Catering Christmas is a sweet movie, but the plot is nothing special and quite predictable. In the movie, Molly runs a catering business and she lands a gig to cater a Christmas gala that could make or break her career. She then meets Carson, and from there it is just like every other Christmas movie. Things seem to be going well for Molly and Carson, but of course there reaches a point of tension followed by the final resolution. Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing were fantastic as the main cast, and Rosemary Dunsmore and Michael Hanrahan were great as well. Catering Christmas is by no means terrible, but it is not unique enough to standout from all the Christmas movies out there.
30 Reviews
Nice movie, nothing special.
mamachikn31 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I liked the movie and the cast was good. Acting was okay, nice story.
I didn't see the need to put the 2 older people as a couple.
Aunt Jean looked older than her 70 years and Robert is just 60 years old.
There was no point in Molly being surprised by Aunt Jean's comment that she placed Carson in charge of the gala to get him to take a more active role in the foundation.
Carson told Molly she put him in charge! And he said he knew nothing about it. Then Molly gets offended and doesn't answer his calls, which is what always happens in half of these movies. Just an annoying trope that was totally unnecessary.
It was fine for one watching.
At least Carson was wealthy, so him giving up his career for Molly and the foundation was okay. He didn't need the fame or the money.
I always think it's silly to change your whole life after one week of knowing someone.
These two had an almost kiss, but never went on a date. They knew nothing about each other.
There was little chemistry between them.
Just a lot of smiles.
I didn't see the need to put the 2 older people as a couple.
Aunt Jean looked older than her 70 years and Robert is just 60 years old.
There was no point in Molly being surprised by Aunt Jean's comment that she placed Carson in charge of the gala to get him to take a more active role in the foundation.
Carson told Molly she put him in charge! And he said he knew nothing about it. Then Molly gets offended and doesn't answer his calls, which is what always happens in half of these movies. Just an annoying trope that was totally unnecessary.
It was fine for one watching.
At least Carson was wealthy, so him giving up his career for Molly and the foundation was okay. He didn't need the fame or the money.
I always think it's silly to change your whole life after one week of knowing someone.
These two had an almost kiss, but never went on a date. They knew nothing about each other.
There was little chemistry between them.
Just a lot of smiles.
Catering Christmas
allmoviesfan9 November 2022
Based on last year and this, GAC Family Christmas movies are hit and miss.
This one is definitely the former, thanks to the excellent chemistry between the always-gorgeous Merritt Patterson and Australian Daniel Lissing.
What a difference good acting makes! A "sweet" story of Molly (Patterson) a small-town caterer who gets a contract to provide food for a Christmas gala for the town benefactor's foundation. She meets Carson (Lissing), the somewhat black sheep of the family and - as you probably have figured out by now - sparks fly.
Yes, Catering Christmas a formulaic movie, the likes of which we've all seen many times before (right down to the expected moment where a difficult choice has to be made by one of the protagonists - a very popular, oft-used Hallmark/Lifetime/GAC Family plot twist) but it's also quite nice.
(Dear Hallmark, Lifetime and/or GAC Family: much more Merritt Patterson, please!)
This one is definitely the former, thanks to the excellent chemistry between the always-gorgeous Merritt Patterson and Australian Daniel Lissing.
What a difference good acting makes! A "sweet" story of Molly (Patterson) a small-town caterer who gets a contract to provide food for a Christmas gala for the town benefactor's foundation. She meets Carson (Lissing), the somewhat black sheep of the family and - as you probably have figured out by now - sparks fly.
Yes, Catering Christmas a formulaic movie, the likes of which we've all seen many times before (right down to the expected moment where a difficult choice has to be made by one of the protagonists - a very popular, oft-used Hallmark/Lifetime/GAC Family plot twist) but it's also quite nice.
(Dear Hallmark, Lifetime and/or GAC Family: much more Merritt Patterson, please!)
Cute made for tv film
lisafordeay2 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Catering Christmas is a 2022 festive romantic comedy starring Merritt Patterson,Daniel Lissing,Michael Hanrahan and Rosemary Dunsmore.
