EPISODE 1: "The First Taste"
FADE IN:
INT. SMALL RESTAURANT KITCHEN – EARLY MORNING
The kitchen is alive—pots bubbling, knives chopping, steam rising.
AMARA stands at the stove, focused, calm, in her element.
She tastes a sauce, closes her eyes.
A small smile.
Perfect.
AMARA
(soft, to herself)
That's it. That's the one.
The bell at the front door RINGS.
INT. RESTAURANT – CONTINUOUS
The restaurant is cozy. Simple. Clean. Loved.
Amara wipes her hands and steps out.
A MAN stands awkwardly near the counter—LUKE. He looks unsure, like he doesn't want to be in the way.
AMARA
We're not open yet.
LUKE
I know. I'm sorry.
I smelled the food from outside… figured that was a good sign.
She studies him. Not annoyed—curious.
AMARA
You trust your nose that much?
LUKE
So far it hasn't betrayed me.
A beat.
She almost laughs.
INT. RESTAURANT – LATER
Luke sits alone at a small table. Amara places a plate in front of him.
AMARA
On the house.
Consider it… research.
LUKE
(smiles)
Best kind of research.
He takes a bite. His reaction is quiet—but real. It hits him.
LUKE
This tastes like…
(home)
Yeah. Like that.
Amara freezes for half a second.
That word lands.
INT. KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER
Amara washes dishes. Luke stands nearby, unsure if he should speak.
LUKE
You cook like you care about people.
She looks at him. Really looks.
AMARA
You eat like you've been alone for a while.
That hits him now.
Silence. Comfortable. Honest.
EXT. RESTAURANT – EVENING
Luke leaves.
He turns back.
LUKE
I'll be back tomorrow…
If that's okay.
Amara nods.
AMARA
Same time.
They share a small smile—nothing big.
But something starts.
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE 1
SEASONED WITH LOVE
EPISODE 2: "WHAT SIMMERS BENEATH"
Theme:
Everyone brings something hidden to the table.
FADE IN:
INT. RESTAURANT KITCHEN – EARLY MORNING
Amara is already cooking. Same ritual. Same care.
But today—she's distracted.
She burns a sauce slightly. Frowns. Starts over.
ROSE enters, notices immediately.
ROSE
You don't mess up recipes.
People mess you up?
Amara doesn't answer.
INT. RESTAURANT – MORNING
The bell RINGS.
Luke enters, right on time. Clean shirt. Nervous energy.
They exchange a smile that's warmer than yesterday—but careful.
LUKE
Morning.
AMARA
You're early again.
LUKE
Didn't want to miss breakfast…
or you.
She hides her smile by turning away.
INT. RESTAURANT – BREAKFAST SERVICE
Amara brings Luke his plate.
AMARA
Try this.
New twist.
Luke tastes it.
LUKE
You changed the seasoning.
AMARA
Good or bad?
LUKE
Different.
Not bad. Just… braver.
That word hits her.
INT. KITCHEN – MIDDAY (QUIET MOMENT)
Luke watches Amara prep vegetables.
LUKE
You ever cook for yourself?
She pauses.
AMARA
Not really.
LUKE
Why?
AMARA
Feels lonely.
Luke nods slowly.
LUKE
Yeah.
It does.
Silence—but the kind that understands.
INT. RESTAURANT – AFTERNOON
A WELL-DRESSED WOMAN enters. Confident. Sharp.
This is DIANE (late 30s).
She scans the room, sees Luke.
DIANE
Luke.
Luke stiffens.
LUKE
Didn't expect to see you here.
Amara notices the tension immediately.
INT. RESTAURANT – CONTINUOUS
Diane orders coffee, eyes never leaving Luke.
DIANE
You disappear for months and I find you hiding in a restaurant?
LUKE
I'm not hiding.
Amara approaches with the coffee.
AMARA
Here you go.
Diane sizes her up—polite but curious.
DIANE
You own this place?
AMARA
I do.
DIANE
(smiles thinly)
Lucky you.
Amara walks away, uneasy.
EXT. RESTAURANT – BACK ALLEY – LATER
Amara steps out. Luke follows.
AMARA
Friend of yours?
Luke hesitates. That hesitation speaks loudly.
LUKE
Someone from my past.
AMARA
Past past…
or unfinished past?
Luke doesn't answer.
That's answer enough.
