Uncle Mario, it's
pretty dark in here.
Wow!
Look at this place, Kim.
It's like we just walke into
a Christmas museum.
Look at all the decorations,
they're the same
from when we were little.
Dad really loved Christmas.
Yeah.
I can't
believe he's gone.
Just two more weeks, and
everything will be
back to normal.
Hey Gina,
what is it with
you and Christmas?
Why do you hate it so much?
I don't hate Christmas.
I just don't have
any use for it.
Hey, how about that coffee I
was promised, Uncle Mario?
I make you the best
coffee you ever had.
I just gotta
start the machine.
Wowzer, that's new.
What happened to the old one?
Don't look for gifts
in the mouth of the horse.
This is the Ferrari
of espresso machines.
This make the best
coffee in the world.
Anyone else hungry?
I make you something.
Gina, look.
Mmm, wow.
This is...this is so good.
You know what they say.
Omelette in the hand
is worth two birds.
Uh, and you know what,
Uncle Mario,
this coffee is amazing.
I told you!
Ferrari!
Oh, that scared me.
What is she doing here?
What time is it?
What do you want?
I see the
lights are on.
You make egg bread?
We don't have
any fresh bread.
We not even open.
Where am
I supposed to go?
It's Christmas.
Nobody make
egg bread like Luciano.
Wait here.
This is Luciano's last one.
I try and make more tomorrow.
Bless you, Mario.
I'm so sorry about
your brother, Luciano.
Luciano made the bread...
You know,
she brings up an
interesting point.
Oh yeah?
What's that?
The bakery.
When are we going
to reopen?
We?
Well, yeah, who else is
going to do it?
You know nothing about
running a bakery.
You're a corporate
financial thingy person.
Financial asset manager.
Exactly!
And you worked hard
for your career.
You sacrificed
everything for it.
Yeah, I know.
That's why I can't
stand it any more.
Okay, I know it sounds
romantic to leave everything
behind to make bread and
muffins, but this isn't us.
We haven't worked
here in 20 years.
Gina,
I'm not disagreeing with
you, Gina, I'm saying
you're right, I don't think
you're cut out for this.
I bet you don't remember
how to run the cash register!
I'm going home so I can get some
sleep before I have to go to
my actual job.
Wait a minute, she didn't give
any time off?
I got the afternoon
for the funeral.
Wow, you're right,
you should really get going,
it'd be terrible to lose a
sweet gig like that.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Thanks for the food,
Momo, I love you both.
Caio, bella.
Bye.
Don't mess up her coffee!
Hey!
That's mine.
Excuse me?
The sugar.
It's mine.
Okay, it's yours...
As long as
you promise to share.
I'll think about it.
C'mon, it's Christmas.
What, you don't
like Christmas?
It's overrated.
Oh, I don't know.
The music's pretty good.
Life's better with a little
Bing Crosby, isnt it?
I'm more of a
Dean Martin man, myself.
I'm Nick.
Gina.
See you around.
I hope so...
You're late.
Yeah, I know, I'm sorry.
It went a little bit than
expected last night.
Clearly.
Do I have any appointments?
Yep, You have a meeting with
the hotel for the Christmas Ball
at 10:30, and the Santas
are interviewing at 2 PM.
Do we really need a Santa?
Well it is a children's benefit
for Christmas
for underprivileged kids.
Oh, I know.
It's exhausting to
care as much as I do.
Yeah.
And the rest of the day
you are free.
So is there anything else,
other than the coffee?
No.
Leave.
My head hurts.
Oh, actually, Gina,
there was one more thing.
Mmhmm?
I trust this is the
last time you will let your
personal life interfere
with your work.
You mean the untimely
passing of my father?
Yes, your personal life.
That's what I said.
This company is like a family.
We don't want to be
distracted by your problems.
I promise that
won't be an issue.
Music to my ears.
You make me egg bread?
Hi.
Hey!
Hey!
What are you doing here?
Just wanted to check in.
Really, I thought you
had to work.
Well...
Maybe I don't want to
work there anymore.
Really, really!?
Okay, okay, stop!
This is still crazy.
Hey, listen to me.
I still bake and I
know you do too.
And anything we can't do, we've
got Momo, and dad's recipes.
C'mon Scrooge...little hug.
When the curse come
to our village--
Not the curse again.
I am so tired of
hearing about the curse.
When the curse came to our
village we were forced to flee.
The only thing that made it
across the sea was this...
The recipe for egg bread.
Be careful!
Oh...okay...
My Italian's a little rusty.
Does that say "knead
dough until it's calm"?
No, it says "Knead
dough over time".
No, it say "add lemon".
No, I don't think so.
It's a test.
We make bread.
Whoever make the best
will be the new king.
Or the queen.
Well, clearly
mine's the best.
I lost this game once,
never again.
So who's gonna decide which
one is the best bread?
I do.
No.
We need someone who is
impartial.
Who make this bread?
I did.
I'm not surprised.
This bread is garbage.
Dry and too salty.
Not enough egg.
This is like Christmas
without the presents.
Ok, okay, I get it,
not a fan, thank you.
Who make this?
I make.
You like?
This bread make me cry.
Because it remind me of
the bread your brother
used to make.
But then I cry because
I taste lemon and it make it
taste like soap and I hate it.
This is like liver
for Christmas dinner.
Ugh.
Who make?
I did.
You make this bread?
You make it yourself?
Yep.
I made it myself?
You have the gift.
I still think you need
a little lemon in the batter.
There's no lemon in egg bread!
Um, excuse me, why are you
taking my bread?
You said it tasted like garbage,
and you said that his
tasted like soap.
I use it for my birds.
You open tomorrow,
I tell everyone.
It's okay, everything's
going to be great.
Gina, you're gonna
bake the bread.
And Momo, you can make
the rest.
And I will
do the financing.
And the register.
