Hank Daniels proudly runs one of Seattle's seven star-rated restaurants, the Italian Osteria. Andrea's frozen food chain picks him as the first chef to inspire gourmet recipes for them to produce industrially and assigns food executive Maggie to handle the 'account'.
She's mistaken for the food critic in charge of renewing the star, causing the real one to be vexed and take it away on account of 'outdated menu and service'. Now Hank's brother-in-law Bernie Thompson, who took over management after sister's death, must admit they are in debt spelling bankruptcy.
So Hank has to accept a deal with investment from the food chain and Maggie as 'consultant'. Hank's traditionalist objections to her management know-how, modernizing, and restyling ideas are overcome and they get romantically interested, she even bonds with his teen daughter Hannah.
Only then Andrea pulls the plug, reassigning Maggie to a Spanish chef, as the lab has enough frozen Italian dishes.