The Secret Ingredient
We’re closing out our Vintage Valentine series with The Secret Ingredient, and yes… we saved the frosting-heavy drama for last. In this 2020 Hallmark confection, small-town baker Kelly (Erin Cahill) whisks her way to New York City to compete on a Valentine’s Day baking show—only to find that the real heat in the kitchen isn’t coming from the ovens, but from running into her ex-fiancé (Brenden Penny). What starts as a recipe for redemption quickly turns into a perfectly proofed second-chance romance, complete with sugar, spice, and a few emotional lumps in the batter. If you like your love stories baked at 350 with a generous dusting of nostalgia, this one just might be the cherry on top of our Vintage Valentine lineup.
The Secret Ingredient originally premiered on February 15, 2020 on Hallmark Channel (and is currently available to stream on Hallmark+).
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Listen to Girls Gone Hallmark’s Review of The Secret Ingredient
About The Secret Ingredient
- The Secret Ingredient was directed by Tabor Takács. He currently has 49 directing credits with previous projects like Rocky Mountain Christmas from 2017 and the 1996 movie Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
- Steven Sessions and Nancy Naigle share writing credit.
- Steven has 29 writing credits. His previous work includes A Season for Family and North to Home.
- Nancy Naigle authored the novel by the same name.
- Erin Cahill stars as Kelly McIntyre. Erin has 138 acting credits and we last saw her in Christmas at the Catnip Cafe.
- Brendan Penny co-stars as Andrew York. Brenden has 64 acting credits with three appearances on Hallmark last year, including Providence Falls, Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!, and The More the Merrier.
- Maneet Chauhan appears as herself. Manet is an Indian American chef and television personality. She’s appeared on Chopped, The Next Iron Chef and Guy’s Grocery Games.
- Gwynyth Walsh plays Kelly’s mom Mrs. McIntyre. She is probably best known for her long standing role as Jo Ellen on the series Virgin River.
- Tom Anniko plays Kelly’s dad Mr. McIntyre. Tom has 42 acting credits and has appeared in On the 12th Date of Christmas.
- Amy Groening plays Sara. Amy has 39 acting credits and we last saw her star in Because of Cupid opposite Evan Roderick.
- This movie premiered on February 15, 2020.
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