jackie and Tio always
insisted
on sitting at this exact table.
Maybe they left us a clue.
Hmm?
Aw.
Still doesn't explain
rivers of gold.
No, it doesn't.
An omelet and an order
of waffles.
And my grandma's perfect
golden maple syrup
is on the table for you.
Great.
Enjoy.
Thanks.
- Rivers of gold!
- Rivers of gold!
Right in front of us!
]
Everything okay?
Um, Tanya, did,
did Jackie ever buy
your grandmother's maple syrup?
All the time.
Why?
We just found
our next ingredient.
No big deal.
Okay.
See, this is why your
aunt's recipes are the best,
because she has a handle
on every single component.
I wish I understood before
just how much work she puts
in there.
Well, it's pretty hard to
see how your business
is operating when your only view
is from the top floor.
Okay, ready?
Yeah.
There you are.
Yeah, that's it.
You are amazing.
I mean, this is amazing.
Hmm.
My aunt would try to teach me
about all this stuff so often,
and I just never paid attention.
Well, hey, at least you're
learning it now, right?
Yeah, hmm.
I think she always wanted me
to take over the shop one day.
Really?
Yeah, but I just never
took it seriously.
You ever feel like you're
just so set on a destination
that you lose perspective
on what matters?
I get it.
I feel a little less
sparkly myself.
No, I, I shouldn't have said
that to you when we first met.
I was wrong.
You're very sparkly.
Thank you.
And I'm sorry, too.
Honestly, I think that I've been
too prideful
to admit that my business, it...
it could use a boost.
I mean, I'm getting completely
ripped apart online
and there's nothing
I can do about it.
So, maybe I need to be open
to other ways of doing it.
I wouldn't sweat it.
When you're ready,
we can discuss.
Okay.
I've got an idea.
Any time one of us feels sorry
for hurting the other
one's feelings,
we must wear the nose.
We must?
Sorry.
Sorry.
Should we keep going?
Oh, I sorta, I sort
of have plans, actually.
Oh.
What kind of plans?
I mean, sorry, it's none
of my business.
Uh no, it's just with this
Kevin guy from school.
It's a long story.
Lemme guess, the prom king?
Well, kinda.
Um, tomorrow morning?
Yeah!
Great.
I'm leaving you with the dishes.
You uh, uh...
Hi.
Hey.
Hi.
Uh, you training
for a clown convention?
Pardon?
Oh! Oh, wow.
I, I completely forgot
I was wearing that.
And it's reindeer, not clown.
Right.
Still a Christmas superfan.
You know it.
Hey, Tanya.
You two have fun.
Thanks.
So, I uh, I hear you're working
with Jackie's nephew.
Uh, yes, Simon.
He's um, he's really great.
Hmm.
Yeah, pretty great.
Hmm.
Hmm.
Good morning.
- Good morning.
What've you got there?
Bum-ba-da-bum!
Thought I'd switch up
from the cookies.
Mm.
Mm! Mm! Sweet Father
Christmas,
what is that in
the middle of this?
Sabayon and ouzo.
How do you have time
to make this?
I thought you had um,
a date last night?
Oh, I did.
Um, I just baked after.
Does that mean
it didn't go well?
I don't bake and tell.
So, you're sure about the spa?
Positive.
"We needed a rest, a hot,
soothing retreat."
My aunt was friends with this
couple that owned a Nordic spa.
I looked into it.
Turns out their daughter
still runs it.
Perfect.
Not a bad morning.
Yeah, I'd say.
So, tell me, what does
your favourite shade of lipstick
really say about you?
Hmm?
Oh.
Should we go in?
Sure.
Full disclosure, I've never
been to one before.
What? You've never been in
a sauna before?
How is that even possible?
Being trapped in an upright
coffin filled with heat
just never really struck me
as relaxing.
Huh.
Going to change your mind.
Hmm.
You're gonna love this.
Coals are hot.
Just add a little bit of this.
Ooh.
Now, relax.
It's pleasant.
Not entirely claustrophobic.
Good.
- Hmm.
Do you smell that?
I do.
The aroma surrounds us,
a calming scent in the heat.
It's Frankincense.
Also known to pair
well with chocolate.
We're getting good at this.
Mm-mm-mm!
You know what?
Maybe as a reward,
we can stay in here
a little longer.
I think that's a great idea.
Fingers crossed.
Hmm.
- Okay.
Cheers.
- Cheers.
Mm!
That is really, really good.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm.
You know what this means?
Only one more to go.
"Getting to know him,
he went back to the start.
His gift to me was the key
to my heart."
Any idea what that could be?
No.
Key to the heart.
- Hmm.
- It's um...
Hard to say.
It's Jackie!
It's a sign.
- Hello?
Simon, how's everything going?
- Can I listen?
- Hey, Jackie, uh...
- Put it on speaker.
- Yeah, yeah.
Everything's actually
going great.
Amanda and I are
working on um...
Working on what?
Uh, just, just a project.
Um...
- A project?
How's your trip?
Everything is wonderful.
So, you've been spending
time with Amanda?
Mm-hmm.
Ask her about the recipe.
You know, I just realised
that I left with
the recipe book.
I'm such a silly goose.
Heh, yeah.
Just...
Ask her what the final
ingredient is.
But I have all
the faith in the world
that you'll figure out what you
need, even without the recipe.
Isn't that right?
Uh, actually, Aunt Jackie,
can I ask you a question?
Sure.
What is...
the key to your heart?
Oh, you ought to know that.
It's food.
I'm heading out.
Enjoy the rest
of the story, dear.
Okay, enjoy your trip.
No, wait, wait,
what are you doing?
Uh...
Why didn't you ask her
what the final ingredient was?
Look, we're, we're so close!
Because...
I don't want to.
Oh my, what do you mean
you didn't want to?
You know how important this is.
This is... just call her back.
Look, I don't want her
to know I messed up, okay?
She sounds so happy and I,
I didn't wanna ruin her trip.
Look, she trusted me.
I don't wanna let her down.
Oh.
Yeah.
I mean, look it, don't, don't
be so hard on yourself.
Hmm, and what was the um, what
was the key to her heart?
Food, but she was
always the cook so...
Ooh.
What would, I mean... food.
It's pretty broad.
Except on Christmas Eve.
That's it.
Every Christmas Eve
my Tio would make a specialty
from his childhood,
his Mexican mole.
Mole?
Mole.
Okay.
Nope.
Aw, cute! Hey, buddy.
Do you know where the recipe is?
Hmm?
- Mole.
- Mole!
Okay.
Two whole chickens,
two sticks of celery.
Good news, found the recipe.
Bad news, there are lots
of ingredients on here
a little town like Paisley
doesn't have.
Maybe we can get them
in Chester.
They've got bigger
grocery stores.
They're probably closed by now.
Right.
Why don't we spend tomorrow
gathering ingredients
and then we can cook it
for dinner?
I would love to but I,
I made a promise with someone.
Oh, okay.
Well, uh, I'll just grab
all the stuff myself.
No worries.
But you know what?
I'm, I'm free after.
Great. Uh, why don't you come
by around seven?
I'll make dinner.
Perfect.
Yes.
Okay.
Hmm.
Let's do this.
I'll be right with you.
Um, oh and just a heads up,
we're out of Joy to
the World Fudge,
but, uh, we are working
on getting some more...
I'm, uh, Kevin O'Connor.
Dr. Kevin O'Connor.
Uh, Simon Alfaro.
Entrepreneur Simon Alfaro.
I'm Amanda's uh...
Oh, the prom king.
Amanda's not actually
here at the moment.
Actually,
I'm, I'm here to see you.
Me?
Yeah.
This is awkward but uh,
she talks about you a lot when
we're together.
I was just wondering,
are you two...
We're just helping
each other out.
Nothing more.
That would have been awkward.
Yeah. We're just friends,
um, and I'm heading back to
California in a couple weeks, so
we'll probably never
see each other again.
Perfect. Heh.
That is the, the best news ever.
Yep.
Hey, you wanna, do you wanna
tell her I came by?
Sure thing.
Thanks.
Oh.
Hello? Simon?
Come on in.
Oh, wow!
It looks amazing in here.
You know, it's very
intimidating cooking for a chef.
I am a pastry chef.
Dinner eludes me.
Oh.
Senorita.
Gracias.
- De nada.
Okay.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
Pollo y arroz con mole.
Wow.
Salud por nosotros.
Hmm.
Mm.
This is incredible.
Mm-hmm.
Every Christmas Eve,
my cousins and I
would watch my Tio make this.
And while he was cooking,
he would tell us stories
about growing up in Oaxaca.
He really made his heritage
a part of our family.
And well, this just
tastes like Christmas.
I cannot believe that you
cooked all day.
I'm just really impressed.
Oh, by the way um, Kevin
came by the shop today.
That's weird.
What did he want?
Not sure.
Good-looking guy, though.
I'm happy for you both.
