I’m happy to announce that I’m joining a blog tour for Sadie On a Plate! This book is very charming and I really enjoyed reading it 🍽

I’ve always been a fan of cooking shows and that made me love this book even more! It combines a competitive setting and blossoming romance in the best way possible and I loved the descriptions of the food that the contestants were making!

Sadie, our main character, has just been fired from her job, but receives a phone call asking her to compete on her favorite TV show, Chef Supreme. I loved Sadie as a character and her sense of humor throughout. It was fun getting to see her interact with the other contestants and become better friends with some of them. I LOVED her friendship with Kaitlyn and her romance with Luke.

One of my favorite parts of this book was learning more about Sadie’s ancestry and how she drew inspiration from traditional Jewish dishes. It was nice getting to learn more about her in this way and made me feel more connected to her and her desire to win the competition. I’m also glad that, while this was a romance novel, the romance didn’t overpower the competition and her career goals.

It was also nice getting to see Luke grow throughout! I’m really happy with where things ended up for all of the characters and I think this is the perfect light and sweet book for fans of romance, cooking shows, and food!

Thank you once again Berkley for providing me with an early copy of this book and I highly recommend it 👩‍🍳

I had a lot of hope for this book- Jewish protagonist, diverse cast of characters, food as a theme... Ultimately this book fell flat. This book reads like a Top Chef fan fiction. Very heavy on the food descriptions, very light on the character development and plot. If this is supposed to be a romance, it fails as that. If this is supposed to be a romantic comedy, it fails as that as well. The romantic interest darts in and out, without readers being able to really get to know him. I wish Elliot had really focused on Sadie's inner dialogue, especially with her struggles with her self confidence and thinking about Grandma Ruth. The constant mentioning of Sadie needing to pee is a strange choice.

Oh... my... goodness! I don't know if I can put into words just how much I LOVE this book! It completely caught me by surprise in the best possible way. I'm not sure how she did it, but Amanda Elliot managed to make me feel like I was actually binge-watching my most beloved reality cooking competition. I wanted more and more and more. Her writing was so evocative that I could smell and taste every dish the characters created. This book read like the most bingeable, cozy and delectable series you have ever gotten wrapped up in.

I am also overwhelmed by the beautiful Jewish representation in this book. There is NO religion here, folks. This is the real-deal purely cultural celebration of Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, centred around food - as is the way with Jews. Sadie's passion for Jewish food and the traditions tied to them and the desire to elevate them into something incredible and universally accessible brought genuine tears to my eyes. Why DON'T we have more Jewish cuisine out there in the world? Yes, this gal loves a bagel and a hearty deli meal, but the concept of Jewish CUISINE as desirable and welcoming and even upscale is just... UGH! Someone open Sadie's dream restaurant puh-lease! I will be there on opening night to eat all of the things!

I cannot wait for more from Amanda Elliot!

Warning: make sure you have snacks readily accessible while reading!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my gosh - I loved, loved, loved this book. Sadie is such a relatable and likeable character and I had a blast riding shotgun while she competed for the top spot in Chef Supreme, a reality television show not unlike Top Chef. The author's voice is so fun and conversational and the pacing was perfect, seriously not a dull moment. Although it was definitely a romance (and, damn, is Luke book boyfriend material), but it would also qualify as women's fiction in my book due to Sadie's strong character arc that went beyond her love life. The competition tested her self confidence and perseverance but she never gave up. The Jewish rep is fantastic and as a Jewish woman, I would LOVE to find a restaurant that serves upscale Jewish food similar to what Sadie prepares - like she says in the book, it's not all bagels and latkes! The diverse cast of supporting characters really added to my enjoyment. Even the ones I didn't like (Vanilla Joe and Derek, I'm talking to you!) Finally, Grandma Ruth's spirit was adorable and reminded me of my own Jewish grandmas, may they rest in peace. I can't wait for Elliot's next book.

I love a book about food! I think that is what drew me in from the blurb, but I also do like illustrated covers as well. I hadn’t read many books using a tv show as a setting until the last year and I do think they make for an excellent plot. Although there were good things about this book, the romance fell short and that’s what really caused me to not love it as much as I wanted.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Sadie. She has worked as a chef in Seattle but unfortunately is having a hard time finding a new job after an incident at her previous work. The author definitely knows how to hype up this secret as we don’t find out anything until about halfway through the book. It definitely gives you a lot of suspense. I don’t know much about Jewish food so it was cool to see her recreate them on the show and put her heart and soul into what she was cooking. It also made me quite hungry! I did like Sadie overall but some of her choices really irked me, especially when the secret unfolds and it seems she has a knack for making the same choices to an extent.

