by Martin Suter (2011)
As the financial crisis tightens its grip on Europe, the gilded world of Zurich's leading restaurant, Chez Huwyler, seems immune to plunging stock markets and collapsing banks. But behind the scenes, even the rarefied world of haute cuisine is feeling the bite and so Maravan - a Tamil dishwasher and undiscovered culinary genius - and Andrea - a stunningly beautiful waitress - find themselves out of a job and needing to find another way to survive. After Maravan seduces Andrea by cooking her a dinner that fuses the aphrodisiac recipes of his ancestors with the necromancy of molecular gastronomy, Andrea hits upon a business idea: romantic catering for couples. But even culinary magic can't ward off recession and when their new company begins to struggle, they are forced to enter into a much more unsavoury business, plunging them deep into an underworld where murder and sex feed otherwise unquenchable thirsts ...
M.L. Buchman
"U.S. Special Forces are executing the nation's top television chefs. Only one man knows why, and he's next. To save himself, he must call on a secret society of scientists, the most lethal helicopter that was "never" built, and one heck of a Swap Out if he wants to be around to air tomorrow's show."--Publisher's website.
Farrell Mason
On a French hilltop, nestled in a magical olive grove, there is a jewel of a cooking school run by Alma Gloria and her gardener, Sam. It remains a delicious secret and no one quite knows how long it has been around. But rest assured, a great deal more happens at La Bastide d'Esperance than mastering the perfect cherry chocolate soufflé. Stepping through the gates of La Bastide d'Esperance, one is reminded of the mystery, the wonder, and the sacredness of each story. Some say the place is run by angels, but you must determine that for yourself. Regardless, lives are changed, bread is broken and shared, and love abounds.
Diane Mott Davidson
Catering a for the funeral of your son's favorite teacher who died of an apparent suicide is never the most exciting event. That is, until someone tries to poison your abusive ex-husband's father during the reception, causing your new catering buisness to get shut down by the heath department. With help from local police investigator Tom Schultz, Goldy Bear the Caterer finds all sorts of skeletons in her "ex-family's" closet while trying to solve the mystery as to why a friendly, happy, and beloved teacher would want to kill herself. With buisness shut down until further notice, Goldy uses her free time to figure out who wanted her ex- father in-law dead so she can clear her name, for buisness' sake. This is the first Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery. Takes place in the small cold town of Aspen Meadows, Colorado during the weeks before Halloween. A good read.
Max Wilk
Determined to save their Chinese restaurant in Paramus, two New Jersey mobsters are waiting at the airport for Uncle Ho, a renowned Peking chef, when he arrives in the U.S.