Oh, no Simon, it's not
Hey, all good.
Say no more.
We're just helping each
other out
with that fudge thing, right?
And then, we'll be out of each
other's lives.
Yeah.
Oof.
Do you know what?
This is the perfect level
of spice.
It's just, there's
a little tingle.
Wait a minute, when you eat
a piece of Joy to the World,
there is an ever so slight
tingle left behind.
The chili!
- The chili!
Of course.
Of course.
All right, you're the one
with the magic tastebuds.
Okay.
Ahem.
Too spicy.
- Hmm.
Too smoky.
That's it.
Chipotle.
Is this all we have left?
We're gonna need a lot more.
I can drive into Chester
tomorrow to buy some more
and that'll still give
you plenty of time
to prep everything for
the competition.
Which you're gonna win.
I know it.
Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late.
No, that's fine.
I got you a coffee.
- Thanks.
So, listen Kevin,
can we talk?
Uh-oh.
Dreaded three-word phrase.
Did I do something wrong?
Did you tell Simon that
we were seeing each other?
Yeah.
Is that a problem?
Oh, Kevin, um look,
it's been really...
nice to get reconnected but...
Was it the song?
It was the song, wasn't it?
I, I knew it was too much.
No, no, no, it wasn't the song.
I mean, the, the song,
it was really...
extra.
Okay.
Enlighten me.
What was it?
I just think, I just think
that we're in different places.
And that's it.
I mean, look at you.
You're, you're the full package.
You are gonna find someone
that is over the moon about you.
I know it.
Yeah.
Like who?
I just happen to know someone
who would love to go out
with you.
Really?
Why aren't you here?
The stock is haemorrhaging
and you're MIA.
I'll handle it. I'm looking at
flights right now.
The press is skewering
me. It's a hit job.
Just try not to talk to any
more press
until I get back,
all right? Bye.
- Brr.
- Hey, come in.
Hey.
Brr.
You okay?
Yeah. Yeah,
just a little distracted.
Uh, work stuff.
Oh. Well, I would offer
to help but...
No, well, I just
gotta deal with it.
Uh, should we get started?
I've got tons of chipotle.
Absolutely!
Thank you for going to Chester.
Okay, it's ready!
Bum-bum-ba-bum.
Moment of truth.
Simon.
Simon.
Sorry, sorry.
All right.
Grab a piece.
This is it.
Right?
We did it.
- Yeah.
I think we did it.
We did it.
We did it.
We did it! We did it!
- Oh!
We did it.
Hm.
So, next stop, Chicago.
What? Why aren't
you more excited?
I'm sorry.
I have to go back to
San Francisco tonight.
- What? Why?
My biggest client
is having a crisis.
The CEO was caught making
some unsavoury deals
and it's all over the news.
I need to take care of it over
the holidays
because their stock is tanking.
Oh, uh but then, what about
the shop if you're gone?
I mean, who's gonna run it?
So, wait a minute, you're gonna
ditch your family
to go help some, some corrupt
CEO with a, with a PR crisis?
Okay, look, I feel terrible
but I don't have a choice.
What do you mean?
You always have a choice.
I mean, this is, this is what
running a business actually is.
It's not always about the bottom
line and the image and...
Are you serious?
You're really gonna go?
Wow.
You know what?
You're really no different than
all those other shady investors.
All right, that's not fair,
all right?
Do not lump me in with those
people who burned you.
What matters is right
here, okay?
It's not on Wall Street,
it's not on Silicon Valley.
Okay. Well, pretending that
you have the moral high ground,
just because you're terrified
of scaling up.
Wake up, Amanda.
There's more to life
than just your little bakery,
all right?
And just because you wanna play
small-ball
doesn't make you a better
person than me.
I'm... I'm sorry,
I didn't mean that.
That came out wrong.
No, it's fine.
Okay um...
Well, safe travels. And I got,
I mean I got what I needed, so.
Merry Christmas, Simon.
Amanda, wait.
I...
Okay, that's everything.
Are you sure you
don't wanna stay?
I mean, we can drive up to
the competition together.
Um, you know, I should
really, I should get back.
I have to prepare and get
my staff ready, so.
There's my taxi.
Okay, we'll be there
rooting for you.
Oh, come here.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Okay.
Bye!
Bye.
Nice job.
This is beautiful.
Okay, how we doin'?
Ah, you know what?
That's the wrong consistency.
Just fire another.
Okay, here we go.
Gorgeous.
Okay it's...
Perfect.
Okay, we wanna make sure
that it sets completely
before you put it in
the chiller.
Here goes nothin'.
Hello, again, my precious shop.
Hello? Simon?
Aunt Jackie?
Simon!
What are you doing here?
I thought you weren't back until
after Christmas?
Oh, change of plans.
There's a big snowstorm headed
toward Finland,
so we got out before
it got to us.
That's my apron.
- Uh, yeah.
- Did you make fudge?
Uh, I did.
Sort of.
I mean, I did but
I didn't do it alone.
I... it's a long story.
How was your trip?
How's Onni?
You got engaged?
- Mm-hmm.
- Wow.
Your aunt's still got it.
She sure does.
Oh, he's a lucky man.
Well, you can tell him
that yourself.
He's visiting his cousins
in Chicago right now
and he's driving to
Paisley on Christmas.
- Hmm.
- How is everything here?
Easy peasy?
You were right.
I had no idea what it took
to run this place.
I'm in awe of you.
Oh, you.
I knew you'd figure it out.
How is Amanda? Isn't she a gem?
She is.
She changed my life.
I knew it.
I just had a feeling
that you two would hit it off.
That's why I took
the recipe book.
I wanted you two to spend
some time together.
What's wrong?
Can you try this fudge?
Sure.
What for?
It's Joy to the World Fudge.
Amanda and I recreated
the recipe.
Simon, this is not Joy Fudge.
What?
Joy Fudge is the culmination
of one magical Christmas spent
falling in love
with your Tio.
It simply can't be recreated.
But this fudge represents
the Christmas
that Simon fell in love
with Amanda.
And it's absolutely perfect.
I ruined everything
with Amanda, Aunt J.
She hates me.
Well, then, what are
you doing here? Go fix it.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
Hey.
Hi, hi.
- Ah, you made it!
You are going to be great.
Where's Simon?
Didn't he help
you with all of this?
Okay, everyone,
rolling in five minutes.
You know what?
You guys should get your seats
because it's starting soon.
Okay.
You got this.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- Okay, let's go.
Wah!
And now,
The Big Holiday Pastry Show.
Welcome to The Big Holiday
Pastry Show!
Our contestants have only
two hours
to get their creations ready.
Right.
Amanda, what do you have
to say to those who doubt you?
Um, well Jake, I still
got my sparkle.
Any comment on your internet
feud with Miss Cinnamon?
No, I, I like to let
my pastry do the talking.
K.T., you're looking
in control.
Are you at all worried about
the other contestants right now?
Carefree as can be.
It's the final ten
minutes, folks,
where our chefs will have to
take their mega pastries
and walk them up to
the presentation table.
It's a time where
anything can happen.
They say it's Christmas
They say it's Christmas
Who will reign supreme?
Will their pastries hold up
to gravity?
Please, please, please,
please don't break.
Uh-oh, we've got a wiggler.
There you are.
Enjoy.
It's time for
the judges to weigh in.
Who will win the ultimate
Christmas pastry?
Ahem.
Tell us a little bit about
the inspiration for this pastry.
Well, one of my, my favourite
memories of childhood
growing up, was, was eating
Joy to the World Fudge
from the Little Shop of Fudge
in my hometown, Paisley.
And I always knew the tale
of its origins but I just,
I never really experienced it
until now.
You see, this recipe, it's
actually a story of family,
memories, and love.
And this fudge, it's just,
I mean, it's Christmas to me.
It's Christmas as,
as a little girl,
you know, dreaming of...
of being a pastry chef.
And... and now, Christmas
as a woman,
finding myself again.
It was originally inspired
by someone very special.
But it's become something else.
It wasn't my story at first,
but it's become my story.
My own love story.
Enjoy.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you.
That was incredible.
Hey, what, what are you doing
here?
I thought you were in
San Francisco?
- I quit my job.
- What?
You were right.
I didn't have my
priorities in order.
I've just been spending too much
time chasing profits
and I was happier in my
aunt's shop,
with you, than I've ever been.
My life had meaning.
My life had you.
I'm sorry for running away.
But you do mean so much
more than any IPO.
It's, I mean, it's fine.
You are...
you're forgiven.
On one condition.
What's that?
I kinda have this like, internet
beef to squash
and I could really,
I could use an expert's help.
I would be honoured to
be your digital guru.
Oh, I, I almost forgot.
Ahem.
It, uh, now,
it's a proper apology.
You know, I don't even...
I don't know why I considered
missing this.
Come here.
All chefs please return to set.
Go. You've got a competition
to win.
Wish me luck.
