A Taste of Christmas (2020)

[bunniefuu]

[epic music playing]

[♪♪♪]


[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Natalie Rogers,
events planning.

Yes, Mrs. Miller.

I confirmed the
venue this morning.

You're all set for
your Christmas party.

Natalie Rogers,
travel consultant.

Hey, Mr. Walker,
how were your flights?

I'm so glad.

Yeah, you know,

you can always string some
lights

around a palm tree and
call it Christmas.

Natalie Rogers,
custom gift-wrapping.

Yes, I will be dropping those
off in about



Mr. Ortiz!

I finished the wreath
for your food truck.

Even if the weather is
frightful,

the chilies will keep you warm.

Look.

Muchas gracias.

Wendy!

Oh!

Christmas cards,
addressed

and stamped.

Oh, I--

Pop them in the mail and the let
the mailman do the rest.

Thank you so much,
they're beautiful.

Oh, I love hand-addressed cards,

but with my penmanship

no one would get them until
July.

Well, I threw
in a couple of extra

for Joshy and Becca

direct from the North Pole.

They'll be thrilled.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas, Wendy.

Yeah, took a little
creativity but you know

I love a challenge.
Merry Christmas.

Natalie, Sparky would be
so glad

to see you.

Come here.

Sparky, your favorite
sitter is here.

Hello, handsome.

And these clothes.

Who doesn't love to get all
dressed up for the holidays?

We want to take him on a
Christmas cruise,

but he gets terrible
sea-sickness.

Well,
I am happy to.

We are gonna have
a great time!

We're gonna watch
It's a Wonderful Woof,

and lap up eggnog, and sing
Christmas carols.

[dog barks]

See, he already knows
the opening to Jingle Bells.

You're the best pet-sitter
anywhere we've ever had.

[Natalie]
Thank you.

[Girl's mom]
Natalie, thank you so much
for doing this.

Of course.

Are you sure I can't convince
you to come work for me?

Thank you, but
I already have a job.

You have eight jobs.

That was just the
last time I counted.

May have added
one or two since then.

But why can't I since
I'm the Jacklyn of all trades.

When are you gonna settle down
on one career?

I don't know,
but I figure

when I find the perfect thing,
I'll know it.

And until then
I'm happy as I am.

Well, I hope
you're not still waiting

on the perfect thing
to do for Christmas.

Thank you, but
I'm gonna spend Christmas

with my cousin Olivia.

I should probably
get going.

Miles to go before I sleep
or at least a few more blocks.

[chuckles]

Be a good doggie, okay.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Let's go, Sparky.

Bye, Sparky.

Bye.

[phone ringing]

Natalie Rogers,
custom wreaths or um,

travel consultant.

[Olivia]
Hi, it's Olivia.

Olivia.

I was just
talking about you.

Are you back
from Rome yet?

[Olivia]
No, I am not back from Rome.

Uh, I guess you haven't
been following the news,

have you?

It's the big chill,
the new Ice Age.

What are you talking about?

I'm stranded here.

Oh no.

Yeah, looks like I won't be home
for Christmas, I'm so sorry.

It's okay, it's um
I'll miss you,

but don't worry about me,
lots of friends have offered to

spend their Christmases
with me.

[sighs]

But are you okay?

Yeah, but I wanted to kinda keep
this as a surprise,

you know how I've been wanting
to open my restaurant for years.

Well, I finally convinced
Chef Grimaldi to come over

to Pine Valley
and be my partner.

I remember him
from when you took me to

Italy when I was little girl.

I always thought he looked
just like Santa Claus.

Oh, uh, so

my plan was to open
on Christmas Eve

with a big traditional
feast of Natale.

You know how it is
in small towns, nothing is

ever open on Christmas
and there's always

a few people with no
place to go.

No one should
be alone on Christmas.

[Olivia]
Yeah, I feel terrible.

We already had a handful
of reservations I'm gonna

have to cancel, there's no
way Chef Grimaldi

can do it on his own.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Yeah, me too.

Well, I wanted to let you
know, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Olivia.

[sighs]

Problems are just opportunities
in work clothes.

Hi, Mrs. Myers.

This is Natalie Rogers,
Olivia's cousin.

I have an idea.

What do you know about
this restaurant

she's planning on opening?

[sighs]

Come here.

Come on.

Alright.

[sighs]

Olivia always was
an optimist.

Chef Rivaldi?

You stay here.

All dogs might go to
heaven but they should

probably stay out of
restaurant kitchens.

Stop right there,
you

Ow!

[speaking Italian]

No, don't, let me go!

[speaking Italian]

Oh, that's so much better.

Are you hurt?

What?

Are you hurt?

No, no.

No.

II think it's fine.

Now get outta
my kitchen, presto.

Your kitchen, this is my cousin
Olivia's kitchen.

So Olivia has a cousin?

And the restaurant may
be hers, but the kitchen

always belongs
to the chef.

You can't be Chef Grimaldi.

You're nothing
like Santa Claus.

[laughs]

Oh, you're thinking
of my uncle,

Zio Lorenzo Grimaldi.

Maybe I just look like my
[speaks Italian].

But he was too old to
come to America,

so I came instead.

Sorry, I'm his nephew
Stefano Grimaldi.

Ow.

Uh, sorry.

Uh, I don't know
the name of you.

I'm Natalie.

Rogers.

Olivia's cousin.

Oh, I should've known.

See Olivia told me her
cousin was

[inhales]

la bella signorina.

[chuckles]

Oh, that's very nice of her.

[sniffles]

Oh, and it's very true.

But what were you doing uh,
sneaking around my kitchen?

I wasn't sneaking.

Then that's not the word
for it,

the sneaking and creeping.

No, I wasn't doing any of those
thing,

I was just looking
for the chef.

[Mrs. Myers]
Yoohoo!

Is anybody here?

Mrs. Myers.

Thanks for coming.

Have you met my
cousin's best friend?

-Hi.
-This is Mrs. Anna Myers.

Stefano!

[speaks in Italian]

Oh, I see you have.

And another one.

What third time's
not a charm?

Stefano's quite charming
enough.

And who is this?

[Natalie]
Sparky.

I'm pet-sitting
for the holidays.

Well, it was nice
to see you, huh.

And to meet you, Sparky.

But I must go otherwise my
sauce, huh, it will burn

if I don't get back.

-Oh, I just need to talk to you.
-No!

A chef will never
let his food burn.

Not for anything.

Mamma mia.

[Natalie]
Well, fine then.

I brought your cousin's spare
keys, I'm sure

she won't mind if you
stay in her house while

you're here in town.

Thank you.

I really wanna go through
with the grand opening

just as planned.

[sighs]

Well, there's a lot of
work to be done.

Every problem is an opportunity
in disguise.

If you insist.