If you are looking for a big filled with romance, this one will not be it. This very much reads as insta-love which is something I do not like. There wasn’t enough development for me to feel anything towards their relationship. It also didn’t help that they didn’t even have many scenes together and when they did it felt more like friends in my opinion.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the setting. The cooking show really takes over the plot and I wasn’t too upset about that. We learn a lot about the other contestants and friendships are formed.

Overall, this was good. I do wish that the romance would have been better developed but I’m glad that the setting of the book made it worth the read.

I've never craved beets before in my life, but here I am drooling over Sadie's food. This book is best categorized as a cooking competition novel with a splash of romance. And honestly? That splash was enough for me! I love Sadie and Luke as characters and the entire ambiance of Chef Supreme, it's really such a great combination. The cast of side characters was quite diverse and interesting, both in their personalities and their approach to food. I'd never heard of Appalachian food and now I'm salivating. Plus the plot of the book was so exciting with the behind the scenes access and rivalries. I do wish that we got to see Sadie grow more, but it's still such a satisfying book.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I adored this. It's become both a new go-to romance recommendation and a new all-time favorite, and I'm so excited for it to be out in the world so more people can read it. It's especially a must-read for fans of cooking shows!

This book has such an amazing cast of characters - there's Sadie and Luke, of course, but many of the other cooking show contestants also play important roles, and I enjoyed seeing the interactions among that group just as much as I loved seeing the romance unfold. I would happily read a sequel about pretty much any of them.

And I can't write about this book without talking about the food - so much delicious-sounding food! Sadie's specialty is Jewish food, and I loved seeing everything she came up with and how she put twists on classic recipes. Reading about it definitely made me hungry.

CW: sexism, racism, past toxic relationship, past nude photos shared without consent

Just a fair warning, prepare to binge every cooking show you have ever loved after reading this book. I love the food competition aspect of this story. Learning about Sadie though her creations was fascinating and made my mouth salivate at the mere mention of all the amazing food. The cultural diversity was refreshing to see and breaking stereotypes was something that this book celebrated. I enjoyed that not everyone cooked recipes because there was a heritage attached to it, some contestants simply cooked the food because they had a passion for culture. Where this author shined for me is through the food.

Where the story really lacked was the romance aspect of the book. The pace of Sadie and Luke was snail like to the point where I would forget that Sadie was supposed to have a romantic interest. There was no buildup to a torrid love affair behind-the-scenes or tensions filled stares from across the set, they barely had any interaction at all which made it really hard to see this as any form of a romance book.

Other than food, there really wasn’t much more to this book. I had a hard time connecting with Sadie and seeing any kind of growth for her character when the main focus of this story was the food she made for each challenge. And while I enjoyed the detailed inner workings of a cooking TV show, it didn’t make up for the lack of romance. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC

This was the foodie competition romance book I didn’t even know I was waiting for! I love romance books and am a big fan of Top Chef (I’ve seen every season so far), so when I saw the premise of this one with the ‘Chef Supreme’ television competition I was so excited to dive in.

Chef Sadie, an up-and-coming chef with dreams of taking on the culinary world with a new spin on traditional Jewish dishes – has recently taken a hit career wise, when her former boyfriend / boss breaks up with her and fires her. She’s left spinning a bit, luckily her application is accepted and she is called up to compete in her favorite culinary competition show – Chef Supreme…

This book had me from the start – I love Top Chef and Chef Supreme read like the book equivalent of the show. The characters were great, the food descriptions had me dying to try them – I could picture it all: the food, the chefs, the kitchen… Which for someone who has been longing for a new season of my favorite culinary challenge, it was an absolute delight.

Adding to this fabulousness – was the fact that their was a whole romcom vibe, and romance arc too! So many things I love to see in a book. The story was fast paced, fun and sweet. I loved seeing Sadie’s growth in the story professionally and personally. I also liked how she came to understand herself better and her own inherent judgements and was able to bond with certain other characters.

I was so happy to see some great representation – of different cultures, backgrounds and experiences in the book. This was a heartwarming and charming read, I really did not want to put the book down and was counting down the hours at work until I could dive back in. I ate this one right up, and honestly would go back for more. I cannot wait to see what author Amanda Elliot comes out with next, I know I’ll be reading it! 😊

Fans of culinary romance / romcom reads like Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake, Accidentally Engaged, and Simmer Down will definitely enjoy this read – as well as fans of excellent culinary competition shows like Top Chef and The GBB.

Thank you to the author, Berkley Romance, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own, and freely given.

As a Jew who would always love to see Jewish cooking embraced on cooking shows, I couldn’t wait to read Sadie on a Plate. If you love Top Chef, or like me, always wanted to see Jewish food on a cooking show, add this book to your TBR!

