The Princess Switch

Merry Christmas and come back soon.

Oh, I will.

Your bakery is the best kept secret in Chicago.

Oh? Well, then I'm counting on you to spread the word.

Take care.

City Hall needs this by 5:00. How are we doing?

- Ready when you are boss. - And that is why Kevin Richards

- is the best sous-chef in the business. - Stop.

Okay, carry on.

Dad!

- Hey, pumpkin, how was dance? - Good.

- We did The Nutcracker. - Yeah?

Hi, Stacy.

Are there any sugar cookies left for your favorite goddaughter?

Well, you are my only goddaughter.

But for you, there will always be sugar cookies.

Aren't you gonna tell her the news?

What news?

I, uh...

You know the Christmas baking contest you're always talking about?

- Uh-huh. - The really fancy one

at that Christmas festival in Belgravia?

That only the best pastry chefs in the entire world get invited to?

And it's on TV?

Uh-huh.

Well, when you broke up with Paul, I wanted to cheer you up.

So I sent in a photo and our recipe

- for the Christmas castle cake and... - And...

"At the behest of the Royal Family of Belgravia,

the judging committee is pleased to invite you to compete

in our 56th International Christmas Baking Competition."

Can you believe it?

They pay for everything.

When is it?

We'd leave Friday.

Kev, we can't just close up shop right before Christmas.

Turns out we can.

Belgravia's like a fairy tale.

We'd get to stay in a cottage. And they even have a handsome prince.

Well, it is an honor just to be invited.

Hey, Liv, don't you need some milk with that cookie?

Sure. But just so we're clear,

I'm team "Let's Go Visit the Handsome Prince."

Could you be spontaneous for once in your life?

You know I'm not good at spontaneous.

This could put us on the map.

Maybe. But maybe not.

Come on, Stace.

Ever since you broke up with Paul,

it's like you're scared to do anything different.

You plan your life down to the last minute.

Well, it's good to have a plan.

John Lennon once said that life's what happens

when you're busy making other plans.

What? And you can't argue with a Beatle?

- No. - An event like this will be a lot of work.

They're giving us the entire afternoon

to prep the kitchen and two days to relax and go sightseeing.

Well, maybe if they gave us more notice.

Stace, come on.

It's not good to stay at home at Christmas alone

and feel sorry for yourself.

Look, Paul and I were together for three years.

Christmas was a really special time for us.

Maybe it's time to move on.

I am just not ready to.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

Christmas sure is a magical time of year, wouldn't you say?

Yeah, I just wish I had someone to spend it with.

Christmas wishes have been known to come true.

Uh, excuse me.

Paul?

- Stacy, hey. - Hey.

I was thinking about you the other day.

- You were? - Last Christmas?

- That lodge in Vermont? - Yeah, that was pretty terrific.

Hey, sweetie.

Oh, I'm sorry.

- I'm Taylor. - Stacy. Stacy De Novo.

I'm sure Paul mentioned me.

Actually, no, he didn't. Was he supposed to?

- Stacy and I dated for a while. - Yeah.

Honey, if we're gonna catch that train, we better run.

We're spending Christmas week with Paul's parents.

Well, that sounds...

- big. - It is.

- Do you have any plans for Christmas? - Yeah.

Big plans. Super huge.

Like what?

I will be competing at a baking contest in Belgravia.

No, in fact, I got to go and start packing my big old suitcase right now.

See ya.

So much for Christmas wishes.

It isn't Christmas yet.

I guess we're going to Belgravia!

Wow, it's Clara's house from The Nutcracker.

Yeah? Well, if the Mouse King shows up, I'm out of here.

Hey, can we stop in town?

They have a huge North Pole Christmas fair

with Santa, with elves, with everything!

And maybe we could even get some stockings for the fireplace.

We're supposed to be at Wembley at noon to prep the kitchen.

It wouldn't hurt to be a little early.

Please!

I mean, aren't you being a little, I don't know...

neurotic?

I am being organized, okay? We have a schedule.

Let me see that.

- See? It says "time to have fun." - Yeah.

- Where? - Right there.

In invisible ink.

Stockings!

I've got some more over here.

Oh.

I'm sorry. You look so familiar.

I've heard that before.

Well, you weren't in Chicago last week, were you?

How could I have been in Chicago?

They really go all out for Christmas here, huh?

It's in honor of the royal wedding.

The Prince is getting married to the Duchess of Montenaro

- on New Year's Day. - Is she pretty?

We haven't seen much of her.

The Duchess is what you'd call camera-shy. Doesn't allow her picture to be taken.

Well, maybe she's just a really private person.

If you want to get a look, you might still catch her.

I heard she was touring the set for the royal baking competition.

Huh?

It's The Nutcracker.

That's the Children's Ballet Conservatory.

It would be so awesome to dance with them.

- Maybe you can. - Really?

I hear they have a summer program.

Can we watch just for a little while?

Please?

Five minutes. You guys go ahead. I'll take care of this.

Uh, one of each.

Are you people in a hurry?

Uh, I'm trying to get to Wembley a little early

to set up for the competition.

I'm one of the contestants.

Well, you know what they say.

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.

That's the second time someone said that to me.

Maybe you need to hear it.

Right.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Hey! Slow down!

Would you watch where you're going?

Who's yelling?

A tourist, sir.

Hmm.

Probably from the States.

Probably.

Piping bag, prep spoons,

rolling pan, sifter, and sauté pan.

It is all here.

Alphabetized the equipment list?

Yeah, of course I did.

I don't like the handle on this one.

- Get a new one tomorrow? - Great.

Stacy De Novo. What a surprise!

Brianna Michaels. I didn't know you were going to be here.

I won the competition last year.

Oh! Well, congratulations.

And what are you making for your pièce de résistance?

Cheetos à la mode?

Hey! I like Cheetos.

- And you are? - Kevin Richards. I work with Stacy.

Stacy and I went to Le Cordon Bleu together.

Yeah, Brianna was really close to some of the faculty.

They knew I had talent.

Oh, yeah, like when you sauced Professor Kendall's berries?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Let me help you.

Thanks. I'm fine.

Enchanté.

- She seemed... - Mean?

I better go clean up.

- Oh! - I am so sorry.

No problem.

Who are you?

Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro.

- You're the one who's marrying the Prince? - Yes.

Oh, right. You're here for that tour.

Uh, look, I am really sorry for running into you.

I'm usually not this messy,

uh, but I'm one of the contestants at the baking contest,

and there was an accident in the kitchen.

I'm sorry. I'm Stacy De Novo, by the way.

Nice to meet you.

Oh!

Miss De Novo.

Did you say you were a baker?

Uh, yeah. As a matter of fact, I have my own shop in Chicago.

Well, as you know, I'm getting married,

and I could really use an expert opinion on my wedding cake.

From me?