Well, let's get you settled in
and I'll tell you

what I know of her plans.

Unless I was
interrupting something.

What?

No.

He's a very handsome man.

He's a very grumpy man.

He yelled at
me in Italian.

And he doesn't even
look like Santa Claus.

[sighs]

What a cute store.

I know, lovely.

So nice.

You know, Olivia asked
me to cancel all

of the Christmas reservations

but if you're really
serious

You bet I'm serious.

Olivia didn't wanna let
anyone down on Christmas

and neither do I.

Beebee, hello!

Hi, Mrs. Myers.

Beebee's one of my students.

This is my good friend's
cousin, Natalie.

How are you doing, Beebee?

Uh, not's so good.

I was hoping to get some temp
work in over vacation,

but it seems
like everyone in town has

already hired
the holiday help.

Too bad.

I'll keep an ear around.

Thanks, Mrs. Myers.

It was nice to meet
you, Ms. Natalie.

Oh, there's
someone you should know,

Miles Croaker, he's out
town culture vulture.

[Natalie]
Culture vulture?

You know, he oversees
all the town events,

concerts and reviews
everything from

the high school musical to
the local restaurants

for the paper.

Restaurant reviews, huh.

He's tough, but fair
and very well-respected.

He can make it work for
anyone in this town.

[Miles]
Phew.

Miles, dear,

what's the matter?

I haven't seen you this
distraught since the

fizzing fireworks
fiasco of '09.

Oh, it's this
Roman snow-blow.

Oh, the blizzard
that hit Rome.

Yeah, my cousin's stuck
there for Christmas.

Oh, this storm's
has wreaked havoc on air

travel all over the world.

And in in Christmas.

Oh, our touring carolers
just heard that flights home

are canceled and
can't be rescheduled until

after the holiday.

It's terrible to be away
from home on Christmas.

Hmm, yes, I was
hoping they'd be able to

celebrate in the café,
it's closed on Christmas.

Are most places closed then?

Yes, all of them.

Our poor carolers aren't
just stranded without

their loved ones,

but must also eat microwave
turkey dinners.

Ew.

[Miles]
Mm-mm.

Can you please excuse me
I must call my travel agents

again and see if there's
anything they can do.

Those poor carolers.

I don't suppose
you can do anything

for their travel
agent front?

I already tried
for my cousin Olivia,

everything's locked up.

[Natalie sighs]

[Natalie]
It looks so beautiful.

[Mrs. Myers chuckles]

You know Olivia,
she always has to set up

her decorations right after
Thanksgiving

that way Christmas can last as
long as possible.

[laughing]

[sighs]

You know she'd be here
if she could.

Yeah.

I know.

I just can't remember the
last time I celebrated

Christmas without her.

[sighs]

Oh, do you wanna stay
for dinner?

Of course.

I'm sure you can find something
in the freezer to cook.

[chuckles]

Cook?

You did just wanna have a grand
restaurant opening, right?

[laughs]

Yeah, I just didn't think
I would be the one cooking.

I better take this.

Go ahead, make
yourself at home.

Hey.

I know.

[sighs]

Lasagne.

Dishwasher,
this is the oven?

I tried that one.

Okay.

Back to planning
Pezzo Di Parma.

Who could that be?

-Stefano.
-Ciao, Natalie.

Uh, I made a sauce but uh,
now there is no one to eat it,

so I thought maybe

if you don't have any plans
for dinner,

you can have.

And some bone for
the cagnolino.

Doggie bag for the doggie that's
very thoughtful, thank you.

Prego.

Oh, do you wanna come in
and join us for dinner?

There's gotta be plenty.

Are you sure?

Yeah, I was just making
a lasa--

[smoke alarm beeping]

Oh no, the lasagne.

Oh.

Ooh, no!

[coughing]

[Natalie screams]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry.

[speaking Italian]

What are you
what is going on here?

I was just thawing
the lasagne

and then I got uh,

distracted researching
for the grand opening

and I guess I just forgot.

Forgot?

Forgot.

Do you forget to breathe?

Does your heart
forget to pump?

How can you be
cooking and forget?

I'm not much of a cook.

But I found so many
wonderful ideas, I didn't

realize how elaborate
the feast of Natale is.

There's a beautiful
celebration and everybody

comes together for a big
Christmas meal that lasts

for hours and hours
with um,

antipasto, and salad,

and meats,
and sweetbreads.

Mhmm.

And candied
nuts, and wine, music.

I thought we could
decorate the whole place

like a Tuscan villa but
with Christmas touches like a

Mm.

[Mrs. Myers]
Looks like

Mmm.

Your mystery pasta worked
its magic again.

[chuckles]

It's so

[grunts]

There's parsley and oregano.

What else?

It will be la specialità
Italia de casa

when we finally open
Pezzo Di Parma.

If we ever open.

Madame.

Of course,
you're gonna open.

And just in time.

Just in time for Christmas.

What?

Yeah, like you
and Olivia planned.

No, it's impossible.

We have three days until
Christmas, we we-we

we have nothing prepared,
we have no staff,

no no decoration.

No food prepared,
it's impossible.

No, I have a lot of really good
ideas, if I

Stefano's right, Natalie.

It's a lovely idea,
but we don't have enough time

to get it done.

-It's okay.
-Maybe you're right.

Is it coriander?

Fennel?

Oh, come on,
you have to tell me.

If I tell you, it will not be
a mystery sauce anymore, right?

Mhmm.

But please.

Turmeric?

Paprika?

Na Natalie, the thing to
guess is the

a little
bit in the cook.

Unlike your lasagne.

Capito.

[Stefano]
Natalie, good morning.

Morning.

I fancy you're gonna need
our reservation book?

I better get started on those
cancellations.

Hmm.

Mr. Croaker, good morning!

Well, good morning.

I heard a rumor that your
cousin's restaurant might

be open for Christmas and
I thought I'd come

to see for myself.

I'm afraid that's just
a rumor.

Oh, well, worth a try.

[laughs]

Oh, uh, sorry,
my dear.

This is Ariella Cancio,
one of our touring carolers.

-Hello.
-Buongiorno.

[speaking Italian]

Oh uh, I'm so sorry,

I forget my manners.

Um, I was just saying it
is sad this year,

so many of us have nowhere to go
but um,

meeting someone from the same
part of Italia

it's a little bit of home.

I'm afraid it is sad,
but uh,

there's no way around it.

-Uh, sorry, we don't--
-Yes, there is.

Just a tiny change
of plans.

Mr. Croaker, Ristorante Pezzo Di
Parma would be proud

to host you and all
of the carolers for a big

traditional feast of
Natale dinner on Christmas.

[Miles]
Oh, well, thank you.

[Arielle]
Grazie mille.

[laughing]

-Ci vediamo.
-Ci vediamo.

Are you kidding?

