Katie Lee Biegel’s Bold Leap: How Hallmark’s Catch of the Day Pushed Her Boundaries (Exclusive Video)

Is there anything Katie Lee Biegel can’t do? The Kitchen cohost is a chef, author, TV personality, and now, somehow, a screenwriter too.

Biegel makes her screenwriting debut with Hallmark’s new romance Catch of the Day. The film follows Sophie (Emilie Ullerup), who’s right on the edge of becoming an executive chef in New York.

She heads home to help her family’s restaurant. What she doesn’t expect is her old crush, Cam (Michael Rady), to show up and throw her plans into question.

Biegel cowrote and produced Catch of the Day. She even pops up in a cameo as a social media influencer—don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

The culinary personality chatted with Swooon about what inspired Catch of the Day and what viewers can look forward to in this summer romance.

From Montauk to the Silver Screen: Katie Lee Biegel’s Inspiration

I was really inspired by Montauk, Biegel shared. I spend a lot of time on the east end of Long Island, and I’ve been there over 20 years now.

I’ve really watched Montauk change. It went from being this small, commercial fishing village, that’s quiet to now the cool place where people are going and getting bottle service and dancing on tables.

It’s changed quite a bit, and I wanted to write about the challenges of small businesses, especially in tourist towns, and family dynamics within a family business. And, ultimately, love. I mean, this is Hallmark, and we love a love story.

Challenges of Small Businesses and Family Dynamics

Biegel’s screenplay digs into the struggles small businesses face in tourist towns. Montauk’s transformation from a sleepy fishing village to a packed hotspot sets the scene for the film’s themes.

The story looks at the ups and downs of running a family restaurant. There’s no sugarcoating it—family businesses can be wild rides.

The Chemistry of Love: Emilie Ullerup and Michael Rady

Talking about the romance, Biegel said Rady and Ullerup have such amazing chemistry as Cam and Sophie. I think that people are going to watch it and feel that nostalgic feeling of summer love when you were young, she said.

Biegel loved the banter between the two leads. She admitted it was interesting seeing how her words came to life on screen.

From Script to Screen: A Creative Journey

I wrote the dialogue, but then to watch actors interpret it, and to maybe say it differently than I had thought it, and I really liked their take on it. It’s just fun to see someone else’s creative spin, Biegel told Swooon.

She’s written plenty of cookbooks and even a novel, Groundswell, which became a Hallmark movie with Lacey Chabert. But Catch of the Day was her first real dive into screenwriting, and she wanted to be ready.

Learning the Ropes: Biegel’s Screenwriting Journey

I actually took a screenwriting class at NYU to learn the format, Biegel said. I read a book about it, and I had a cowriter, Andrea Canning, who you might know from Dateline.

Andrea writes a lot of Hallmark movies, so working with her, I learned the ropes as well.

A Collaborative Effort

Teaming up with Andrea Canning, a Hallmark movie veteran, helped Biegel figure out the nuts and bolts of screenwriting. That collaboration let her bring her own voice—and, honestly, her love of food—into the film.

From Cameos to Leading Roles: What’s Next for Biegel?

She’s had two quick cameos in her Hallmark movies, but would she ever want to star in one? Now that she’s tried her hand at screenwriting, Biegel’s thinking about it.

I really like to do things that challenge me and get me out of my comfort zone. So, yeah, I would love to do a starring role in a Hallmark movie, Biegel told Swooon. I think that’d be super fun. Let’s just put it out there.

Catch of the Day: A Summer Romance to Remember

Set to premiere August 30 at 8/7c on the Hallmark Channel, Catch of the Day is shaping up to be a heartwarming summer romance. Love, family chaos, and the ups and downs of running a small business in a tourist town—it’s all in the mix.

Why You Should Tune In

• Stellar Cast: Emilie Ullerup and Michael Rady? Their chemistry is honestly a highlight.
• Relatable Themes: The film digs into the challenges small businesses and families actually face.
• Beautiful Setting: Montauk’s scenery really brings something special to the whole vibe.
• Katie Lee Biegel’s Touch: You can definitely feel her perspective and culinary flair throughout.

If you’re looking for something genuinely heartwarming, this one’s worth a spot on your calendar. Set a reminder for the premiere—*Catch of the Day* might just surprise you.