The story follows Molly Frost(Patterson) a caterer who wants to make it big,attends an event in New Hampshire for a billionaire named Jean Harrison(Dunsmore) who wants to set a gala in memory for her late husband. From there Molly meets Mrs Harrison's nephew Carson Jacob Harrison(Lissing) who is an established photographer and she becomes smitten with him. But will it ruin her career?.
Overall it was a cute movie. The chemistry was nice and the story was predictable.
The story follows Molly Frost(Patterson) a caterer who wants to make it big,attends an event in New Hampshire for a billionaire named Jean Harrison(Dunsmore) who wants to set a gala in memory for her late husband. From there Molly meets Mrs Harrison's nephew Carson Jacob Harrison(Lissing) who is an established photographer and she becomes smitten with him. But will it ruin her career?.
Overall it was a cute movie. The chemistry was nice and the story was predictable.
Typical holiday film
panizmirmirani24 April 2024
This is a beautiful film based on basic standards. The locations, houses, decorations, and shots are beautiful. The main characters have great chemistry as is expected from a typical slow-brewing romance. The only major downside is there isn't much of a plot. The guy character has no bigger predicament than being rich and trying to conceal his identity out of fear of judgment and wanting to fit in with the "regular" community. The girl character shows some career growth in trying to impress her employer, but overall there are no major twists and turns that would make the story more interesting than just a relaxed feel-good holiday movie. Still worth a watch for the set design.
Bad ending
aarti-sarkar2 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
First A brush with Christmas and now this.
Fed up of these recent Christmas movies that always show male protagonist sacrificing his entire career and future after one week of knowing that lady who is selfish enough to let the man sacrifice his entire career just so he can be with her in her small town.
Oh! And she continues to thrive in her dream career or business or whatever that is btw.
Selfless love is to put other person's interests before your own. A better ending would have been the lady insisting the guy does not compromise his career instead of her getting angry and upset simply because he is simply pursuing his career just like she is pursuing hers. If he still stays then that's his decision. But that is too much to expect from these movies I guess.
Fed up of these recent Christmas movies that always show male protagonist sacrificing his entire career and future after one week of knowing that lady who is selfish enough to let the man sacrifice his entire career just so he can be with her in her small town.
Oh! And she continues to thrive in her dream career or business or whatever that is btw.
Selfless love is to put other person's interests before your own. A better ending would have been the lady insisting the guy does not compromise his career instead of her getting angry and upset simply because he is simply pursuing his career just like she is pursuing hers. If he still stays then that's his decision. But that is too much to expect from these movies I guess.
As bad as the movie's title
hillwalker30007 December 2023
A lesson in how to get away with writing a cringeworthy script and smother everything in fake Christmas schmaltz then get someone to make a film about it. Most of the movie involves two awkward characters pretending they are not going to end up as a couple - and a matriarch who makes Jessica Fletcher look like a softie. The acting is straight out of daytime soap-land. It's very hard to understand why Americans love this kind of rubbish so much. Anything with a tenuous Christmas connection is fair game - but a plot about an outside caterer given the task of making the best Christmas meal ever? Yawn.
GAF steps up
VetteRanger30 October 2022
As far as the made for TV romances go, we've always regarded Hallmark as top tier and Lifetime as a very distant second. Last year GAF stepped into the picture, and I thought they were better than Lifetime but still not quite up to the quality of Hallmark.
This movie puts GAF a giant step forward. Of course, they spared no expense bringing over Hallmark talent, and it shows.
Here we have an attractive leading couple who both hold up their parts well. We start out with an awkward and amusing "mistaken identity" that morphs to the "rebellious next generation."
Then we get a whole lot of what all these movies need and so many fail at ... LOTS of relationship building between the leads. There's little tension and lots of good feeling, making this a comfortable and enjoyable window into this story's world.
Even a couple of contrived speedbumps don't slow this down. Recommended.
This movie puts GAF a giant step forward. Of course, they spared no expense bringing over Hallmark talent, and it shows.
Here we have an attractive leading couple who both hold up their parts well. We start out with an awkward and amusing "mistaken identity" that morphs to the "rebellious next generation."
