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A Serving of Scandal
People just love a scandal . . . Kate McKinnon is thirty-six and mother to five-year-old Toby. She used to be a restaurant chef, but then Toby came along. Now she has a small but thriving catering business. Her life is on an even keel but that's about to change.
She gets a job cooking lunch at the Foreign Office and there she has her first fateful meeting with Oliver Stapler, Secretary of State. Married and a father, he's totally out of bounds, yet she falls for him. Though she tries to keep her feelings secret, rumours start to fly. When someone alerts the gutter press, who cares whether Kate's affair with Oliver is true or not?
She gets a job cooking lunch at the Foreign Office and there she has her first fateful meeting with Oliver Stapler, Secretary of State. Married and a father, he's totally out of bounds, yet she falls for him. Though she tries to keep her feelings secret, rumours start to fly. When someone alerts the gutter press, who cares whether Kate's affair with Oliver is true or not?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
20 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 6, 2020
What a disappointment! I could empathize with Kate's struggles as a business owner, but I didn't actually like her. No woman is dense enough not to realize when she's flirting with a man. When he's married, and a public figure, too, she cannot be that obtuse. Oliver was a fool, too, to think that their late-night conversations wouldn't be tabloid fodder. His wife was a shrew and his children were brats. Really, the only character I enjoyed was little Toby. Sorry, Ms. Leith, I'm going to need better characters than this if you expect them to carry a book.
April 20, 2013
I have always found Prue Leith an interesting personality and have followed her career as a professional chef and food writer in the press so of course it will be no surprise that when she started writing fiction, I wanted to read them. I have now read four of her five novels including this one, starting with Leaving Patrick in 1999, Sisters in 2002, and The Gardener in 2008. Her novels are not great literature but they are enjoyable and realistic, as she draws on her own life experiences as a business woman and a cook. Her writing will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction. Although sometimes a little predictable she provides exactly what one should expect if you pick up a book in this genre, an engaging and well written story. The theme of food, politics and celebrity gossip seen through the eyes of the two main characters and how innocent people can be drawn into a scandal held my interest.
The female protagonist Kate McKinnon is your average single mother of a five year old son, attempting to balance bringing him up alone and keep up the success of her private catering company. When Kate is hired by the Foreign Office to cook at private functions for them she comes into contact with Oliver Stapler, Secretary of State. She finds herself befriended by him and does not see the dangers that this might lead to, as she knows he is unobtainable to her, or is he? Unfortunately there are people that would like to see Kate fail, so alerting the press to an affair, true or not, is a good way of destroying her business. As well as Kate's narrative of events we are also told Oliver's side of the story, through his own voice. I must say I was surprised at how naive he was portrayed as, considering his political position in the government, one would have expected him to be more worldly.
In conclusion an interesting scenario that left me not really knowing what was going to happen to the friendship between Kate and Oliver. Maybe Prue Leith is planning a sequel?
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
The female protagonist Kate McKinnon is your average single mother of a five year old son, attempting to balance bringing him up alone and keep up the success of her private catering company. When Kate is hired by the Foreign Office to cook at private functions for them she comes into contact with Oliver Stapler, Secretary of State. She finds herself befriended by him and does not see the dangers that this might lead to, as she knows he is unobtainable to her, or is he? Unfortunately there are people that would like to see Kate fail, so alerting the press to an affair, true or not, is a good way of destroying her business. As well as Kate's narrative of events we are also told Oliver's side of the story, through his own voice. I must say I was surprised at how naive he was portrayed as, considering his political position in the government, one would have expected him to be more worldly.
In conclusion an interesting scenario that left me not really knowing what was going to happen to the friendship between Kate and Oliver. Maybe Prue Leith is planning a sequel?
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
March 29, 2020
Being quarantined at home because of the Corona virus has enabled me to catch up on my readings. So I managed to finish this book in 2 days time. This is my first time reading a book by Prue Leith. I have never heard of this author before, bought her book from a second hand seller. Well, I would say her style of writing is interesting and very real. This is a delicious book coming from a Chef herself. I love the way she described the menu and food, makes me salivating all the way. And the part on the politics and papparazi, it is just so real. Overall, I rate this book as 3 stars only but it is an interesting and enjoyable book to read. I am looking forward to read other books by her.
