Curious Caterer: Dying for Chocolate

The film opens with Goldy Berry preparing 'Alpine' gruyere biscuits for her daughter Olive's school trip, establishing her meticulous nature as a caterer. At a school booster club luncheon, Goldy's friend Laura Smiley, a psychiatrist, hints at a secret she needs to share but is interrupted. Shortly after the event, Goldy learns that Laura has died after her car plummeted off a cliff on Copper Canyon Road. Detective Tom Shultz, a recent transfer from San Francisco, notes the lack of skid marks and deems the death suspicious. Goldy, driven by grief and curiosity, begins her own investigation, much to Shultz's initial chagrin. She learns of rumors regarding Laura having an affair with Archie Dennison, the husband of the wealthy Adele Dennison. Meanwhile, Goldy's ex-husband Richard is partnering with Dr. Owen Gentle and Archie to build a high-end wellness center. The mystery deepens when an autopsy reveals Laura didn't die from the crash but from water hemlock poisoning. The poison was delivered via chocolate-covered shortbread Goldy served at the luncheon. Goldy realizes the killer must have been on the phone with Laura for the 30 minutes it took for the poison to take effect to ensure she drove off the cliff. Suspicion shifts between Adele, Archie, and even Olive's teacher, Brad Bowman, who is revealed to be Laura's ex-fiancé. While catering Adele's birthday party, Goldy discovers that Dr. Owen Gentle has been using unethical hypnotherapy to manipulate patients and investors, including Adele's son Julian. Laura had discovered this and filed a complaint with the medical board. In a tense climax in the woods, Owen confronts Goldy with a gun, intending to frame Julian for the murder. Shultz and his deputy arrive just in time, revealing they had Julian under surveillance. Owen is arrested, and Goldy is vindicated, though she remains caught between her attraction to the detective and her scheduled date with Brad.