I love movies with lots of yummy looking food like this. But as for the story, I don't think the stepmother Nigel hated was that evil, and I felt he was taking it out on her because of the loneliness of not being cared for by her father. If anything, I think her cooking skills nurtured Nigel's interest. But I guess it's understandable that the loss of his mother would create a gap between them that can't be easily bridged, so I don't blame him. Also Freddie Highmore is as cute as ever.