First, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a free copy of an unedited proof in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book because I am a lover of television food competition shows, and I also love a good romance thrown in so this seemed like a dead ringer for something I'd enjoy. Sadly, this book overall did not work for me. The food competition in Sadie on a Plate is very heavily influenced by Top Chef, which is also one of my favorites. I did enjoy this aspect and thought it was a fun element to the novel. I enjoyed Sadie's Jewish heritage and how it influenced her food and cooking. Jewish stories and characters are not easily found in the literary world so I believe any good representation should be applauded. The novel has good representation of different backgrounds and diversity through the secondary characters.

What I struggled with is mostly found in the writing of the story through some of the progressing romance events and over explanation on basic concepts, while under explaining food descriptions or the cooking details. One section mentioned that Sadie was thinking about wearing a flowing white dress. But then it goes on to explain to the reader "But that couldn't happen because she's in cooking competition and didn't bring her whole wardrobe with her." We, as readers, can make that assumption and don't need details like that spelled out for us. The romance was cute, but didn't feel realistic. The "grand gesture" at the end was not at all grand, with nothing risked for anyone and nothing really gained out of it beyond the expected. It is mentioned in the beginning how little female chefs get acknowledged or the credit they deserve within the culinary world, and here is Sadie being absolutely obnoxious about a fellow female chef she has worked with for a few years now, so she's just feeding into the stigma. That's disappointing. For those looking for the spice range, there is no spice in this book. There are about two scenes of intense kissing but nothing beyond that. While the cooking show aspect was fun, it didn't feel like this book was written by someone that has a lot of chef or cooking experience. Sadie, at one point, describes her dish to the judges as a "herby, buttery sauce" and the show judges fell into this hole of describing the food or their presented dishes in the same generic manner. Overall, it was just a bit underwhelming for me.

I devoured this book, no pun intended.

Sadie is a chef in Seattle who is out of a job. When she gets a call to come in for an interview for a place on the TV show Chef Supreme, things start to turn around. Until she meets a cute guy on her flight who ends up being one of the judges.

If you were a fan of Top Chef you will absolutely love this book. It was basically like reading a season of the show and I loved every minute. I really liked that it went through each challenge and elimination. The ups, the downs, the details, the drama. I was here for all of it. It definitely helped that I liked Sadie and was rooting for her to win the whole show. Elliot did a nice job balancing the other contestants as likable, forgettable, and dislikable, so you didn’t always mind when people got eliminated.

I did like the insta-love connection with her and Luke. There was an immediate spark and it was fun seeing how they were going to work through the complication. I do feel like Sadie was a bit of an idiot when it came to the Luke stuff and sometimes I just wanted to shake her, but it was kind of a minor storyline so it didn’t bother me too much.

I also really appreciated all of the cultural reference. It wasn’t just Sadie and her nods to Jewish recipes in all of her challenges, but the other chefs paying tribute to their cultures or the cultures of their mentors. It was nice to see the growth of some of their chefs as they discovered who they are and find themselves in the kitchen.

This book was one I couldn’t put down. It felt like binge watching my favorite reality show and I now want to re-watch Top Chef. The details in the cooking were so enjoyable and I loved all of the characters. I would love this book to be a series or to follow some of the chefs from this season after the show, that’s how much I enjoyed them. I can’t wait for Elliot to write another book and am super impressed that this is her debut. I highly recommend it. Especially in the summer when you’re looking for a quick beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one unfortunately is going to be a DNF @ 41%. This was more fiction rather than romance and just didn't grab me as much as I would have liked. I'm definitely in the minority with this so it's just unfortunately personal preference. Some of the wording felt a bit fat phobic

3.5 Stars
As a huge food competitions show junkie, this book was right up my foodie alley. Sadie On A Plate gave me all the vibes of what a contestant has to deal with behind the scenes, to a degree.

We get a woman who is looking to overcome an ugly situation causing her to reinvent herself through this cooking TV thing. The huge factor of this book is her flight to New York for the show. She is a seatmate of another chef...neither is allowed to mention the show because of the standard NDA, so when they have experienced this strong connection, they have no idea of what is going to happen.

Surprise, they are on the same show, wanting to win to change their future, and how will it end.
A cute read.

First Impressions: Have We Met Before?

