Martha is a hard-working and successful chef, a perfectionist who has little time for a social life or anything outside her kitchen. When she becomes the guardian of her 8-year-old niece, Martha's life takes a sharp turn, and she must adjust to her new role as a parent. She does this with the help of Mario, the handsome and charming Italian sous-chef who finds his way into Lina's heart and then into Martha's. Although the plot fits right into the romantic comedy formula and may not be lacking in clichés, the performances of the leading pair easily sidestep these pitfalls, capturing the viewers' hearts.