Sadie on a Plate made me hungry and happy! Sadie is a chef who focuses on elevating traditional Jewish recipes who, after an public breakup with her boss, is worried her career is lost, but an opportunity to be a contestant on reality show Chef Supreme changes everything. I adored this book! On the plane to the show, she also hits it off with seatmate Luke—who ends up being a judge on the show. I loved the heat in the slow burn of the romance since the two can’t be on the show without jeopardizing Sadie’s spot on the show. I was super invested in the show, more so than the romance. The descriptions of each person’s dishes were mouth-watering and unique. I love the contestants all had such original origins in their food and styles. Sadie was quirky and funny and awkward, and I just loved her. But all the contestants were standouts too. I loved the stories of friendship and growth and finding why cooking meant to all of them. This book really had a lot going on with the show, and I just loved all of it. I loved the slow burn and chemistry of Luke and Sadie, their tension was so good and I like the focus stayed with Sadie and her dreams too. The romance to me though didn’t shine as much as the show elements and the relationships developed with the contestants. I loved Luke and I loved him for Sadie, but this was more about friendship, finding your passion and going for it. Amanda Elliot really cooked up such a fun read with this one!

PSA: Do not read this book on an empty stomach!

This was so enjoyable and fun and had me craving kimchi and knishes but reaffirmed that I never, ever want to experience communal living or suffer through the drama and waiting that comes with being part of a reality show. I loved watching Sadie come out of her shell through the Chef Supreme competition. I loved the connection she and Luke had through food and how that intensified their chemistry and attraction to each other. Sadie's harsh commentary about herself was relatable (unfortunately) and demonstrated just how terrible that voice can be. By far, Grandma Ruth's commentary was the best. I wish there was a little more meat around the friendship with Kaitlyn - it all felt a little too surface and superficial to me.

I loved learning more about all the various cultures through the characters and their food. It was a truly delightful, fun and funny book and I can't wait to see more from Amanda Elliot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

Sadie on a Plate is the story of Chef Sadie, who gets the offer of a lifetime to be on her favorite tv show, Chef Supreme. Sadie is struggling following a heartbreaking setback in her career and knows this is her shot to be able to open her dream restaurant. On her plane ride to the show, she meets Luke and the two have an immediate connection. However, their possible romance takes a shocking turn when she finds out who Luke really is.

This was an entertaining, twisting character-driven romcom. It truly felt like I was watching a reality show and I was just as invested in that aspect as I was the romance. Sadie is an excellent main character who you immediately love. This book is primarily about her journey and she is easy to root for. I loved the food aspect as well and I learned a lot about all the different types of Jewish cuisine. I was hungry at all times reading this.

Overall, Sadie on a Plate is a heartwarming, charming story with an excellent plot and fun characters.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Full review to be posted on release date.

"Sadie on a Plate" follows Sadie Rosen, an up-and-coming chef who dreams of creating unique, modern, and mouthwatering takes on traditional Jewish recipes. Currently jobless and blacklisted from every reputable restaurant in Seattle following a messy breakup, Sadie is sure her career is over before it took off. That is, until she gains a coveted spot on her favourite TV show, "Chef Supreme." As she flies to New York, Sadie instantly connects with Luke, the man sitting next to her, but, unfortunately, won't be able to see him again for the next six weeks. Fate has different plans as it turns out. If Sadie wants to win the coveted title she'll have to focus on her dishes and ignore the sizzling heat rising between Luke and herself on set.

I absolutely devoured this! I felt like I was binge-watching "MasterChef" and wanted to jump through the pages to try the food myself because the descriptions were so vivid. I know I was predisposed to love this book because of the incredible Jewish representation, but it was truly magnificent. Sadie is relatable and her passion for wanting the world to see Jewish food as more than just bagels, lox and cream cheese or deli is commendable. I hope for the same as well—food has always been such a huge part of our culture and because of the diaspora, Judaism has a lot to honour outside of Kosher options. Additionally, the other contestants on the series were engaging, all with their own distinct personalities so it was easy to tell them apart from one another.