March 23, 2018
This is was exactly what I imagined a novel written by Prue Leith would be.
March 28, 2020
Delightful!!!!!!!!!!! Love Prue Leith!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 13, 2022
Perfect escapism and well carfted.
January 21, 2024
I loved this book in spite of the fact that it kept me up till most of the night. Great characters. The food and catering descriptions were awesome!
March 1, 2025
This was a cute little romance novel by my favorite British Bake-off judge!
October 12, 2025
oh, prue.
July 8, 2015
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
I selected this book to review from NetGalley’s focus on romance newsletter because I felt like a light and easy read. Turns out NetGalley has a different definition of contemporary romance than the bookstore.
It’s a lesson in labeling and advertising, because at first I had a hard time getting into the story. It not only broke with romance conventions, but it threw them completely out the window.
So, lesson one is to read this as a book, not a genre.
Lesson two … well there wasn’t one. The minute I let go of my genre expectations, I was sunk…into the story in the best way possible.
Leith puts together a complex tale of the life of a British politician, the risks of gossip, and of having enemies no matter how small or petty the cause. The novel explores the dangers with dancing on the edge of that political life for the business folks involved in keeping the gears oiled.
A Serving of Scandal also explores the reality of relationships and expectations, showing how people can grow apart or find deeper connections, but also the little lies people tell themselves either because they fear the unknown, or want something unattainable.
To give you some idea of what I mean, I’ll give you just a taste of the story, with all attempts made to avoid spoilers:
Kate is a single mom and a talented chef who is making her living catering largely to government offices. She catches the taste buds and then the intellectual interest of Oliver, next in line for the prime minister if he doesn’t screw it up.
The first time he comes to thank her for a delicious meal, it’s just that. But they get talking. He’s thrilled at her no-nonsense honesty when he’s surrounded by politicians around which he has to watch his wording and gets back much of the same.
Unlike the rush and tumble of most romances, they don’t fall into bed. Their connection grows into a strong friendship, sharing stories of their kids, and even Oliver’s wife.
And that was the initial block for me. Oliver is married with two kids. He believes he loves his wife, believes she loves him too, but things have changed. They used to challenge each other intellectually, but Ruth is turned off by the reality of politics and by Oliver buying into a system he joined to enact change.
It’s a complex situation already, but then everything is turned upside down by a rumor, a false rumor at that, but one which brings a whiff of scandal and destroys lives left and right.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a fascinating insight into the life of a politician, and those elements seem to translate into US politics as well, though I don’t know about how other countries balance the personal and political enough to say about a wider lesson. But don’t think it’s all about politics, because it’s not. A Serving of Scandal offers a close look at how people grow together and apart as well, both in Oliver and Kate’s friendship, and how Ruth and Oliver have moved away from the things that first connected them.
I can’t say anything further without putting in serious spoilers, but know this… If they use the cover blurb included in the galley, it’ll lead you astray and drop you into the expectation vs. book place I started with. Instead, let the book tell you its tale. Everything in the blurb is true. Nothing in the blurb is true. It all depends on how you read it.
This is a reprint, but the latest publication will be released on August 6th, 2013, including an eBook version as well.
I selected this book to review from NetGalley’s focus on romance newsletter because I felt like a light and easy read. Turns out NetGalley has a different definition of contemporary romance than the bookstore.
It’s a lesson in labeling and advertising, because at first I had a hard time getting into the story. It not only broke with romance conventions, but it threw them completely out the window.
So, lesson one is to read this as a book, not a genre.
Lesson two … well there wasn’t one. The minute I let go of my genre expectations, I was sunk…into the story in the best way possible.
Leith puts together a complex tale of the life of a British politician, the risks of gossip, and of having enemies no matter how small or petty the cause. The novel explores the dangers with dancing on the edge of that political life for the business folks involved in keeping the gears oiled.