Then we get a whole lot of what all these movies need and so many fail at ... LOTS of relationship building between the leads. There's little tension and lots of good feeling, making this a comfortable and enjoyable window into this story's world.
Even a couple of contrived speedbumps don't slow this down. Recommended.
Weird and jarring and contrived
ljaneslkj7 December 2023
Whole thing odd and not very christmassy for me. It just happens at that time of year. 'Hello caterer are you free at one of the busiest times of the year? Yes of course!'
Interactions between everyone felt so 'acted'. Nobody felt like they belonged anywhere in that scenario.
Molly wasn't an awful actress and I would watch her in other things but the main guy couldn't carry a lead role for me. No charisma anywhere. The interaction between people felt like it was written by AI.
Weird contrived scenarios. Bizarre But at 1h25 it fit between getting the kids to bed, me downing a Bailey's with cheese and crackers, and bed for me.
Interactions between everyone felt so 'acted'. Nobody felt like they belonged anywhere in that scenario.
Molly wasn't an awful actress and I would watch her in other things but the main guy couldn't carry a lead role for me. No charisma anywhere. The interaction between people felt like it was written by AI.
Weird contrived scenarios. Bizarre But at 1h25 it fit between getting the kids to bed, me downing a Bailey's with cheese and crackers, and bed for me.
A snooze in the middle
dlmartin-241694 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie started out looking pretty interesting, but it really slowed down in the middle and was mostly a snooze. I didn't feel any chemistry between these characters. I normally like both of them, but they were just OK together. I think Daniel Lissing is funny in other movies like December bride, but they don't give him any humor in this movie. The constant field trips they go on to spend time together distract from the flow of the movie. I think a new business owner working to get her catering company up and running would be working in the storefront more often. The conversations seem rushed and I got tired of them going for more food and drinks while they discussed their families and lives. I like some fun Christmas activities or interesting secondary characters to perk up a movie and they are both missing here. Just OK.
Basic cheesy Hallmark movie, but cute
kangabunnie10 December 2022
Basic cheesy Hallmark movie, but still cute. When you are watching all the new Christmas movies out this year, it's safe to include in the binge fest. You know where it's going, you know exactly what's going to happen- and you're going to watch it anyway, lol. That's why you like to binge watch these corney Christmas movies, true?
This movie features the male darling of the Hallmark Channel, Daniel Lissing (which is kind of shocking considering he bailed on the successful series "When Calls the Heart") who is in pretty much every movie they made this year, haha.
There are no spoilers in this review.
This movie features the male darling of the Hallmark Channel, Daniel Lissing (which is kind of shocking considering he bailed on the successful series "When Calls the Heart") who is in pretty much every movie they made this year, haha.
There are no spoilers in this review.
Better than usual
pattyrusciano8 November 2022
On its own it is like a hallmark movie, obvious plot where we already know the ending, but compared to most of the other movies offered up on Hulu, Netflix and Amazon, this one looks like a rare 9. Actors with talent and vitality, a better than usual plot, and a storyline that moved along at a normal pace. Most Hallmark movies are so slow in both dialog and timing I can't bear the boredom of finishing them. There was nothing remotely offensive in the dialogue or plot which is a change, no silly or jealous or conniving characters, just 4 mature and polite adults helping the community and being considerate of others.
Schmalzy like a bad cookie,
lemonfarm-6762312 December 2023
If you like it cheesy and unbaked, this one is for you.
Pretty much everything is badly done with this movie.
Dreadfully scripted, unconvincing actors, overblown, kitschy sets and to top the bad, poor editing.
The storytelling does not exist as there is very little of a story.
It is an insult to ones intellect to watch two, so called chefs, baking with perfectly clean aprons, not a dusting of baking flower.
The sets are so dreadfully overblown and overdone with Christmas decoration, it is nothing short of an eyesore.
I believe it would have taken a small army of set decorators.
This movie is awfully predictable, like an over sweet cookie!
Pretty much everything is badly done with this movie.
Dreadfully scripted, unconvincing actors, overblown, kitschy sets and to top the bad, poor editing.
The storytelling does not exist as there is very little of a story.