While "Sadie on a Plate" is promoted as a romance, it sits more as a secondary sub-plot. The book is definitely centered around Sadie's personal journey, moving forward and finding the confidence to go after her dreams. I do wish we could've seen Sadie and Luke's relationship build more past their meet-cute and steaming chemistry. For how it's marketed, I wanted to see more romantic development than instant puppy love.

I look forward to more from Amanda Elliot.

4.5*
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book. Sadie on a Plate was an absolute delight. Sadie was such a relatable character and I totally understand her self doubt and anxieties. She was also Jewish and her Judaism was pretty major throughout the book, since all of the food she made came from those Jewish roots. Amanda did a wonderful job of showing that Jewish food isn't just one or two things. It's so many things in the same way that being Jewish is so many different things. I think people stereotype Jewish cuisine and I really liked the wide variety that Sadie was able to talk about and cook throughout several parts. I also loved watching her friendships grow with her competitors and I thought her growth and confidence in herself was fantastic. I love romance, but I actually really liked that it wasn't the main focus of the story. Sadie was a great character and I really wanted to try all the food she made. I also liked that Amanda included so many different types of chefs. Overall this book was super fun and I loved it!

This was Sadie’s chance to rise from the ashes of her poor romantic choices, but would romance, once again, derail her plans?

There is nothing I like more than a comeback! Sadie’s failed relationship with her boss resulted in a career setback. By some stroke of luck, she was selected as a contestant for Chef Supreme. This was her chance to prove herself, as well as showcase the food of her heart to the world. It was so easy for me to embrace Sadie and root for her as she attempted to make a name for herself in the culinary world. The more I learned about the circumstances that led her here, the more I wanted her to be triumphant.

As a long-time fan of shows like Top Chef, I delighted in each and every glimpse into the fictional show. I was sucked into the competition and constantly salivating over what the chefs were preparing. Elliot did an incredible job bringing me into the kitchen, as well as making me feel the rush, the joy, and the defeat that accompanies such battles.

This book was billed a rom-com, and there was a good dose of humor throughout, but the romance felt secondary to me. Due to Sadie’s participation in the show, the romance aspect was bigger in the beginning and end of the book. There was always that longing and tension though, and I felt my patience was greatly rewarded.

You know what though? I wasn’t salty because I reveled in Sadie’s personal journey. Like I said, I love a comeback, and Sadie was such a fighter. Not only did she have to wage war with those plotting against her and being a woman in a male dominated field, but she also had to battle the scars left by those who made her feel she couldn’t succeed. Every step forward she made, every win she earned, filled my heart with joy. I think I fist-pumped once or twice too.

It was fantastic being part of Sadie’s comeback! The competition and the fabulous food had me salivating while an incredible cast of characters kept me engaged and invested. Though the story was lighter on the romance than I anticipated, watching Sadie grow and claim her rightful space in the kitchen was all the reward I needed.

If you like cooking shows and always wondered what happens behind the scenes, then you are going to want to pick up Sadie on a Plate. I am a huge fan of the high stress world of cooking shows. Now that I know how it all comes together, I never have to try out for one!
Due to a recent breakup with her boss, Sadie cannot wait to get out of town and onto the set of Chef Supreme. On the flight to NY, she has a great meet cute with her seat mate. He looks familiar but Sadie cannot place his face.
I love how this book highlights a Jewish Female character. Sadie knows what she wants and is not afraid to go for the win. It was nice learning how other cultures have been assimilated into so many Jewish recipes. Sadie’s internal monologue adds a bit of humor. The added romance and mystery of why Sadie was fired from her last job make this an enjoyable read.

This is the third book I have read recently that mentions Korean cooking and I am taking it as a sign I need to find a local Korean restaurant!

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing for an arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sadie is a talented chef who hits a snag in her career in Seattle. She is offered a spot as a contestant on one of her favorite cooking competition shows. Wanting to reinvigorate her career, Sadie hops on the plane to NYC to join this competition. On the flight there, she meets Luke, and the chemistry is instant! Sadie wasn't expecting to run into him the next day on set of Chef Supreme! Can they keep their connection a secret for the good of her career and the show?

Sadie is a very relatable character who is passionate about putting a new twist on traditional Jewish cuisine.