A Serving of Scandal also explores the reality of relationships and expectations, showing how people can grow apart or find deeper connections, but also the little lies people tell themselves either because they fear the unknown, or want something unattainable.
To give you some idea of what I mean, I’ll give you just a taste of the story, with all attempts made to avoid spoilers:
Kate is a single mom and a talented chef who is making her living catering largely to government offices. She catches the taste buds and then the intellectual interest of Oliver, next in line for the prime minister if he doesn’t screw it up.
The first time he comes to thank her for a delicious meal, it’s just that. But they get talking. He’s thrilled at her no-nonsense honesty when he’s surrounded by politicians around which he has to watch his wording and gets back much of the same.
Unlike the rush and tumble of most romances, they don’t fall into bed. Their connection grows into a strong friendship, sharing stories of their kids, and even Oliver’s wife.
And that was the initial block for me. Oliver is married with two kids. He believes he loves his wife, believes she loves him too, but things have changed. They used to challenge each other intellectually, but Ruth is turned off by the reality of politics and by Oliver buying into a system he joined to enact change.
It’s a complex situation already, but then everything is turned upside down by a rumor, a false rumor at that, but one which brings a whiff of scandal and destroys lives left and right.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a fascinating insight into the life of a politician, and those elements seem to translate into US politics as well, though I don’t know about how other countries balance the personal and political enough to say about a wider lesson. But don’t think it’s all about politics, because it’s not. A Serving of Scandal offers a close look at how people grow together and apart as well, both in Oliver and Kate’s friendship, and how Ruth and Oliver have moved away from the things that first connected them.
I can’t say anything further without putting in serious spoilers, but know this… If they use the cover blurb included in the galley, it’ll lead you astray and drop you into the expectation vs. book place I started with. Instead, let the book tell you its tale. Everything in the blurb is true. Nothing in the blurb is true. It all depends on how you read it.
This is a reprint, but the latest publication will be released on August 6th, 2013, including an eBook version as well.
July 18, 2012
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
First, please do not judge this book by its cover! I did. And I was wrong. Whoever designed this one was way off or if the publisher is trying to package chick lit in a different way, this is definitely not the way to go. A Serving of Scandal sat in my to be read pile for ages before I finally picked it up, but I was pleasantly surprised when I did.
Now the cover doesn’t really work because the photo of the woman along with the title had me expecting something more, well, Harlequin I guess, which really isn’t to my taste. But when I finally sat down to indulge in a little scandal I discovered the main character, Kate McKinnon, is an average woman. She’s a single mum to five year old Toby, heads her own catering company and barely has a moment to sleep, let alone time for romance.
When Kate is hired by the Foreign Office to cook, she finds herself befriended by the very married Secretary of State. It’s because he’s off limits that she doesn’t think anything of it, but later when she discovers she has developed feelings for him, her name is flashing all across the news. She’s having an affair with The Secretary of State. Only she actually isn’t.
I found the political and celebrity gossip storyline interesting, especially as it explored how innocent people can be destroyed by the lack of empathy regarding whether the rumours they spread are even true. I liked how we were given Oliver’s side of the story through his own narrative and enjoyed how bumbling and naïve he was, which was also different to what I expected from this novel.
Kate’s job was different from the usual chef angle and showed how much work catering really is, especially as a single mother and how much work being a single mother is. Period. And the food had me drooling on every other page.
The friendship she had with Talika was warm and heartfelt and I loved how they were continually helping each other out with their businesses or kids and that Talika’s husband was so kind and protective of Kate. It was such a lovely relationship and portrayed so well in the novel.
A Serving of Scandal was an interesting, easy read and one I wish had been ‘packaged’ differently. This is one Kathryn probably should have read because I’m sure she would have loved it (and may still yet when get around to it).
I would definitely pick up another by Prue Leith!
First, please do not judge this book by its cover! I did. And I was wrong. Whoever designed this one was way off or if the publisher is trying to package chick lit in a different way, this is definitely not the way to go. A Serving of Scandal sat in my to be read pile for ages before I finally picked it up, but I was pleasantly surprised when I did.
