Customer Reviews

Last Bite: A Novel of Culinary Romance

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I started reading this book at 10pm on a work night and couldn't put it down. I finished it around 3:15am.

Casey, the protagonist, does the food prep for a celebrity chef on a Good Morning America type show. Casey's mother is Italian and her father is Irish, so there is lots of fantastic cultural humor. And of course, thanks to Casey's job as well as her family's method of relating to stress and one another, there is LOTS of food in this story. Tons of pasta, cannolis, cakes, and a squirming eel. There is also a lovely little mystery and a fluffy/angsty romance.

This book is a prime example of how a story's opener can really captivate a reader. The humor and brains are evident from the first paragraph and really set the tone for this delicious novel. There's also a magnificent amount of cursing in Italian, which I really need to get translated for personal application.

Although I can't cook and I'm neither Italian nor Irish, I found that I related immensely to Casey because the author made her so relatable. I could never cook like this. (Or more to the point, I would never choose to cook like this.) I don't have the time or patience for it at all. It's an amazing art, but I'm way too pragmatic in the kitchen to give a frip about whisks vs. beaters. But because the protagonist cared about it, while I was reading the book I cared about it. And to me, that's the mark of a fantastic author: she made me care about stupid crap so much I sacrificed sleep.

Ultimately, the only thing I regret about Last Bite by Nancy Verde Barr is that it ended and she hasn't published any similar novels. Hopefully that will change soon.

This book was exactly as promised, breezy, light, entertaining. A perfect escape and a quick read. I enjoyed the characters, was kept interested by the two story lines - the love affair and the mystery - and above all, felt she got it just right. The descriptions of television food production, of travel in Florence and Tuscany, of the food, all were enticing, correct and appealing. Anyone who knows food, and television, and the celebrity culinary world, which I do from my own job experience as an NBC Producer and a restaurant consultant, will find it credible. They will recognize the high pressure, the pacing, and the exactitude of backstage work in what ultimately appears in its on screen presentation to be a fluff piece.
Nancy Barr also has great wit and a keen eye for social interaction. I had a great time reading the book and was sad to say goodbye to the characters. I hope they'll be back.

"Last Bite: A Novel of Culinary Romance" by Nancy Verde Barr centered around the work of Casey Costello who was the executive chef for one of the network's morning program. Her work focused on the food portion and it revolved around getting the chefs ready for their cooking demonstrations. Casey's responsibilities also included writing scripts for the chefs, preparing incredients and basically making sure the show went on as smoothly as possible. The star of Casey's cooking program was Sally Wood, who was a veteran in that industry. In addition, a new guest chef, Danny O'Shea seemed to be hitting on Casey. Danny was suave and good looking, and Casey who had just gotten out of a relationship was extremely skeptical of Danny.

I enjoy this novel a lot as I like that the author was able to provide a lot of insights into what goes on in a cooking program. It helped too that the author had worked many years in this industry. The characters and plots were interesting and it was engaging from the beginning till the end. One can't but help felt that the author modelled the character "Sally" after Julia Childs. Also, I like that the author provided a few Italian recipes at the end of her novel. This was definitely an enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

Imagine Julia Child standing by helping you put together the perfect lobster bisque. Rich, creamy, perfectly textured. Then imagine someone like Carl Hiaasen coming around and deciding to help with the cooking, adding ground beef and chile powder to your soup. This is the image that I got when I read this book. When Ms. Barr writes about food and romance, you cannot help but smile with the same satisfaction you get from the first sip of a perfectly chilled Riesling. But this smile disappears quickly as the book takes you on a ride through a number of convoluted sub-plots involving the celebrity chef, the mysterious new agent, the Russian maffia, and CIA agents that talk without discretion as if they're underneath the dryers at Betty's salon. I'd like to suggest Julia Glass' "The Whole World Over" as an alternative read.

Warning: this book will make you hungry! Great descriptions of food (with recipes at the end of the book), wonderfully light-hearted romance, and a tour of Florence all add up to an entertaining experience. I couldn't put it down! I hope Nancy Verde Barr writes many more books like Last Bite.

Oh Nancy -- what a good twist of the word you manage!! Like a well trained linguini around the fork with just enough sauce!! I will tell you that each of my food friends howled with laughter as I re-told the choice lines: [The Tonys] tripped over each other to help her. It was like watching puberty on speed. Oh, and the all-too-true (speaking as a single woman) comment about Danny : In my day, they would say that young men just need to sow their wild oats. Well then, my guess is that Danny O'Shea qualifies for a farm loan. !!
My feeling is that this book is worth re-reading with a highlighter for those delightful one liners, and will be the greatest hit with the foodies in my area. Some of us HAVE done prep for cooking segments and personally know the truth in the 'show plus 2 backups'. Nancy Verde Barr manages to artistically entwine her food styling and culinary loves with a great story. Bravo and Bon Appetit!

If you love food and the Italian American culture, you'll like this book. It's just plain fun. And it made me hungry.
Casey Costillo is the executive chef for a morning television show. In other words, she does all the behind scenes prep work for the 3 and ½ minute cooking slot. And the author loves to describe the foods Casey prepares. Hence, my hunger throughout the book. Casey is also Italian American, my favorite subculture.
Casey comes off of a messy break-up in the beginning of the book and is soon the recipient of some heavy whipping cream flirting from one of the guest talents of the morning show. He also happens to be the chef with whom everyone is in love. She faces whether or not to risk another relationship, especially with someone whom she suspects is a womanizer.
The book is down-to-earth and everyday. Down to earth, that is, except for the Russian mob subplot. But I won't go into that, which is the biggest weakness of the book. The author may have not given us a gourmet "the American novel," but she has given us an engaging and entertaining book. In fact, I forgot the name of the main character. After all, I'm the main character. I loved going to Italy, by the way, Nancy, and living the life of a chef. Pick this up for a fast and fun vacation read.
With all of this food talk, I need some lunch.

Last Bite was totally satisfying. I loved the "inside" peek into the world of food fashionistas, particularly enjoying the build-up of the romance, the vicarious trip to Italy, and even before coming to the last page was ready for the sequel, or better yet, the movie. I wished Casey's family had been the one I got to grow up inside of. Last Bite is a good, fast read that made me both want to cook again and fall in love again!

Casey Costello is the executive chef for the morning television show Morning in America; working mainly with 71 year old Sally Woods the show's regular on-air cook. Casey just broke up with Richard, a dentist, and has sworn off men. She has gone home to New Rochelle to live with her parents. Casey learned how to cook from her mother and her Nonna. When her extended family gets together for dinner on Sundays you hear the commotion and can almost taste the food. Similar to other authors, Ms. Barr includes the recipes at the end of the novel. Danny O'Shea is a new chef in town and is one of the upcoming featured chefs on Morning in America. Casey tries to mightily to resist his Irish charm. In the mean time, he helps Casey and Sally figure out an escalating problem. A satisfying culinary novel, that mixes love and romance with a touch of mystery and travel.

For anyone who enjoys cooking in all of its various forms, this was a great book. Easy read that I had a hard time putting down, wondering what was going to happen to the main character next. Funny and whimsical, the only thing I would have liked would have been some recipes to try. After reading about yummy food, it makes you want to go whip up something in the kitchen.