There is a really fun cast of side characters as well! Nia, Kel, Kaitlyn, and the Joes make for a really fun dynamic when personalities collide.

Although this is a romcom, I would not say it was very romance-centric. This story definitely centered more around Sadie and her journey to finding her courage to put herself back out there while competing on this cooking show. The romance between her and Luke does feel more like a subplot. This would be a great story for anyone who might be looking to try out the romance genre. And if you love competition cooking shows - this is a fantastic representation of the chaos that goes down behind the scenes!

Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-book copy of SADIE ON A PLATE to review by Amanda Elliot.

I love, love, love fictional books that feature food. And here we have SADIE ON A PLATE featuring food and a Top Chef-like competition show.

Sadie the chef has been humiliated by her former boyfriend and boss (YIKES). She's forced to look for a job outside of the restaurant business. Luckily, she has been chosen to compete on a British Bakeoff-esque tv series. A funny thing happened on the flight to the show - Sadie meets fellow chef and unbeknownst to her, a judge for the show named Luke.

After an evening of Korean food from a speakeasy, laughs and sizzling chemistry, the two find themselves in front of the cameras on the show.

Oh, what to do? So many ethical lines may get crossed, but Luke is such a great guy and the chemistry, and … I'm talking in Sadie's voice here.

Sadie has to overcome the haunting of the mistakes she made with her former boss (and boyfriend) while convincing herself that she CAN win this show. But, how can she do it when Luke is always in the background judging her dishes while looking darn good doing it?

I will say while I LOVED the premise and the detailed descriptions of the food, the show competition and a cast of interesting side characters who could all be a main character in their own book, SADIE ON A PLATE reads more like women's fiction than romance.

That's not a bad thing, but the blurbs of the book promised a romance (and there was one). However, the main focus was on Sadie and the show. Sadie moving on from her past. And Sadie finding the self-confidence to achieve her dreams of opening her own restaurant.

The descriptions for each dish in the competition were so fun and of course, made me hungry, but actually made me want to try liver. I wonder if the author ever was a chef or just the biggest fangirl of Top Chef ever.

I recommend this book for all foodies and people who have dreams of being a successful small business owner. Now go find Luke's favorite Korean speakeasy, hidden in NYC, for a takeaway plate, and relax on your sofa with SADIE ON A PLATE.

I rate SADIE ON A PLATE four out of five stars.

I ADORED this book. I also gobbled it up in one day :)

If you ever watched Top Chef, go pre-order this now! So many books lately have done a behind the scenes of the bachelor, but THIS is the reality show that interests me and the characters/contestants are so much more interesting!

Here's the gist of this one. Sadie is a chef who recently lost her job and gets the opportunity to be on the hit show Chef Supreme. On her flight to NY to start filming, she meets another chef and assumes he'll be a contestant on the show with her. They hit it off over some yummy Korean food but she soon finds out he's the new JUDGE.

A few more nuggets to share:

-Sadie's hook as a chef is elevating Jewish food - I LOVED this as a way to introduce Jewish rep bc food is such a huge part of our culture and this was just so well done. Bravo Amanda Elliot!
-The cast of Chef Supreme was a perfectly diverse group of characters that felt SO REAL I could easily picture them on my tv
-This was very romance-light but I really loved the relationship that grew (subtly) throughout the book. The story was more focused on their individual journeys but their chemistry was still very evident and fully believable

This book gave me all the laughs and feels and I can't wait to force all my friends to read it :)

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Women's Fiction with a Romance
Warnings: Sexual Harassment
Read if you liked: Love & Other Disasters meets Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake
Steam: 1
Tropes: Slow Burn, Foodie. Workplace, Jewish Rep

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Sadie on a Plate will be released on March 15th, 2022.

Top Chef...but make it Jewish? I'm in! I recently binge watched all of TopChef...I was a lot of seasons behind, like I had not watched since season 6 (they are on season 18). I love cooking shows, growing up with a professional chef father food was a central part of my home. I think that it is also such a cultural thing, being Italian on one side and Jewish on the other. There is never not a family event that isn't surround with food. This book highlighted the cultural importance of Jewish food and made it more accessible for those own aren't used to some items.

