From Scratch

Although the plot easily becomes mawkish, there is an intelligence and veracity wrapped within the show’s sleek and cozy shell.

At times things can feel a little too romanticized. ... You can't fault From Scratch for leaning into that, and thankfully, because its cast of characters are so endearing — seriously, you will miss spending time with them when it's all over — you won't have to feel bad when you lean into it, too.

The results are still inviting enough, at least if you have a taste for sentimental romance. But to put it in terms its chef male lead, Lino (Eugenio Mastrandrea), might understand, it could’ve used a little more acid or salt to balance all that sweetness.

From Scratch is a perfect slice of escapism for the wine moms and independent women of the world. It’s not worthy of awards, but it is worth recommending to my fellow die-hard romantics as a blithe bit of distraction from everyday stress and sorrows.

An expensive, well-acted, nicely written, very long Lifetime/Hallmark movie. ... The narrative turns somehow feel at once twisty and predictable. Still, this is what some people come for, and they will perhaps feel it as abundance, rather than punishment. (That said, “From Scratch” might be best watched not as a binge, but with some recovery time between episodes.)

As a show of meals doled out over distinct episodes, From Scratch is handily engaging, even if the final product never quite adds up to the sum of its sumptuous parts. Perhaps it’s best to understand it as comfort food of a television show that only sometimes feels algorithmically created.