It is an insult to ones intellect to watch two, so called chefs, baking with perfectly clean aprons, not a dusting of baking flower.
The sets are so dreadfully overblown and overdone with Christmas decoration, it is nothing short of an eyesore.
I believe it would have taken a small army of set decorators.
This movie is awfully predictable, like an over sweet cookie!
WORST MOVIE EVER
adyfreid8 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The film quality, the acting, the script. There is not one part of this film that is remotely good.
I think on a genuine note i would rather poke chopsticks in my eyes then sit down and not even watch the film but bring myself to finish it.
Something feels off, this Jean chick is kinda sus, i wanna know what she's hiding also with a name like mollys magic menu how can you expect to get good business, get with the times miss molly this is no longer the 2000s, be more millennial grey please cause this sucks. Also anyone sus that the Harrison house is only one story, the second story is edited in-poor form. Anyway to summarise, this is 85 minutes and 35 seconds of your life you will never get back, if you want to know what happens without watching it: shock horror - they cater christmas.
I think on a genuine note i would rather poke chopsticks in my eyes then sit down and not even watch the film but bring myself to finish it.
Something feels off, this Jean chick is kinda sus, i wanna know what she's hiding also with a name like mollys magic menu how can you expect to get good business, get with the times miss molly this is no longer the 2000s, be more millennial grey please cause this sucks. Also anyone sus that the Harrison house is only one story, the second story is edited in-poor form. Anyway to summarise, this is 85 minutes and 35 seconds of your life you will never get back, if you want to know what happens without watching it: shock horror - they cater christmas.
GACK Channel Cliche
kall669517 November 2022
"GACK" for having commercials from Duck Dynasty and Mike Liddell the Pillow Guy. Come on people!!! You are trying to be family based and wholesome so why would you have such controversial, hard core conservative commercials? HUGE TURN-OFF!!
Also GACK for promoting the traditional family Queen, Candace Bure. SERIOUSLY?? She promotes values where her husband rules her life???? Take us all back 500 years!!! VOMITING.
So I could only stand to watch one movie on GACK channel. This one was OK. I can't believe Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing bailed on Hallmark and moved to GACK channel. Very Sad!!! Hope that doesn't hurt your careers in future.
Anyway, another cute Christmassy movie where caterer tries to survive in the busy world of catering and the rich heir, who likes her, tries to be helpful. They naturally fall for each other. Can't figure out why? He isn't very good looking. She is wound pretty tight. I don't think they have anything in common. So the future of this relationship is not good.
If you want to shun diversity by shunning gays and all, at least you could come up with a better plot that doesn't involve rich guy and working girl, couldn't you???
Also GACK for promoting the traditional family Queen, Candace Bure. SERIOUSLY?? She promotes values where her husband rules her life???? Take us all back 500 years!!! VOMITING.
So I could only stand to watch one movie on GACK channel. This one was OK. I can't believe Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing bailed on Hallmark and moved to GACK channel. Very Sad!!! Hope that doesn't hurt your careers in future.
Anyway, another cute Christmassy movie where caterer tries to survive in the busy world of catering and the rich heir, who likes her, tries to be helpful. They naturally fall for each other. Can't figure out why? He isn't very good looking. She is wound pretty tight. I don't think they have anything in common. So the future of this relationship is not good.
If you want to shun diversity by shunning gays and all, at least you could come up with a better plot that doesn't involve rich guy and working girl, couldn't you???
Icing on the Christmas cake.
grammajanie-2881114 December 2022
Okay, I'll admit I read all the reviews before I watched this one. I found this to be a really entertaining, sweet, and grounded movie - and, yes, there were predictable moments. And yes, the pics of the "town" are the same as most of these small town locales. It is a made-for-tv rom-com after all - and low budget at that. But all of the actors did a great job. Loved all of the supporting roles and Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing were superb together. The older couple were just right - as an older person myself I can tell you that 7 years isn't significant in a relationship ( in real life age means less than attitude and vitality.). Personally I watch these movies to help me remember to enjoy the holidays and give me a lift and this one did that. I say bravo to focusing on what's important in life. Good job GAC.