INT. RESTAURANT – EVENING RUSH
Amara throws herself into work.
She's sharp. Fast. A little too intense.
Rose leans over.
ROSE
Careful, child.
You cook angry, people can taste it.
That lands.
INT. RESTAURANT – CLOSING TIME
Luke stays late again, but tonight there's distance.
He finally speaks.
LUKE
I should tell you something.
Amara keeps cleaning.
AMARA
Only if you're ready.
LUKE
I was engaged.
She stops.
LUKE (CONT'D)
She left when things got hard.
I didn't chase.
Been running the other direction ever since.
Amara turns to him.
AMARA
I loved someone once who promised forever.
Forever left early.
They look at each other—two quiet heartbreaks recognizing each other.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Amara plates food for Luke.
AMARA
Eat.
LUKE
You sure?
AMARA
People heal better on a full stomach.
He smiles—soft, grateful.
EXT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Luke steps out.
LUKE
I'm not here to hurt you.
AMARA
I'm not here to be saved.
They share a look—respect, not desperation.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT (ALONE)
Amara locks up.
She pulls out her mother's old recipe card.
This time, she adds a new note in the margin.
A change. Small—but meaningful.
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE 2
EPISODE 3: "THE ADJUSTMENT.
INT. RESTAURANT – MORNING
The restaurant is open, but barely.
AMARA is behind the counter.
RUTH — a longtime regular, 60s — sits with coffee.
LUKE is at the far end, fixing a loose chair leg. Not invited. Not unwelcome.
Comfortable silence.
SCENE 1: HABIT
RUTH
You're early.
AMARA
I always open early.
RUTH
You open earlier when you're thinking.
Amara pours coffee.
AMARA
You want more?
RUTH
I want answers, but coffee will do.
Luke smiles to himself. Keeps working.
SCENE 2: THE CHANGE
RUTH
I had the special yesterday.
Amara pauses. Just a beat.
AMARA
And?
RUTH
Didn't taste like your mother.
That lands heavy.
Luke looks up. Curious, not tense.
RUTH (CONT'D)
Tasted like you.
Amara exhales.
AMARA
I didn't mean to—
RUTH
Don't apologize.
I raised three daughters.
Recipes change whether you want them to or not.
Luke nods. Old truth.
SCENE 3: LUKE SPEAKS
Luke tightens the chair bolt.
LUKE
For what it's worth…
it tasted honest.
Amara looks at him.
AMARA
You don't eat here.
LUKE
No.
But I've been around places that pretend.
Ruth snorts.
RUTH
He's right.
Fake food talks too much.
Luke finishes the chair.
LUKE
Chair's fixed.
AMARA
Thank you.
That's it. No debt. No linger.
SCENE 4: ENTER M
The door opens.
M enters. Calm. Observant.
He sits at the counter.
M
Coffee smells right.
Ruth eyes him.
RUTH
You ordering or eavesdropping?
M
Little of both.
Amara pours him coffee.
AMARA
Kitchen's open.
M
I know.
I'm here for the cook.
Luke stiffens slightly. Ruth leans back.
RUTH
Join the line.
SCENE 5: THE QUESTION
M
You changed the recipe.
Amara doesn't deny it.
AMARA
People noticed.
M
People always do — when something matters.
Ruth points her spoon at M.
RUTH
Careful.
This place doesn't like big words.
M
Then I'll use a small one.
Why?
Amara thinks. Then answers plainly.
AMARA
Because I wanted to see if it would still stand.
Luke watches her — respectful.
SCENE 6: RESPECT
M
It did.
A beat.
M (CONT'D)
Most places fall apart when they change.
AMARA
Maybe they were already cracked.
Silence. Good silence.
Ruth smiles.
RUTH
You're going to be fine.
AMARA
You don't know that.
RUTH
No.
But you stopped cooking scared.
That's the truth of the episode.
SCENE 7: EXIT
Luke grabs his jacket.
LUKE
I'll see myself out.
Amara nods.
AMARA
Door still sticks.
LUKE
I know.
He exits.
M stands next.
M
I'll come back another time.
He leaves a card on the counter.
Amara doesn't look at it yet.
Ruth watches them go.
TAG
RUTH
You make people nervous now.
Amara finally smiles — small, earned.
AMARA
Good.
She picks up the recipe card.
Adds a short note.
Closes the box.
FADE OUT.
end of episode 3