Simone Larkspur has been at The Discerning Chef for years. She loves it there, inhabiting her corner of the test kitchen to come up with baking recipes for their readers. But they have fewer and fewer readers, so the editor decides to do something different. She wants the chefs to make videos to bring the recipes to life. She hires a producer to help them come up with content, and Simone is nervous about being on film until she realizes that Chase’s vision for the videos is to show just “hands and pans.”

But Simone’s well ordered life is also disrupted by the new kitchen manager. When their previous kitchen manager got hurt and decided to retire, the quiet older woman was replaced by Ray, a bundle of energy with a loud, infectious laugh. And when Ray and the cameraman Petey decide to film Ray talking about the beer she brews at home, and Petey accidentally uploads it to The Discerning Chef’s YouTube channel, it lines up million of views. Since the other videos that have been uploaded have only garnered a handful of views each, Ray’s video going viral is a huge change. But it’s not TDC’s brand.

But the editor loves the video, and she especially loves the crazy number of viewers they’re getting. She orders more of Ray’s homebrewing videos. And when those are equally successful, she suggests that Simone team up with Ray for a new show. Ray comes up with a concept, and talks Simone into taking a chance and trying something where she’d have to think on her feet.

Ray brings in a dish from her Midwestern upbringing, starting with her Yankee salad. The dish is made with cottage cheese, Cool Whip, canned mandarin oranges and pineapple slices, and (of course) miniature marshmallows. When Simone tastes it, with her sophisticated palate and French cooking degree, she is a little horrified. And then, on camera, she has to come up with an idea to make a modern version of it. But looking at Ray, knowing the kitchen manager has her back, takes a breath and thinks up a cheesecake made with cottage cheese that will be lovely with the fruit.

Simone has always been pretty buttoned up in the TDC kitchen. She stayed focused on her work, trying to create the best recipes she could. She’s not good with change. But then Ray came into her life, and Simone can’t help but feel drawn to her. And when Ray comes out to her as non-binary and asks to be called they/them from now on, Simone wants to be supportive. She’s not always sure how, but she is determined to help Ray feel like they are accepted in the TDC kitchen.

But when an employee with a grudge targets Ray and goes to HR with untrue accusations about them, Simone isn’t sure about the company she works for anymore. Will Simone figure out how to stand up for what she believes in, and to finally tell Ray how she feels, even if it threatens the job she loves? Or will she risk it all for love?

Chef’s Kiss is a charming cerebral romance that combines foodie culture with LGBTQ+ characters. Author TJ Alexander has crafted this slow burn romance with lots of life and personality, giving readers the chance to see in a professional test kitchen in New York. And while Simone is a quiet character who keeps to herself and focuses on the work she loves, there are lots of other big personalities who bring balance to her and add liveliness to this story.

I love a good chefy romance, so I was really looking forward to this one. And I have to say that I really loved it. I especially appreciated how sensitive Alexander is about introducing non-traditional characters (or as a woke reader might say, characters), but I feel like those who might not be as comfortable with the LGBTQ+ terminology would find themselves getting a better understanding of what the rules are by listening to the characters talk their discomfort through. I loved that honesty, and the cooking parts with the videos and the retro recipes was just delightful. This book may not be for everyone, but for those of us who do get it and love it, it can be our secret.

Egalleys for Chef’s Kiss were provided by Atria Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.