It's time to see
whose pastry reigns supreme.
The winner of The Big
Holiday Pastry Show is...
Amanda Stewart!
What a comeback, folks!
And that's what Christmas
is all about.
- Hmm.
- Hey, uh, great work today.
Thank you.
- Hmm.
- You too.
Thanks.
Would, would you mind
getting a selfie with me?
I mean, I was thinking about
starting a page
and you're very...
- Yeah!
Okay.
Sure thing.
Um, three, two, one, macarownie.
Macarownie.
Oh, that's great.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Aw.
I have a Christmas gift for you.
The Little Shop of Fudge
is yours.
If you want it, of course.
Might not be a big
corner office but...
Aunt Jackie, thank you.
This, this is the greatest
gift I've ever received.
Pour your entire heart into it.
I will.
Love you.
So, you know that fudge we made?
Yes.
Not technically Joy
to the World Fudge.
What? No.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
93 degrees for the mirror glaze.
Perfect.
All right, team, listen up,
15 days to go and after the year
that we've had,
we really need to win The Big
Holiday Pastry Show.
So, let's get baking.
Santa's coming.
There you go.
Enjoy.
Hi there.
Welcome to Well Bread.
What can I get you?
Do you have any of those
"macarownie" things here?
Sorry, we don't crossbreed
desserts here.
Why not? Crossbreeding
leads to amazing things.
Really? Like what?
Golden Doodles.
Seedless watermelon.
Sporks.
Well, if you want
a Frankensweet,
you can go across the street,
with all the other
internet sheep.
I'm not actually
here for a pastry.
I shepherd the internet sheep.
Oh, no, no, no thank you.
Hear me out.
You can still scale
your products nationwide.
You were just partnered
with the wrong people last time.
Really?
I can get you back on track.
Simon, is it?
Do you know what 10,000
returned units due to mislabels,
improper temperature
storage, and several scathing
reviews across every major
food publication
does to a chef's reputation?
Decimates it.
Yeah.
That's why you need me.
Ten minutes.
That's all I ask.
Fine.
Have a seat.
I'll get you a macaroon.
A real one.
Great.
Look forward to it.
Get your CPA down, use affiliate
advertising, and drop shipping.
Your last launch didn't
have a real internet presence
and your social media could
really use a boost.
How come you're not in
any of the videos?
- I mean, why would I,
why would I be in the videos?
You're a great chef,
and you're beautiful,
it's a no-brainer.
Um, no!
No, I am a pastry chef.
I am, I am not an influencer.
You might be the queen of
pastry but where's the sparkle?
I... I have sparkle.
Bring my company on
to partner with you.
Just because you had
one bad launch doesn't mean
you should shy away
from new avenues.
Growing companies is what I do.
Hmm.
You know what? I think
that I have heard enough.
But thank you for coming.
But I haven't even shown you
my slides
on social media strategy yet.
I'm good.
Fine.
Suit yourself.
Whoa. Sorry. Whoa.
- What's with Hercules?
Ugh, don't ask.
Hi!
Hi! Oh.
Why don't we go back to
my place and unwind?
You unwind?
You're so funny.
How was the trip?
Set the mood.
Um, look, I know you
don't want to relive
the nightmare
of your brief foray
into the frozen foods
aisle, but...
No, I don't.
Uh, maybe this Simon
guy has a point.
Maybe social media
will put you more in control.
I don't wanna spend my day
cooking for likes.
No more angel investors,
no more scoring.
I mean, this Big Holiday Pastry
Show is gonna be televised.
Celebrity chefs.
Back in the gauntlet.
Just a real chance for me to
show that I'm still in the game.
Get my bakery back on track.
Hmm.
Diana, have I lost my sparkle?
Don't be ridiculous.
It's just Christmases,
there used to be a zoo
at Well Bread, and now they're
a, they're a library.
I mean, I went from wunderkind
to irrelevant overnight.
- You're very sparkly.
You'll do the competition,
and you will win.
Yeah.
Ahem.
Oh, speaking of,
this is the producer right now.
Marianna, hi.
Uh, yes.
Right now? Okay.
No problem, I'll be right there.
What?
Uh... they moved up the call
time
for reading the brief on camera.
Now?
Yes, now.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Okay, how's my hair?
- It's perfect.
- Okay.
Okay, no, give me your stuff.
Okay, here you go.
- Here you go.
- Good luck!
I'm good.
Camera rolls...
And now, The Big Holiday
Pastry Show.
We're here at the Chicago
Christmas Market,
which will host
The Big Holiday Pastry Show!
This competition is a true test
for these master pastry
chefs' skills.
They'll have between now
and Christmas to prep
their creations, based on a very
difficult brief.
Then they'll present
these masterful creations
right here on Christmas Day.
These four chefs represent
the best and brightest
in the world of sugar.
And some are hometown heroes,
here to regain
their former glory.
And some are here to prove
that tradition isn't everything.
That's right, we've got
the inventor of the "macarownie"
joining us this year,
Miss K.T. Cinnamon.
All right, chefs, let's reveal
this year's brief.
The judges want you to build
your Christmas pastry creations
with your childhood in mind.
Incorporate a favourite holiday
recipe from when you were kids.
Ingredients that invoke memories
and bring you back
to your Christmas past.
We want you to capture
the essence of Christmas.
Tell us the story of what
you created, and why.
Now, go "sleigh"
those holiday sweets.
Should be interesting.
- Bye, Jakey.
- Good to see you.
- Amanda.
- K.T.
Hmm, surprised to see you here.
I wish I could say the same.
It's so brave of you, though,
to compete again, after such
an embarrassing year.
Yeah well, you know me,
never one to um,
to back down from a challenge.
- Oh.
- And I, I mean, I have
won this before.
- Huh.
- Several times.
- Hmm.
- So, there's,
there's really no reason why
I can't do it again.
Oh, we'll just see about
that in a few weeks.
Hi.
Is K.T. Cinnamon her
real name?
No! Of course not.
She's intense.
Right?
Let's go.
- Ugh.
Okay.
- Hmm.
So, childhood memories.
I mean, whatever I come up with,
it's got to win over not only
the judges' tastebuds,
but their hearts, too.
Well, what are your favourite
memories from growing up?
Um, I mean, tobogganing all day
long on Sugar Hill with Tanya.
And then going gift shopping
with you.
Ah.
I mean, it's Paisley.
It's our hometown.
Well, maybe you should come
back with me for Christmas.
I mean, you haven't,
you haven't been back to Paisley
since your parents moved.
If the brief says
childhood memories.
- Uh-huh.
- Well, then, there's no better
way to jog those than...
making the pilgrimage back.
- This is true.
- Yeah.
It would be a great way to
bring back some memories.
You know, cooking with
my mom and then
finishing every Christmas
meal with...
Jackie's Joy to the World Fudge!
Do I still have her number?
Ahem.
Good morning,
Little Shop of Fudge.
Jackie! It's,
it's Amanda Stewart.
Amanda, my favourite
French pastry chef.
Oh.
Are you coming back home
soon for the holidays?
Well, that's exactly
why I'm calling.
Oh?
Do you still make that
incredible
Joy to the World Fudge?
Here we are, home, sweet home.
Hey, hey, hey.
Barritone.
How's it goin', Amandatron.
- Hi. Good to see you.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, you guys, the house,
it looks amazing.
But where are
the Christmas lights?
Are you kidding?
As soon as Diana told me you
were coming, I had to wait.
You know how much I like putting
our house guests to work.
Barry, no distractions.
Amanda has a lot
of baking to do.
Good.
I haven't eaten since lunch.
- Let's go.
- Ah!
Do you remember, freshman year,
you baked the entire football
team cinnamon rolls.
- Oh.
- Yeah, you were, you were up
all night.
I had the biggest,
most irrational crush on Kevin.
Well, yeah, he was
the quarterback,
and the first kid in our grade
to grow facial hair.
So, I mean, who could blame you?
True.
Oh, oh, ah, they're ready.
Barry!
- Okay.
- Mm.
Well, that smell is so good
I could cry.
- So, we have chocolate chip,
we have gingerbread,
we have shortbread.
One of these is going to
be the base.
Now, it needs to be
strong enough
to support like,
a good amount of weight.
Now, as you try them,
I want you to imagine them
filled with the flavour
that transports you
back to the very best
of childhood Christmases,
Jackie's Joy to the World Fudge.
Which... I'm going to use
as a mirror glaze.
Hmm.
Is that a good sound
or a bad sound?
I'm, I'm sorry but these...
- Yeah.
- ...are out of this world.
Oh, okay.
Thank goodness.
You scared me.
Mm. Mm-hmm.
Amanda, these are incredible.
Okay, perfect.
Wait, did you say Jackie
was going to Finland?
- Mm-hmm.
- She met someone online.
- Christmas romance.
- Mm-hmm.
Aunt Jackie, you can trust me
with your shop while
you're away.
I do.
Of course I do.
But I've never left
my shop before.
Much less during Christmas.
Nothing to worry about.
You are looking at one
of Bay Area
Business' Top Disrupters.
I think I can handle your little
shop for a few weeks.
How hard could it be?
I know that you think
that because you spend a lot
of time hobnobbing with suits
in boardrooms
that somehow those skills will
translate here.
But you're in for
a wake-up call.
It's in good hands.
Do you know that I grew eight
businesses
in the last year alone?
I'm sure you've
heard of Genius H2O.
Who?
Well, you will.
Just signed a deal
with every major airport
in the U.S.
What does this have
to do with fudge?
- Aunt Jackie,
go follow your heart to Finland.
I got this.
Its just fudge.
Simon, come here.
I appreciate that you are here
and goodness knows it's nice
that you're getting some
time away from Silicon Valley.
But it's not just fudge.
I don't run my place like
a Fortune 500 company.
That's true.
This isn't going
to be a cake walk.
If you're here to putz around
on vacation,
then I've got news for you.
I promise I will not fudge
around while you're away.
If you promise to be fully
present on your trip with Onni.
I've got everything
under control.
Well, I suppose the best way
to learn how to swim is to jump
into the deep end.
You deserve to love again,
Aunt Jackie.
It's what Tio would want.
Your Tio loved me very much.
- Mmhmm.
- And you.
You have his smile.
You know that?
More fudge?
You can never have enough.
Trust me.
It's just fudge.
How hard can it be?
Famous last words.
Sorry, did you say something?
Mm-mm.
Hello?
Jackie? It's Amanda.
I'm just here for the uh, fud...
Oh, my gosh.
I'm just having
a piece of fudge.
Hope that's okay.
And it's incredible, by the way.
Excuse me.
You.
You.
What are you doing here?
I could say the same
thing about you.
Oh, don't tell me that
you're turning this place
into one of your little
clickbait shops.
Clickbait.
How did you even find out
about this place anyway?
Do you have like, a little
database of amazing businesses
ripe for corrupting?
Jackie's my aunt.
Oh.
I'm in charge while she's away.
Oh.
And we're closed.
Oh.
We open at 10 A.M.
tomorrow, though.
Uh, that's okay.
I'm just, I'm just here
for the Joy to the World Fudge.
Jackie, she um,
she put some aside for me, so.
Don't see anything for you
here. Sorry.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Maybe she forgot.
Um, that's okay,
I'll just, I'll just buy some.
All right, then.
Um...
- Need a hand?
- Me? No. No, I got this.
The...
Funny, I could've sworn
that was the one that...
Hmm.
Boop.
Right.
Look, are you sure
that she didn't put some aside?
It's just, it's not like
her to forget.
Well, if she did,
she didn't specify where.
Well, can you keep looking?
Because I need it for
the test bake.
Test bake?
The Big Holiday Pastry Show.
It requires recipes from
childhood Christmas.
You're using my aunt's fudge
for a competition?
Oh, yeah.
So, if we could just
speed this along.
You can't make something else
for the competition?
I mean, there must be
a gazillion other things
you could whip up.
Joy to the World Fudge has
a completely
unparalleled flavour profile.
It is singular.
Did ya check under the register?
Why in the world
would she leave it under
the register?
Ahem.
Huh.
Oh.
Oops.
Ahem.
On the house.
Wait a minute, just one box?
'Cause I'm gonna need
a lot more.
You're gonna have to come back
tomorrow if you want more.
We're closed. And I have to take
inventory
before I can sell anything.
Jackie does inventory by hand,
so unless you wanna hang out
and wait for me
to count each individual
piece of fudge.
Hard pass.
Ahem.
Good luck with that.
Merry Christmas.
Yeah.
How was Jackie? Did you
catch her before she left?
No, but I did meet
her nephew, Simon.
Or should I say, re-met?
Mm, these look good.
They're still a little hot.
Hey, I remember Simon.
He used to come to Paisley
to visit his aunt
a few Christmases.
Hmm.
But he was cute then.
What does he look like now?
I don't know, you thought
he was cute the other day.
- What?
- It turns out Jackie's Simon
is the same Simon from the tech
company
that wants to influencer-ise me.
So, the cute guy that was at
your shop
is actually Jackie's nephew?
Mm-hmm. And she's asked him to
watch the shop
while she's gone.
Which makes him the gatekeeper
to the fudge.
Hmm.
I got this.
Hello?
Um, be with you in a sec.
Okay.
Tanya?
Uh, Amanda.
What are you doing here?
Well, I... I mean, I'm,
I'm home for Christmas.
Hey.
- Hey.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
M-me, totally.
I'm, I'm happy to see you.
You don't really look like it.
Talk to me.
- Lawrence and I broke up.
Lawrence, Lawr..., wait a
minute, Lowlife Larry?
You were dating low-life Larry?
He stopped being a lowlife
after high school.
He's an insurance salesman now.
He dumped me.
Ah, honey.
I'm fine.
What about you? What are
you doing here?
I thought you had a fancy bakery
in Chicago to run?
Oh, I do, I'm just,
I'm actually in town prepping
for The Big Holiday Pastry Show.
Oh! That's so cool.
Wait, does that mean
you know K.T. Cinnamon?
I am obsessed.
I follow her on everything.
Yes.
Yes, I know her.
I wanna hear everything.
It's, it's been ages
since we hung out.
I know! I know!
You know what?
Why don't you come over to
Diana's tonight
and we can have a proper
catch up?
- That sounds nice.
- Great.
Okay.
Put that in here.
You say three? Three, okay.
Wow.
- There you go.
Thank you.
Quite busy.
There you go.
Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Oh, uh, just one second, okay?
Uh...
Uh, Little Shop of Fudge.
Can you hold, please? Thank you.
Hi there, you seem very busy
but I, I baked you cookies.
A little peace offering.
Can you watch the register
for me?
I have to go check in
the kitchen.
Oh. Sure.
Hi there.
What can I get for you?
Let me guess,
Joy to the World Fudge?
Here you go.
Oh, excellent.
That is perfect. Thank you.
Enjoy.
Okay, who is next?
Hi there.
I love your jacket.
Two of these? Great.
- Thank you.
- Just one moment.
This place is a zoo
and my front of house called
in sick today.
Well, I will get outta
your hair.
I just need 30 boxes of Joy
to the World Fudge.
I'm all out.
- He's so funny.
You're...
you're joking, right?
You just sold the last box.
- Wait, are you serious?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, when are you getting more?
Oh, when Jackie gets back,
I guess, so, uh, sometime
around New Years.
What?
We're out. What do you want
me to do about it?
Well, you just, you go
and you make some more.
Me? I don't know how
to make the fudge.
You go get your employee
to make some more.
They don't know how
to make it either.
I, I'm sorry,
I'll be right with you.
Jackie is extremely secretive
about that recipe.
You would have better luck
tracking down the nuclear codes.
But I need it.
I need it for my competition.
Do the competition without it.
Gah... okay.
You know what?
It's totally fine.
I'll just make the fudge myself.
Um, where's the recipe?
Call Jackie.
Hmm, no.
No can do.
I promised I would not
bother her on her vacation.
What?
Relax, okay?
You can just make something else
for the competition.
It's just fudge.
- Just fudge.
Mm-hmm.
You listen to me, you very
tall, corporate vampire,
I am not gonna let you ruin
my comeback.
You get Jackie on the phone
and you get that recipe, now.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Okay.
Okay.
Just be one minute.
Ahem.
This is Jackie.
I'm on vacation and ignoring
my phone for once.
Don't leave a message.
Oh, and if this is Simon
calling,
figure it out!
Ha, ha.
It appears we are on our own.
Did ya hear that everyone?
Joy to the World Fudge is 86'd.
That means we're sold out.
Aw!
I'm sorry, we're sold out.
Ruined Christmas.
Huh, okay, that's fine.
Wait a minute, what are you...
You're just, you're gonna close?
I'm tired, and this is
supposed to be my vacation.
Great. Now I have to rework
my entire strategy.
Thank you. You know what?
Your aunt,
she'd be disappointed.
Hey, wait.
Um...
What?
Didn't you win
some kind of blind taste
test in France?
Yeah.
You've tasted the fudge before.
Can't you just guess
the ingredients?
- Oh, okay.
It is not that simple.
It took Jackie an entire
Christmas
to create that recipe.
How do you know that?
The story.
The, the one that was in every
box that you sold.
You mean that little holiday
poem thingy?
It's the Joy to the World story.
You know, five days,
five magical ingredients.
Wow.
So, kinda like a recipe.
No, no, it's not a recipe,
it's more, it's more like um...
a riddle.
Actually, Joy Fudge,
it has to be Jackie's classic
recipe base
with five magical Christmas
ingredients added.
So, if we can figure out
the riddle,
then we have the recipe.
Where's the poem?
I actually don't know where
Jackie keeps the inserts.
Well, can you help me look?
Okay.
I mean, it's gotta be
around here, right?
Uh-huh.
Anything in there?
Hasn't she ever heard of a PDF?
What kind of system is this?
Okay, you know what?
I'm, I'm gonna go.
And for the love of fudge,
let's hope that you find it.
Brr.
Hello?
You guys?
You would not believe what
that Simon guy... did...
- Hi.
- Kevin, hi.
I invited Kevin over for dinner.
I thought it would be great
for all of us to catch up.
How unexpected.
Amanda, did you know that
Kevin is a doctor now?
Yeah, he's the new resident
at Paisley General.
Uh, congratulations.
Thank you.
You look so great.
- Thank you.
So do you.
Diana, can I talk to
you about that thing?
Uh, what thing?
The, the thing.
Uh, yeah.
I, I, I will be right back.
Just give me one second.
Right. Okay.
Are you joking me right now?
- What's the big deal?
- A set-up?
Oh, come on, Amanda,
it's dinner.
We all need to eat.
Oh, come on.
Come on, you two were bananas
for each other growing up.
And all that stood in the way
was that you went to schools
in different countries.
You are unbelievable.
I, I am very busy right now.
Come on, just give it a chance?
Please? There might still
be something there.
Uh...
Uh, Barry, can I talk to you,
you, about the thing?
- What thing?
- Just get up, Barry.
It's okay.
So...
You know, I was in a work
conference a few years ago
in Chicago and I, uh, I thought
about reaching out.
Really?
I even walked by your bakery.
There was this line-up out
the door.
I could see you through
the window and, uh,
you looked so accomplished.
So happy.
- Well, why didn't you come in?
I don't know.
I guess I... didn't
wanna bother you.
I'm really sorry if, if this
whole thing blindsided you.
I had no idea that Diana wasn't
gonna tell you I was coming.
Oh, no, no, no, no, that's fine.
I mean it's...
...it's really good
to see you, Kevin.
- It's good to see you.
Hi. Oh, sorry,
am I interrupting something?
No! Not at all.
Hi.
- Hi.
- You came.
Yay!
- Hi, Kevin.
Tanya.
Kevin, you've got to try
these shortbread cookies
that Amanda made.
They're diabolical.
- Oh, no thanks, Barry.
Uh, the butter goes
right to my midsection.
Cream binders.
Moment of truth.
Ah!
Use a notoriously crumbly cookie
for the entire foundation
of your dessert.
What was I thinking?
What?!
Hello? Um... Simon?
Who's there?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
wait, wait, wait.
It's just me.
It's just me.
Ugh!
What is with you?
Are you, are you blind to
"We're closed" signs?
Well, why in the world
are you closed right now?
It's 6:30 A.M.
Sorry.
- Baker's hours.
Huh.
Ahem. Baked fresh
this morning.
I'll make some coffee.
Great.
Is this you?
Yeah.
Pre-braces.
You look very, very happy.
Christmas was my favourite
time of year.
Was?
I've worked over Christmas
the last 10 years.
I love Christmas.
I live for the S&P 500.
- Of course you do.
So, did you find it?
Oh, thank you, Santa.
Ye of little faith.
- You ready?
Mm-hmm.
"One magical Christmas,
five breathtaking dates.
Two strangers becoming
lifelong soulmates.
We set off together,
hand in hand,
creating our own winter
wonderland.
This fudge is made of love
that we savoured each moment
in time,
in new Christmas
flavour."
This is just mumbo jumbo.
Okay, okay.
Well, maybe there's some clues
in the text here.
Like um, okay, this last line,
it seems important,
"This fudge, it's made of
pure Christmas joy.
The pairing of soulmates,
one girl and one boy."
I mean, this,
this is a love poem.
Who was Jackie writing about?
My Tio, Miguel.
He passed away eight years ago.
I used to love
visiting for Christmas
and learning about his culture.
He was the light of my Aunt
Jackie's life.
Miguel must have been a really
amazing man
to inspire this poem.
And the fudge.
These are just activities.
Uh, things she and my Tio did
when they first met.
Not things you can put in fudge.
Well, maybe the activities,
they inspired the ingredients.
Maybe we need to retrace
their steps.
How?
You know, we need to do
everything
in the poem ourselves, in order
to source the ingredients.
You wanna do exactly what my
aunt and uncle did 40 years ago?
Well, if that's how Jackie
discovered the recipe,
then maybe we can find it
that way, too.
Huh.
Oh, come on.
Just... read the first clue.
The sweet slopes of winter did
beckon us forth,
and after, a reward
that replenished our warmth.
Sweet slopes of winter,
could be skiing.
Hmm, my Aunt Jackie
hates skiing.
She says, and I quote,
"It's a hobby reserved
for people without
common sense."
- Wow.
- Yeah. She and my uncle
preferred to sit in the lounge
at the Sugar Hill Lodge.
Okay, but wait a minute,
the, the story,
it says, "And after,
a reward that replenished
our warmth."
Wait a minute.
That would explain the barrels.
The barrels?
I always wondered why
she hoarded so much cider
in here.
Cider! Of course.
Sugar Hill Lodge always
had the best hot cider.
- They really did.
- Mm-hmm.
Wow, your aunt, she really
cherishes her ingredients.
So, now what?
Now, we grab a barrel,
start cooking.
- Wah!
- What?
- Wah!
- What is it?
It's on me. It's on me.
Get it off, get it off.
Get what off? Hey, stay still.
It's just...
- Ew.
- A tiny, little cobweb.
Oh.
Cool.
All you.
I'll get the door.
Okay.
Are you sure you
don't need a hand?
Yeah, I got it.
I got...
- You wanna...
- Hold on.
I just need a little rest
and I'll be good.
Okay.
That's a...
that was a lot heavier
than I expected.
I think I got it.
Voila.
Not bad.
Let's crack this puppy open.
Wow.
Come on! Ugh!
What kind of sorcery is this?
Whoa!
What are you planning
on doing with that?
Say, "Open sesame."
Just tell any customers
that come in
to try some of our other
flavours.
Yes, I know people are upset.
We're working on it.
Whew! Townspeople are gonna
show up
with pitchforks any minute.
The employees are taking a lot
of heat over at the store.
Don't worry about it.
We are gonna figure it out.
Your confidence is next level.
Ahem.
I'm baking and it's Christmas.
I don't know if I told you
this but...
I love Christmas.
You might have mentioned it.
Looks good on you.
What does?
You, in your element.
You know, this is exactly
the kinda content you should
be making.
Baking, doing what you do.
Shimmying like you shimmy.
There you go.
No.
No, no, no, no.
- Yeah.
- No, no.
Shake it like you bake it, baby.
No, no, no.
Can we focus?
Okay, okay.
This is good stuff.
Will you focus.
Please.
Ahem.
Okay, try this.
Tell me what it tastes like.
Aunt Jackie's classic
chocolate fudge?
Okay, good.
Now this?
Same thing.
Good.
Ahem.
One's Jackie's, one's mine.
That's a heck of a party trick.
So, now that we have
Jackie's classic
chocolate fudge base...
What's this?
Try it.
Apple cider.
Mm-mm-mm!
I mean, it's only one
of the five secret ingredients,
but it's definitely one of them.
All right, so what's
the next activity?
Well, I have to go build
a very big mould
for an ornament.
Huh?
It's my showpiece.
It's gonna make the macarownie
look like child's play.
Okay. While you go do that,
I will be at the store
staving off the mob.
I will see you there
first thing.
Um, at a reasonable
time, please.
What's reasonable?
Ten A.M.?
Six.
Nine.
7:10.
8:30.
My place is surrounded
by cameras,
so I'll know if you try
to break in again.
You win.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
What makes my pastry
the essence of Christmas?
Hmm, it is...
So, talk to me.
About?
Your date?
Date? Oh, no, no, no,
Simon and I, we're, we're just,
we're just working together.
I'm talking about Kevin.
Last night? I felt some vibes.
Oh, also not a date.
Why not? He's cute
and he's a doctor.
I mean, Kevin's great,
but I'm just, I'm so busy
trying to recreate this recipe
that it's all I can think about.
That and that Simon guy.
Driving me nuts.
Jackie's nephew, Simon?
Yes, he's just, he's so...
arrogant and stubborn and...
Handsome?
Yes.
No.
I mean, uh, yes, but it...
it's, it's strictly
professional.
Okay? I am helping him
to help me to help him.
And look, the, the point is that
it doesn't matter
that he's really good-looking.
Right.
You keep telling yourself that.
Well, I would like
another latte.
I am on a break.
But for you, I'll make
an exception.
He's not that good-looking.
I mean...
- And then Mrs. Fletcher
was all, "Girls, you must
stand taller."
"Uh, no bachelor admires
slumped shoulders."
Why did she always talk like
she was from the 1800s?
"Lateness, it's a moral
dilemma, ladies."
To Mrs. Fletcher.
- Yes.
- Mrs. Fletcher.
Hmm, who's that?
I don't know.
Coming!
Maybe it's Mrs. Fletcher.
Hi.
Come on in.
Look who's here!
Look who it is!
Kevin.
What a surprise.
Uh...
Ladies.
What's going on?
Wow.
What do you think?
Pretty good, right?
- It was... thank you.
Ahem, so Amanda... Amanda.
Mm-hmm.
Kevin.
Will you go out with me,
Thursday night?
Uh, sure.
- Yes!
- Yeah, of course.
Yes! Woo!
It worked.
- All right.
Okay. Okay.
Okay, bye!
- All right, good night.
- Thank you.
Oh, come on.
That was sweet.
What just happened?
Oh.
Hmm.
Not bad.
Wow.
Okay.
"We spruced up the home
with a tradition of mine,
creating zesty beauty,
one jewel at a time."
Wow.
Wait a minute,
spruced up the home.
Oh.
Morning.
Were you a rooster
in a past life?
Hilarious.
What are you doing
here so early?
I thought I'd get a jump
on the day.
Pre-empt any break-in attempts.
I have a cell phone, you know.
Could've called me.
I made more shortbread.
Thank you.
I've been thinking about
the poem,
going over it.
- Mm-hmm.
- And then it dawned on me.
- Hmm?
- They're decorating
a Christmas tree.
So, maybe Jackie and Miguel,
they went and they picked
a Christmas tree
and they decorated it together.
And in doing so,
she got the inspiration
for the next ingredient,
spruced up the home.
Spruce trees.
Spruce trees.
Hey, he's not ugly,
he's just got character.
He's the Quasimodo of pines.
Well, every tree needs a home.
The whole point of picking
a tree
is to find the perfect one.
Well, things can be special
without needing to be perfect.
I mean, you can't Photoshop
real life.
Look! He's cute.
Might not be the star
quarterback
but you gotta admit,
he's got a little like, flare.
Okay.
It's growing on me a bit.
Oh.
Why is that?
Just is.
Huh.
I'm sensing a personal
connection.
Explain.
Okay.
I was short and smaller than
the other boys growing up,
so I've always rooted
for the little guy.
I have a hard time
imagining you short.
I had a growth spurt
in high school.
You wouldn't understand.
You were probably
popular your whole life.
- Kinda.
Knew it.
Bet you were prom queen.
Guilty.
All right, little Simon,
are you ready to be bedazzled?
Please don't call him that.
Nope, still crooked.
- Really?
You gotta, you gotta
move it to the left.
The, the other left.
The other left.
Okay. And then, and then uh,
move it forward a little bit.
Back. Back, back, back, and then
move it forward a little bit.
Back.
No, too much.
Toward, towards, towards.
But back a little bit.
Uh, it's too much.
All right, that's enough.
It's still crooked!
What happened to not
Photoshopping real life?
Let's decorate.
Okay.
Ugh.
- Done.
- Done.
Uh... your side could use
a little imagination.
Yours could use an edit.
So, does it look
like Jackie's tree?
Definitely not.
Something's missing.
Well, I don't know 'cause
we used all the decorations.
Unless...
Maybe it's missing these?
- Not quite.
- Okay.
I don't know.
Maybe we're being too literal.
The spruce is the actual
ingredient.
No, never mind.
That was a terrible idea.
It's been so long.
I can't remember what my aunt's
tree looked like.
I wish there was
a way I could go back in time
and just look at how
she decorated it.
Wait a minute.
What's missing?
- Oh.
Um...
Dried oranges.
Dried oranges.
- Ah!
- Sorry. Kidding.
- It's my baking arm.
- Is this enough?
- Um, I, I think we're good.
Get zesting.
Okay.
Whoa, easy.
What?
We don't wanna bruise the rind
and create too much bitterness.
Okay.
So, those investors you worked
with
that tanked your frozen
product line.
Yes?
Turns out I went to school
with one of them.
A notorious corner cutter.
Ugh. This again.
You are relentless.
I just know a good
opportunity when I see one.
I read that interview
you did with Food, Wine,
and Dine Magazine.
- You did?
Mm-hmm. Your mission to bring
your creations to people
at affordable prices,
that's a good mission.
Thanks.
Ahem.
Okay, ah, ah, ah.
Thank you.
Okay.
Let's get this in the fridge.
Why don't... I'll hold
the tray, you pour?
Sure.
Nice to have help.
Ooh, that's perfect.
Now what?
Now we wait.
Okay.
Ooh!
All right.
Moment of truth.
Ah-cha!
Ooh.
Oh, wow.
Cheers.
Mm.
Two down.
- Three to go.
- Mm.
Uh, I should get back
to the shop.
Lots of disgruntled
customers to diffuse.
Looks like the employees might
mutiny at any minute.
Okay, let me just pack this up.
Hey, Tanya.
- Hey.
- Hi.
You just missed Kevin.
He looked so cute.
He was wearing his scrubs.
That's nice.
I'm surprised you aren't totally
freaking out right now.
If it was me, I would be totally
freaking out right now.
About Kevin?
N-no, about the, the stuff
online.
I, I figured you'd be losing it.
What... what stuff online?
Uh... nothing.
What do I know about big
holiday baking competitions?
What stuff online, Tanya?
You're kinda trending.
Trending?
Isn't that a good thing?
Well, K.T. Cinnamon tweeted
that your grocery store products
taste like old clay.
And then someone edited a video
of your head and K.T.
Cinnamon's head
on the body of two snow
yetis fighting.
How am I in an internet beef?
I'm not even on this platform!
They're calling
it #Doughmageddon.
What?
Don't you want a latte?
You have the sleeps schedule
of Nosferatu.
Why are you still awake?
You've been baking for hours.
Because I am going
to destroy K.T. Cinnamon.
I mean, they're, they're saying
that I am a nobody, okay?
Everybody's all, like,
"Team K.T.!"
I mean, there is a dance.
They, they made a dance
about it.
Okay.
Let's just, just put
down the whisk.
- Yep.
- Yeah, okay.
How is it possible that my
reputation
is getting worse?
Forget the internet trolls.
Forget about the pressure.
Just, just do what you love.
That's what made you successful
in the first place.
Right? You love Christmas.
- Mm-hmm.
- And sugar.
That's who you are.
Just remember that.
You'll be fine.
How do you know?
Because. I've seen you make
the most amazing desserts
out of whatever's available
to you.
- True.
- You're resourceful.
You always find a way.
- Thank you.
Oh.
Okay, listen to me.
Nap.
Yeah.
Please try to get some sleep.
Don't obsess so much.
I can't promise that.
Okay, good night.
Good night, get some sleep.
- You too.
- Thank you.
"Two rivers of gold flowing
forth
from barrels preserved
for mirth."
Two rivers of gold.
Okay.
Hmm.
Looking for me?
Coffee?
- Cookie?
- Mm.
By the way, are you going
to respond to that woman
calling you a sellout all
over the internet?
No. No, I'm just planning
on beating her,
fair and square,
at the competition.
See, this is where having
a platform would be useful.
Maybe you could bake a cake
of her head
for one of those real
or cake videos.
Team K.T.
Team K.T.
Ooh, ooh, baby.
Amanda's goin' down, down, down!
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
- You learned the dance?
What? How could you?
- What? It's catchy.
Traitor.
Can we just focus on finding
the next ingredient?
Fine, suit yourself.
Fine.
Hey!
Ooh, ooh, ooh!
Rivers of gold.
Could be honey.
Or melted cheese.
Why would she put
melted cheese in fudge?
I'm just thinking out loud.
Ugh.
Uh, well, we know that she likes
supporting local vendors.
True.
Maybe the poem's referencing
something that's sold
here in town.
Rivers of gold.
- Can I see that?
- Yeah.
"Rivers of gold preserved
in barrels for mirth.
A dawn break dish
for a couple's first kiss."
I cannot handle another
thing stored in a barrel.
Dawn break dish means
they ate in the morning.
They used to have
brunch at the caf.
- It's worth a shot.
- Now?
Aunt Jackie and Tio always
insisted
on sitting at this exact table.
Maybe they left us a clue.
Hmm?
Aw.
Still doesn't explain
rivers of gold.
No, it doesn't.
An omelet and an order
of waffles.
And my grandma's perfect
golden maple syrup
is on the table for you.
Great.
Enjoy.
Thanks.
- Rivers of gold!
- Rivers of gold!
Right in front of us!
]
Everything okay?
Um, Tanya, did,
did Jackie ever buy
your grandmother's maple syrup?
All the time.
Why?
We just found
our next ingredient.
No big deal.
Okay.
See, this is why your
aunt's recipes are the best,
because she has a handle
on every single component.
I wish I understood before
just how much work she puts
in there.
Well, it's pretty hard to
see how your business
is operating when your only view
is from the top floor.
Okay, ready?
Yeah.
There you are.
Yeah, that's it.
You are amazing.