Now the cover doesn’t really work because the photo of the woman along with the title had me expecting something more, well, Harlequin I guess, which really isn’t to my taste. But when I finally sat down to indulge in a little scandal I discovered the main character, Kate McKinnon, is an average woman. She’s a single mum to five year old Toby, heads her own catering company and barely has a moment to sleep, let alone time for romance.
When Kate is hired by the Foreign Office to cook, she finds herself befriended by the very married Secretary of State. It’s because he’s off limits that she doesn’t think anything of it, but later when she discovers she has developed feelings for him, her name is flashing all across the news. She’s having an affair with The Secretary of State. Only she actually isn’t.
I found the political and celebrity gossip storyline interesting, especially as it explored how innocent people can be destroyed by the lack of empathy regarding whether the rumours they spread are even true. I liked how we were given Oliver’s side of the story through his own narrative and enjoyed how bumbling and naïve he was, which was also different to what I expected from this novel.
Kate’s job was different from the usual chef angle and showed how much work catering really is, especially as a single mother and how much work being a single mother is. Period. And the food had me drooling on every other page.
The friendship she had with Talika was warm and heartfelt and I loved how they were continually helping each other out with their businesses or kids and that Talika’s husband was so kind and protective of Kate. It was such a lovely relationship and portrayed so well in the novel.
A Serving of Scandal was an interesting, easy read and one I wish had been ‘packaged’ differently. This is one Kathryn probably should have read because I’m sure she would have loved it (and may still yet when get around to it).
I would definitely pick up another by Prue Leith!
February 28, 2013
A Leisurely Romance
Kate McKinnon is planning to do exceptionally well at her first catering job with the Foreign Office. She does and in the process impresses Oliver Stapler, Foreign Secretary, who starts to use her same catering firm for his dinners. Kate is raising her son Toby alone after breaking up with the boy's father. Oliver is married to a woman who is far more interested in her horses than his career. Gradually, they find that they're interested in each other and the problems begin.
On the positive side, the opening chapters of this book give the reader a glimpse of the world of high level catering. Kate is a likeable character and her world which includes her Indian friends, who own a restaurant, is fascinating. Oliver, likewise, is a sympathetic character. He's trying to balance his life between his home and the problems of the Foreign Office.
On the negative side, not a great deal happens until the middle of the book when Kate and Oliver realize that they are attracted to each other. What I missed in the book is a striving by either character to reach some goal aside from coping with the pressures of everyday life. However, the book is fun to read and a relaxing way to spend an evening.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
Kate McKinnon is planning to do exceptionally well at her first catering job with the Foreign Office. She does and in the process impresses Oliver Stapler, Foreign Secretary, who starts to use her same catering firm for his dinners. Kate is raising her son Toby alone after breaking up with the boy's father. Oliver is married to a woman who is far more interested in her horses than his career. Gradually, they find that they're interested in each other and the problems begin.
On the positive side, the opening chapters of this book give the reader a glimpse of the world of high level catering. Kate is a likeable character and her world which includes her Indian friends, who own a restaurant, is fascinating. Oliver, likewise, is a sympathetic character. He's trying to balance his life between his home and the problems of the Foreign Office.
On the negative side, not a great deal happens until the middle of the book when Kate and Oliver realize that they are attracted to each other. What I missed in the book is a striving by either character to reach some goal aside from coping with the pressures of everyday life. However, the book is fun to read and a relaxing way to spend an evening.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
July 27, 2013
I fell in love with the first part of this book. All the cooking and talking about food had me swooning. Kate's personality and huge heart pulled me in. Oliver became part of the scene and it quickly fell apart, for both of them. Their strong connection had me routing for them, even though Oliver was married. Its understandable that as Kate's life was turned upside down that she cooked less and that was hard for me to read. Myself having a love of food and history of working in the industry, had me screaming at her to start cooking again, it is what she needed, her therapy. I found myself lost and just reading to find out what happened next and yet not really caring. As Kate started to get her mojo back, found a teaching job, Oliver appeared. The story started picking back up for me, all it was missing was FOOD! Then it was over and I will have to wait to find out what happens next. As long as Kate and Oliver are cooking together....
