Hong Kong!

Recipe for Adventure #3

by Giada De Laurentiis, Francesca Gambatesa (Illustrator)

When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what's in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia's plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food cannot only take you places but can also bring you back home.

In the third book in the series, Zia's secret ingredient takes Alfie and Emilia to the other side of the world - Hong Kong! Ying and her family are convinced that Alfie and Emilia are the foreign exchange students scheduled to visit them, and the siblings soon find themselves helping out with the opening of the family's new restaurant. Between shopping at the markets, assisting in the kitchen, and trying to get back home, Alfie and Emilia discover the sights and sounds of the exotic and bustling city.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Fantasy, Cooking, Chapter Books, Childrens, China

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2014

About the author

Giada Pamela De Laurentiis is an Italian American chef, entrepreneur, writer, and television personality. She was the host of Food Network's program called Giada at Home. She also appears regularly as a contributor and guest co-host on NBC's program entitled Today. De Laurentiis is the founder of the catering business GDL Foods. She is a winner of the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Host and the Gracie Award for Best Television Host. She was also recognized by the International Hospitality Institute as one of the Global 100 in Hospitality, a list featuring the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality.

Reviews

[Namratha · Rating 3 out of 5]

One bite of Zia Donatella’s crispy Scallion Pancakes, and siblings Emilia and Alfie are magically transported to Hong Kong, right at the start of the Chinese New Year festivities. They are conveniently taken in by a hardworking and cheerful family who are busy, excited, and stressed over the opening of their new restaurant.

As the two soak in the beauty, buzz, and fervour of Hong Kong during the festive season, try out new and surprising dishes, pitch in at the restaurant, and help their new friend pursue her passion, they also learn a valuable life-lesson on how to balance your desires with your responsibilities.

This is a fictional food-based travel series aimed at a younger audience, and while you do need to suspend reality and practicality, it also makes for a quick and engaging read.

I read this book on the eve of the Lunar New Year 2024, and accompanied by a plate of crackly wantons, this was the perfect pick for this time of the year.

[Geordie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very by the numbers. If your child likes happy endings and isn't bored by predictable stories, it might be worth a read.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. I am liking the way this series is going. Timid big sis Emilia is beginning to take risks, gaining confidence as the children visit more cities, willing to try more new things, less worried all the time.

I think we don't generally expect character development from book to book in a series meant for such young readers - Jack and Annie, for example, are completely frozen in time - because the books are often read out of order. But I would have had trouble recommending this series if that sister had remained such a fragile flower.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It made for good discussion about deceiving others and telling the truth. The Hong Kong daughter in this book is pretty naughty.

[Sarah DY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun series to read to my boys 8 and 10. We all learn about new parts of the world and traditions and foods in that region as we travel along with Alfie and Amelia.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, easy read! I read this to fill some time and it was a surprisingly cute story of two siblings (Emilia and Alfie) who are magically whisked away to Hong Kong where they meet Ying and her family who are about to open their own restaurant. Told from Alfie's perspective, he two siblings learn about Chinese foods, cooking, Chinese New Year traditions, and the importance of family and hard work. I loved all of the small details that allowed me to imagine Hong Kong and the intricate yet simple descriptions of food flavors. I also really enjoyed the look into Chinese culture and family life. Overall, a very cute middle grade novel! I'll definitely be looking out for the rest of the series! #weneeddiversebooks

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute adventure book about Emilia and Alfie visiting Hong Kong, and learning first-hand how to cook authentic Chinese food from two skilled chefs at their family restaurant. I loved how this story incorporated both family and food, through a variety of different scenarios, such as Ying's desire to perform gymnastics, and the review by Mrs. Liu. The pictures were also cute to look at, and a welcome addition to the storyline! I loved how Giada included two recipes at the back of the book for us to try at home, which sounded quite delicious. I wish that I could be transported to a different country like Emilia and Alfie, such a unique story, love it!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, but not the execution.
There are a lot of books about magically transporting to different times and places, and the foodie twist is a good one. I don’t know enough about Hong Kong to know if the cultural representations are accurate, but hopefully the author has done her research on each of these locales.

