A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time, and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncleโs secretsโincluding the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.
When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estateโproperties, money, and his positionโto his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappiโs dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanniโs life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncleโs secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappiโs journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murderโall to protect an illicit love affair.
As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappiโs past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forcesโhis brother Cesare and Scappiโs former protรฉgรฉ, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chefโs recipes.
With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chefโs Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.