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Vanilla

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Do not read this book on an empty stomach. You'd be craving the savory crunch of southern fried chicken; the creamy goodness of a triple truffle risotto; the luxury of a simple vanilla ice cream-all at once.
Vanilla Julian White is the nephew of an internationally-famed critic. He goes by Julian, only because the idea of sharing a name with the most common, boring ice cream flavor upsets him. He is the kind of genius that has, by the age of fifteen, finished high school, written columns for local magazines, and assisted in the writing of research papers. While his interest in the culinary world has, up till this point, remained on the sidelines of his academic life, he decides to follow in the footsteps of his beloved uncle by attending an elite culinary high school, where he reunites with a childhood friend by the name of Leroy Cox.
Leroy is the son of a renowned celebrity chef, whom he has a rocky relationship with. Contrary to the teenager's superior culinary skills and training, he hates cooking. No one knows this. More than half his childhood was spent in the kitchen learning from his father and by the age of eight, he was dicing onions under ten seconds. His preference for being alone is in stark contrast to the air around him, drawing the attention of strangers and students alike (mostly female). Leroy is a sophomore in the culinary high school and ranked third on the board of students despite his age.
Vanilla joins the school as a freshman majoring in Culinary Journalism and Business Studies (blue), otherwise known as the optimal path to becoming a food critic. The three other majors in the school Culinary Arts (red), Patisserie and Boulangerie (yellow), Food Nutrition and Culinary Science (green). Each course is color coded, like houses are.
As the story progresses, students and teachers who underestimate Vanilla learn that they were mistaken. Through major competitive instances on school trips and inter-class activities to taste tests and school festivals, Vanilla and Leroy better themselves every chance they can get. While working together on the same team spark mind-blowing dishes and results, the pair are also very fond of being put against one another-challenging themselves to become the best in their respective fields.
This story rewards readers who love being in the kitchen; and for those who don't, provides a taste of what goes on behind that door, enough to pique one's interest in the journey of two young, passionate teens in the heat of it all.

542 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2021

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Lydia O. Red

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for zanezane.
54 reviews
August 17, 2021
I’m seeing this book. With absolutely no reviews. Where are all the readers at? Do they now know how incredibly amazing and incredibly mind blowing this book is? This book, this very book had reached the highest pedestal and only few books have let me feeling the riot of emotions when I read this. Please, guys. Read this amazing showstopper by Lydia. O Red. Her most beautiful creations and the most beautiful characters I will forever love.

Julian Vanilla White
Leroy Cox

Their wonderful rollercoaster of experiences.


I swear you will not regret reading this. I come alive when I read this. Alive. Cause it’s that amazing.


Immense love.
Profile Image for Syric Añora.
10 reviews
July 31, 2023
I read Baked Love, sadly, only it. It was 2020 or 2021, I think. I was only searching for teen fiction stories before, so my young self didn't continued the series for reasons that they are young adults in the next series. nonetheless, I still understand most reference from Chip and Xander's relationship at Vanilla.

so to say, I enjoyed this book very much. it made me feel a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings I seldomly feel towards books with a long chapters and scrolling. most of the time, I would put down the book with long chapters, because I think I have an ADHD or something. I lost interest easily. so, yeah, I love Leroy and Vanilla's dynamic so much that I very adore them. I'm now debating to make a fanart of them at IG.

as for Chen, dang, I wanted him for Vanilla also. like, aren't we all have the second-lead syndrome? like, the time with their switch of ties, he let go of Vanilla that easily to Leroy? I WANT HIM TO BE COMPETITIVE FOR VANILLA! HUHU. if Cuppie didn't want him for Vanilla, can I at least have him? I know how to cook great Filipino cuisines and great at eating anything without complaining. I'll eat anything he'll serve me. should I make a fanart of him in that sexy tracksuit as mentioned in that one chapter?

as a Filipino, I am very thanking for the representation of our cuisine throughout the story from Vanilla and to Ms. Castillo. it makes me wanna slap Mr. Pierre just for saying those things to Ms. Castillo. grrr!

anyways, so many things to bring out of my mind right now, but I'm getting jittery. all I can say is the Vanilla is a chef-kiss, critic-kiss, pâtissier-kiss and nutritionist-kiss! did I get every courses of their school? LOL.

I don't know what to say anymore. I will be proceeding to the next book, where young adult Vanilla and Leroy are. I hope Chen has a comeback and be a second interest again. sadly, I think he will be at Shanghai. HUHU. so, yeah! this is such a great read, so no doubt, 5 star for me. I'M OBSESSED WITH THIS!

anyways, if you can read this, Cuppie, please accept my request at IG. my username is syric_anora. have a nice day ahead! looking forward to get my own physical copy of them in the future! 💖
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