Miami!

Recipe for Adventure #7

by Giada De Laurentiis, Francesca Gambatesa (Illustrations)

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 them how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best takeout pizza. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn firsthand how food can not only take you places but also bring you back home.    In the seventh book in the series, Zia turns up the heat when her secret ingredient sends the siblings to the "Magic City" - Miami, Florida! When they get there, they cook up an unforgettable adventure full of beautiful beaches, salsa dancing, and deliciously spicy Caribbean food.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Cooking, Chapter Books, Travel

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2015

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

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story set in Miami. I like that each story has a lesson.

[Amber Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s cute. A young kid (about 5-8 years old) who’s starting to read or is reading might enjoy it.

[Namratha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bertolizzi siblings have become quite accustomed to grand-aunt Zia Donatella’s particular brand of culinary-inspired magic. And so, when she whips up a Cubano Sandwich with an Italian twist and reminisces about the inspiring days spent cooking in multi-cultural Miami, I think the children have a fair idea of their next travel adventure.

One bite of the hot grilled sandwich, the air shifts and voila!...Emilia and Alfie are transported to buzzy Miami, smack dab in the middle of a food festival. As they manage to successfully blend in as mistaken volunteers, they taste exciting new dishes like Ropa Vieja with plantain chips, make new friends and help them along the way and learn the importance of adding a fresh spin and incorporating your personal twist into everything….be it a dish or a passion.

The food mentions are mouth-wateringly good as always and this series continues in its established vein of intermingling travel, a love for food and small but vital life-lessons.

Cute and engaging as always.