cover image Chef’s Table

Chef’s Table

Lynn Charles. Interlude (www.interlude- press.com), $15.99 trade paper (278p) ISBN 978-1-941530-17-7

Charles’s sweet debut contemporary doesn’t offer quite enough drama to support its length, but it offsets that drawback with a delightful pair of protagonists. Il Boschetto executive chef Evan Stanford takes his staff to Johnny’s Diner to enjoy being on the culinary receiving end for a change. Diner cook Patrick Sullivan catches Evan’s attention by offering him an unusual Irish side dish. Evan is purposeful, driven, and acclaimed—and feeling uninspired by the limitations of his work at Il Boschetto. Patrick is also passionate and enthusiastic about food, but he’s willing to be satisfied with “good enough.” The men’s attraction blooms into romance in short order, but they have plenty of obstacles to negotiate around. The novel’s structure echoes a menu, from aperitif to digestif, and the food descriptions and antics of friends, family, and co-workers add spice beyond the central romance. (Dec.)