It's gonna be perfect.
Just need a little...
sprucing up.
Like a lot, a lot of
sprucing up.
Actually.
Okay.
Start right now.
Hey Mario,
what's in here?
Uh...wow.
Uncle Mario,
can you come here?
Stay out of my room.
Your room?
You live here?
Where do you think I live?
I don't know...
Where do you bathe?
I climb in the sink.
That's disgusting!
How long have you
been sleeping here?
I don't know...
25 years?
I mean, it can't
be comfortable.
It's not a problem.
I just curl up like this.
That can't be good for you.
Not to mention ill*gal.
You can't sleep where you
make food.
Then why do they put a kitchen
in a house, smart guy?
You kicking me out at Christmas?
No, no no no, of course not.
Look, let's finish cleaning up,
and we can get a fresh start
in the morning and
we'll figure it out.
I guess...
Trust me, Gina,
you won't regret this.
I immediately regret this.
Oh, sorry, I--
I'm sorry--
Hey.
Hey.
We have to stop running
into eachother like this.
Do we?
You have time
for a coffee?
That's why I'm here.
Let's sit.
Okay.
Okay...
Thank you.
That's nice.
So you do have
some Christmas spirit.
I just like peppermint mocha.
You know this used to be my
favorite time of year.
What happened?
My dad.
He always made it magical.
You know, it
was the little things?
Trimming the tree.
Setting up that little village.
Making popcorn and watching
Jimmy Stewart.
Baking cookies.
And skating in the park.
That was my favorite...
You know I haven't done it
since I was a kid.
I'm sorry.
He sounds like a
great dad.
He was...
What about you?
Do you have any
family in town?
Uh, no, just me.
But I really miss them
at this time of year.
Yeah.
Even my weird cousin who was
probably too old for
his blankie.
You know what's weird
is my uncle sleeps in the
basement of our family business.
Oh!
Yeah, my boss is probably the
older brother I wish I
never had.
I shouldn't say that.
He's gonna help me
realize my dream.
What's your dream?
I'm gonna open
a food truck
that only serves dessert.
And homestyle desserts,
you know?
That make you think of
grandma's cooking or
mom's cooking, but with a
comtemporary twist to it.
- What!?
- That is amazing!
Thanks.
Pretty proud.
Yeah!
You should be.
Hi, how are you?
Thank you so much.
Say "Hi" to Scott
for me.
Hi, how are you?
Thank you.
Hey Kim, we're
gonna need more bags.
Alright, I know,
I ordered them this morning.
Thanks so much,
love you too.
Merry Christmas!
Woah.
Wow, really got quiet.
I go take a nap.
What if there's another rush?
I doubt it.
Hey, Momo, where did dad keep
all his business records?
Who are you texting, huh?
Wouldn't you
like to know?
Okay, so which
of the boxes is it in?
All of them.
Can't break eggs without
bird in the bush.
Okay.
All of them?
Ugh.
I think I know why mom is so
against us taking
this place over.
It's a second mortgage
on their house.
Oh.
It's for $100,000.
According to this, dad hasn't
made a payment in months.
She wants to pay it off
because she's worried the bank
will take house, right.
Why doesn't she tell us
these things, doesn't she
think that we'd
help her?
How are we going to help her?
Do the math.
I don't think we'll be able to
pay our bills let alone dad's.
We're gonna be okay, alright?
I wouldn't have considered
this if I didn't have enough
savings to get
us off the ground.
You have $100,000 in savings?
Well, no...
But I have enough
to make some payments.
At least for this month...
And you know what,
it's going to pick up.
These things, they just
go in waves.
You know what,
maybe mom was right.
Maybe it's time to admit
this place is finished.
No no no, Gina, Gina,
listen, hey.
Look, we just need to earn
enough money for the banks
to trust us, because
they're understanding.
Kim...
You just want to give up before
we even start?
This community
needs us.
Momo, he needs us.
And I don't want to
go back to that office.
This is my last chance to
finally do what I want to do.
You really think I wanna go back
to working for the sea witch?
No, no, of course not.
We're gonna figure
this out.
Okay.
So.
Community service?
Not exactly.
Peppermint mocha.
You remembered.
I did.
So what are we
doing here, exactly?
Hmm, okay.
Let's do it.
This is delicious.
Good, I'm glad.
Thank you.
Oh, oh!
I got you.
I haven't done
this in forever.
You're fine,
you're doing good.
Yeah, I'm a
regular pro.
How'd you get so good?
Every Christmas season,
my grampa would clear the
pond behind his house.
I can't even tell you how many
hours I spent back there.
A pond?
Where was that?
A small town
you've never heard of.
Oh, a country boy.
Who'd of thunk it?
Only at Christmas time.
Imagine a lot more
denim and a trucker hat,
and you're half-way there.
Mmm...Do you miss it?
Yeah, of course!
Now Christmas feels
like it comes from a catalog.
Back then, it was fun and
bold and in your face,
and people cared more about
how it made them feel rather
than how it made them look.
You would have loved my dad.
He went all out at Christmas.
Tell me about him.
Oh, dad...
Customer lady
wanna talk to you.
What customer lady?
Oh, hi there, can I help you?
I'm Sally Durst.
Okay, do you have an order?
No.
I'm from the Great
National Trust Bank.
Oh.
Is there
somewhere we could talk?
Uh, of course.
Dio mio.
Two weeks?
As I said, your father
incurred significant debt
over the last few years.
I understand, but--
It's not
just the two mortgages.
He took out several small
loans, using smaller equity,
such as his car,
for collateral.
How much?
$248,000.
With the amount owing, I'm
afraid we'll be forced to
foreclose.
I was supposed to start
proceedings immediately,
but...
I liked Mr. Remo.
He always brought in
fresh-baked chocolate chunk
cookies.
The kind with
the fudge center?
Yeah.