Fancy seeing you here, cartoon cover. Like the millions of cartoon covers that have come before it, this cover is cute. It’s inoffensive. It’s most unique feature is that it contains a beet. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it except that I’ve basically seen it a million times before.

What’s Your Type?

Forbidden Romance
Chefs
Workplace Romance
Cooking Competitions
Tasty Business
Dating Profile

Despite her reputation as an up-and-coming Seattle chef, Sadie has to skip town. After a public, humiliating break-up with her famous chef boyfriend, she’s been blacklisted from the Seattle restaurant scene. So she’s taking her creative spin on traditional Jewish cuisine to New York City, where she’s been chosen as a contestant on the cooking show Chef Supreme. Winning Chef Supreme would mean a chance to have her own restaurant and cook on her own terms.

But when Sadie meets fellow (sexy) chef Luke on the plane ride to NYC, the two hit it off and spend a magical evening together before parting ways…until the next day when she arrives on set and learns that Luke is also on Chef Supreme. In order to have a chance at a dream career, Sadie has to forget about Luke and focus on winning. But it’s really hard when Luke’s always around being a sexy chef, you know?

Meet Cute: Flight Risk

When Sadie boards her plane to New York, she does not expect to be seated next to a super hot chef who also loves Chef Supreme. She and Luke spend the whole flight binge watching the most recent season, and after they disembark, they aren’t ready to say goodbye. They spend an incredible afternoon at a Korean speakeasy, but baby girl signed a non-disclosure, so she can’t tell Luke why she’s in NYC…and if he is a fellow contestant on the show, he can’t say anything either. INTRIGUE.

The Lean: Forbidden Foodies

From While You Were Sleeping, Bill Pullman explains attraction to Sandra Bullock
Due to the legalities of being on Chef Supreme, any romance between Sadie and Luke is EXTREMELY off-limits, which, duh, makes them want each other that much more. And now that they’ve had a taste of what romance could be like together, it’s hard not to think about what could be. Unfortunately, every move Sadie makes is being filmed, so her only off-camera interactions with Luke are limited to rushed moments outside the bathrooms.

Dirty Talk: Not on the Menu

If you are looking for smut, this is not the book for you. Sadie on a Plate reads more like a book about a cooking competition with a romance side-plot. Sex scenes are minimal and generally fade to black before things get more than PG-13. But when Sadie and Luke do finally get a moment alone, you can bet there’s food involved.

Ms. Perky’s Prize for Purplest Prose

Teacher types on laptop while talking to student
Typing a romance novel on a computer screen
His fingernails raked their way down my back, making me shiver in the best way. I signed into his mouth, and he growled into mine.

I wanted him. Right now. Right here on this pile of summer squash.

We Need to Talk: More Tasty Business than Sexy Business

While this book lacked the sexy times I usually prefer from my romance novels, there were a handful of aspects that I did really enjoy. I loved that Sadie is Jewish, and her goal on Chef Supreme is to introduce the world to her unique, modernized take on Jewish food. The tasty business overfloweth!



And of course, if you love shows like Chopped, you’re going to love this book. I enjoy a cooking show now and then, but prefer the slower-paced, lower-drama types like Great British Bake Off. Chef Supreme‘s producers and judges kept Sadie and the other contestants on their toes, which means the reader is along for a rushed, frantic ride. Personally, I would’ve liked more time to savor Sadie and Luke’s romance, and less time spent on the other contestants, but the set-up of the story makes that understandably difficult.

Was It Good For You? Needs More Spice

Paul Hollywood looking judgemental
Was this book cute? Yes! Would I call it a romance novel? I guess that depends on your definition of a romance novel, and personally, I prefer a bit more spice. The romance really took a backseat to the cooking competition, and there wasn’t much in the way of sexy business. So if you prefer your rom-coms with more roasted beets than scenes between the sheets, this may be just what you’re craving.

FTC Full Disclosure: I did not receive money or Girl Scout cookies of any kind (not even the gross cranberry ones) for writing this review. Sadie on a Plate is available March 15, 2022.

My kingdom for a cooking competition romance!!!

Sadie on a Plate wasn’t what I was expecting but I mean that in the best way possible. A very Grey’s Anatomy setup where Sadie hits it off with a young man on her way to the set for the cooking competition TV show she’s competing in, only to find out that he’s one of the judges? YES. GIVE ME THE DRAMA.