Unfortunately, the plot is kind of bland. The host family is opening a restaurant, and want their daughter to help prepare. However, she is preparing for a performance in the parade and keeps sneaking off to practice (though she isn’t very careful and keeps getting caught). More sight seeing, less family drama please.

[Isla McKetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling little adventure.

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hong Kong! is a book in the Recipe for Adventure series written by celebrity chef and Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis. The main characters, Italian-American siblings Emilia and Alfie and Great-Aunt Zia enjoy cooking together. Zia's recipes include foods from her around-the-world travels, and somehow, when the siblings share these new (to them) dishes, they are magically transported to another place: Paris, or Rio...In this edition, the siblings find themselves as exchange students visiting Hong Kong, where they enjoy the Chinese New Years celebrations with their host family. Read along as Emilia learns about traditional Hong Kong cooking while helping to open up the family's new restaurant, and Alfie enjoys fishing and shopping for seafood in the market. Will Mrs. Liu, the dining authority's restaurant reviewer show up to review the new restaurant? Will she be pleased with what she is served and write a positive review. Will Ying's secret "project" be revealed to her parents, and will she be in trouble for it?

I enjoy the travel and food connections included in each book in the series. Kudos to Giada and her writer for this concept that will introduce middle grade children to new adventures in recipes and food.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother and sister Alfie and Emilia are always excited to see what Aunt Zia is going to cook up for them next. Her cooking is magic and able to transport the kids to a different place. This time they are sent to Hong Kong. They are mistaken for exchange students and stay with a family opening a new restaurant. They get to know Hong Kong and all the exciting things it has to offer all the while eating a lot of great food.

I haven't read the first two books in this series but I don't think you need to in order to understand it. It is a great book for fans of Magic Tree House. The kids are likable and Giada includes a lot of good information on the location and the foods available. It really isn't a good series to read when you are hungry; you are going to be even hungrier after you are finished!

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know my students will love this! A story set in our beloved city during Chinese New Year. Emilia and her brother Alfie go on an adventure inspired by stories and cooking of their great-aunt Zia Donatella. They see some of Hong Kong's most famous landmarks and get to eat lots of favorite and for Hong Kong typical and mouth-watering dishes, as they help Ying and her family to open their restaurant, The Golden Lion. This is a wonderful early chapter book series, produced by Emmy-award winning chef Giada De Laurentiis. The text does not overwhelm, comes in a bigger font and is interspersed with cute black and white illustrations throughout the story. I will definitely order other available titles in the series for our library. Much fun!

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hong Kong: Recipe for Adventure by Giada De Laurentiis – My son and I had so much fun reading this book! We enjoyed the premise with magical food that allows you to travel to another location to live there and explore. I enjoyed the attitudes of the brother and sister who have learned to go with the flow and try to experience new things during their adventure whether they’re learning to fish, cook, make special wishes, learn about different cultures, or try new foods. My kiddo loved how the kids explored different areas around Hong Kong that we were familiar with. Warning, this book could start to make you drool… there are a few recipe cards at the end of the book as well!

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie and Emilia are off again, this time to Hong Kong. As happened before, Zia's food sends the children on a culinary journey. Once more the kids arrive in time to help a restaurant. This time, the host family is opening a new restaurant. Alfie and Emilia also get to learn about Chinese New Year and Chinese superstitions. Of course, there is also the young daughter of the hosts who has her own agenda which leads to adventures for all.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for when Magic Tree House is too easy, but you still want to read something exactly like it. A healthy suspension of disbelief is needed.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite in the series

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The short story Recipe got Adventure is by Giada De Laurentiis is about a family went to China, a place that has many different of their home, and find many interesting things.
At the beginning of the story, the family are planning where to go until Zia coming back from China, so they decide to go to China.
At the middle of the story, They arrived at Hong Kong and it is Spring festival there, everything for them is interesting.
At the end of the story, they learn many thing about the Chinese culture and they learn how interesting is the different culture mixing together.
The story show us that went to a place that is not same at home is a very good way to learn.