Groundswell

The film begins at 'Chez Garrett' in Atlanta, where Emma is the creative force behind the kitchen, though her boyfriend and boss, Garrett, takes all the public credit. When renowned critic Sheridan Reeves praises a meal Emma conceptualized, Garrett claims the recipes as his own and introduces Emma merely as a 'mentee' to protect his 'bachelor' brand for his TV show. Realizing Garrett will never respect her professionally or personally, Emma quits and flies to Hawaii to stay with her Aunt June. There, she meets Ben, a surf shop owner who refuses to give lessons due to the trauma of losing his wife, Estrella, in an accident while he was out surfing. Through the maneuvering of Aunt June and Ben's brother Franky, Ben agrees to teach Emma. Meanwhile, Emma joins Franky as his partner in the 'Big Wave Cook-off' after his original partner is injured. The stakes rise when Garrett arrives in Hawaii as the competition's celebrity mentor, attempting to win Emma back by offering her a restaurant under his corporate umbrella. Emma and Ben bond over shared losses; Emma reveals she missed saying goodbye to her mother due to work, mirroring Ben's guilt over Estrella. Ben teaches Emma to 'ride the current' and trust the ocean, which serves as a metaphor for her life. In the competition, Emma struggles with her confidence under Garrett's gaze but eventually decides to trust her own instincts, blending her Southern heritage with Hawaiian and Puerto Rican flavors. Garrett presents Emma with a contract for her own restaurant, and Ben, misinterpreting the situation, pushes her away to avoid being hurt again. However, Emma turns Garrett down, realizing she needs to succeed on her own terms. Emma and Franky win the competition and the $50,000 prize. Ben realizes he is running from love and confesses his feelings to Emma before she leaves. Six months later, Emma and Franky have established 'sister' restaurants in Atlanta and Hawaii. Sheridan Reeves visits Emma's new restaurant and reveals he knew she was the true talent all along because his phone had accidentally recorded Garrett's dismissal of her at the bistro. The film ends with Emma and Ben reunited in Hawaii, ready to face the future together.