Fighting to represent Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine in a new light while encouraging said judge to embrace his Korean background in his own cooking? I NEEDED MORE RECIPES.

A hero that throws himself under the bus so that she can thrive (after getting caught making out in a kitchen on camera)? WE STAN A GRAND GESTURE.

This book put a smile on my face and hunger in my belly. WHERE ARE THE RECIPES?!?

Thank you so much @BerkleyRomance & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 15 March 2022)

SYNOPSIS | Sadie is a chef who has made a name for herself creating Jewish-inspired recipes with her own special twist. She jumps at the opportunity to partake in a super popular cooking competition (Chef Supreme) & on the way there she finds herself sat next to another chef on the plane who may or may not be in the competition too.

WHAT I LIKED:
- all of the food descriptions (& cultural diversity in the recipes was top notch)
- the behind the scenes into the making of a cooking competition
- Sadie's relationship with the other contestants was the highlight of this story

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the story focused more on the cooking competition than on the actual romance
- there are very few scenes of Sadie & Luke together so I really struggled to understand their chemistry or root for them as a couple
- so much self-sabotaging for the sake of adding drama & obstacles to a not that great romance to begin with

Really enjoyed this book and the behind the scenes peek at a reality cooking show. The characters, friendships, and romance all rang very true and I'll definitely be recommending this book to my romance readers.

3.5⭐️
You know I can’t turn down a cooking show book!!
This was fun, flirty, great Jewish rep - all mixed together with a Top Chef style cooking competition and it turned out so delish! I loved Sadie’s journey - it definitely had a womens fic vibe. Loved the touch of forbidden romance. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would have like a tad less cooking details and more focus on the romance!
Overall, a great adult debut!

I adore foodie books and especially when they are mixed with romance. This was a really sweet lighthearted read. I loved the characters, really enjoyed all of the different types of food, particularly those from other cultures. I felt that the representation of women in the food industry was really well done. This was a really fun light read and I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

This book was a highly engaging and fun read! I adored the protagonist and all the descriptions of food made my mouth water. I will certainly be recommended this book to others to read.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for my gifted copy of Sadie on a Plate. This book was delightful!

Sadie has been broken up with and let go from her job when she gets a call for the cooking show of her dreams. Sadie becomes one of the twelve contestants fighting to be crowned Chef Supreme. On the flight to New York, Sadie chats with a handsome stranger only to find out he’s one of the judges on the show and they can’t have a relationship.

I love reading about a cooking show! The friendships and rivalries that form, the recipes and challenges they take on, they’re so much fun! I loved learning more about Sadie’s Jewish heritage and how her recipes represented her and her family. I loved the sweet moments with Sadie and Luke. I loved the friendship that developed with Kaitlyn and Sadie and especially loved the ending!

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2022/03/24/sadie-on-a-plate-by-amanda-elliot/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I thought I was going to have trouble after only reading the first page two nights in a row, but the third night I started a little earlier and voila, finished at 4am!   Sadie on a Plate was easy and fun to read.   The main character has a confidence break after getting dumped and fired by her chef boss.  She applies to Chef Supreme, not believing she would really get accepted but she does. On the plane, she meets a great guy named Luke and they go eat before she turns up at the contest.

I loved this cooking show plot.  It had the crazy, weird people that the shows always do.  Sadie hopes to get to the final four to have great restaurants or investors interested in her.  She isn't sure she has a shot but she hangs in there.  Of course she has some issues.  Various contestants, including Sadie,  run out of time to finish a dish, make a bad choice when creating a recipe, and burn or drop their food.

I couldn't stop reading.  The people, the relationships, and the food all appealed to me.  Sadie goes through some real personal growth and learns to believe in herself and also not to view others negatively.  There are both good and bad people in the world and it's surprisingly what happens when you get to really know someone.

Sadie on the Plate is perfection.

The protagonist is relatable.
The reality TV setup structure.
The Jewish food. 🍲😌 I’m here dreaming of my aunt Shira’s Matzah Ball soup!

The characters are fun and well developed. The love interest isn’t the entire plot, but just a part of it, which I like. I like the focus on Sadie and her cooking and her character growth.

I can already tell this is going to be a favorite of the year. I am fully planning to buy physical copies of this book to gift to everyone I know. A must read, for sure!

I think we have discussed my love of cooking books with romance in them before right? Add in a competition element and you are sure to win both mine (and other readers) hearts.