Thank you NetGalley for providing this book to read.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this book to read.
March 7, 2016
The first 100 pages of this book were excruciating. I can't remember the last time a book has LITERALLY made me fall asleep. I really wanted to stop reading, but I bought this book at a used book sale, and the fact that I had paid money for it was enough to compel me to continue suffering through it. I was pleasantly surprised when the plot finally picked up around page 120. The book is about the friendship between a catering cook and the British foreign minister and the fallout that occurs when the media mistakenly accuses them of having an affair. Once the book actually gets to the scandal, it becomes quite compelling. I even considered giving it 3 stars, but then I remembered how miserable those first 100 pages were.
Overall, the author had an interesting idea, but her writing was weak at best. Not even the copious mentions of food were enough to make me really like this book. I suspect the author would have had more success if she had saved herself the trouble and written a cookbook.
Overall, the author had an interesting idea, but her writing was weak at best. Not even the copious mentions of food were enough to make me really like this book. I suspect the author would have had more success if she had saved herself the trouble and written a cookbook.
May 9, 2013
This is i suppose considered to be a novel of the "chick lit" variety but to be fair it had a really engaging storyline and quite a serious theme.
Set in the environs of politics and the catering world, Kate McKinnon is making quite a good business out of catering for political conventions and side line private work but when she strikes up a friendship with Oliver Stapler a prominent political figure scandal ensues when a disgruntled worker leaks their friendship to the press thereby putting a sordid spin on their friendship and effectively ruining both their political and catering careers due to the scandal, with their lives and personal relationships blown apart both Kate and Oliver attempt to struggle on and pick up the their shattered lives and careers but are there developing feelings between them and can they possibly salvage any happiness either seperately or together? A charming tale of misunderstanding and heartbreak.
Well worth reading.
Set in the environs of politics and the catering world, Kate McKinnon is making quite a good business out of catering for political conventions and side line private work but when she strikes up a friendship with Oliver Stapler a prominent political figure scandal ensues when a disgruntled worker leaks their friendship to the press thereby putting a sordid spin on their friendship and effectively ruining both their political and catering careers due to the scandal, with their lives and personal relationships blown apart both Kate and Oliver attempt to struggle on and pick up the their shattered lives and careers but are there developing feelings between them and can they possibly salvage any happiness either seperately or together? A charming tale of misunderstanding and heartbreak.
Well worth reading.
September 7, 2016
Reading Prue Leith is rather like immersing oneself in a delicious warm bath. Nothing challenging, just comfort and softness all the way.
A Serving of Scandal is about Kate, a caterer and Oliver, an MP who enjoy each other’s company (as friends) so much that they spend time together after the government meals and events which Kate, caterer extraordinaire, chefs for. Oliver is clever and ambitious with a horsey wife and daughters in the country. The press gets hold of the drinkies after work thing with Kate and Oliver and all hell breaks loose. Paparazzi, press statements, meetings with the PM, etc. all set in wonderful Westminster and surrounds. Loved it. Prue Leith lends extra credibility and interest to the plot by having been a food writer herself and giving us little tips and recipes on the way.
A Serving of Scandal is about Kate, a caterer and Oliver, an MP who enjoy each other’s company (as friends) so much that they spend time together after the government meals and events which Kate, caterer extraordinaire, chefs for. Oliver is clever and ambitious with a horsey wife and daughters in the country. The press gets hold of the drinkies after work thing with Kate and Oliver and all hell breaks loose. Paparazzi, press statements, meetings with the PM, etc. all set in wonderful Westminster and surrounds. Loved it. Prue Leith lends extra credibility and interest to the plot by having been a food writer herself and giving us little tips and recipes on the way.