I mean, this is amazing.
Hmm.
My aunt would try to teach me
about all this stuff so often,
and I just never paid attention.
Well, hey, at least you're
learning it now, right?
Yeah, hmm.
I think she always wanted me
to take over the shop one day.
Really?
Yeah, but I just never
took it seriously.
You ever feel like you're
just so set on a destination
that you lose perspective
on what matters?
I get it.
I feel a little less
sparkly myself.
No, I, I shouldn't have said
that to you when we first met.
I was wrong.
You're very sparkly.
Thank you.
And I'm sorry, too.
Honestly, I think that I've been
too prideful
to admit that my business, it...
it could use a boost.
I mean, I'm getting completely
ripped apart online
and there's nothing
I can do about it.
So, maybe I need to be open
to other ways of doing it.
I wouldn't sweat it.
When you're ready,
we can discuss.
Okay.
I've got an idea.
Any time one of us feels sorry
for hurting the other
one's feelings,
we must wear the nose.
We must?
Sorry.
Sorry.
Should we keep going?
Oh, I sorta, I sort
of have plans, actually.
Oh.
What kind of plans?
I mean, sorry, it's none
of my business.
Uh no, it's just with this
Kevin guy from school.
It's a long story.
Lemme guess, the prom king?
Well, kinda.
Um, tomorrow morning?
Yeah!
Great.
I'm leaving you with the dishes.
You uh, uh...
Hi.
Hey.
Hi.
Uh, you training
for a clown convention?
Pardon?
Oh! Oh, wow.
I, I completely forgot
I was wearing that.
And it's reindeer, not clown.
Right.
Still a Christmas superfan.
You know it.
Hey, Tanya.
You two have fun.
Thanks.
So, I uh, I hear you're working
with Jackie's nephew.
Uh, yes, Simon.
He's um, he's really great.
Hmm.
Yeah, pretty great.
Hmm.
Hmm.
Good morning.
- Good morning.
What've you got there?
Bum-ba-da-bum!
Thought I'd switch up
from the cookies.
Mm.
Mm! Mm! Sweet Father
Christmas,
what is that in
the middle of this?
Sabayon and ouzo.
How do you have time
to make this?
I thought you had um,
a date last night?
Oh, I did.
Um, I just baked after.
Does that mean
it didn't go well?
I don't bake and tell.
So, you're sure about the spa?
Positive.
"We needed a rest, a hot,
soothing retreat."
My aunt was friends with this
couple that owned a Nordic spa.
I looked into it.
Turns out their daughter
still runs it.
Perfect.
Not a bad morning.
Yeah, I'd say.
So, tell me, what does
your favourite shade of lipstick
really say about you?
Hmm?
Oh.
Should we go in?
Sure.
Full disclosure, I've never
been to one before.
What? You've never been in
a sauna before?
How is that even possible?
Being trapped in an upright
coffin filled with heat
just never really struck me
as relaxing.
Huh.
Going to change your mind.
Hmm.
You're gonna love this.
Coals are hot.
Just add a little bit of this.
Ooh.
Now, relax.
It's pleasant.
Not entirely claustrophobic.
Good.
- Hmm.
Do you smell that?
I do.
The aroma surrounds us,
a calming scent in the heat.
It's Frankincense.
Also known to pair
well with chocolate.
We're getting good at this.
Mm-mm-mm!
You know what?
Maybe as a reward,
we can stay in here
a little longer.
I think that's a great idea.
Fingers crossed.
Hmm.
- Okay.
Cheers.
- Cheers.
Mm!
That is really, really good.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm.
You know what this means?
Only one more to go.
"Getting to know him,
he went back to the start.
His gift to me was the key
to my heart."
Any idea what that could be?
No.
Key to the heart.
- Hmm.
- It's um...
Hard to say.
It's Jackie!
It's a sign.
- Hello?
Simon, how's everything going?
- Can I listen?
- Hey, Jackie, uh...
- Put it on speaker.
- Yeah, yeah.
Everything's actually
going great.
Amanda and I are
working on um...
Working on what?
Uh, just, just a project.
Um...
- A project?
How's your trip?
Everything is wonderful.
So, you've been spending
time with Amanda?
Mm-hmm.
Ask her about the recipe.
You know, I just realised
that I left with
the recipe book.
I'm such a silly goose.
Heh, yeah.
Just...
Ask her what the final
ingredient is.
But I have all
the faith in the world
that you'll figure out what you
need, even without the recipe.
Isn't that right?
Uh, actually, Aunt Jackie,
can I ask you a question?
Sure.
What is...
the key to your heart?
Oh, you ought to know that.
It's food.
I'm heading out.
Enjoy the rest
of the story, dear.
Okay, enjoy your trip.
No, wait, wait,
what are you doing?
Uh...
Why didn't you ask her
what the final ingredient was?
Look, we're, we're so close!
Because...
I don't want to.
Oh my, what do you mean
you didn't want to?
You know how important this is.
This is... just call her back.
Look, I don't want her
to know I messed up, okay?
She sounds so happy and I,
I didn't wanna ruin her trip.
Look, she trusted me.
I don't wanna let her down.
Oh.
Yeah.
I mean, look it, don't, don't
be so hard on yourself.
Hmm, and what was the um, what
was the key to her heart?
Food, but she was
always the cook so...
Ooh.
What would, I mean... food.
It's pretty broad.
Except on Christmas Eve.
That's it.
Every Christmas Eve
my Tio would make a specialty
from his childhood,
his Mexican mole.
Mole?
Mole.
Okay.
Nope.
Aw, cute! Hey, buddy.
Do you know where the recipe is?
Hmm?
- Mole.
- Mole!
Okay.
Two whole chickens,
two sticks of celery.
Good news, found the recipe.
Bad news, there are lots
of ingredients on here
a little town like Paisley
doesn't have.
Maybe we can get them
in Chester.
They've got bigger
grocery stores.
They're probably closed by now.
Right.
Why don't we spend tomorrow
gathering ingredients
and then we can cook it
for dinner?
I would love to but I,
I made a promise with someone.
Oh, okay.
Well, uh, I'll just grab
all the stuff myself.
No worries.
But you know what?
I'm, I'm free after.
Great. Uh, why don't you come
by around seven?
I'll make dinner.
Perfect.
Yes.
Okay.
Hmm.
Let's do this.
I'll be right with you.
Um, oh and just a heads up,
we're out of Joy to
the World Fudge,
but, uh, we are working
on getting some more...
I'm, uh, Kevin O'Connor.
Dr. Kevin O'Connor.
Uh, Simon Alfaro.
Entrepreneur Simon Alfaro.
I'm Amanda's uh...
Oh, the prom king.
Amanda's not actually
here at the moment.
Actually,
I'm, I'm here to see you.
Me?
Yeah.
This is awkward but uh,
she talks about you a lot when
we're together.
I was just wondering,
are you two...
We're just helping
each other out.
Nothing more.
That would have been awkward.
Yeah. We're just friends,
um, and I'm heading back to
California in a couple weeks, so
we'll probably never
see each other again.
Perfect. Heh.
That is the, the best news ever.
Yep.
Hey, you wanna, do you wanna
tell her I came by?
Sure thing.
Thanks.
Oh.
Hello? Simon?
Come on in.
Oh, wow!
It looks amazing in here.
You know, it's very
intimidating cooking for a chef.
I am a pastry chef.
Dinner eludes me.
Oh.
Senorita.
Gracias.
- De nada.
Okay.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
Pollo y arroz con mole.
Wow.
Salud por nosotros.
Hmm.
Mm.
This is incredible.
Mm-hmm.
Every Christmas Eve,
my cousins and I
would watch my Tio make this.
And while he was cooking,
he would tell us stories
about growing up in Oaxaca.
He really made his heritage
a part of our family.
And well, this just
tastes like Christmas.
I cannot believe that you
cooked all day.
I'm just really impressed.
Oh, by the way um, Kevin
came by the shop today.
That's weird.
What did he want?
Not sure.
Good-looking guy, though.
I'm happy for you both.
Oh, no Simon, it's not
Hey, all good.
Say no more.
We're just helping each
other out
with that fudge thing, right?
And then, we'll be out of each
other's lives.
Yeah.
Oof.
Do you know what?
This is the perfect level
of spice.
It's just, there's
a little tingle.
Wait a minute, when you eat
a piece of Joy to the World,
there is an ever so slight
tingle left behind.
The chili!
- The chili!
Of course.
Of course.
All right, you're the one
with the magic tastebuds.
Okay.
Ahem.
Too spicy.
- Hmm.
Too smoky.
That's it.
Chipotle.
Is this all we have left?
We're gonna need a lot more.
I can drive into Chester
tomorrow to buy some more
and that'll still give
you plenty of time
to prep everything for
the competition.
Which you're gonna win.
I know it.
Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late.
No, that's fine.
I got you a coffee.
- Thanks.
So, listen Kevin,
can we talk?