I haven’t watched a cooking show competition in a while, but I loved how this book felt like it accurately portrayed what goes on behind the scenes on the shows. From the contestants who are plotting the whole time, the ones angling for more screen time with whatever it takes, I truly felt like I was watching all of it unfold from behind the camera.

But, my favorite parts of this book was when Sadie would cook authentic Ashkenazi Jewish food. As an Ashkenazi Jew, I loved that this book taught readers that there is so much more to Jewish food than just pastrami and matzo Ball soup. I also loved how it was explained that you could cook Jewish food without being Kosher. As someone who was not raised in a Kosher household, I always felt like people questioned how I could eat shellfish when they found out I was Jewish, so I loved seeing this in the book.

While Sadie and Luke’s will they/won’t they relationship is a big part of the storyline, it was Sadie’s friendships with the other contestants that were my favorite relationships in the book. Sadie and Luke had some really great moments and I loved that Sadie was able to push Luke and make him see that his happiness in what he did was what mattered most in the world.

A perfectly cooked rom com! Serial bingers of top chef (like me) will love this. I found the cooking competition potions pretty predictable but there were still enough surprises on the romance side to keep me interested. Overall, a very fun use of my weekend.

What a delicious debut novel by Amanda Elliott.

Sadie dreams of owning her own restaurant where she can serve Jewish Cuisine with a twist. After being broken up with and fired from her last job, Sadie is really feeling down. An unexpected phone call from Chef Supreme (competition tv show) has Sadie feeling hopeful. She figures that if she can at least make the top 4 in the competition, she could gain a sponsor that will help enable to help her own place.

I loved watching Sadie grow as a chef - watching her gain the self confidence she needs for the competition and for the future. The diversity of the cast of characters/food show contestants was fantastic, and their food fusions... mouthwatering. Throw in a forbidden romance that leaves you frustrated at times and swooning the rest of the time - well you can't really help but root for them to hook up in the walk in cooler. Luke and Sadie were meant for each other.

I loved getting an inside glimpse into reality shows - especially cooking ones. The dishes sound scrumptious and the characters equally as yummy. You'll definitely want to one-click this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Pub for the opportunity to read and review this book. Can't wait to see what Amanda Elliott will cook up next.

"We're not trying to feed people food," I said. "We're trying to feed them feelings."



Your blood will be sparking just reading about all the food in Sadie on a Plate! *insert drooling emoji*. I LOVE food shows and I love romcoms; however, the story fell a little flat for me. Luke and Sadie are adorable. I was salivating for MORE from this OTP! Sadie on a Plate is perfect for foodies! Fans of Top Chef will devour Amanda Elliot's debut romantic comedy. Heavy on the com!

🥘THINGS AND STUFF 🥘:
-your favorite reality cooking show
-forbidden romance (no fraternizing with the contestants!)
-ALL the delicious eats
-flirting through food
-New York setting
-a speakeasy
-brunch (who doesn't love brunch?!)
-team beets taste like dirt and sadness
-Jewish heroine in the culinary industry
-Biracial, tattooed hero with a tinge of a British accent
-#IsThisAKissingBook: 18+ pg-13 content. "It felt at once like coming home and exploring somewhere new and utterly thrilling."

Thank you Berkley for an advanced copy!

🎶 Song: Yummy by Justin Bieber 🎶

After being fired from her job as a chef, Sadie is drowning in her own sorrows. When she gets a call from Chef Supreme and they want her on the show, she is beyond excited and ready to put her past behind her. She meets Luke on the plane and they hit it off, but she leaves him telling him she won’t be able to be in contact for the next 6 weeks. When she walks on set, she suddenly learns who Luke is….



Ok so the new trend right now seems to be books about cooking shows. I gotta say…I don’t hate it. I don’t even slightly dislike it. In fact, I kind of love it. I find the story of a cooking show so enticing. They all just pull me in and don’t let go. I absolutely adored Sadie, and my heart just broke for how hard she was on herself because of the thoughts stupid jerk face Derek had put into her head! Luke was another amazing character, but I have to say I truly just adored the other contestants, and in the end, even Adrianna. This book had the fantastic cast of characters we all need, and it was just a pure joy to read!

I enjoy watching cooking competitions (I'm not a good cook so I like watching people who are). This book has romance, lots of great food descriptions, a little intrigue, great diverse characters, and some drama. I enjoyed the behind the scenes descriptions of the competition. There was enough romance to keep me interested and the plot moved along very well. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys eating and who enjoys a rocky romance.

