Talia in the Kitchen
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Likable female role model outshines soap opera-style series.

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Talia in the Kitchen
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Based on 3 parent reviews
GRASS TYPE
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Good concept, but poorly executed
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What's the Story?
TALIA IN THE KITCHEN centers on 14-year-old Talia (Maria Quezada), an aspiring cook who was orphaned by her parents' deaths a few years back, as she and her younger sister, Julie (Galilea La Salvia), move to Miami to live with their grandmother for the summer. Talia's excitement about spending time with Dolores (Jeannette Lehr), whom they call "Abuela," is eclipsed only by her anticipation of working at their family restaurant, Lola's. But when they arrive to find that Lola's is closed, she sets out to reopen the eatery with the help of her new friends, Valerie (Ellis Ann Jackson) and Rudy (Joshua Hoffman), and a little magical inspiration from the spices her father used to use. Only time will tell whether that will be enough to outsmart her local rivals, the Fuccinellis, who are plotting her restaurant's demise.
Is It Any Good?
Inspired by a Latin American telenovela, Talia in the Kitchen will be a change of pace for kids accustomed to Nickelodeon's typical animated shows and sitcoms set to laugh tracks. On the upside, Talia is a decent role model, thanks to her can-do attitude and her willingness to work hard for what she wants. She also enjoys close ties to her family and continues to be inspired by her Latin American heritage. She makes friends easily and has good values, even if she does retaliate against the Fuccinellis' attempts to thwart her dreams.
That said, the show may have a tough time finding its niche among young viewers because its soap-opera style is so foreign to them. It's not all fun and games; the characters share plenty of serious moments, and some kids won't understand what's behind them. At the same time, the show greatly oversimplifies some complex circumstances, as when underage Talia and her friends set out to open and staff Lola's without any adult supervision. Ultimately the show is an acquired taste, but rest assured that if your kids do tune in, there's little content that should cause concern.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about setting goals and working toward them. Kids: What are some of the things you hope to accomplish in school? In your hobbies? Why is it important to set goals for yourself?
Is this show meant to be funny or serious? Is the characters' rivalry mean-spirited? What is it based on? Is it possible to be friendly and competitive at the same time?
How is Talia inspired by the loss of her parents? Kids: Have you ever succeeded at turning a sad experience into something positive?
In what ways is Talia a good role model? Do TV shows and movies usually present teen girls in a positive light?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 6, 2015
- Cast: Maria Quezada, Jeannette Lehr, Ellis Ann Jackson
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: October 23, 2022
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