Your basic cheesy Hallmarky Xmas flick.
darkharlezucreek2 November 2022
Movie two of our Hallmark-apolooza tonight. It's two days after Halloween and my kiddo wants to binge watch Christmas movies before dinner. Okay
...cool.
This follows the basic format, there is a Gala, competition between caterers, lots of fake snow, and.... it's a safe bet to re use the set! The *town* was in something we watched last year and my daughter (10) recognized it immediately.
If someone turns out to be a Princeor princess I will not be surprised. No shirtless men...yet. I am guessing the sous chef will de shirt any minute though.
Three out of ten candy canes!
Perfect for your ten yr old while you scroll tik tok and make dinner.
This follows the basic format, there is a Gala, competition between caterers, lots of fake snow, and.... it's a safe bet to re use the set! The *town* was in something we watched last year and my daughter (10) recognized it immediately.
If someone turns out to be a Princeor princess I will not be surprised. No shirtless men...yet. I am guessing the sous chef will de shirt any minute though.
Three out of ten candy canes!
Perfect for your ten yr old while you scroll tik tok and make dinner.
Nauseating to say the least.
suzanne_fitz16 December 2023
I've already lost 30 mins of my life already watching this, it'll be a miracle if I make it to the end.
It's candy coated mush, with little notions of reality for anyone who works in catering let alone who loves fantasy, romantic films and Christmas.
One thing that really struck me, besides the sickly sweet actors, over the top decorations and low grade script was how WHITE it is. Were there no other nationalities or PoC available???
Sorry but in this day and age there are no excuses.
I would avoid this film like the plague and believe me, I love romantic films at a Christmas or any other time of year.
Find something else to watch or make yourself comfy on the couch so you can fall asleep fast.
It's candy coated mush, with little notions of reality for anyone who works in catering let alone who loves fantasy, romantic films and Christmas.
One thing that really struck me, besides the sickly sweet actors, over the top decorations and low grade script was how WHITE it is. Were there no other nationalities or PoC available???
Sorry but in this day and age there are no excuses.
I would avoid this film like the plague and believe me, I love romantic films at a Christmas or any other time of year.
Find something else to watch or make yourself comfy on the couch so you can fall asleep fast.
No seasoning whatsoever
geewhiz464 May 2024
In a word BLAND.
Little known actors with no charisma and no chemistry between them whatsoever. The - I hesitate to say plot - is two people from different social backgrounds falling in love. She is a caterer - he is a corporate heir. The acting is typical day time soap - as are the actors - half baked would be an exaggeration - there is no sexual tension anywhere. To reply to the poster who complained of it being white - did they not notice the black lady looking after the kids in the foundation hall? The backgrounds and the extras were so fake - the camera had to keep shifting to avoid them looking straight into them - the scenes as they travelled in the car were funny - they were so badly done - the dialogue was banal - the direction - decidedly dull. The outcome glaringly obvious.
This is no Christmas cracker.
Little known actors with no charisma and no chemistry between them whatsoever. The - I hesitate to say plot - is two people from different social backgrounds falling in love. She is a caterer - he is a corporate heir. The acting is typical day time soap - as are the actors - half baked would be an exaggeration - there is no sexual tension anywhere. To reply to the poster who complained of it being white - did they not notice the black lady looking after the kids in the foundation hall? The backgrounds and the extras were so fake - the camera had to keep shifting to avoid them looking straight into them - the scenes as they travelled in the car were funny - they were so badly done - the dialogue was banal - the direction - decidedly dull. The outcome glaringly obvious.
This is no Christmas cracker.
Love Catering Christmas
lucianazare-081875 November 2022
Always love Daniel Lissing performances. He's very ease in his acting. Merritt and Daniel were great together and have a very good chemistry and the movie is really beautiful, sweet and funny to watch for this time of the year as we are nearly at Christmas and regarding everything what is happening in the world, you feel good watching it with family around. The other characters are also good and lovable and the end for them is also sweet. Congratulations to GAC for doping thèse movies as we need these movies to cheer us up as I said from the terrible news we are constantly watching. Please more Daniel Lissing performances.
