Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate - by Marisa Churchill (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

At the world's greatest magical cooking school, risks matter just as much as whisks.

Sylvie Jones has been dreaming of attending her mom's alma mater, Brindille School of Culinary Arts and Magic, since she was old enough to reach the stove. Unfortunately, her last name has a horrible stain on it, something that could destroy her dream. So when Sylvie is given the chance to prove her skills and put an end to the rumors that her mother cheated her way to victory at the most prestigious magical cooking competition, The Golden Whisk, she takes it.

But the opportunity may not be all that it's cracked up to be. If Sylvie truly wants to make her own mark and earn a place at Brindille, she needs to uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago. But some will go to great lengths to ensure Sylvie fails, and she soon finds herself tangled in a web of deceit.

With the unlikely help of frenemy Georgia Shaw and rising-star student Flora Jackson, Sylvie must find a way to get to The Golden Whisk All-Stars competition and uncover the past before time runs out. Will she be able to redeem her family's name and save her future, or will it all end in burned butter and broken dreams?

Review Quotes

"[T]he clever way that magic is woven into ingredients and the cooking process makes for a fresh look. Future chefs will appreciate the recipes at the end." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Churchill, a trained chef, brings her culinary expertise to [...] [this] charming blend of fantasy and foodie fun, and readers will devour its combination of humor, friendship, heart, and magic." --Booklist

"[T]he characters' infectious passion for their craft and the mouthwatering descriptions of each enchanted dish impart buoyant ambiance."
--Publishers Weekly

"Cookbook author Churchill (Sweet & Skinny) crafts a cozy fantasy in her YA debut."
--Publishers Weekly

"A delicious treat of a novel, sparkling with whimsy and heart. You'll devour this like your favorite dessert."
--Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author

"This story brought back the intensity, camaraderie, and fire of high-stakes kitchens with a whimsical twist. A feast for the senses and a celebration of imagination, and the inspiring and delightful magic of food." --Chef Hubert Keller, Resident Judge on Top Chef, Just Desserts, and host of Secrets of a Chef on PBS

"Culinary magic, family secrets, and the fierce drive to forge your own destiny. Churchill has whipped up a crowdpleasing hit!" --Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series

"A delicious romp through a mysterious world of culinary magic. Marisa, an accomplished chef in her own right, has crafted a heart-racing adventure, full of fantastical ingredients and powerful characters, for food and fantasy lovers of all ages. I couldn't put it down!" --Gail Simmons, Top Chef Judge and author of Bringing It Home

About the Author

Marisa Churchill was a competitor on Top Chef season two, and competed multiple times on Food Network Challenge. She is the author of two cookbooks, and has written about food for national platforms, including Huffington Post and Eater. Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate is her young adult debut. To learn more, visit www.marisachurchill.com or follow her on Instagram @chef_marisachurchill.