The Compulsive Chef

by Stephen Anthony

Too many chefs spoil the soup, or in the case of Sophia’s Trattoria, a trendy restaurant onMelrose Avenue, too many mobsters in the kitchen spoil the fun. Foodies and fine diningaficionados will love The Compulsive Chef by Stephen Anthony, a light hearted rompthat celebrates all things gastronomic. When David, a young, world-class chef, and hisbrother Vinnie open a new restaurant in the City of Angels with seed money secured from mob boss Don Stefano, they unknowingly take on more than they bargained for.Blinding success is theirs until the Don’s nephew Fat Tony muscles his way into the restaurant and opens a private club in the backroom. With the Feds growing suspicious and David unable to keep his hands off of Fat Tony’s lustful wife, things reach a boiling point. In a rush of action and drama, a tragic event occurs and David is forced to run from the mafia and flee to a tropical island.

299 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2012

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young man who doesn't quite grow up convinces his father and brother that he should have a career in cooking. He only mnages one semester in cooking school but he goes off to Europe to learn to be a good chef. He doesn't hold a job for long anywhere usually because he is mixed up with a women. Him and his brother get involved with the mafia and get money to start a restaurant. Suspenseful in places. Characters are ok, not really memorable.

[grundoon · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 I'll put up with quite a lot in pursuit of a little kitchen action. Your basic loser finds his calling while dishwashing in his brother's restaurant, gets promoted, goes to culinary school, heads abroad, etc. - sounds promising, no? Turns out no. There is literally more text praising his cooking than text involving his cooking. Which is ridiculously pedestrian, what little mention there is. And trust me, this disappointment was still the highlight. Unless you enjoy counting homophone errors, I guess - in which case you[ll be in heaven.

[Alison]

kindle 233

[Lazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is not for everyone, especially if you're sensitive to women's issues. Lots of sex and humor. I liked it and would recommend it to thicker skinned, youthful thinking males.