A delicious distraction

I think we could all use a break. Even just a few hours of delicious distraction.

Jennieke Cohen’s My Fine Fellow is a delightful mash up of genres and cultural inspiration. Imagine if you took the alternative history of Bridgerton (still with Queen Charlotte and young people pushing society’s boundaries, but in this case with decidedly less sex) and combined it with the fierce and friendly competition (respectively) of Top Chef and The Great British Baking Show. Then add to this unlikely mix a sly recasting of My Fair Lady, with Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering (thankfully) replaced by two ambitious young women in their last year at the (imaginary) Royal Culinary Academy.

Helena Higgins and Penelope Pickering are training to become Culinarians, a prestigious profession filled by women who are masters in the culinary arts. Culinarians need to be both creative and incredibly skilled. Those who qualify, become consultant/chefs who create marvelous food experiences for royalty and everyone they entertain. (I imagine them like celebrity stylists or star architects, but their medium is food.)

When Helena and Penelope meet Elijah Little, a Jewish street vendor selling uniquely delicious creations of his own invention, an idea for a unique project takes shape.

Helena comes from high society–with high aspirations to match. She is prickly and demanding of everyone-most notably herself. Yet she shares her access and connections-as well as her state-of-the-art test kitchen–with Penelope and Elijah. Penelope, who learned to cook from her Filipina mother, is on a mission to elevate the cuisine from cultures around the world, despite an undercurrent of derision to her mixed race and her mother’s outsider status. For Eijjah, the limits are more overt. Jews are restricted from owning businesses, so his entrepreneurial imaginings remain only a dream, even though he has amazing talent.

When the three of them come together, chaos and cooking ensue. There are delightful descriptions that will make you hungry. There is a touch of romance, wry references to the world of fine dining and celebrity chefs, the thrill of high-stakes competition, and a celebration of both individual expression and shared friendship.

Some reviews refer to this book as Young Adult. I say it’s a delightful romp whatever your age.

Betsy Gomberg reads (and sometimes writes about) Jewish books. She is Spertus Institute’s Director of Marketing & Communications.