Or do you wanna make
the pasta?

Do you wanna
make the pizza?

What are you
gonna do, huh?

Pazza.

Pazzo.

Oh, but I can help.

Oh my God!

[Natalie]
It's gonna be fine.

[indiscernible speech]

Woman make me crazy, eh.

Tried to tell you
it's impossible,

but you don't listen, huh.

[pots and pans clattering]

Well?

Impossibile, impossibile.

There's always a way.

No, it will be a fiasco.

And that is--

It's the same word
in English

and it will not be
a fiasco,

there is always a way.

Sometime there is no--
there is no way.

Sometime there is a wall,
there's just a big wall

and no ladder, capisce?

Big wall or small,
the best way to get over it

is to start climbing.

[chuckles]

Maybe you are crazy.

If we can pull this off
your mystery sauce alone

is worth a five-star
review.

[Stefano sighs]

Reviews are important.

Many, many restaurant in
America they fail because

of it, I understand.

But I thought,

I thought I would have
more time to plan,

to make everything perfect.

It will be perfect.

And it will be a beautiful
feast of Natale for

a bunch of people that
have nowhere else to go.

[sighs]

I will get my recipes.

-Plan the menu.
-Great.

What should I do?

You?

You look for a rope.

Even if can get up that
wall,

Natalie, we still need
a way down.

[Natalie]
Okay, read me the list again.

[Beebee]
Décor, so all this.

Food.

Oh, that's Stefano's
department.

Believe me, you do not
want me doing the cooking.

Menus.

I can do those.

Beautiful handwritten
menus will be great, right?

Yeah.

Staffing.

Staffing.

Well, we aren't gonna have
a formal service for just five,

but we're definitely
gonna need some help now

even going family style.

Who do you think we can get
this close to Christmas?

Well, there's this guy
in my class.

Tyler.

But I don't know him that well.

Oh, then what
makes you think--

Well, his cousin Melissa
told me that his folks

were going out of town, he was
supposed to join them

once school was out, but then
I heard from Joanna that

all the flights were canceled
due to the snowstorm in Italy.

And last year he was helping
stock shelves

at the hardware store, but then
I heard from Carol

that he didn't take the job this
year, 'cause he didn't

think he'd be around.

But you don't know him
very well?

Not really.

This Tyler, he's um pretty
cute, huh?

Yeah.

I mean I guess, I never
really paid attention

all that much.

Does he have curly
brown hair?

Mhmm, I mean I--
I don't know him that well.

And warm puppy dog eyes?

Yeah.

How did you know that?

Um, because there's a cute boy

with curly brown hair

over there pretending
not to notice you

for the last 10 minutes.

Where?

What, no, no don't
don't point.

[Beebee sighs]

Please tell me
he didn't see me.

I think he sounds
like a great candidate.

Why don't you go offer
him the job?

I can't do that.

You should be the
one to do that.

As my assistant, I'm delegating
my task to you.

No, but I wouldn't even know
what to say.

You'll be fine, go on,
I'll help you.

-Please, no.
-I'll help you.

Tyler!

Hi, it's Beebee.

Jordan.

From school.

You know?

Oh, Beebee, hi, uh.

Yo, what's uh,
what's up?

I'm so sorry, uh.

What's up?

Not much.

How are you?

I'm cool.

-What's that?
-No.

Just some reindeer went by,

you know, no big deal.

Reindeer, right.

Oh, I was wondering if you
wanted a job for the holidays?

[chuckling]

You'd be working with me.

Not every second.

Just sometimes.

Only when we had to.

Uh, well,
schp sch sure.

Yeah, that'd be cool.

-What's the
-[Beebee] Cool.

What's the job?

What is it?

-Miming.
-Miming, uh,

I I I don't--

Serving food
in a restaurant.

That yes, that I can do.

Yeah.

Good, 'cause there's also...

drumming.

Um.

Cooking!

Cooking, helping
cook in the kitchen.

I like to cook.

-Good.
-Yeah.

'Cause there also might be--

You know what,

here's my boss
Ms. Natalie right now.

Hey, Tyler.

Hi.

Beebee's told me a lot
about you even though

she doesn't
know you very well.

Uh.

I think if you're
interested in the job,

you'd be a great fit.

It sounds great.

[Natalie]
Great um, why don't you
head on over to

Pezzo Di Parma, I'll let
Stefano know

you're on your way.

Thanks, Ms. Natalie,

uh thank you.

Um, thanks Beebee.

I'll uh,
I'll see you later.

[laughs]

[Stefano]
Andiamo, Tyler.

Dry storage and cold
storage,

prepping area.

Prepping area.

Hot line, cold line,
plating area.

-Capito?
-Yeah.

Love, life, and
cooking is all the same.

It's logical.

I'm looking at your face
and I see you don't understand.

Uh, no, no, I get
that cooking has to be

logical, but love?

Okay, I will use
myself as an example.

Tyler, I already know
the woman

I will fall in love with.

How can you know that?

Logic.

I know it will be someone
who will help me raise

our children to speak Italian,

who wants to live
where I live,

and love cooking
as much as I do.

So we can share our
second passion, pasta.

Okay, but
what about you know,

attraction?

Ah, you want a bella
signorina, of course.

[Tyler chuckling]

But not every bella
signorina is the right

bella signorina for you.

That why you need logic.

Wow, I haven't even
thought about what I want.

[Natalie]
Hello?

Ah.

We're back.

We brought enough stuff
to deck the halls.

[Stefano]
Oi.

Not to mention
the dining room.

[indiscernible speech]

and even

you.

Hmm, that smells
delicious.

And we are starving.

Good.

Then you must eat,
it's almost finished.

Is that
the mystery sauce?

Ah.

Did you see
what he put in it?

[Stefano clicking tongue]

Oh, there was some--

There was some green stuff,
and some chopped stuff,

and uh, some other stuff.

Maybe if I eat out
of the pan,

I'll get the mystery
ingredient.

Nah!

Scusi.

Hmm.

Little bit sweet

and a little bit tangy

and just a tiny bit
bitter,

but in a good way
like

Si.

Ginger.

The mystery ingredient
is ginger, right?

Tell me I'm right.

Or maybe thyme.

If I told you

It wouldn't
be a mystery.

What?

It doesn't have thyme,
but it needs it, right?

[speaking Italian]

How could you give me advice on
the pompieri,

the firefighter, they must
put the boots on

when they are coming over, hmm?

Okay, okay.

I'm cooking-challenged.

But when I was a little girl,
Olivia used to make me

taste everything
that she went along.

Oh.

I actually have
a pretty good palate.

This is delicious.

It would be better
if I had Olio d'oliva descadoni.

It's an olive oil we make
in Parma next

to where I come from.

I looked for it everywhere,
I cannot find it.

Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Mamma mia.

Basta.

I still think the mystery
ingredient is ginger.

Turmeric!

I don't know much about
kitchens, but I know

that's not good.

And the plumbing is old here,
it needs an expert touch.

[grunting]

Oh God!

Oh God, oh.

Expert, huh?

Here let me.

[Stefano sighs]

[coughing]

[sighs]

It's probably just
one little pipe.

Tyler, Beebee,
go check the washroom.

Everything's gonna
be fine.

It can't be all
the plumbing.

Why not?

Um, because
it's Christmas.

No water in the ladies room.

Or the men's.

[speaking Italian]

We cannot open a restaurant
without running water.

Problems are just
opportunities in disguise.

No, basta.

The feast of Natale
is off.

[sighs]

[Natalie]
Any chance they'll finish
before Christmas?

Okay, thank you, yeah.

Yeah, Merry Christmas.

Come on, we got this.

This is just a chance to
show our awesomeness.

And we are pretty
dang awesome.

Am I right?

[Mrs. Myers]
Hello!

I brought that tree
skirt you wanted.

Do you know you still have
lasagne on the back stoop?

Uh, thank you.

I'm waiting until spring,
so I can give it

a proper burial.

You're the only person
I know that

uses a smoke alarm
instead of an egg timer.

[chuckling]

Well, good thing
we have Chef Stefano.

Very good.

Actually I was wondering
if I could scrounge

an invitation to the festive
feast, if you have room.

Of course, you are more than
welcome to join us.

Thank you,
that pasta the other day,

it may mean that handsome
is as handsome does, but

that handsome des very
well in the kitchen.

[laughing]

So you finally noticed, huh?

Yeah, in the kitchen.

Mrs. Myers, you
are terrible.

Besides, I think he's
interested in Ariella,

that caroler from Italy.

They seem to have
a lot in common.

Oh.

And once Olivia
comes back, I'm gonna go

back to the city.

That's 23 for dinner.

We invited the Serena Carolers
and Miles Croaker too,

of course.

Are you sure
that's a good idea?

Yeah, one taste
of Stefano's mystery sauce

and he is sure to
give a rave review.

Miles Croaker has never
given any restaurant

a rave review.

Ever.

Oh.

The last restaurant
he banned, well--

What?

Closed within
a couple of months.

[exhales]

So what you're saying is
if we fail,

we risk totally destroying
Olivia's dream.

I'm afraid so.

[sighs]

Birds are out in full force.

Really glad you agreed we
need to have a Christmas tree.

Yeah, we have
Christmas tree in Italy,

too, you know?

I know.

I saw the Pinterest.

And this is it,
uh, this is our tree.

I don't know.

I do know.

The correct height, uh,
the correct amount around.

And the correct
amount of branches.

There's a correct
number of branches?

Yes.

Not so many,
there's not enough space for

decoration, but enough
space uh, to be like,

[speaks Italian]

to be

Bushy.

Natalie, it's a tree
not a bush.

Just doesn't feel right.

Feel?

What does feel have
to do with this?

It's all about logic like
life, uh cooking, like love.

[laughs]

Life is not about logic,
it's about

oh, what about this one?

Oh, why this one?

I don't know, my
instincts just tell me,

this is the right tree.

Yeah, I think your instinct uh,
mistaken.

My instincts
are never wrong.

Huh?

Is that right?

Oh.

Oh, hmm.

Wait, did you
just say you think you can

rely on logic for love?

Of course.

What else?

Instincts.

Intuition.

That little voice inside
you that says you're at

the perfect place
at the perfect time.

And when that
has happened to you?

Well, it hasn't happened.

Not yet.

But it will.

[laughing]

What, it's not like logic's
really worked out

so well for you either.

It's it's really
hard to see under here.

Um, well, let me
get some lights, maybe

that'll help.

[screaming]

Um Tyler, Tyler!

Oh Tyler, are you okay?

Tyler, are you okay?

Tyler, are you hurt?

Are you all chopped up
like potato peelings?

Are you hurt?

Are you chopped up
like

No, but I might be
deaf from here on out.

If you heard me
ask the question,

how can you be deaf?

What was that?

What was that
what was that ringing?

Nevermind the ringing,
what about the plumbing?

Huh, what?

What?

What drumming?

Plumbing,
not drumming.

Oh, right.

Look, um, I'm sorry,
Beebee, I can't do this.

Tell Ms. Natalie I tried
but I guess they're gonna

have to cancel
the feast of Natale.

I'm sorry, alright?

Okay, hold on.

You can't give up.

Don't you see this is
a chance to prove

your awesomeness.

Awesomeness, I

I don't even know if I have
any awesomeness.

Well, here's your chance
to find out.

It's time to prove your
awesomeness, Tyler.

You can do this.

Okay.

Alright, you
stand over there.

Okay!

Why?

Because if I do
find my awesomeness,

I wanna make sure it doesn't
get shredded in the

garbage disposal.

[laughs]

[Tyler grunts]

-No!
-Yes!

[grunts]

-No.
-Yes.

What if your intuition
never picks

a logical tree?

What if your logic never
picks a tree

that feels right?

What if intuition is broken?

What if your logic
is just

stupid?

Have you thought about just
buying two trees?

Then you can both
be right

and happy.

We do have room for it.

I wanna have all day,
so yes, thank you.

Okay, two trees it is.

Just call it when you
see the one you want.

-Okay, you too.
-Okay.

[Stefano clicks tongue]

-Mine!
-Mine!

[both laugh]

Natalie, hi, how are you?

Hey, Olivia, um
how's the Roman snow-blow?

Yeah, it's still blowing.

Oh.

Oh, what's wrong?

Did your plan for Christmas
with your friends fall through?

It uh, hasn't gone exactly

according to plan.

Um

[speaking Italian]

I actually kind of have
a strange question for you.

Do you know where I could get

a bottle of Olio d'oliva
descadoni.

Well, that is a rare kind of
olive oil.

You are not gonna
try to cook, are you?

No.

Um, I just thought it
would make a nice gift for

um, for a friend.

Oh, you know,
'cause it's from Parma,

the same region as Chef
Grimaldi.

Oh, I had no idea.

Um, do you know where
I can find it in the State?

[Olivia]
No, I do not know of any place
outside of Italy,

I'm so sorry.

Oh.

Well, that's okay.

Thanks anyway, Olivia.

Um, I have to go.

I miss you.

Merry Christmas.

I miss you, too.

Merry Christmas.

[car beeps]

Perfect.

Keys please.

Thanks.

[Tyler]
Let's have a go,
moment of truth.

So much for my awesomeness.

No, Tyler,
you've been great.

You really have.

I mean you know so much more
than you thought you did.

You think?

You've been great
too, Beebee.

I never would've thought
about checking with the

city about the main line.

