Dine With Love Episode 1 Recap
> Dine With Love Recap
Yu Hao makes a striking impression on the cooking reality show "Dine with Love," where he elegantly prepares stuffed bitter gourd. He uses the dish as a metaphor, suggesting that "to dislike is because one doesn’t understand," implying that even something bitter can be made delicious and reveal a lovely side.
Despite this on-screen persona, Yu Hao is actually the founder of a fresh produce platform driven by efficiency, who detests cooking and uses a body double for the show to promote his company, an act that deeply offends the program team. While outsiders perceive him as a perfect and warm individual, his employees, including Su Kelan, experience his true nature: cold, demanding, and ultimately, like the bitter gourd, nutritious in theory but too bitter to stomach.
When informed of the program team's dissatisfaction, Yu Hao delegates the matter to his PR department. He dismisses a recent press release as "nonsense" and fires Guo Yu, an employee he deems incompetent. Amidst the tension, Su Kelan of the PR department stands out. Known for making "overtime" meals with her health pot, she fosters a positive atmosphere despite the demanding work environment.
As the "Dine with Love" episode airs, public comments rapidly expose Yu Hao's use of a body double, igniting an online uproar and calls for a boycott, with accusations of fakery and rampant capitalism. The online outrage escalates into a full-blown crisis for Yu Hao's company. Jing Chen, the PR director, and other senior executives propose a solution: issuing a statement, controlling online comments, and persuading Yu Hao to learn to cook.
Yu Hao immediately suspects the program team orchestrated the crisis to force his hand, pointing out how the negative comments became a "hot search" in a mere eight minutes. He challenges Jing Chen, accusing his team of failing to manage the program team and instead setting up their boss. During the chaos, Su Kelan prepares a late-night hot pot meal for her overworked colleagues, explaining that while work ensures survival, life is truly about sharing meals with loved ones.
The escalating crisis culminates in Jing Chen's frustrated resignation, followed by two other senior executives. Yu Hao then gathers the remaining PR staff and, after she explains how her cooking enhances efficiency, abruptly promotes Su Kelan to Director of the PR department, offering her double the salary and bonus. Su Kelan's promotion brings immediate pressure. Yu Hao gives her until 9 p. m.
that night to handle the program team or face termination, stating that 24/7 availability is a basic requirement for her new salary. Jin Xuan, the program director, avoids Su Kelan's calls, confident he has leverage over Yu Hao and is already planning to switch sponsors. Su Kelan faces snide remarks from colleagues, but her friend Han Meng fiercely defends her. After an unhelpful call with her boyfriend, Li Xun, Su Kelan feels isolated.
Determined, she disguises herself as a delivery person to infiltrate Jin Xuan’s office. She brings crab roe buns and a forged apology letter from Yu Hao. Although initially resistant, Jin Xuan is swayed by her delicious "salted duck eggs with bitter gourd," which she uses to metaphorically describe Yu Hao's character: bitter but essential, comparing his "nutrients" to the company's payroll. While waiting for Su Kelan's report, Yu Hao inadvertently eats fish balls that she had prepared for stray cats.
He is also confronted in the basement by Guo Yu, the employee he fired. Having been doused in red paint in an act of retaliation, Yu Hao coldly dismisses Guo Yu’s desperate pleas for his job back, which he needs for his father's medical bills, insisting that private matters are irrelevant to the company. Impressed by Su Kelan's competence, Jin Xuan agrees to schedule the next program recording for Saturday, granting Yu Hao another chance.
Later, Yu Hao meets his uncle, Gong Wenxing, who is lamenting another breakup. Their conversation is interrupted when Yu Hao spots Li Xun on a blind date, lying about his job. He and his uncle overhear Li Xun’s mother detailing her plan to use Su Kelan for her mother's care while Li Xun finds a more advantageous partner. Disgusted, they decide to intervene.
As Su Kelan waits for a bus, having declined a ride, Yu Hao anonymously arranges a car service for her. She returns home to the comfort of her mother and a warm meal, a stark contrast to Yu Hao’s solitary existence. The next morning, Yu Hao’s insistent calls rouse Su Kelan, demanding she come to the office on a Saturday. Just as she is leaving, Li Xun calls, falsely claiming he is returning from Chengdu that afternoon.
Moments later, her friend Han Meng reveals she saw Li Xun at a local restaurant the previous night, confirming Su Kelan's suspicions. At work, Yu Hao metaphorically reprimands Su Kelan about lying while pretending to scold a cat, signaling he knows about Li Xun's deception. To foster cooperation, Su Kelan introduces three renowned chefs for Yu Hao to learn from, but he is resistant.
She presents another forged letter, this time from Jin Xuan, and argues that like his fitness routine, learning to cook is a long-term investment in his brand. He agrees only to observe the chefs but dismisses their elaborate dishes as "flashy and unrealistic." When he challenges her on what kind of food "does" fit his brand, Su Kelan shares a profound insight: "Maybe what matters is not what you are eating, but who you're eating with."
Intrigued, Yu Hao challenges her to cook something herself, framing it as an interview to become his private cooking instructor and highlighting the lucrative opportunity for someone in her financial situation.