June 14, 2011
Poor Kate McKinnon, definitely dealt the short end of the stick when it comes to love! Caught in a terribly situation with a very public figure her life is in shambles. She can't even load her van without the photographers harassing her! With no help from the Foreign Office, she tries to keep her life as normal as possible. Oliver is unable to help her - on the advice of his advisers, he is dealing with his own personal issues!
This was a cute story, the characters were well written and engaging. There were a few moments that kinda dragged, but it was well worth it! Ms. Leith wrote an beautiful story!
This was a new author for me, but I will definitely been looking into some of her other works.
This was a cute story, the characters were well written and engaging. There were a few moments that kinda dragged, but it was well worth it! Ms. Leith wrote an beautiful story!
This was a new author for me, but I will definitely been looking into some of her other works.
August 23, 2014
Definitely different from any book I have read.
Kate McKinnon runs a successful catering business. Until meeting Oliver Stapler, the Foreign Secretary while catering for Foreign Office. Kate is an exceptional cook and Oliver is drawn to her food. After meeting each other the fragile friendship starts to blossom until it is dragged to public`s eye. People naturally believe they are having an affair, since Oliver is married. Things go downhill from then for both. Kate goes through hell, being surronded and bullied by journalists while Oliver has a strong team behind him and left Kate to deal with alligations on her own.
Kate McKinnon runs a successful catering business. Until meeting Oliver Stapler, the Foreign Secretary while catering for Foreign Office. Kate is an exceptional cook and Oliver is drawn to her food. After meeting each other the fragile friendship starts to blossom until it is dragged to public`s eye. People naturally believe they are having an affair, since Oliver is married. Things go downhill from then for both. Kate goes through hell, being surronded and bullied by journalists while Oliver has a strong team behind him and left Kate to deal with alligations on her own.
December 16, 2016
Featuring two very different characters, and their alternating viewpoints. We have Kate who is a single mum and quality caterer, and Oliver Stapler who is married with kids, and happens to be Secretary of State. They both have one thing in common, a love of good food and slowly start to get to know each other, until outside influences get involved. There are many top notch descriptions of food which were making my mouth water, I loved seeing just how much the press can over exaggerate a very simple situation.
August 10, 2013
A day after finishing it, I'm not sure why I like it so much. A combination of food and romance, I guess. More kissing was definitely needed! Maybe that's what pulled me through: wondering when they might ever get around to kissing. That and wondering what else I might learn about food. The author is a celebrity chef. I loved the scenes where the caterer heroine was dealing with a food/event crisis.
October 10, 2015
Brilliant story about cooking, politics and love. Kate lives with her six year old son Toby, and runs her own catering business, doing a lot of parliamentary functions. Oliver is an MP and is married to Kate with two daughters. They become friends but someone starts spreading rumours that there is more to their relationship, and the newspapers pick up the story as a political scandal. It all starts to go horribly wrong for both of them...
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June 4, 2011http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....
A Serving of Scandal was a fun book to read, it got a bit long in some places, but overall the characters were interesting and honorable given the situation. Overall it was a good read by a "new to me" author. I will definitely be checking out more of her work.
A Serving of Scandal was a fun book to read, it got a bit long in some places, but overall the characters were interesting and honorable given the situation. Overall it was a good read by a "new to me" author. I will definitely be checking out more of her work.
April 20, 2013
Enjoyed this book. The characters were real and the storyline, modern. It was a bit slow at first. And the alternating between character chapters became predictable. However, the dialogue was good, the supporting characters were believable and who doesn't love a romance set in London? Will definitely read more of this author.
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September 22, 2011I started this and never cared about finishing it, so I gave up. It may be an awesome book, but I was not inclined to finish it to find out.
September 2, 2013
Very mediocre. Nothing to write home about. I've enjoyed her past novels, that's why i tried this.
April 19, 2015
I enjoyed the idea of this book, the story line was a good concept but the writing had a lot of grammatical mistakes that made it hard to read.
February 4, 2017
A well-written and sweet story of live, on different levels and viewpoints. Of what happens when attraction happens, where is "must not".
A nice change for "books where I have to think". :-)
A nice change for "books where I have to think". :-)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews