The Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Film Commission along with Digital Caviar Film today announced the romantic comedy “A Taste of Love” will make its debut on February 19 at 8 pm EDT on the Hallmark Channel. The project filmed for three weeks in the St. Pete/Clearwater region, with a primary focus on Dunedin, Fla., as the film’s setting.
Viewers will be able to recognize iconic local establishments like Sea Sea Riders, Fenway Hotel, and Wild Iris Café along with some of the beautiful Pinellas County nature at Clearwater Beach, Edgewater Park, and the Pinellas Trail. During the shooting schedule, there were 21 featured cast members along with local talent that participated in the production. This resulted in 350 room nights and 30 local hires with an estimated $1.6 million local spend.
Todd Yonteck, Michael E. Brown, and Conrad De La Torres III of Digital Caviar Film (based in Tampa Bay) chose the St. Pete/Clearwater area as the location for this independent feature film for “the beauty of the area, the friendly work environment, and talented crew in Pinellas County.” Scenes from “A Taste of Love” highlight the picturesque architecture, romantic beaches and marinas, dramatic sunsets and beloved local restaurants.
“We are excited to see our destination featured in this wonderful project,” said St. Pete/Clearwater Film Commissioner Lisa Dozois. “It was great to work with the Digital Caviar Film who is invested in the Tampa Bay region. In addition to spotlighting the Dunedin community and surrounding areas, the project provided jobs and generated true economic impact for our local residents.”
The internationally known cast features actress Erin Cahill (known and loved by thousands of fans for her starring roles in several Hallmark films from “Sleigh Bells Ring” to the “Secret Ingredient”) in the starring role. Her belief in the film led her to not only accept the role but also propelled her into joining the producing team. She is best known for her roles as Jen Scotts in “Power Rangers Time Force,” Ted Mosby’s sister Heather in “How I Met Your Mother,” and Kendra Burke in “Saving Grace.” She also had a recurring role as Felicity in the ABC series “Red Widow.”
Pop-culture icon Martin Kove (Sensei Kreese in “Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai”) was not only cast in a lead role of “A Taste of Love” but shared the experience with his son. Actor Jesse Kove was also cast in a lead and best known for his role alongside Joseph Fiennes in “On Wings of Eagles” (the unofficial sequel to “Chariots of Fire”).
The Dunedin International Film Festival will host a live panel discussion with “A Taste of Love” stars Martin Kove and Jesse Kove, along with local actor Tony Senzamici on Friday, February 2 at 2 pm at HOB Brewing Company in Dunedin. Festival attendees can catch an advance screening of “A Taste of Love” that same night at 8 pm at HOB Brewing Co. On Saturday, February 3, tickets are available for “A Taste of Love” meet and greet at Sea Sea Riders from 2-3 pm followed by a Making of the Movie Panel Discussion from 4:30-5:45 pm at HOB Brewing Co. The Dunedin International Film Festival runs from February 1-4, 2024. For information on screenings, workshops, panels and actor appearances, and to purchase tickets, visit dunedinfilmfestival.org.
THE STORY: writers Michael E. Brown and Conrad De La Torres III of Digital Caviar co-wrote the script and co-directed. They were inspired by the beauty and cuisine of our area. Viewers will recognize references to our fresh seafood along with our tropical romantic ambiance.
The script tells the story of a successful, professional young woman at the top of her career making a living as a TV host (showcasing food) in one of the biggest cities in the South. She demonstrates her culinary skills on camera in the fast-paced world of television. When she returns to visit her Florida roots in Tampa Bay, she reconnects with her family, rediscovers her passion for food and finds unexpected happiness from a past relationship.