Ritesh Sharma
Hallmark’s ‘Love on the Menu’ is a heartwarming romantic comedy that follows the lives of Hank Daniels, a passionate chef struggling to keep his restaurant running while raising his daughter, and Maggie Young, a driven frozen food executive seeking fresh flavors for her company. When Maggie offers Hank a business deal, he hesitates but eventually agrees, leading to an unexpected partnership. As they collaborate, Hank teaches Maggie the soul of cooking while she helps him navigate the business side of food.
Hank and Maggie’s professional relationship soon deepens into romance, but with the former’s restaurant at risk and the latter’s corporate obligations pulling her in another direction, they must decide if love and career can coexist. Filled with romance, humor, and delicious food, ‘Love on the Menu’ is a delightful tale of second chances and new beginnings. Directed by Ellie Kanner, the charming story, strong performances, and picturesque locations of the 2018 film make it one of the Hallmark favorites.
Where Was Love on the Menu Filmed?
Like many Hallmark productions, ‘Love on the Menu’ was primarily filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia. Known for its scenic landscapes and dynamic cityscapes, the port city serves as a versatile backdrop for numerous movies such as ‘The Wedding Cottage,’ ‘An Unexpected Christmas,’ ‘Three Wise Men and a Baby,’ and more. Its vibrant atmosphere and culinary scene perfectly complement the film’s themes of food and romance. Several iconic locations in Vancouver were used to bring the film’s story to life. Originally titled ‘Falling Stars,’ the filming of the movie seemingly commenced sometime in late November or early December 2018 and wrapped up on December 21 of the same year. The cast was elated to be part of the movie and had an amazing time shooting for it.
Vancouver, British Columbia
The Sutton Place Hotel at 845 Burrard Street Vancouver provided the perfect location for key interior scenes in the movie. As a luxurious and elegant setting, the hotel plays a significant role in shaping the sophisticated elements of the storyline. It serves as a backdrop for crucial moments between the lead characters, emphasizing the contrast between Maggie’s corporate world and Hank’s passion-driven culinary career.
Several scenes in ‘Love on the Menu’ take place in restaurant settings, which were filmed in real Vancouver-based restaurants and professional kitchens. These locations add authenticity to the film, making Hank’s journey as a chef feel more grounded and relatable. The kitchen scenes were carefully crafted to reflect the reality of running a restaurant, adding depth to the film’s narrative. Their experience with the movie was as wholesome as the movie itself.
Metro Vancouver, British Columbia
One of the film’s most memorable sequences, where Hank, Maggie, and Hank’s daughter, Hannah, share a heartfelt evening together, was shot at Lonsdale Quay Waterfront Plaza located at 123 Carrie Cates Court in North Vancouver. The beautiful waterfront setting adds a charming and intimate feel to their interactions, reinforcing the themes of family and love. The bustling yet cozy environment enhances the film’s warm and inviting aesthetic.
Love on the Menu Cast Details
The success of ‘Love on the Menu’ is largely credited to its talented cast, who bring warmth, sincerity, and emotional depth to their performances. The actors portray each character with a perfect balance of charm and authenticity, making their journeys feel relatable and heartfelt. The lead pair shares an effortless chemistry that enhances the film’s romantic and emotional core. Meanwhile, the supporting characters add layers of humor, wisdom, and tenderness, making the story richer. Together, the cast elevates the film, turning it into a heartfelt and memorable experience for audiences.
Autumn Reeser as Maggie Young
Autumn Reeser stars as Maggie Young, a driven executive at a frozen food company tasked with reinventing their product line. A familiar face in the Hallmark universe, she is widely known for her performance in ‘The O.C.’ as Taylor Townsend and ‘Entourage’ as Lizzie Grant, as well as several other romantic comedies such as ‘Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade,’ ‘Valentine Ever After,’ ‘A Bramble House Christmas,’ and ‘Christmas Under the Stars.’ Over the years, Reeser has graced the cast of several popular movies and shows like ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘No Ordinary Family,’ ‘Jane by Design,’ ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ and ‘The Wedding Veil’ movies. Her portrayal of Maggie in the Hallmark production captures the perfect balance of professionalism and vulnerability, making her character’s transformation throughout the movie both believable and engaging.
Kavan Smith as Hank Daniels
Kavan Smith plays Hank Daniels, a talented chef and single father who is struggling to keep his restaurant afloat. He delivers a heartfelt performance as a man dedicated to his craft while also being a devoted father. His chemistry with Reeser makes the romance in the film feel organic and compelling. You may recognize the actor from his terrific portrayal of Major Evan Lorne in ‘Stargate Atlantis’ and ‘Stargate SG-1’ and Leland Coulter in ‘When Calls the Heart.’ His other credits include ‘The 4400,’ ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Mission to Mars,’ ‘Baby Bootcamp,’ ‘The Perfect Bride’ and its sequel ‘The Perfect Bride: Wedding Bells.’ Smith can also be spotted in ‘Hello, It’s Me,’ ‘Growing the Big One,’ ‘You Had Me at Aloha,’ ‘Big Sky River,’ as well as its sequel ‘Big Sky River: The Bridal Path.’ He has also made guest appearances in shows like ‘Smallville,’ ‘The Outer Limits,’ ‘Human Target,’ ‘Eureka,’ and more.
The supporting cast enriches ‘Love on the Menu,’ adding depth to its storyline and characters. Barbara Niven plays Andrea, Maggie’s boss, bringing complexity to the corporate side. Meanwhile, Jordyn Ashley Olson portrays Hannah, Hank’s daughter, serving as his emotional anchor. Furthermore, Richard Ian Cox as Bernie provides both comic relief and heartfelt moments in the restaurant. Additionally, Willie Aames plays Martin, influencing key business developments. The film also features Willie Aames as Martin Thomas, Yvonne Chapman as Emma Wong, Trezzo Mahoro as Leo Costa, Latonya Williams as Melissa Santini, Barbara Niven as Andrea, Milo Shandel as Dr. Scully, David Lennon as Stan, Duncan Fraser as George, Peter Grasso as Butcher, and Arturo Revuelta as Arturo. Each actor contributes uniquely, making the film emotionally engaging, well-rounded, and wholesome.
Read More: An Unexpected Valentine: Filming Locations and Cast Details
