Looking for the correct Curious Caterer movies in order? You’re in the right place. The good news is this franchise doesn’t play games with timelines — release order and chronological order are the same thing here, so you can watch these Hallmark mysteries straight through without worrying about flashbacks or out-of-sequence subplots. The series is based on Diane Mott Davidson’s New York Times bestselling Goldy Bear culinary mysteries, a beloved cozy-mystery book franchise that’s been in print since 1990 and has racked up Anthony Award nods along the way. On screen, it’s become one of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ most requested original franchises, thanks to the slow-burn chemistry between stars Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker. Before we get into plot details, here’s your quick-reference table.
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Quick Answer: Curious Caterer Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dying for Chocolate | 2022 | Anthony C. Metchie |
| 2 | Grilling Season | 2023 | Paul Ziller |
| 3 | Fatal Vows | 2023 | Paul Ziller |
| 4 | Foiled Plans | 2024 | Paul Ziller |
| 5 | Forbidden Fruit | 2024 | Paul Ziller |
Because Goldy and Tom’s relationship builds movie to movie, release order is chronological order — there’s no need to hunt down a separate “story order” for this one.
Curious Caterer Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Dying for Chocolate (2022)
This is where it all starts: Colorado caterer and single mom Goldy Berry is working a booster club luncheon when a close friend turns up dead, and Goldy realizes the clues point to something in her own recipe box. She teams up with Detective Tom Schultz to work the case, and their easy, slightly reluctant partnership is instantly the franchise’s biggest draw. Behind the scenes, the film is based on the very first Goldy Bear novel, Catering to Nobody, published back in 1990. It sets up Elk Park, Colorado as the franchise’s home base and plants the seeds of the Goldy-Tom dynamic that carries every later film.
2. Grilling Season (2023)
A year later, Goldy’s catering a lavish backyard barbecue for a childhood friend when the host’s grill explodes and kills her — right after Goldy was the last one to touch it. Suddenly Goldy isn’t just solving a murder, she’s clearing her own name, which raises the personal stakes considerably. Director Paul Ziller takes over here and stays with the franchise through most of its run. The film also deepens Goldy’s friendship with best friend Marla and continues building the slow-burn romance that becomes central later on.
3. Fatal Vows (2023)
Goldy agrees to cater the wedding of Tom’s ex-wife, Jessamyn — already an awkward ask — and things go sideways fast when the groom turns up dead and the bride goes missing. A rival detective with a grudge against Tom complicates the investigation, forcing Goldy and Tom to work the case largely on their own. It’s the franchise leaning fully into “cozy chaos,” pairing genuine tension with the kind of low-stakes comfort-watch pacing Hallmark mysteries are known for. The emotional fallout from Tom’s ex resurfacing carries directly into how their relationship develops next.
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4. Foiled Plans (2024)
Goldy scores a dream gig catering a medieval-themed feast at an actual castle — Hatley Castle in British Columbia, a filming location familiar from other period productions. A masquerade ball murder traps everyone inside during a snowstorm, giving this entry a fun bottle-episode feel compared to the rest of the series. It’s also the movie where Goldy and Tom finally share their first on-screen kiss, a moment fans had been waiting three films for. That shift from “will they” to “they did” changes the tone of everything that follows.
5. Forbidden Fruit (2024)
Now officially a couple, Goldy and Tom try to have a normal first date at a VIP concert — but a rock star is murdered mid-performance, and their romantic evening becomes a crime scene. This entry was produced under the working title Drumstick Drama before Hallmark rebranded it ahead of its October 2024 premiere. It’s the most relationship-forward installment yet, spending real time on what Goldy and Tom look like as an actual couple instead of will-they-won’t-they leads. As of this writing, it’s also the most recent film in the franchise.
Do You Need to Watch Earlier Films Before Forbidden Fruit?
Yes. While each mystery is technically self-contained, the emotional throughline — Goldy and Tom’s relationship — builds continuously from film to film, and Forbidden Fruit only lands if you know what came before it. Skipping ahead means missing the slow-burn payoff the whole franchise is built around.
Minimum viable watch order:
- Dying for Chocolate — establishes Goldy, Tom, and the core cast
- Foiled Plans — the first kiss and the turning point in their relationship
- Forbidden Fruit — Goldy and Tom as an official couple
If you have more time, Grilling Season and Fatal Vows add character depth and are worth going back for, but the three above give you the relationship arc’s essential beats.
How Many Curious Caterer Movies Are There?
There are currently five Curious Caterer movies, released between 2022 and 2024. There are no spinoffs or shorts — it’s a single, continuous Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise.
All Curious Caterer Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Dying for Chocolate — April 10, 2022
2. Grilling Season — February 5, 2023
3. Fatal Vows — October 13, 2023
4. Foiled Plans — April 26, 2024
5. Forbidden Fruit — October 11, 2024
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Here’s the honest state of things: as of Andrew Walker’s most recent public comments, scripts for two more Curious Caterer movies exist, but Hallmark hasn’t formally greenlit production. Filming on the sixth and seventh installments was originally planned for early in the year, then pushed back, and there’s currently no confirmed shoot date or premiere window. Walker has said he and DeLoach are “ready to go” whenever the network signs off, and has publicly encouraged fans to let Hallmark know they want more. Take any specific 2026 or 2027 release chatter with caution until Hallmark makes an official announcement — right now, this is a beloved franchise on hiatus, not a canceled one.
FAQ
Is the Curious Caterer series based on a book?
Yes — it’s based on Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery novels, a New York Times bestselling series that began with Catering to Nobody in 1990.
Do I need to watch the Curious Caterer movies in order?
You don’t strictly have to, since each mystery is self-contained, but the Goldy-Tom relationship builds progressively, so watching in order gives you the full emotional payoff.
Is there a sixth Curious Caterer movie?
Not yet. Scripts reportedly exist, but as of the most recent updates from the cast, Hallmark hasn’t confirmed a production start date.
Who stars in the Curious Caterer movies?
Nikki DeLoach plays caterer Goldy Berry and Andrew Walker plays Detective Tom Schultz, with Lochlyn Munro and Jaycie Dotin rounding out the recurring cast.
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