I loved this book.

Spoilers ahead: I don’t know that I would categorize it as a romance or a romcom, and I think it’s more of a women’s fiction novel, but it is very very good. Don’t get me wrong, there *is* a romantic interest, and there is romance but it is secondary to Sadie falling in love with herself.

Sadie is a disaster bisexual chef who gets blacklisted when her boss spitefully dumps her and fires her at the same time. In a lucky turn of events, Sadie auditioned for and is accepted onto a cooking show where she will debut her unique style of modern Ashkenazi Jewish cooking. That’s right, we’ve got a 🫧bisexual Jewish protagonist!🫧

On the plane from Seattle to the competition house in Astoria, Queens, she’s seated with a half-Korean hottie named Luke and sparks fly. After they land, Luke takes her on an impromptu date nearby the show house, and they share a world shaking kiss.

Sadie meets her competition, and over the course of the challenges, finds her voice above the insecurities plaguing her soul, above the misogyny in the cooking world, and her voice as a modern Jewish chef. The other competitors are another bisexual chef, her frenemy Kaitlyn, and a non-binary person Kel, as well as four men named Joe. The competition and the food dishes feel real (or as real as a person who watches GBBO and Top Chef understands it to be real), and I couldn’t put it down once they really got into it.

HUGE SPOILER: Luke is one of the judges 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

There’s a lot of mutual pining. I’m not going to say anything more on it, except that it’s just the right amount of pining for a contestant and a judge, and that @amandapanitch managed to make matzah brie somewhat sexy. Put it into my veins, please!

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC, this was everything I wanted and more.

4.5/5 stars

Sadie on a Plate is the author's debut adult novel. It is a fun romantic comedy that has amazing Jewish representation.

I am Jewish and am the biggest Top Chef fan around. So this book could not have been more perfect for me.

Sadie is a 27 year old Jewish chef living in Seattle. She is such an amazing heroine. I absolutely adored her.

The story focuses a lot on a Top Chef type competition. And I was obsessed with absolutely everything about this part of the story.

Sadie's cooking style is Jewish cuisine with a twist. And I thought that this was incredible. The Jewish representation in this book was amazing.

The book is so funny. But due to the circumstances the romance aspect is not the main focus of the book. However I still loved everything about it.

I have not enjoyed a book this much in a while. And I absolutely cannot wait to read the author's next Berkley Romance book titled Best Served Hot, coming out in 2023.

[Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for my gifted e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions reflected are my own]

Synopsis:
Sadie is a Chef on the rise in the Seattle scene, making a name for herself by creating delicious Jewish-inspired recipes, with her own special twist. She is currently unemployed and feeling down, when she gets a call from a show that is *most definitely not* Top Chef to join this season's contestants. On her flight out to the show, she ends up sitting next to another Chef, who may or may not also be competing. They both skirt around the topic and even watch a few episodes of "Chef Supreme" together during the flight. The kitchen isn't the only thing heating up... but what is this mysterious stranger's true identity? I devoured this romance in single sitting, and was left hungry for more Amanda Elliot!

Review:
This book is tasty, delicious fun! I loved all of the recipe ideas, it definitely makes you hungry as you read! If you are an aspiring chef or home chef, you'll love all the foodie mentions - however, it inspired me to want to go out to a fancy restaurant (not much of a cook). The romance is sweet and a tad spicy, and there are a few surprises around each corner - which I thoroughly enjoyed. It wasn't overly predictable, and was so much fun!

Tropes:
- Forbidden Love
- A Dash of Enemies to Lovers

I am such a Top Chef super fan and I just loved this! I read other reviews stating this wasn't heavy on the romance and I agree - that helped me taper my expectations for this one and I really enjoyed it! So fun.

Warning… reading Sadie on a Plate will make you extremely hungry. 🤤

Sadie is a chef who has a a shot on the big reality cooking show Chef Supreme. On her way to NYC for filming she meets a fellow food enthusiast. They share a wonderful day before she heads into seclusion for filming. To her surprise her date turns out to be a judge.

I really enjoyed Sadie’s characters. Her banter had me cracking up. This story is mostly about Sadie’s journey from a meek/timid chef to a confident chef capable of running her own restaurant. I enjoyed her growth throughout the story. Heads up there is minimal romance. Would recommend this one if you love reality shows and great food!