Uh-oh.
Dreaded three-word phrase.
Did I do something wrong?
Did you tell Simon that
we were seeing each other?
Yeah.
Is that a problem?
Oh, Kevin, um look,
it's been really...
nice to get reconnected but...
Was it the song?
It was the song, wasn't it?
I, I knew it was too much.
No, no, no, it wasn't the song.
I mean, the, the song,
it was really...
extra.
Okay.
Enlighten me.
What was it?
I just think, I just think
that we're in different places.
And that's it.
I mean, look at you.
You're, you're the full package.
You are gonna find someone
that is over the moon about you.
I know it.
Yeah.
Like who?
I just happen to know someone
who would love to go out
with you.
Really?
Why aren't you here?
The stock is haemorrhaging
and you're MIA.
I'll handle it. I'm looking at
flights right now.
The press is skewering
me. It's a hit job.
Just try not to talk to any
more press
until I get back,
all right? Bye.
- Brr.
- Hey, come in.
Hey.
Brr.
You okay?
Yeah. Yeah,
just a little distracted.
Uh, work stuff.
Oh. Well, I would offer
to help but...
No, well, I just
gotta deal with it.
Uh, should we get started?
I've got tons of chipotle.
Absolutely!
Thank you for going to Chester.
Okay, it's ready!
Bum-bum-ba-bum.
Moment of truth.
Simon.
Simon.
Sorry, sorry.
All right.
Grab a piece.
This is it.
Right?
We did it.
- Yeah.
I think we did it.
We did it.
We did it.
We did it! We did it!
- Oh!
We did it.
Hm.
So, next stop, Chicago.
What? Why aren't
you more excited?
I'm sorry.
I have to go back to
San Francisco tonight.
- What? Why?
My biggest client
is having a crisis.
The CEO was caught making
some unsavoury deals
and it's all over the news.
I need to take care of it over
the holidays
because their stock is tanking.
Oh, uh but then, what about
the shop if you're gone?
I mean, who's gonna run it?
So, wait a minute, you're gonna
ditch your family
to go help some, some corrupt
CEO with a, with a PR crisis?
Okay, look, I feel terrible
but I don't have a choice.
What do you mean?
You always have a choice.
I mean, this is, this is what
running a business actually is.
It's not always about the bottom
line and the image and...
Are you serious?
You're really gonna go?
Wow.
You know what?
You're really no different than
all those other shady investors.
All right, that's not fair,
all right?
Do not lump me in with those
people who burned you.
What matters is right
here, okay?
It's not on Wall Street,
it's not on Silicon Valley.
Okay. Well, pretending that
you have the moral high ground,
just because you're terrified
of scaling up.
Wake up, Amanda.
There's more to life
than just your little bakery,
all right?
And just because you wanna play
small-ball
doesn't make you a better
person than me.
I'm... I'm sorry,
I didn't mean that.
That came out wrong.
No, it's fine.
Okay um...
Well, safe travels. And I got,
I mean I got what I needed, so.
Merry Christmas, Simon.
Amanda, wait.
I...
Okay, that's everything.
Are you sure you
don't wanna stay?
I mean, we can drive up to
the competition together.
Um, you know, I should
really, I should get back.
I have to prepare and get
my staff ready, so.
There's my taxi.
Okay, we'll be there
rooting for you.
Oh, come here.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Okay.
Bye!
Bye.
Nice job.
This is beautiful.
Okay, how we doin'?
Ah, you know what?
That's the wrong consistency.
Just fire another.
Okay, here we go.
Gorgeous.
Okay it's...
Perfect.
Okay, we wanna make sure
that it sets completely
before you put it in
the chiller.
Here goes nothin'.
Hello, again, my precious shop.
Hello? Simon?
Aunt Jackie?
Simon!
What are you doing here?
I thought you weren't back until
after Christmas?
Oh, change of plans.
There's a big snowstorm headed
toward Finland,
so we got out before
it got to us.
That's my apron.
- Uh, yeah.
- Did you make fudge?
Uh, I did.
Sort of.
I mean, I did but
I didn't do it alone.
I... it's a long story.
How was your trip?
How's Onni?
You got engaged?
- Mm-hmm.
- Wow.
Your aunt's still got it.
She sure does.
Oh, he's a lucky man.
Well, you can tell him
that yourself.
He's visiting his cousins
in Chicago right now
and he's driving to
Paisley on Christmas.
- Hmm.
- How is everything here?
Easy peasy?
You were right.
I had no idea what it took
to run this place.
I'm in awe of you.
Oh, you.
I knew you'd figure it out.
How is Amanda? Isn't she a gem?
She is.
She changed my life.
I knew it.
I just had a feeling
that you two would hit it off.
That's why I took
the recipe book.
I wanted you two to spend
some time together.
What's wrong?
Can you try this fudge?
Sure.
What for?
It's Joy to the World Fudge.
Amanda and I recreated
the recipe.
Simon, this is not Joy Fudge.
What?
Joy Fudge is the culmination
of one magical Christmas spent
falling in love
with your Tio.
It simply can't be recreated.
But this fudge represents
the Christmas
that Simon fell in love
with Amanda.
And it's absolutely perfect.
I ruined everything
with Amanda, Aunt J.
She hates me.
Well, then, what are
you doing here? Go fix it.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
Hey.
Hi, hi.
- Ah, you made it!
You are going to be great.
Where's Simon?
Didn't he help
you with all of this?
Okay, everyone,
rolling in five minutes.
You know what?
You guys should get your seats
because it's starting soon.
Okay.
You got this.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- Okay, let's go.
Wah!
And now,
The Big Holiday Pastry Show.
Welcome to The Big Holiday
Pastry Show!
Our contestants have only
two hours
to get their creations ready.
Right.
Amanda, what do you have
to say to those who doubt you?
Um, well Jake, I still
got my sparkle.
Any comment on your internet
feud with Miss Cinnamon?
No, I, I like to let
my pastry do the talking.
K.T., you're looking
in control.
Are you at all worried about
the other contestants right now?
Carefree as can be.
It's the final ten
minutes, folks,
where our chefs will have to
take their mega pastries
and walk them up to
the presentation table.
It's a time where
anything can happen.
They say it's Christmas
They say it's Christmas
Who will reign supreme?
Will their pastries hold up
to gravity?
Please, please, please,
please don't break.
Uh-oh, we've got a wiggler.
There you are.
Enjoy.
It's time for
the judges to weigh in.
Who will win the ultimate
Christmas pastry?
Ahem.
Tell us a little bit about
the inspiration for this pastry.
Well, one of my, my favourite
memories of childhood
growing up, was, was eating
Joy to the World Fudge
from the Little Shop of Fudge
in my hometown, Paisley.
And I always knew the tale
of its origins but I just,
I never really experienced it
until now.
You see, this recipe, it's
actually a story of family,
memories, and love.
And this fudge, it's just,
I mean, it's Christmas to me.
It's Christmas as,
as a little girl,
you know, dreaming of...
of being a pastry chef.
And... and now, Christmas
as a woman,
finding myself again.
It was originally inspired
by someone very special.
But it's become something else.
It wasn't my story at first,
but it's become my story.
My own love story.
Enjoy.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you.
That was incredible.
Hey, what, what are you doing
here?
I thought you were in
San Francisco?
- I quit my job.
- What?
You were right.
I didn't have my
priorities in order.
I've just been spending too much
time chasing profits
and I was happier in my
aunt's shop,
with you, than I've ever been.
My life had meaning.
My life had you.
I'm sorry for running away.
But you do mean so much
more than any IPO.
It's, I mean, it's fine.
You are...
you're forgiven.
On one condition.
What's that?
I kinda have this like, internet
beef to squash
and I could really,
I could use an expert's help.
I would be honoured to
be your digital guru.
Oh, I, I almost forgot.
Ahem.
It, uh, now,
it's a proper apology.
You know, I don't even...
I don't know why I considered
missing this.
Come here.
All chefs please return to set.
Go. You've got a competition
to win.
Wish me luck.
It's time to see
whose pastry reigns supreme.
The winner of The Big
Holiday Pastry Show is...
Amanda Stewart!
What a comeback, folks!
And that's what Christmas
is all about.
- Hmm.
- Hey, uh, great work today.
Thank you.
- Hmm.
- You too.
Thanks.
Would, would you mind
getting a selfie with me?
I mean, I was thinking about
starting a page
and you're very...
- Yeah!
Okay.
Sure thing.
Um, three, two, one, macarownie.
Macarownie.
Oh, that's great.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Aw.
I have a Christmas gift for you.
The Little Shop of Fudge
is yours.
If you want it, of course.
Might not be a big
corner office but...
Aunt Jackie, thank you.
This, this is the greatest
gift I've ever received.
Pour your entire heart into it.
I will.
Love you.
So, you know that fudge we made?
Yes.
Not technically Joy
to the World Fudge.
What? No.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.