If you are a fan of Top Chef and romance, this is a must-read for you! Sadie On a Plate by Amanda Elliot was not at all what I was expecting and after having read the book, I can't figure out why when I started it I kept wondering what I was getting myself into. Sadie has just been fired and she's feeling practically unemployable. Down on her luck, she starts wondering what she can do next. Will she have to move to another state? Change careers? Name change? When Sadie is offered a chance to compete on her favorite show, Chef Supreme, she's cautiously optimistic that her luck is changing. On her flight out, she even meets a handsome stranger, Luke, who takes her on a whirlwind night before she has to report to the house, relinquish her phone, and possibly be sequestered from everyone for weeks on end. But when he pops up in the most unexpected of places, Sadie has to figure out how to tamp down her burning attraction and focus on the competition.

Here's why I loved this book so much, I thought it was going to be heavy on the romance and light on the cooking competition and I was so pleasantly wrong! It very much going into great detail about the cooking competition, the tasks, the behind the scene coaching, and the dynamics of the roommates. From the budding friendships, the unsurprising nemesis, and the unexpected opportunities to grow in ways none of the contestants suspected; this book kept me turning page after page to find out what happens. Sadie's love for cooking Jewish cuisine and other contestants open up about their own backgrounds, cooking inspiration, and challenges they feel with balancing traditional versus innovative approaches to cooking. Oh goodness, just writing my review makes me want to read it all over.

Warning; This book will require snacks, because I seriously had to reluctantly put it down on several occasions, because the descriptions of the plates were making me so hungry..

This book is definitely worth reading! I hope Amanda Elliot has more stories to give us in the future. I liked her writing style and genuinely appreciated the way she handled so many different sensitive topics.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for allowing me access to this ARC. The opinions is this review are all my own.

I love love LOVED this book by Amanda Elliot! As a Jewish romance reader, I loved the representation, not just for having a Jewish protagonist but for seeing how Jewish food made its way into the story. The cooking show is so well written - it reminded me of the show UNREAL - without all the nefarious drama. It also made me very hungry so just be aware this book might cause you to postmate ramen at 11pm. Cannot recommend more highly!

There are not enough words for me to properly express just how much I loved this book and Sadie Brooke Rosen. Amanda Elliot, this book is stellar & deserves all the accolades. First, this is some of the best Jewish representation I’ve seen as of late - Sadie is a chef competing on a cooking show a la Top Chef and her dream has always been to own her own restaurant where she can serve Jewish cuisine. This book details exactly l how Jewish food is not just bagels and lox and how being uprooted has influenced Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine over the years and I loved watching that play out through Sadie’s journey.

There are other interactions in the book (no spoilers here) where other contestants are confused about how Sadie can cook Jewish cuisine and not be Kosher - as a non Kosher Jew myself, I’ve certainly been questioned on why I’m not eating Kosher or the like. It goes without saying (or it should), there is no one way to be Jewish and it’s always a joy to see someone who observes similarly to you reflected on the page - unfortunately, there is not a ton of Jewish representation in fiction outside of WWII (it continues to increase but it’s still small) so reading a book like this is truly special.

All of this before I even get to the love aspect of the story and just how much I loved Luke … Sadie’s half Japanese, fellow culinary loving love interest. Sadie on a Plate releases in March and is a must read - I truly hope those less familiar with Jewish culture and cuisine will also check this out to learn more as well.

As a devoted fan of Food Network cooking competitions, I loved this book and read it in a day.

Sadie, an accomplished chef in Seattle, has been blacklisted in the local restaurant industry, but we don't find out why until later. Her confidence and entire identity is shaken until she gets a call from Chef Supreme, a cooking reality show that is part MTV's Real World and part Next Food Network Star, about an opportunity to appear on the next season.

On the flight to New York, she meets Luke, who she immediately identifies as a fellow chef based on the scarring of his hands. They bond over the flight, talking about food and careers, and he takes her to dinner right as they land. Sparks fly, they kiss, they're obviously a great match -- but Sadie's non-disclosure agreement means she can't communicate with anyone for the next 6 weeks and can't tell them why, so they agree to meet again in 6 weeks.

And then, somewhat predictably, but still shocking to Sadie -- when she gets to the first day of filming, Luke is one of the judges.

While it's safe to call it a "romance," the real story here is Chef Sadie's journey of self-reflection as she lives in a Real World-style reality show house for six weeks, navigating friendships and learning more about herself. The romance element is sweet as they try to get to know one another while on camera and without tipping anyone else off.

Overall, a fun, satisfying, and sentimental mental vacation.

I absolutely loved this book. Fans of Food Network and British Bake-Off will definitely enjoy this debut novel from Amanda Elliot. It follows Sadie, a chef who has just been presented with the opportunity to be a contestant on a popular cooking show. Sadie meets Luke on the plane and they instantly form a connection. However, she does not realize that he is one of the judges on the show she will be competing on. There were so many things I loved about this book- the romance, the representation and diversity of the characters, the character growth, and the cooking show setting. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!