Thanks.

But

Yeah.

So I guess I'll
I'll see you back at

school in January.

Yeah.

January.

Bye.

Wait!

Did we remember to turn
the sink's off valve back on?

[claps hands]

Yes, yes!

Alright, okay.

[Tyler grunts]

[sighs]

Alright, here we go.

-Yes!
-Yes!

Yes!

Oh, yes!

Just leave it there.

[Stefano sighs]

[Tyler and Beebee laughing]

What is that?

I think that's
the sound of awesomeness.

Awesomeness?

[Tyler]
Yes, oh yes!

-Is that good?
-[Natalie] It's very good.

[laughing]

Is there a plumber
in the house?

Oh, Ms. Natalie, Tyler got
the water back on.

Yeah, and Beebee
helped, she was she was

Awes
awesomeness.

Well, yeah.

Good, then we start
with the pasta.

Sure, yeah, I'm ready
to do anything.

No Tyler, you better go home
and shower

not work
in the kitchen, huh?

Oh yeah, well, I guess yeah,
I'm sort of

Me too.

Yeah, you've done enough
for now.

Natalie will help
me with the pasta.

Me?

You do remember what
happened the last time

I tried to cook, right?

[laughs]

Don't worry,
Natalie, you're not cooking.

You're just making
the tortellinis.

I'll be the one
cooking them.

Oh, okay, great.

In my country, Natalie,
the children do

this all the time.

I mean at least
a child, si.

Si.

I mean yes.

cr*ck the egg into the flour.

Whoops, too hard.

-Uh, let me try
-Si.

Si, si, si, si, si.

Another one.

Okay, let
me try that again.

Bellissimo.

Perfecto.

Uh, now need to uh,

b*at the egg up like you making
scrambled eggs,

but incorporating
the flour slowly.

Like this.

Oh, sure.

You never made
scrambled eggs?

Yes, I have not.

How have you not
starved to death in that

city of yours?

Grabhub.

The pizza delivery boy.

Ai yai yai.

You know, if everybody stayed
home and cooked every night,

nobody would need to go
to a restaurant.

The egg is getting away.

Oh, ooh, hold on
eggies,

get back here.

Back to your volcano.

Don't you wanna be part of
the best pasta

the world's ever known.

Good.

Well, now the pasta
is mixed,

we need to knead it.

It's a very good workout,
my nonna,

my grandmother, she had
arms like a

like a Schwarzenegger.

Oh.

I'm not really sure
if that's a ringing

endorsement or not.

Ai, you have
to lean into it, uh.

Oh.

You need to feel it changing
under your hands.

Feel it changing?

[laughs]

I feel something.

[Ariella]
Buongiorno, anyone here?

Here!

Uh yeah,
we're over here.

Ariella.

Ciao bella.

[kissing]

[speaking Italian]

The carolers and I just wanted
to drop off po di vino.

Not not for
the feast of Natale

of course, but uh,

just an early grazie for
everything you are doing for us.

Prego.

Very thoughtful
of you, grazie.

Yes, very, very thoughtful

of all of the carolers.

Please thank them for us.

[speaking Italian]

And uh, what's all this?

Oh, you make pasta?

I used to make pasta with
mia nonna every Natale.

It uh, it was my
favorite part.

But uh, I can help.

Oh, you cook?

Of course,
I love to cook.

But you're our guest,
we couldn't possibly make you

work in the kitchen.

Make me, no, I want to.

We'd love your help.

Let me get you an apron.

Andiamo.

[Ariella]
Okay.

Great.

[blows raspberry]

[speaking Italian]

Hmm.

[speaking Italian]

[sighs]

They're waiting for us.

Okay, I'm ready.

Um, Chef Stefano.

How'd you come with your
logical list of

qualities you're looking
for in a woman?

Well, I thought about it
and she didn't make sense to me.

Why what's the matter?

Oh, nothing, nothing.

I just I guess I just
haven't done enough thinking.

Andiamo.

Baked brie with olive tabouli,
minestrone reteta,

ricotta and spinach
tortellini,

braised beef in Merlot
wine sauce and something

called, "Panettone".

Sounds wonderful.

But I'm afraid Stefano's
multo-italiano menu

isn't gonna trigger any warm
American fuzzies.

I make these
really good cookie bars.

Well, it's a start.

I know, we can make
a big batch of cookies

and then take
the tray into the town

Christmas Cookie
Swap this afternoon.

Christmas Cookie Swap?

This afternoon?

Beebee, you just
baked my day.

[laughing]

Ooh, but we're gonna have
to hurry

if we'll be ready
on time.

Come on.

Just like shake some in.

Oh!

[Beebee groaning]

Okay.

All over.

Everywhere.

Oh, looks pretty great.

Perfect.

Good job.

[Natalie]
Alright, to the fridge.

Now we just 30 minutes
while it sets.

You better set a timer,
can't rely on a smoke alarm

for this one.

So I ordered all the place cards
and the menu cards,

I know you wanted to write
them up by hand

but until Chef Stefano
finalizes the menu

Ms. Natalie.

It's like
Olio d'oliva descadoni

is some kind of--

Ms. Natalie!

Culinary food myth,

like free-range foie gras

or guilt-free ice cream.

Ms. Natalie!

Oh, I'm sorry, what?

It's time.

Hurry, we're gonna
be late for the swap.

Okay, go, go, go!

[Natalie]
Hats, coats, gloves,
it's cold!

The secret to a clean
kitchen is simple,

don't cook ever.

Porca vacca!

[Tyler]
What, what, oh sorry,
what happened?

What?

I can't see.

[Tyler]
Holy cow!

That's what I said,
eh, not exactly,

but you get the idea.

What happened?

There's only one
thing I can think of that

can cause so much damage
to a kitchen

in so short of a time.

Rabid badgers?

Rabid badgers, Natalie!

Oh yeah.

Yeah, that make
that makes sense.

Well, look look at least
the smoke alarm isn't

going off yet.

This feast of Natale is not
gonna work.

Why do you say that?

Because we used
up our Christmas miracle

when Natalie didn't burn
the whole place down.

[sighs]

Okay, are we late,
did we make it on time?

Uh no, we made it.

Wooh.

[indistinct chatter
and laughter]

There's free samples.

Don't say it.

That's because you're one
smart cookie.

[grunts]

[Natalie]
Big beautiful bars, thank you.

Thank you.

Ooh, maybe we
should do two, alright?

Thank you.

Hmm, yummy.

They almost look like a little
reindeer poop or something.

[laughs]

-It it has to be.
-They're really good.

Yeah.

Gingerbread cookie.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Beebee, did we forget
to turn the oven off

or something?

We never turned it on.

Oh, but maybe we
forgot to tidy up.

I didn't forget,
we really didn't have time.

Natalie, what is that?
What is this?

This cooking, huh?

What is this?

Hmm?

I'm sorry,
I think we may have left

the kitchen a little
not clean.

Not clean.

I come inside and I take
a look and I say

what'd I say-- What I--

[speaks Italian]

[speaks Italian]

Oh, grande like grand,
a big a big mess.

Uh yeah,
it's a big mess.

We have only one day left,
so much to do

and you run off
for this.

Uh, why don't you take
my half

and head back to the restaurant
and get started on the clean-up.

Hmm.

Explain to me.

Yeah, I'll help.

Oh, you don't have to do that,
it wasn't your mess.

No, no,
I wanna help.

You do?

Yeah, Chef Stefano scares me
when he's like this.

I don't even know what these
cookies are?

Oh look, these are shortbreads

with a little um,
icing drizzl,

and this little gingerbread man.

Little gingerbread man,

"Can't catch me,
I'm a gingerbread man."

No, no,
no, no, no, no.

No, no, Natalie.

This is an Italian feast
of Natale,

not the American
feast of cookie.

-Capito?
-Mhmm.

We will do panettone

made by my family recipe,
capisce?

-And the cookies.
-Mamma mia.

[Natalie]
I read on Miles' reviews,
I think he would really like

[Miles]
Uh, Natalie.

Stefano.

Speak of the devil.

Hello.

-Ariella, ciao.
-Ciao, Stefano.

[kissing]

Mr. Croaker.

-Natalie, ciao.
-Hello.

[kissing]

Well, everybody is so excited
and looking forward

to your feast of Natale.

[laughs]

So are we.

We uh, we're just gonna
head back there and get

some things ready.

We want it all to
be just perfect.

That means you're coming to
the Christmas festival,

it's about to start.

Oh, no, no,
there is so much to do.

-Sorry, yeah.
-[Natalie] So much to do.

More than ever.

But it's our first
annual Christmas festival,

you must come.

We need everyone to
make it a success.

I organized it myself.

If you insist.

We'll be there with bells on.

-Like jingle bells.
-[Stefano] Oh.

Um, cool uh,

we'll just go get ready now.

-See you soon.
-Do that.

See you soon.

[indistinct chatter]

Alright, alright,
this way.

Get on there.

Okay, you there.

[laughing]

Okay, ready.

Cheese.

-[Tyler] Yes!
-[Stall holder] Congratulations!

Thank you.

Here.

Thank you.

[Miles]
Oh, you're here!

[laughs]

I have just the thing.

Right this way.

Oh uh, but first, picture.

Right, right, here we go!

Here we go, have to
keep the line moving.

[laughs]

Sit down, Sparky.

Sit down.

This one looks fun.

Oh yeah, sure.

Thanks.

Go first.

Sure, yeah.

Okay, wooh.

Aw.

No good, here
let me try.

It's okay.

Do you feel okay?

Yeah.

How do I look
like I'm feeling?

Well, I don't know,
but but nothing good.

[taking deep breaths]

So uh, have you seen

any good Kung fu
movies lately?

Mm, nope.

Why?

Uh, just just curious.

What about baseball games?

In December?

Well, at least you know they
don't play baseball

in the winter.

Yeah, well,
that's all I know, so

Yeah, I forgot to
ask uh, about what you do

in the city?

What is your job?

Oh, I'm a Jacklyn
of all trades.

I watch the dogs

and design custom prints,

do specialty gift-wrapping,
plan events and parties,

and about a hundred other
things.

Huh, why do you
do so many things?

Why don't you
just do one thing?

I don't know,
I guess I just never found

the right thing and so
I kept trying new things.

Hmm, when I was 3 years old

my Zio Lorenzo,
he put a Kn*fe in my hand

and I knew I would be a chef.

That is all I ever
wanna be.

Your Zio Lorenzo
gave a butcher's Kn*fe to

a 3-year-old?

No.

Maybe I exaggerate
a little bit, huh?

Well, maybe
you're exaggerating now.

Maybe you're afraid, huh?

I'm not scared of anything.

Except perhaps the cold, yes?

It's not that bad.

No, you're cold.

What's that?

What's what?

The piece of paper
you keep checking.

What, what piece of paper?

The one in your pocket.

Um

Catch!

No!

Beebee, Beebee,
no, no, no, no.

Don't, don't.

Oh, what is it,
a letter to Santa?

[Tyler]
Don't just don't just don't
just don't just

can can you give it back
to me please, Beebee?

[indistinct chatter in
background]

What is this?

"My smile, awesomeness,
likes baseball."

What is this, like a list
of things I'm supposed to be

or something?

No, it's--

I'm not hardly
any of these things.

Beebee, it's not
like that, it's just--

I was just
trying to be logical,

that's all.

You're a jerk.

Beebee.

Beebee.

Beebee,
what's the matter?

What happened?

Are you okay?

It's Tyler, he's being
really logical.

I can't

Okay, let's go have some cocoa,
you can tell me about it.

Grazie.

Why don't you
start at the beginning?

We were at the Santa
sling booth and I was

I was trying to figure out
how Tyler felt about me.

He started asking all
these stupid questions

about Kung fu, baseball,
checking

his stupid list.

[sighs]

[Beebee]
He said he was just trying
to be logical.

But then he can't possibly
like me,

I don't like any of the things
on the stupid list,

especially

not the nice
smile part.

Oh.

Beebee, hey.

Your smile is lovely

just how it is, I promise.

What could give Tyler such
a silly idea like this?

"Speaks Italian,

lives at the same place,
loves to cook."

You okay?

Yeah.

Of course, um,
what happened next?

Well, I decided my intuition
was telling me

Tyler is a jerk
and I left.

But maybe you should
just sleep on it, yeah?

Give your intuition some
time to think it over.

Yeah, I think I'll do that.

Christmas is exhausting.

[sighs]

Everything okay?

You know, I think I'm just gonna
go back to the restaurant.

But the festival
is important.

[speaking Italian]

Si.

And Natalie is here,
too.

But we were thinking uh,
we're gonna go back,

it's there's so much to do.

Oh no, you don't have to go,
too.

You can stay,
I'm sure you want to.

What, and let
you do all the work?

No.

What if you try to cook
and burn the entire place

down to the ground?

[laughs]

[speaking Italian]

It is time to sing.

You must come,
you need to with me.

Ooh, Sparky.

Sorry.

Sorry, Sparky.

[speaking Italian]

Grazie.

♪ Angels we have
heard on high Sweetly ♪

♪ singing o'er the plains ♪

♪ And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains ♪

♪ Gloria In excelsis Deo ♪

♪ Gloria In excelsis Deo ♪

[Stefano]
Natalie!

Where are you going?

Home.

Home.

The festival just started,
uh, you don't like it.

Look, can I ask you
something?

Yes.

Can we just keep
things strictly business

between the two of us?

Strictly business?

I know something is
wrong, I can tell.

And it is a word for it uh,

a word that is not a word.

Uh, you are eh.

A fork?

Hangry.

You need to eat and Sparky,
too.

Let's go to Pezzo Di Parma,
I will cook

for the both of you,
let's go.

Listen, I said I just wanna keep
things strictly business.

What how?

How strictly business?

Business is food,
food is business for me.

How is it not
strictly business?

The thing is I don't know
if we're really

ready to be a business.

I mean I don't know
if we're really ready to do

a big feast of Natale,
not for this many people

and not for Miles who's never
given a rave restaurant

review in his entire life.

He hasn't, not ever?

No.

And I read all of them

and worse,

every place he pens,
it shuts down.

Natalie, I put
every bit of money

I have in Pezzo Di Parma.

I didn't know that.

And if we close, Natalie,
it's worse uh,

I cannot stay in America,
I have to go back to Italy.

See, we uh
we can't do this to you.

Or to cousin Olivia,
we can't ruin your dreams

before they've even begun.

Now you think my food is not
good enough, huh?

That's not what I'm saying,
I just we don't have

the time or the people

And this is why you don't
want to come to eat now?

It's not about that,
I just don't

-Natalie.
-What?

If my food is
not good enough for you,

certo is not good
enough for anybody.

Anybody.

The feast of Natale,
Natalie, is off.

Fine.

[grunts]

Fine!

Fine!

-It's off!
-[Stefano] Okay.

God, stupid Stefano.

Come on, Sparky.

Come.

[Natalie sighs]

Panettone, panettone.

I'll make panettone,
it'll make me feel better.

[Natalie]
It's okay, it's okay.

It's okay, it's okay,
come on.

This way, this way.

[carolers singing Christmas
carol in distance]

Ooh, Natalie.

What are you doing here?

Uh, Mr. Croaker,
there is something I need

to tell you and um,

I thought I should probably
say it in person.

[sighs]

I'm very sorry.

And please don't hold this
against my cousin Olivia

or Stefano, but

Um

Uh, what's wrong?

Has something happened?

Stefano, you didn't have
to come,

I can take care
of this myself.

This is not only

your cousin Olivia
restaurant,

it it's also mine.

Has someone had bad news?

Oh, oh no, nothing
like that, they're just

missing their friends
and family because

it's Christmas.

I thought singing might
cheer them up,

but uh,
it's made things worse.

Cassie has never spent
a Christmas away from her

children before.

Oh, and this was supposed
to be Charlie's first Christmas

with his new fiancé.

Oh no, that's so sad.

[Miles]
There'll be other Christmases,
but right now

it's hard for them all
to be far away from home.

But everyone is looking
forward

to your Christmas
meal tomorrow.

[laughs]

Now what is it you wanted
to tell me?

Could you excuse
us just one minute?

I feel terrible.

I feel terrible.

Yeah, me too.

I wanted to do everything
my own way,

just the right review,
but now look at this.

I wanted to show
Olivia how much her help

and support meant to me
and I guess I thought

I could only do that
if everything was perfect.

[sighs]

I think I kind of lost seeing
that's it's Christmas.

Yeah, yeah,
it's Christmas.

[speaks Italian]

And the kitchen.

Yes, in there, too.

What if we just
go through with it?

What if we don't worry
about if it's perfect or

what the review says, what
if we just do it to feed

a bunch of sad people that
have nowhere else

to go on Christmas?

Yes, yes.

Let's do it for
the people.

And we need to be happy,
it's Christmas.

-Okay?
-Okay.

Let's do it.

[sighs]

Natalie, Stefano, uh

you had something
to tell us?

Yeah, just that the feast of
Natale is at 1:00

and to bring your appetites.

[Miles laughing]

It's gonna be awesomeness.

[♪♪♪]

♪ Baby ♪

♪ Christmas is soon, yeah ♪

♪ So much soon, yeah ♪

♪ Any day ♪

♪ Yeah, baby ♪

♪ It would be here ♪

♪ In a blink ♪

♪ Well Christmas ♪

♪ Is sooner than you think ♪

♪ Decoration house with lights ♪

♪ Cause Christmas calls
to light ♪

♪ Buy yourself
a Christmas tree ♪

♪ And mistletoe over you
and me ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ Christmas is soon, yeah ♪

♪ Christmas is soon, yeah ♪

♪ So much soon, yeah ♪

♪ Sooner than you think ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Oooyaa ♪

♪ Christmas is soon ♪

♪ Ooooo ♪

♪ Sooner than you think ♪

♪ So let the storm fall ice ♪

[indistinct lyrics]

♪ Let the Christmas spirit ♪

Hello, Natalie Rogers,
travel consult

oh um, events planning,

um actually Jacklyn
of all trades,

just uh tell
me which one you want.

The Olio d'oliva descadoni?

Yeah.

I've been looking
for it everywhere.

Back-ordered?

Until when?

July.

Oh um, oh.

[Natalie]
Okay, thanks anyways.

You wanna tell me
what's got you so despondent

over this olive oil?

Olivia!

-Hi.
-Hi.

Oh, but how?

Oh, they finally
dug Rome out from under

that avalanche, I got the
first flight I could.

Why are you here?

I thought you were spending
Christmas with your friends

in the city.

I was, but I don't know
I know

how hard you worked and how much
this means to you,

so I just--

Oh, it's so beautiful.

Thank you.

But why?

It's a long, long story.

Oh.

Is it now?

Well, that's good,
'cause I am a long,

long listener.

[laughs]

Well, even after--

[exhales]



and a dozen international
emails,

and millions of hours scouring
the internet,

I still couldn't find the Olio
d'oliva descadoni,

so Stefano could have his

perfect Christmas.

Do you like Stefano?

No!

I mean I like him.

I don't like-like him.

He's kinda grumpy
sometimes.

Oh.

So you don't like him?

[laughs]

Even if I did,

I have to go
back to the city.

I have a life there and
I don't know,

I can't stay here.

You're jumping again.

I'm what?

You do this thing
where you leap from job to job,

city to city.

What are you afraid of?

I'm not scared of anything.

Falling in love can be scary.

Well, it's been a long flight
and an even longer day

and I think tomorrow
is gonna be really,

really exciting.

Let's go home.

Oh, I'm so glad
you could make it home in

time for Christmas.

Me too.

Oh, um and if you
see any lasagne in the yard,

could you just ignore it?

You did try to
cook again, didn't you?

Uh, yeah.

It's good that
you reach for the stars.

No, no,
no, no, no, no, no!

Sorry.

Natalie.

I'm sorry.

Your terribleness in
the kitchen is contagious.

Uh, you'll be
glad I said something.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

Oh, you
should open that now.