My favorite.
Two weeks is the
best I can do.
That gives you untll the 24th.
But...
that's Christmas Eve.
Is there a problem?
No, no no, you'll have it.
Just so we're clear.
That's four months' payments,
plus interest owing.
Good.
Hi!
Everything okay?
Scary bank lady
came in to
bring back village curse.
It's fine.
Really?
Are you sure?
Yeah, no no, it's all good, I
got it all figured out.
Finally, some good news.
I know that look.
I've seen it before.
Mom, it's fine,
it's fine.
You worry.
Momo.
I thought mom was against
this whole thing.
I think she's
keeping an eye on us.
Wel from here on, everything
is gonna be great.
Oh, speaking of great!
Here comes your ex.
Richard, hi,
what are you guys doing here?
Hi, honey.
Look, your daughter
has something to tell you.
I told you I was sorry.
Lee, what happened?
Mom, it's not a big deal.
You can barely see it.
See what?
She almost
wrecked my car.
What!?!
It's not a big deal,
Tony's dad says he
can buff it out.
Are you ok?
What happened?
Apparently, Lee and
her friends thought it would
be fun to celebrate the start
of Christmas break by going
on a little joy ride.
It's not my fault they put fire
hydrants so close to the curb.
The body shop
says it's at least $1000.
I had to walk out on a
client to come get her.
I know I'm supposed to have
her over Christmas,
but I need a break okay,
she can't come with us.
I'll take her!
And I'm gonna put you to work,
though so you can your dad back.
We could use an extra
set of hands.
Sounds fun.
It's gonna be great!
Perfect.
Richard, can we go?
Yeah, you should hurry,
because there is a huge
Christmas sale at Bloomington's
right now.
What Christmas sale, Richard?
Come on.
Richard, you never told me about
a Christmas sale.
Let's go.
We'll miss you.
Bye bye.
Hey, kiddo.
Are you hungry?
Do you want me to make you
a PB&J sandwich.
Really?
That's like, so simple.
Oh.
I'm trying to check in, but you
guys have no presence.
Hey, don't look at me,
I just make the bread.
Presence, online presence.
Web pages, social media?
Oh!
Here's a listing,
you guys are under
Tobacco and Firearms and your
description is
"egg bread".
But, I mean,
can you fix that?
Easy.
Okay, great, we just
found a job for you.
You are gonna be
our new techie.
It's gonna be fun.
Yay.
Yay, we get to
have Christmas together.
I don't get it, Gina.
What's that?
How someone like
you is still single.
If only you knew.
I don't know what's worse, my
poor decision-making skills,
or my lousy taste
in the wrong guys.
Oh, is that what I am?
Oh no.
You are completely different
than anyone I have ever dated.
Really?
Yeah.
And, that's a good thing.
Trust me.
I do.
Um, I got you something.
Okay.
Wait.
You made me a Christmas
mix tape?
Yeah, I'm kinda old school.
I love it.
Honestly.
I mean look, you even put
Bing Crosby.
And Dean Martin.
This is amazing.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Hey, Lee, honey.
Why don't you come
and help?
We could use
your help.
Come on.
And voila!
Oh great,
let me have a look.
Lee, this is amazing.
Wow, you did
this by yourself?
Yeah.
This is going to work.
I just, I have
a good feeling.
What do you think, Lee?
You're obviously
the brains of the operation.
I don't know.
This stuff will help,
but there's, like,
a hundred bakeries
in this city.
There's that many?
Yeah, what you guys need is a
promotion to get the word out.
Sure, but that requires
money which we don't have.
Well, have you thought about
entering the Grand-Prix?
The what?
The Dessert Grand-Prix.
I love that show.
Okay, what is it?
It's like a contest.
On TV.
Here.
Started by this celebrity-chef
dude a few years back.
It's like a huge show now.
Three days of
cooking awesomeness,
and the final's always
on Christmas Eve.
It says here first prize is
$100,000.
Is that right?
Holy Canole!
These are the guys
who won last year.
He looks familiar.
Their bakery is always packed.
You've been there?
Yeah, a bunch of times.
We should go check it out.
No chance.
It's not that far from here.
C'mon, it'll be fun.
You know, you keep saying the
word 'fun', but
I'm starting to think you
don't know what that word
means.
We can go undercover,
okay, that's fun.
I want to see what
makes them so popular.
Gina, we got to try
something, right?
Fine.
Awesome, okay, great.
I'll meet you over
there in an hour.
Bye, Momo.
Ciao, Bella.
Gina! Gina!
Over here.
Excuse me.
You look like a crazy person.
I said we were
going undercover.
Where's your disguise?
There's nobody on this Earth who
would have thought you
were serious.
Nobody here knows us.
At least let's get our backstory
straight, okay?
My name is Claudette
Vansteenberger, attorney at law.
I have two children from my
first marriagem one
from my second.
You see, my first husband
died in a tragic mission
to the West Indies...
Well hello, Claudette.
I'm Crazy Liz and I was
released early from jail.
Let's get this over with.
I can work with that.
Wow, this place is
really fancy.
Even the music.
Oh no, no no no no no.
Gentlemen, hello.
My name is Claudette
Vansteenberger and this is my
sister, Crazy Liz.
Gina?
Wait.
What?
I thought you looked familiar.
It's Andrew.
So you recognized me?
I knew you'd come
crawling back one day.
So, you two know each other?
Kind of.
Our souls intertwined
on a celestial plane.
Gross?
We went on one date.
You guys went on a date.
Okay, great!
We were wondering if we could
purchase some of your famous
chai tea micro cakes?
You're not serious, right?
Is that the
last one you have left?
This, no, that is a paraffin wax
rendering of one of our micro
cakes made by
Fabricio Sangrita.
You can't eat this.
It'll hurt your tummy.
So, you're saying you have none
left?