I'm not picky, but this one is REALLY bad
ilan-799-67608517 December 2023
I can see Hallmark movies which are simple movies, the same elements, music, lighting, etc, and they are nice to see sometimes.
But this one was the worst I saw in my life.
The story can be nice, but the dialogs are so unrealistic (not to say worst words) and the chemistry between Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing is like water and oil - No chemistry AT ALL and it feels like Merritt hates Daniel.
For me, it was difficult to see, the director can be a bit more realistic and do a movie for grown people.
As someone that can support really bad movies, even those that received 4 at IMDB, this one is less than 1.
It's an insult to people and to the main characters who lack any chemistry and charisma.
But this one was the worst I saw in my life.
The story can be nice, but the dialogs are so unrealistic (not to say worst words) and the chemistry between Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing is like water and oil - No chemistry AT ALL and it feels like Merritt hates Daniel.
For me, it was difficult to see, the director can be a bit more realistic and do a movie for grown people.
As someone that can support really bad movies, even those that received 4 at IMDB, this one is less than 1.
It's an insult to people and to the main characters who lack any chemistry and charisma.
Excellent
rosalindsmith-8503610 November 2022
Any movie with Daniel Lissing is a must see movie! Excellent scenery. Great chemistry with the actors. Like a hallmark film very good. Good story plot. Both leading actors were excellent. Very good Christmas film from GAC. More like this please! Daniel Lissing although is Australian by birth does good accents. Very versatile actor. He was very popular for his Canadian Mountie role in a hallmark series. Meritt Patterson is a wonderful Canadian actress that has starred in hallmark movies. Escape to the chateau, jingle bell princess to name but a few. She is an excellent actress with charisma and beauty. More please!
Yummy movie
tinatalksavon30 October 2022
Merritt Patterson is one of my favorite actresses. She seems so natural at her job, but at the same time she doesn't overact or seem fake.
Several of the characters had good chemistry, as you will see. I loved the purpose of the foundation, which was good for many children (but I won't say more). It would, however, be nice if every town (in real life) had a foundation of this nature.
This is a cute movie with a fun storyline. I know it was good - I stayed awake for the whole movie.😉 Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen when I watch a movie. (I DVR, then I can rewind).
The only thing I wish is that some of the yummy 😋 looking recipes were included.
Several of the characters had good chemistry, as you will see. I loved the purpose of the foundation, which was good for many children (but I won't say more). It would, however, be nice if every town (in real life) had a foundation of this nature.
This is a cute movie with a fun storyline. I know it was good - I stayed awake for the whole movie.😉 Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen when I watch a movie. (I DVR, then I can rewind).
The only thing I wish is that some of the yummy 😋 looking recipes were included.
such a great show with good actor and actress with chemistry
margaretyong-945412 November 2022
I loved this show!! The storyline is nice and the set is beautiful and the actor and actresses have such nice chemistry - not overdone. I must say daniel lissing's acting is good in the GAC movies... even better than when he was in Hallmark. GAF has really stepped up!
I would love to watch more GAF movies, so far it has not disappointed. Christmas 2021 movies were good and much better than Hallmark xmas movies and if they continue to be this good GAF will definitely gain much more support.
The set was so beautiful too. Hope GAC gets more good actor and actresses for their movies in future. Great work - keep it up.
I would love to watch more GAF movies, so far it has not disappointed. Christmas 2021 movies were good and much better than Hallmark xmas movies and if they continue to be this good GAF will definitely gain much more support.
The set was so beautiful too. Hope GAC gets more good actor and actresses for their movies in future. Great work - keep it up.
Lead Actors were both really Great
ab-8403830 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Catering Christmas is the 2nd GAC Family Network movie of the 2022 Season. It stars Merrit Patterson and Daniel Lissing. It is a very cute story set around a caterer hoping for a job and a wealthy nephew of a prominent family. There are some very cute scenes and heartfelt moments throughout. I felt that the actors had real chemistry together and believed their connection. Loved that the movie was family friendly for all ages and of course there was a happily ever after ending. Since the movie kinda stopped as soon as they got together, I would love to see a sequel movie with these characters and check in on them as they get closer.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