Things I Loved: I loved the nicknames for all of the contestants. So many amazing food combinations I wanted to get right in the kitchen. There was so much representation of characters from many backgrounds. I enjoyed Sadie has a character, she was hysterical and I love watching her evolve. Sadie shows that there is not one way to be Jewish. Luke was a genuinely nice character. I loved their meet cute and the bit of forbidden romance. This cover is also just so beautiful!

Things I didn't care for; I was expecting more romance, on in with the vibe of women's fiction with a romance.

The humor in this rom-com is exactly my style. Adept, self-deprecating, a little elementary (poop jokes make me laugh, all right, and I'm never gonna be sorry about that). The dark humor in the opening paragraphs surprised me into a laughing fit; after that, I was all in.

OK, Sadie and Luke: CUUUUTE! They're such precious banana muffins and I just wanted to stuff them in my pocket and take them home—which is ridiculous because I would absolutely NEVER put a crumbly-ass muffin in my clothing. Sadie is unexpectedly naive, a quality that would normally test my patience, but it sort of made her more endearing. Truthfully, I'd have thought she'd be a little more jaded in light of recent events in her life. I liked Luke, but I needed more of him.

Which leads me into my main criticism. The romance is severely underdeveloped for a novel marketed as a romance. Now on one hand, I'm actually impressed that solid focus remains on the competition. On the other, the closed-door romance loses practically all its momentum because Sadie and Luke don't get the page time to build off their meet-cute. The foundational chemistry is there, so it's really unfortunate that the romance isn't.

"Sadie on a Plate" takes place in New York City on set of "Chef Supreme", a reality cooking show that's basically like "Top Chef". Sadie, a chef from Seattle, has dreams of opening her own restaurant serving food influenced by her Jewish background, but putting her own interesting and modern spin - to prove that it's not all just latkes and matzah ball soup.

I really enjoyed the cooking show aspect - with all the expected drama and competition, and ... the FOOD. Wow, I loved all the descriptions of interesting dishes that the chefs came up with, and certainly was craving a lot of it while reading! I thought this was a really fun book. The interaction between the chefs was true to every cooking show I've seen, and I think fans of "Top Chef" will pick up on the inspirations for some of the challenges that Sadie and her fellow chefs face. I liked the cast of characters and how unique everyone's cooking style and story was, and especially how they came to form their own little family while participating on the show (well, some of them, anyway). The only thing that I found somewhat disappointing was the main romance - the meet-cute was adorable, but I never felt all too invested in the relationship.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing a digital review copy of "Sadie of a Plate" via NetGalley!

Sadie on a Plate is a cute (closed door) romance about a disgraced chef who scores a chance to compete in a cooking competition, like Top Chef on Food Network.

I liked the cooking show details, food talk, professional kitchen settings, but the romance was totally out of place. In fact, it could be easily removed without altering the characters or plot at all!

The book is titled for and about being true to your likes, passions, identity, and skills as a chef. How do you out YOU on a plate?

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an ecopy to read and review. This publishes on March 22 this year!

This novel does not have too much romance in it. It focuses on the story of Sadie, a Jewish chef, who is invited to take part in a cooking reality show. As the show progresses, we see her confidence in both herself and her cooking grow. The novel has LGBTQ characters. It also features a Jewish character (the protagonist) as well as a character of mixed race. Definitely will enjoy this lighthearted read if you are a fan of reality shows.

Genre: romcom
Pub date: 3/15/22
In one sentence: Chef Sadie's spot on Chef Supreme mean everything to her - but can she keep her attraction to judge Luke from boiling over?

I'm loving the trend of cooking- and cooking competition-themed stories, so I was really excited to read Sadie on a Plate! Sadie was a fresh of fresh air. I loved her passion for putting a new twist on traditional Jewish recipes - there are not enough books with Jewish representation! I also enjoyed her fellow cheftestants - Kaitlyn, Kel, and the multiple Joes. I loved the #MeToo subplot - seeing Kaitlyn support Sadie in telling her story was powerful.