We make a limited number
of these every day.
These artisan cakes,
available only through
preorder.
Wow, you have not
changed at all.
Thank you.
Now is there anything else or
are you just here to waste
my time?
Same old Gina.
Just drifting through life.
No idea what she wants.
Really?
Don't talk to her--
I'm sorry, do you
like your job there?
Food trucker?
Wait, Gina,
Gina, wait!
Crazy Liz?
Crazy?
Thanks for standing
up for me back there.
I'm sorry, I need my job, I
don't want to live in a basement
like your uncle Mario.
Leave my uncle out of this.
You're right, I'm sorry,
I didn't mean it that way.
Can we talk about this
somewhere else, please?
No.
I'll tell you
where I won't be.
Anywhere nere you.
Come on, Claudette,
let's go.
Is that...?
Gina.
Thank you.
Merci!
Okay, here goes nothing.
Bumbum!
Wow, fancy pantsy.
Don't really know
what to do with this.
Okay.
For you.
Thank you.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Hmm.
It's good.
I mean, yeah, it's fine.
Like, I don't really see
what the fuss is about.
Right?
I bet you could make
something way better.
Why do people go there?
I mean those guys are
pretentious and rude.
Well that one guy
seemed kinda nice...
He wasn't!
He did give us this cake.
Yeah, he's a real gentleman.
Well they were very busy.
I mean it had to be
the Grand-Prix, right?
They had signs up all
over bragging about it,
I bet you get a ton of
new customers if you win.
Gina, this, this is what
we've been waiting for, okay?!
We can save the bakery,
we can save mom's house!
Gina, as much as it
pains me to admit it,
you obviously have dad's gift.
Don't do this, Kim.
You always set your mind on one
thing and you think it's going
to fix everything.
Yeah but this will
fix everything.
Gina, this is our Christmas
miracle.
Just give me a second
to think about it, okay?
Yeah, sure, yeah,
take a couple days.
Thank you.
And you have to promise me
that no matter what we decide,
that you won't
take this too seriously.
Totally.
It'd be a shame to waste these.
Totally.
Yeah.
Hey, what are you doing
here so early?
After what happened
to Richard's car,
mom won't let me
out of her sight.
Well, you can help
me with the bread.
Oh, I love that smell.
We made it into
the Grand-Prix.
You guys are totally
going to win.
What?!
Ha, we got in!
You entered us into the
rand-Prix without talking to me?
Well, I knew that you
would say yes.
But I told you I needed
time to think about it.
I know, but I had to
get the entry in on time and
it's not really a big deal.
You just know everything,
don't you?
At least I'm trying to do
something to save this place.
Gina, Gina!
Gina!
Gina, wait wait wait,
Gina Gina Gina.
Please please please,
stop stop stop.
I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, listen.
You have absolutely every right
to be mad, but I had to do it.
Typical Kim.
Always knows better than her
irrisponsible little sister.
No, no that's not
it at all, honest.
We need the money.
What do you mean?
We're really, really
in the hole.
I thought we could turn
things around, I honestly did.
With your cooking
and my accounting...
But it's not enough.
We could do it
we had more time.
Two weeks...
What're you talking about?
You told me everything
was cool with the bank.
I know, I didn't know
what else to say.
I'm sorry.
I was so scared you'd leave--.
Why do you care so much?
At least you have a
job to go back to.
You know what, I've spent my
entire life making
other people's
dreams come true.
I'm sick of it.
I'm sick of flying around
everywhere and I'm sick of the
80 hour work weeks.
This is a chance for me to do
what I want to do.
And most importantly for me to
be here with Lee.
And I can't do it without you.
Please.
Fine, I'll do it for Lee.
But only because
Richard wears pants really high
and I just can't have my
niece around that...
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
Just don't expect a gift from a
horse's mouth, or whatever.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Okay, I love you.
Yes!
Yes, ah!
Brrrr!
Hey, kiddo.
Everything is fine.
That was awesome.
I want to help
you guys.
Really?
You kind of need it.
Yes, yes we do.
Okay, so...
Hypothetical question:
If I wanted information on the
Grand-Prix judges, you know,
their likes and dislikes, is
that something you could
track down?
Consider it done.
Hmm.
Interesting, and how long
would something like that
take, hypothetically?
Way ahead
of you, mom.
I did it while
you were outside.
What?!
You are amazing.
Muah!
You don't get it
from your dad.
Welcome to Day One
of Chef Paolo's Dessert
Grand-Prix Christmas Special!
I'm your host, Bryan Ocean,
and we've got an amazing show
lined up for you today!
Good luck, mom!
Confident.
Gina.
What are you doing here?
Oh now you have
something to say to me?
Look, about
the other day-.
You better not talk to me,
look who's coming.
This is my space.
Oh, well well well,
if it isn't
Claudette Vansteenberger,
and Crazy Liz, was it?
Right, should have
known you guys were just spying.
We weren't spying.
I didn't think
you were spying.
Doesn't matter.
The most they can do is steal
some of the things we've
already made.
Consider this a warning,
ladies.
Steal what, exactly?
Some of our baked goods,
our creations,
our award-winning pieces
of edible art.
Wow.
Yeah, you are entering
a world of hurt you
know nothing about.
This isn't just some game
for bored housewives.
Ha!
This is baking, and you're
rolling with the big boys now.
Get out of our face, we've got a
competition to win.
Gina.
That was awesome.
Yeah.
As you know, the
contest breaks down into
three rounds.
Each with it's own main
theme or ingredient,
which must be tied to
this year's mystery dessert.
Four teams start but only three
move on to Day Two.
Let's meet our
celebrity judges.
The first is a
celebrated chef known as much
for his fantastic dishes
as for his fiery temper.
The one, the only,
Eliot Rosewater.
Hello, sir.
I love his show!
Think Gina can get
me his autograph?
