1–What is the title of your latest release?
My new book is called SADIE ON A PLATE.
2–What is it about?
Sadie’s at her lowest point both professionally and personally after being fired from her job as a chef by her ex-boyfriend/boss (yep, bad decision). So when she gets the chance to compete on popular reality cooking show Chef Supreme, she hopes it’ll be just the boost she and her career need. Her optimism spikes when she has a great, romantic meet-cute with this guy Luke on the plane that turns into a whirlwind date… except when she turns up to set the next day, she learns with horror that he’s the new judge on the show. If they can’t keep their feelings for each other secret, she’ll get kicked off the show. But how long can they tamp down the heat between them before the pot boils over?
3–What do you love about the setting of your book?
I’m obsessed with reality cooking shows, especially Top Chef, so creating the set for a fictional Top Chef-esque reality show was so much fun! I loved imagining the fancy kitchen gadgets, stocked pantry, and the one singular ice cream machine (if you know, you know).
4–How did your heroine surprise you?
I originally included a memory of Sadie’s pushy Grandma Ruth as a throwaway moment, but it turned out that Sadie just couldn’t get her grandma out of her head. Grandma Ruth speaking as Sadie’s conscience became a runner throughout.
5–Why will readers love your hero?
Luke is dedicated, romantic, and you’ll wish you could have him cook for you.
6–What was one of your biggest challenges while writing this book (spoiler-free, of course!)?
Formulating all of the food the contestants cook on the show! Each contestant cooks from their own distinct culinary perspective, incorporating their life experiences, cultural backgrounds, and/or the goals of each challenge, so it took a lot of spreadsheets to figure out what they were each doing. It didn’t all make it on the page, but I’m not complaining about all the food research and experimentation I got to do!
7–Do you look forward to or do you dread the revision process?
I prefer revising to drafting—I love seeing something messy and often not very good transform into a finished book.
8–What’s your favorite snack to have on hand while writing?
I don’t usually eat while writing (no sticky hands on my laptop!), but for an after-writing snack I love fresh pineapple chunks or popcorn.
9–Where would you go for an ideal writer’s retreat?
Maine during the summer! Gorgeous scenery, great food, the beach, and not-too-hot weather.
10–What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Don’t be afraid to let something go if it’s not working. You can always come back to it later.
11–Who is the fictional character you want to hang out with the most? (anyone in literature!)
I mean, there are so many, but right now I’d kill to have Sylvie and Dominic from Lucy Parker’s hot and hilarious Battle Royal bake me a cake covered in spun-sugar animals.
12–What’s one of your earliest book memories?
Being gifted a copy of The Wizard of Oz by my first-grade teacher and being asked to read it aloud to the class. I still have it, though the cover fell off at some point in the last 25 years.
13–If you had to write in a different genre, what would it be and why?
I already do write in multiple genres! My next book is a young adult novel that’s a dark speculative thriller, pretty much the opposite of a rom-com. It’s called GONE DARK, it’s written under the name Amanda Panitch, and it comes out on April 12th.
14–What song will automatically put you in a good mood?
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles – my husband and I walked down the aisle to it at our wedding.
15–What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
Taking frequent breaks from social media. I find that I get stressed out comparing myself to everybody else’s highlight reels, and it’s good for me to stop looking at it for a bit and re-center myself.
16–What can you eat and never get sick of?
Everything! I love food! But I do have a special sweet spot for cinnamon buns (pun intended).
17–Will you share a favorite, recent-ish book you recommend?
I recently finished the third book in Jen Deluca’s Renaissance Faire-based Well Met series, WELL MATCHED, and can’t wait for the fourth later this year!
18–Do you have any hobbies?
Other than reading and writing, one of my favorite things to do is cook and bake. I’ve started experimenting more with yeast-based baking lately and watching dough rise feels almost like magic!
19–Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird. I do my best writing first thing in the morning.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
I have another food-centric rom-com coming out next spring! It’s called BEST SERVED HOT and follows two feuding food critics who discover that anger isn’t the only source of heat between them.
SADIE ON A PLATE by Amanda Elliot
Sadie is a rising star in the trendy Seattle restaurant scene. Her dream is to create unique, modern, and mouthwatering takes on traditional Jewish recipes. But after a public breakup with her boss, a famous chef, she is sure her career is over—until she lands a coveted spot on the next season of her favorite TV show, Chef Supreme.
On the plane to New York, Sadie has sizzling chemistry with her seatmate, Luke, but tells him that she won’t be able to contact him for the next six weeks. They prolong their time together with a spontaneous, magical dinner before parting ways. Or so she thinks. When she turns up to set the next day, she makes a shocking discovery about who Luke is….
If Sadie wants to save her career by winning Chef Supreme, she’s going to have to ignore the simmering heat between Luke and her. But how long can she do that before the pot boils over?
Romance Contemporary | Romance Comedy | Romance Multicultural [Berkley, On Sale: March 15, 2022, Trade Size / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593335710 / eISBN: 9780593335727]
Buy SADIE ON A PLATE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Love’s Sweet Arrow | Walmart.com | Book Depository | Target.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Amanda Elliot
Amanda Elliot is the author of several young adult and middle grade books as Amanda Panitch. Sadie on a Plate is her first adult novel. She lives in New York City, where she owns way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen.
WEBSITE |
No Comments
Comments are closed.