Although this is a romcom, the story is more Sadie's than Sadie and Luke's. So if you're looking for a traditional romance, you might not love this one. But, if you're not a romance reader normally, this might be a good introduction to to the genre! And, of course, if you love Top Chef and other competition shows, you should check this one out!

Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Posted to Goodreads 2/13/22, to be posted to Instagram closer to pub date.

I’m happy to announce that I’m joining a blog tour for Sadie On a Plate! This book is very charming and I really enjoyed reading it 🍽

I’ve always been a fan of cooking shows and that made me love this book even more! It combines a competitive setting and blossoming romance in the best way possible and I loved the descriptions of the food that the contestants were making!

Sadie, our main character, has just been fired from her job, but receives a phone call asking her to compete on her favorite TV show, Chef Supreme. I loved Sadie as a character and her sense of humor throughout. It was fun getting to see her interact with the other contestants and become better friends with some of them. I LOVED her friendship with Kaitlyn and her romance with Luke.

One of my favorite parts of this book was learning more about Sadie’s ancestry and how she drew inspiration from traditional Jewish dishes. It was nice getting to learn more about her in this way and made me feel more connected to her and her desire to win the competition. I’m also glad that, while this was a romance novel, the romance didn’t overpower the competition and her career goals.

It was also nice getting to see Luke grow throughout! I’m really happy with where things ended up for all of the characters and I think this is the perfect light and sweet book for fans of romance, cooking shows, and food!

Thank you once again Berkley for providing me with an early copy of this book and I highly recommend it 👩‍🍳

I had a lot of hope for this book- Jewish protagonist, diverse cast of characters, food as a theme... Ultimately this book fell flat. This book reads like a Top Chef fan fiction. Very heavy on the food descriptions, very light on the character development and plot. If this is supposed to be a romance, it fails as that. If this is supposed to be a romantic comedy, it fails as that as well. The romantic interest darts in and out, without readers being able to really get to know him. I wish Elliot had really focused on Sadie's inner dialogue, especially with her struggles with her self confidence and thinking about Grandma Ruth. The constant mentioning of Sadie needing to pee is a strange choice.

Oh... my... goodness! I don't know if I can put into words just how much I LOVE this book! It completely caught me by surprise in the best possible way. I'm not sure how she did it, but Amanda Elliot managed to make me feel like I was actually binge-watching my most beloved reality cooking competition. I wanted more and more and more. Her writing was so evocative that I could smell and taste every dish the characters created. This book read like the most bingeable, cozy and delectable series you have ever gotten wrapped up in.

I am also overwhelmed by the beautiful Jewish representation in this book. There is NO religion here, folks. This is the real-deal purely cultural celebration of Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, centred around food - as is the way with Jews. Sadie's passion for Jewish food and the traditions tied to them and the desire to elevate them into something incredible and universally accessible brought genuine tears to my eyes. Why DON'T we have more Jewish cuisine out there in the world? Yes, this gal loves a bagel and a hearty deli meal, but the concept of Jewish CUISINE as desirable and welcoming and even upscale is just... UGH! Someone open Sadie's dream restaurant puh-lease! I will be there on opening night to eat all of the things!

I cannot wait for more from Amanda Elliot!

Warning: make sure you have snacks readily accessible while reading!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my gosh - I loved, loved, loved this book. Sadie is such a relatable and likeable character and I had a blast riding shotgun while she competed for the top spot in Chef Supreme, a reality television show not unlike Top Chef. The author's voice is so fun and conversational and the pacing was perfect, seriously not a dull moment. Although it was definitely a romance (and, damn, is Luke book boyfriend material), but it would also qualify as women's fiction in my book due to Sadie's strong character arc that went beyond her love life. The competition tested her self confidence and perseverance but she never gave up. The Jewish rep is fantastic and as a Jewish woman, I would LOVE to find a restaurant that serves upscale Jewish food similar to what Sadie prepares - like she says in the book, it's not all bagels and latkes! The diverse cast of supporting characters really added to my enjoyment. Even the ones I didn't like (Vanilla Joe and Derek, I'm talking to you!) Finally, Grandma Ruth's spirit was adorable and reminded me of my own Jewish grandmas, may they rest in peace. I can't wait for Elliot's next book.