Shhh!
Our next judge
has done it all.
Cooking shows, books,
clothing lines,
and accessories of all kinds.
The queen of style,
Aurora Merryweather.
Nice to have you.
I have her spatula collection!
Shhh!
And finally, the
brain trust of the Dessert
Grand-Prix.
Once dubbed most interesting
chef in the world!
A man who needs no introduction,
all hail Chef Paolo!
Merry Christmas,
my friends.
In the past we have seen some
grand spectacles in the forms
of tortes and cakes and
creams and pies.
Impressive creations, as much
feasts for the eye as for
the stomach.
But this year, I
decided to go small.
What is it?
The special and underrated
dessert we all know as...
the cupcake.
Well, there you have it!
Cupcakes!
I can't wait to see what
our contestants come up with!
Chef Paolo, will you reveal
today's key ingredient?
Nuts!
A traditional
Christmas favorite!
Our contestants will be able to
choose from the multiple
kinds of nuts we
have on set today.
Peanuts, macadamia nuts, almost,
I think I see some
cashews there.
The possibilities seem endless!
In fact with so many and such a
limited amount of time,
even the most discerning chef
could go a little squirrely.
You have two
hours for your creations.
Begin.
Um, what are we gonna?
I don't know.
I'm thinking Roasted almond with
salted caramel buttercream
frosting.
Yes, chef.
And a bit of Dominican
rum for the vanilla?
Perfect.
But I don't know
what we're gonna make.
We'll be fine.
Yeah.
Almonds, I don't
need these mixed nuts.
What is this, a bar?
Okay Kim, let's go!
Okay!
Team Remo seems a bit scattered.
There's no time
for hesitation.
I hesitated once on a moving
train in Budapest.
Wait, let's sift it.
Flour needs to be sifted but not
quite in that manner.
I need a fresh bowl.
Fresh bowl.
Yes, chef.
This is where the drama of
pastry cheffing comes in.
Sometimes you need
a little bit of fire.
Well this is looking good.
That's great,
good job, Kim.
That's why we won't be seeing...
I didn't say anything.
Interesting.
I've never seen anybody
crush nuts like that.
Actually...
Two minutes.
This is your two minute
warning, chefs.
Tick-toc, tic-toc.
Finishing touches
are so on point.
They finish the creation.
Boom, boom, boom.
Little bit of sprinkle.
Like it's snowing.
And that's time.
Step away, bakers,
from your stations.
Well, it's been an exciting
competition so far.
We've seen some
fantastic baked goods,
and culinary competition
at its fiercest.
Our reigning champions,
Team Sanderson, are first up.
Pressure?
When you're the best
you don't feel pressure.
Know what I'm saying?
Roasted Almond, with salted
caramel buttercream frosting.
Please.
Wow.
That's a fantastical cupcake.
No, Uncle Mario, those are
the guys we're cheering against.
Oh, right.
Boo.
Terrible cupcake.
Terrible.
Though all these
creations look amazing,
our expert panel of judges goes
far beyond the aesthetics,
looking into multiple factors
to determine today's
cupcake winner.
Marvelous.
Just the right balance of
roast almond and salted caramel.
Delicious.
The buttercream
frosting is inspired.
Great work, gentlemen.
Success and failure
live next door to one another.
When you knock, you don't
always know who will answer.
You, my friends, did not knock.
You kicked in the door
and screamed,
"We will triumph,"
and so you have.
Triple nines!
Well, looks like we have
an early favorite.
Let's see how the
competition stacks up.
OK.
Ah, Ms. Remo.
These look interesting.
What are they?
We have for you a
all-natural peanut butter
with a hint of elderberry honey
whipped into a light frosting
on top of a wild
strawberry jam center.
A PB and J cupcake?
PB and J?
What is this, recess?
Right?
A touch pedestrian,
don't you think?
Sometimes, simple things
work best.
Very well.
I had my doubts about
the rather plain ingredients,
but there's no doubt
this amazing cupcake.
Eight points!
Hmm!
You know, when our champions
presented their last creation
I did not think anyone
was equal to the task.
I am happy to say I was wrong.
Success has roommates today.
This is the best of today,
I can not wait to see what
you have for us next time.
This is a sign, this is a sign!
People say my tastes are
too complex sometimes.
But very few know that I have a
secret love for PB and J.
And this, without a doubt,
is the best I've ever had.
A ten!
He loves the peanutbutter,
he loves the peanutbutter!
Ten.
Are you kidding me?
Ten.
That many.
Ten.
Dance.
For the first time ever,
Chef Rosewater gives a perfect
ten here in Cupcape Stadium.
Talk about an
early Christmas present!
We thought Team Sanderson
Day One locked down,
but out of nowhere,
Team Remo comes from behind
to tie it all up!
However, can they continue this
momentum into day two.
Join us tomorrow for the next
installment of Chef Paulo's
Dessert Chrismas Grand Prix.
And remember, sports fans,
to clench that
all important win,
just like a baseball team,
our team of bakers relies
on one thing, the batter.
See you tomorrow!
That was awesome.
A ten, can you believe it?
I told you mom knew.
You knew Eliot liked PB and J?
I might have
read it on the internet.
Thanks to my favorite daughter.
One down,
two to more to go.
I wonder what tomorrow's
ingredient will be?
Don't worry.
We burn that bridge
when we hear it.
Wish I could have been there.
I'm sorry, we're closed.
Merry Christmas.
May I speak with
the manager, please?
Yeah, can I help you?
My name is Sam Arnold.
I'm the County Health Inspector.
Oh.
Is there a problem?
I'm afraid so.
We've received a formal
complaint about your business,
and the Health Code
requires an investigation
immediately following
such action.
From who?
I'm sorry, but Health Services
protects the anonymity
of all complainants.
I think I have
an idea of who this is.
This is crazy.
May I?
Yes, of course.
I'd like to see the basement.
Gina.
Wait!
You don't want to open that.
There's a lot of dirty
mops back there and things.
Sorry.
I have to look everywhere.
That's not so bad.
What?
I stay at Ramada,
like all the big TV stars.
You know, other than
a few minor points,
I don't see any code violations.
I see what's happening here.
You know, anyone can file a
complain against any bakery.
All reports are
taken very seriously,
and investigated thoroughly.
Hmm, you don't say.
I'd love to see
their faces right now.
As if peanuts hold a
candle to roasted almonds.
Talk about low-class.
You shouldn't
have done it, Andrew.
We're better than that.
Speak for yourself.
You want to win
this thing, don't you?
Merry Christmas.
We're closed.
Not for me.
Welcome back to Day Two!
Just before the break,
our remaining
contestants were given
today's secret ingredient.
It goes hand in hand
with Christmas,
and is loved by
the cocoa masses.
It's chocolate!
So this is what I'm thinking.
Dark fudge
with a caramel frosting,
or chocolate chip cookie dough
with milk chocolate frosting?
Ok, but look at what
everybody else is getting.
I mean all the ingredients
are the exact same right?
We need something that's gonna
be like completely different.
I know, why don't we make
an all-white cupcake?
White cake, white frosting,
white cup.
I love it!
Except the key ingredient
is chocolate, so...
Oh!
That's brilliant!
Go get the white.
White chocolate?
Do we need that?
Just it all.
What're we using that for?
Just all of it, you understand?
All of it.
Yes chef.
These ladies think
they can come in here
and take this
championship from me.
Well I'm about to
tell them what's up,
and that's not gonna happen.
Right?
You hear me, are they listening?
This isn't live, ok.
Excuse me, rude.
Sorry, I'm trying to
get my workspace in order.
Gina, hey,
can we talk for a second?
Please?
What are you looking for?
White chocolate.
White chocolate, of course.
Gina...
Here.
Thanks.
Look, I need you to know
that I had absolutely nothing
to do with what
happened yesterday.
I would never do that to you.
I know.
Good revenge though.
I didn't know Andrew had that
many shades of red in his face.
Ok, messy work.
But it's fun, though.
Definitely.
Nick, get over here,
stop fraternizing
with the enemy!
Gina!
You pull anything
like that again
and you can say goodbye
to your dessert truck.
You got that?
Yes, chef.
Melt some chocolate.
I think Nick is
a really great guy,
and I really enjoy his company,
and he's a great competitor,
and I look forward to
seeing what he makes next.
I think she smiled at me.
Did you see that?
Team Remo all the way.
Go Team Remo!
One minute remaining.
I want coils in this one.
And that's time.
Did you see what
Gina was making?
Looked amazing.
How did you get them
to be so brilliantly white
both inside and out?
We removed the yolks
from the eggs in the batter.
and I think they
turned out pretty well,
if I do say so myself.
White Christmas.
Wonderful.
But where is the key ingredient?
White chocolate!
Marvelous.
Marvellous.
It's so light and airy.
The chocolate enhances
the fluffiness.
Yes, and there is something
that just makes it pop.
I can't put my finger on it...
I can't believe it, it worked.
What are you talking about?
What worked?
Uncle Mario, you
never use enough lemon.
I didn't put any lemon in these!
I know.
While you were making googly
eyes with the competition,
I squeezed a
lemon in the batter.
Really?
Yes, really!
And now you see that
Mario is the smartest!
I told you!
Another solid round
for Team Remo.
But will it be enough
to propel them
into the finals
against Team Sanderson,
whose chocolate
peppermint cupcakes
were such a hit today?
Let's find out!
Boo, get out!
Peppermint, nah!
Mervelous,
this is what it's about.
My grandfather used to say
"Courage tempered with
innovation removes all risk."
You have surprised us
again, my friends!
Another ten!
I don't believe it!
Team Sanderson is still up front
with a set of straight nines,
but Team Remo is
chocolate chip, chip,
chipping away at their lead.
Our two finalists are set.
Who will take home the
grand prize on Christmas Eve?
Is it our defending champions,
Team Sanderson?
Or our plucky underdogs,
Team Remo?
Tune in tomorrow and find out!
I can't believe we
made it to the finals!
You guys are going to be famous.
What're you thinking?
I just had a thought that
Dad would've won if he knew.
He knew.
What?
Luciano didn't want to enter.
He was scared
he's no good enough.
Oh, dad.
He was good enough.
He was the best...
Just like you, Gina.
So how are we gonna win this?
Good question.
Ok, we need something that is
really gonna impress Chef Paulo,
and it's just gonna
knock his socks off.
Alright, everybody out of
my kitchen, let's go, let's go,
gotta get some cupcakes,
out of here, out of here!
Oh?
Hmm.
So I'm kind of
running out of ideas,
but I decided to try something
a little bit out there,
these are minced meat
and rosemary cupcakes.
I just thought with
the Christmas season
why not try a little
something different.
Definitely different.
What do you think, Lee?
Actually it's the
first thing I've ever eaten
that I didn't like.
And once I even
had a piece of toast
with just ketchup
and parmesan cheese on it.
I told you to put the lemon.
Wow, everyone's a critic,
aren't they?
We're not saying
that they're bad.
I am, kind of.
Well I hope you all
have brilliant ideas
because I'm done.
Gina, wait, wait.
This was your idea,
why don't you do it?
Don't you think
I would if I could?
I mean come on.
I've wanted to do this
ever since I was a little kid,
and now that I've had the chance
you breeze in here
and bread lady's like
"oh you have the gift."
I mean what do you want me
to say, that I'm jealous?
Ok fine, because I am alright?
I am, I'm jealous of you.
I am jealous of your eyebrows
and I'm jealous of how cool
you've always been,
and yes I am jealous of
your stupid egg bread, ok?
You're jealous of me?
Me?
Everyone in this family
thinks I'm a failure!
That's not true.
You're always saying
how much better you are,
and then you wonder why I didn't
want to do this with you.
Well you know what,
I'm sorry my egg bread
was better than yours, Kim.
I really am, but don't worry,
because I won't be
making it anymore.
Gina.
Really guys?
Why you cry?
Why you cry?
I'm not crying...
My leg hurts.
It's cold.
You drive me home.
It's Christmas.
Let's go.
Tears are just your body
telling you that you need food.
But first you need
good cup of coffee.
Thank you.
Next, you prepare the bread.
You sprinkle
a little bit cinnamon...
Little bit sugar.
Thank you.
Wow, that is so good.
I told you.
You know I make this every day,
and I never even eat it.
Sometimes the
best things in life
are right under your nose.
But you never realize it.
I used to make this every
morning for my husband.
Now He's gone.
I'm so sorry.
But your bread,
keep him alive here.
What I'm talking,
you have to go.
No, no.
Your family needs you.
Thank you.
This has been perfect.
I would like to come
see you again some time.
Oh yes please,
thank you very much.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
I watch you on TV!
Ok.
Wow, your aunt
really made a mess.
Coming through.
Beep boop!
Thanks honey.
Lee, honey,
Can you give us a minute?
Hi hon.
I just wanted to say
good luck tomorrow.
And to make a little confession.
What's that?
After the first day
with you guys,
I was ready to give up
and sell this place.
I didn't think you had a clue
as to what you were doing.
Until I had a chat
with Lee, that is.
She filled me in on this contest
and what it meant for you,
for all of us.
At first I thought it was nuts.
A shot-in-the-dark
Christmas contest
is no way to make
a business plan.
But then she gave me
one of the cupcakes to try.
Kim, those things are amazing.
Right, right?
It's Gina!
I'm sorry I was such a skeptic.
You have something special here.
So go out and show the world
so they can see it too.
I am so proud of you, hon.
Thank you mom,
that means the world to me.
I love you.
I love you too, sweetheart.
And that is one
awesome kid you've got.
I know.
Well, got any extra cupcakes?
No shortage of cupcakes.
I think we have
ten different kinds.
Sounds good.
Here let me grab them.
Merry Christmas everyone,
and welcome back.
Now forget everything you've
seen in the previous rounds.
They were good enough
to get our contestants this far,
but the real contest
starts now,
in this, our final round,
when anything goes.
Unique-itude and
eccentricity are rewarded.
Cowardice will leave you
lying in the dust.
It's no place for the meek,
and champions will prevail in
what some have dubbed
"The Dessert Thunderdome."
Wow.
Melodramatic much?
Gina, I'm so happy you're here,
and I'm so sorry.
Let's just get ready, ok?
We got a contest to win.
Yeah we do.
As always, the key vote
lies with Chef Paulo himself.
His palate changes
with the season,
so just because something
performed well in previous years
does not mean it
will do well again.
Originality is key.
So let's find out what today's
secret ingredient is for this,
our championship round.
At this special time of year,
when people gather
to celebrate their beliefs,
their hopes, their wellwishes
to one another,
a sense of community
permeates the festivities.
But one thing remains true,
the importance of family.
And so for this year's
championship round,
I have decided that the key
ingredient should be just that.
Family.
There you have it.
Not an ingredient, but a theme.
And an important one at that,
especially at Christmas time.
Now let's got and see what
our finalists can come up with!
What kind of theme is that?
we could literally
make anything.
I kind of think that's the idea.
I'll be back.
Hurry!
No time to waste,
no time to waste.
This could be disastrous.
Umm...
Is there any water around?
Is it hot in here?
What was that about?
You'll find out.
Ok so what're we gonna make?
What our family makes best.
Yes!
We're down to
the final 15 minutes.
Come on, Kim.
Ok, oh they look amazing.
What about the frosting?
We don't even
have time to whip it up.
Here add some more.
Oh I'll be right back.
Gina, frost--!
Gina!
Ok.
Ok.
Oh yes, yes, yes.
Oh Gina.
What, this is no time
for a coffee break!
Team Sanderson is already
into their finishing touches,
but Team Remo
has fallen way behind.
It looks like there's some
confusion on their side.
They have no
frosting prepared
and time's almost up!
Tic-tock, yo.
Coming!
C'mon, guys, hurry!
Ok you start over here.
I got it, I got it.
Look at this, smell that.
I don't believe it!
Team Remo is using
espresso glaze
as the icing for their cupcakes!
I have never seen that before!
That's it, that's it.
Wipe some of this,
wipe some of that.
That's it.
And that's time!
And it's just like...
I don't know the time,
it went so fast,
and it was over.
And we did it!
I think we did it.
Let's go to
our panel judges.
Our defending champions
have the honor of going first.
This year's contest is one of
the finest we've ever seen.
You make us proud,
but here, only the best survive.
For this championship,
I have decided on a more
personal approach.
With each dessert must
come its muse, its inspiration.
Teams, are you
ready to impress us?
Our creation, Chef.
Our creation, Chef.
Umm, where did they
get those lights
is what I'd like to know.
Enjoy our creations.
Spectacular.
It's sort of like
It's a Wonderful Life
and Miracle of 34th Street
had a baby.
But that baby was a cupcake.
That's what it's like.
Just don't eat the lights.
Good one.
Don't eat the lights.
For our cupcake, we decided
to embrace the challenge
by creating something
totally ground-breaking.
We call it a Christmas Crupcake.
Part cupcake, part croissant,
all Christmas tree.
We think it's the finest
thing we have ever created.
For what is family, if not
two things coming together
to create something new.
Something beautiful.
I'm sorry.
Christmas gets me really misty.
Enjoy, please.
Bon appetit.
Gentlemen, as you know I am
a woman of few words,
so I'll keep this
short and sweet.
To win the Dessert GrandPrix two
years in a row is unprecedented.
We had all hoped you
would be equal to this task,
and you did not disappoint.
Another masterpiece.
Ten points.
Ten!
Ten.
Yes sir.
As a boy I used
to collect shells
and I would
sell them to tourists.
I would look at their bellies
and I would dream of this land.
Of the succulent foods
that must exist here.
So full of flavour,
so packed with
the taste of freedom.
This is the food I dreamt of.
Nine points.
Thank you, Chef.
This cupcake...
has it all.
Ten points!
Two tens!
For the second time,
Chef Rosewater has
given a perfect ten
here at Cupcake Stadium,
which leaves the Sandersons
with a nearly flawless score!
Yeah.
Team Remo, you have consistently
impressed us in this contest.
What do you have for us today?
This is it.
These cupcakes survived a curse.
That's right.
When our grandmother was
chased out of her village
by a terrible curse,
the only thing that made it
to this country was a recipe.
A recipe for a
very special bread.
A bread that built a family.
A tradition that was passed on
from mother, to son,
to daughter...
And it is that very special
recipe that made these cupcakes.
So on this Christmas Eve,
we share our
family history with you.
Enjoy.
Really?
That's it?
After such a heartfelt speech,
I expected more.
Just try it!
This is...
amazing.
It really is.
Those are my girls!
I knew they could do it!
What is it, why do they
taste different, they so good!
It's egg bread!
I put it in the cupcake tins and
I made an espresso glaze
instead of the icing.
Marvelous.
I'm really happy
that you're enjoying them.
Enjoying it, love them!
Are there any more?
I want another one.
If heaven had a bakery
and it only made one cupcake,
this would be it.
Your father would be proud.
And I'm proud to
give it ten points.
Thank you, thank you.
You know, some people think
I'm a cold person.
I don't blame them.
When it comes to my craft,
I can be demanding.
But it is because I love what
I do that I take this approach.
We are here today to
find the best cupcake.
This...
is the best cupcake of the year.
Ten points.
Another ten, another ten!
That's two, that's two ten!
That's two tens!
Alright, settle down everyone.
I swam six miles through
crocodile infested waters
to escape the rebels
from my country,
but you have shown more
perseverance and commitment
to one another
and to the cupcakes
to move me deeply.
Before me stands a team
with more determination
than we've seen here in years.
I think I speak for the rest of
the panel when I say,
well done, my friends.
It has been a pleasure
to taste your creations.
You have outdone yourselves
with each and every round,
and you had
exceeded our expectations.
Nothing would
give me more joy
than to award you
the championship.
Please, if I may.
Nothing would give me more joy,
but my task here is to judge the
cupcakes, and judge them I must.
As amazing as
these cupcakes taste,
this is a glaze.
This is not icing.
Icing is not only what
makes a cupcake a cupcake,
but it is also my favorite part.
I'm sorry, my friends.
Oh, eight points!
I don't believe it!
Ooh.
That close.
The championship
goes to Team Sanderson!
What?
What a Christmas shocker!
Congratulations my friends!
You are the Dessert
Grand-Prix Champions again!
Get your jackets on.
Where are we going?
Our girls need us.
Just a minuto.
Thank you, Chef Paulo!
Uhh...
Better luck next year.
But thank you for the...
Whew!
Gina.
Check it out, we got it!
Yes!
Well, we tried our best.
I'm proud of you.
I'm proud of us.
Number one, and number two.
Two years in a row.
Yes!
He's getting
champaign, everybody.
Ladies, that was amazing.
Well...
Name's Bonny, Bonny Brillo.
I work for Chef Paolo
at Yummy Tummy TV.
Has anyone approached you
about doing a show yet?
No.
Great, listen, we are going to
want to get you
started right away.
I'll draft up the papers,
call you in about 24 hours.
And whatever you do, do not
sign anything with anyone else.
Ok, sounds good.
Wait, wait, I'm not
agreeing to anything.
For all we know we might not
even have a bakery in a month.
It doesn't matter,
we'll build you a
fake bakery in the studio.
All that matters is that the
two of you do the show together.
I'm just realizing,
thank you very much,
but Gina's right, the bakery
is our first priority.
And I don't have any interest
in being on television.
I understand, but here's
what we can offer you.
$150,000 each for a season.
We sh**t three weeks,
30 episodes.
You'd have plenty of time
for your bakery.
We look forward to doing
business with you, Ms. Brillo.
Excellent.
I'll call you, ladies.
Uh-huh!
Great, thank you.
I never thought that I would
get my own baking show,
but I'm so excited to
do that with my sister,
and I know that my dad
is looking down on us,
and is so proud,
and the fact that we're
able to save our bakery,
and keep the Remo dream alive,
and share that dream with
everybody on TV is so exciting,
and stay tuned!
'Cause the Remos
got more for you out there,
so let's get baking.
So yeah, we're gonna
give it a go-see.
And you know
we can bake obviously,
so they're lucky to have us.
Thank you for being here.
You guys were amazing.
Your dad would be
so proud of you.
I become big star
like that guy who say Bam!
Gina?
Um, just one minute.
Shouldn't you be
celebrating with your boss?
He's not my boss anymore.
What do you mean?
I can't go back, Gina.
What about your dessert truck?
Not if it means losing you.
Well I'm sure we could
figure something out.
We?
Mhmm.
I like the sound of that.
I know it's not your
traditional family Christmas,
but do you want to join us?
I'd love to.
Who's this?
Guys this is Nick.
Nick, this is my
crazy wonderful family.
Hi.
You like egg bread?
I haven't had the honour yet.
Let me tell you where
egg bread come from.
Once upon a time
there was this curse...
Not the curse again!
Once upon a time there was this
curse and a small village--.
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