Merry Christmas to you,
too.

Oh.

You didn't have
to do that.

Come on,
bella signorina first.

If you insist.

Is this the recipe
for the mystery sauce?

You're actually giving
away the mystery?

Yeah, and this way you don't lie
awake at night wondering.

Rosemary.

[chuckles]

Of course.

How did I not guess that?

Maybe when you go
back to your city, you can

find someone somehow
who can cook it for you.

Not just a pizza
delivery boy, huh?

[Stefano]
Capito?

Okay.

Your turn.

[clear throat]

Olio d'oliva descadoni.

Natalie.

Grazie.

[inhales and exhales]

What's it smell like?

Like home.

I'm sorry you couldn't
be home for Christmas.

I know,
this is my home now.

I still think you could use
a pinch of thyme.

[sighs]

Where are the little elves?

-Tyler was here
-Be here.

He told me that he needed
to add

something outside,
I don't know.

Okay.

[kisses]

[Natalie clear throat]

Merry Christmas.

-[Beebee] Merry Christmas.
-[Tyler] Merry Christmas.

Are you guys
ready to get to work?

-Mhmm, mhmm, yeah.
-Sure, totally ready.

Great.

Places, everybody.

Turns out
that he likes braces.

[Natalie laughs]

Gonna give you
a little bit more that,

a little bit more,
mix it in.

[inhales and exhales]

[Natalie]
They're almost here!

Merry Christmas!

Ciao, Natalie.

Buon Natale!

Welcome to
Ristorante Pezzo Di Parma.

[chuckling]

Yep, one more.

I can take that,
no problem.

-Merry Christmas.
-Thank you, merry Christmas.

[grunts]

Uh, find a seat.

They should be labeled.

Go.

[indistinct chatter]

Alright, fair, fair.

Yes, I just got my haircut.

Emma, I like your uh,

[speaks Italian]

-Uh
-[Emma] My necklace.

Necklace, yeah,
oh it's bella.

Oh, thank you,
thank you very much.

Um, they're um, not real.

They look real?

[Emma]
Yeah.

Ooh, formaggio.

[Emma]
Ooh, that looks good.

[indistinct speech]

I know I'm so hungry,

I'm very

They're almost
done with the antipasto,

how's the soup
coming along?

It's just about.

[indistinct chatter]

[Natalie]
Okay, yep, mhmm.

Not yet, not yet.

Oh we can we

It's just about.

Okay, go.

That was suspenseful.

This is for you.

You need to keep
up your strength.

Cocoa with whipped cream
and nutmeg.

How'd you know
my favorite cocoa?

Hey, I know.

I asked cugina Olivia.

Even with everything else
you had to do?

-Thank you.
-Prego.

Mmm.

[Stefano laughs]

Scusi.

[laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

[laughing]

-What's so funny?
-Niente, niente.

[laughs]

Do I have food in my teeth?

Uh, not your teeth, no.

[Stefano aughing]

[laughing]

Alright.

[sighs]

[chuckling]

Can you get me
a napkin or something?

Si, si.

Now didn't I remember that
there was a polar bear

-in your driveway one time?
-Not anymore, not anymore,

I since I've moved here

Oh, thank you.

We saw one last night,
we did.

Please try the pasta.

We it's a family recipe.

-I hope you like it.
-Mangiamo.

[indistinct chatter]

Does he like it?

[indistinct chatter]

Huh.

Hmm.

[indistinct chatter]

[Miles]
Ladies and gentlemen,

I have been reviewing
restaurants for over 20 years.

It has been my privilege
to dine in some of the finest

establishments
in this country.

And in that time I have
never, not once,

tasted a perfect dish.

Until now.

[indistinct chatter]

[Caroler]
Bravo to the chef.

Take your bow.

[Caroler 1]
Oh, come on, Chef.

Take your bows.

[indistinct speech]

Thank you, thank you
very much.

[indistinct speech]

Hope you enjoyed.

-[Miles] Thank you.
-[Stefano] Grazie.

Natalie, may I speak
with you a moment?

Yeah, of course.

Uh, alone.

Sure.

Um, over here.

[Laughter]

Everything okay with the meal?

Can I get you anything else?

Oh, it's the most
wonderful feast of Natale

I've ever had.

Not about that I want
to ask you.

It is uh,
you do not actually work

for Pezzo Di Parma,
this is correct?

That's right.

I have my own business.

Or businesses really,
in the city.

Good.

I am hoping that Stefano
will offer me a job

once you return
to the city.

But you're singing.

I like Stefano.

Oh.

I see.

[Ariella]
You are friends with Stefano?

Do you think that maybe

he likes me?

I don't know.

Um, I

I think you're perfect
for him.

Beautiful.

Exquisite.

Stefano.

Ah, it'll be ready
in a minute.

[Natalie]
Great, um, maybe you can give
Ariella a minute

to talk to you.

And you might wanna look
at this

in case you forgot.

Grazie.

[Stefano]
Ciao.

Ciao.

[Sobs]

We need to change it.

Thyme.

Really?

You took my advice?

Only because uh,
it was right.

Natalie.

Why so sad on Christmas?

I'm not sad.

I'm happy for you
and Ariella.

Me and Ariella?

Of course.

She likes you,
you have to know that.

Yes.

And I told her I was
happy to give her a job.

Not all my heart.

But she fits
right in with your

philosophy of logic, and love,
life, and cooking.

She fits your list
to a tee.

Natalie, my philosophy
has changed.

To what?

Panettone!

The panettone!

[coughing]

[Natalie]
What happened?

Panettone, I b*rned
the panettone.

[speaking Italian]

But a chef never lets
his food burn.

Not for anything.

I forgot.

How could you forget?

What are we gonna do
about dessert?

They're almost finished
with the main course.

We know.

[Natalie]
The cookies.

Aha.

[Olivia]
Try the red ones.

Alright.

There is a family
tradition that we have

where you go around
the dinner table

and say what the best part of
this Christmas is.

I guess I'll go first.

Um, for me the best
part of this Christmas

is being able to get home
in time

to share it with
all of you.

And my cousin Natalie,
and my friend Stefano,

who made all of this
possible.

[laughing]

The best part of this Christmas
has been sharing

this meal with all of you all

and my elastic waistband

which made all of
it possible.

[Natalie]
Cheers.

Oh, um my favorite part
of this Christmas

is um, well,
I've always kind of been

jumping around from job to job,
waiting for

something to tell me that

I finally have found
the perfect thing.

And nothing ever
felt quite right.

But this year, this
Christmas

[inhales]

um, I finally found a place that
feels like home.

And someone

I'd really like to
share it with.

Stefano.

My favorite part
of this Christmas,

uh well

You, Natalie.

It is this.

[kissing]

[Guests cheering]

Why are we all watching?

Oh my gosh!