Food Whore: A Novel of Dining and Deceit

Full of wit and mouth-watering cuisines, Jessica Tom’s debut novel offers a clever insider take on the rarefied world of New York City’s dining scene in the tradition of The Devil Wears Prada meets Kitchen Confidential.

 Food whore (n.) A person who will do anything for food.

When Tia Monroe moves to New York City, she plans to put herself on the culinary map in no time. But after a coveted internship goes up in smoke, Tia’s suddenly just another young food lover in the big city.

But when Michael Saltz, a legendary New York Times restaurant critic, lets Tia in on a career-ending secret—that he’s lost his sense of taste—everything changes. Now he wants Tia to serve as his palate, ghostwriting his reviews. In return he promises her lavish meals, a bottomless cache of designer clothing, and the opportunity of a lifetime. Out of prospects and determined to make it, Tia agrees.

Within weeks, Tia’s world transforms into one of luxury: four-star dinners, sexy celebrity chefs, and an unlimited expense account at Bergdorf Goodman. Tia loves every minute of it…until she sees her words in print and Michael Saltz taking all the credit. As her secret identity begins to crumble and the veneer of extravagance wears thin, Tia is forced to confront what it means to truly succeed—and how far she’s willing to go to get there.

food whore (n.): a person who will do anything for food

fresh out of college, Tia Monroe has every intention of taking the New York City restaurant scene by storm. But after a coveted internship goes up in smoke, Tia's suddenly just another food lover in the big city.

Everything changes when Michael Saltz, a legendary New York Times restaurant critic, lets Tia in on a career-ending secret: he's lost his sense of taste. Now he wants Tia to serve as his palate, ghostwriting his reviews. In return he promises her lavish meals, a boundless supply of designer clothing, and the opportunity of a lifetime. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Tia agrees.

Within weeks, Tia's world transforms into one of glamour and luxury: four-star dinners, sexy celebrity chefs, and an unlimited expense account at Bergdorf Goodman. Tia loves every minute of it . . . until she sees her words in print and Michael Saltz taking all the credit. As the veneer of extravagance wears thin and her secret identity begins to crumble, Tia is faced with what it means to truly succeed. In a city where "making it" is the ultimate goal, she will have to decide: how far is she willing to go for the life she craves?

“Mix the delicious dishing of KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL with THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and you’ve got Jessica Tom’s Food Whore. This delectable romp through culinary underground of New York City will appeal to anyone with a dream—and the determination to make it come true.” - New York Times bestselling author Beth Harbison

Jessica Tom’s debut novel Food Whore is an insider’s cleverly veiled exposé on the New York restaurant lifestyle. From the foie gras to the peach pear tart, each page literally drips with anticipation. Check her out today because she’s tomorrow’s hottest food writer. - Will Goldfarb, Chef/Owner Room4Dessert and Willpowder

Once you start, you won’t be able to put Food Whore down. Jessica Tom immerses you into the electric, complex NYC food world. As a chef and writer, I relate to it on so many levels -- it’s uncanny how real the characters are. - Pichet Ong, Chef, culinary consultant, and author of The Sweet Spot: Asian-Inspired Desserts

Perfect for fans of The Devil Wears Prada or any other tale of a young woman fresh to her industry getting caught up in a world she can’t control. - Library Journal

“Food Whore brilliantly navigates New York’s glittering gourmonster scene, with drool-inducing cuisine, hilarious observations, and a clever story that will find its way to your stomach and heart.” - Jill Kargman, Author and Creator of Bravo's Odd Mom Out

“Tom nails the dog-eat-dog restaurant world, whipping up a remarkably entertaining debut.” - BookPage

“Food Whore is jam-packed with playful insider jabs for those who work in food and restaurants...Tom deftly captures the intrigue and often comically precious, sometimes rarefied air of fine dining.” - Leiti Hsu, host, WORD OF MOUTH, Heritage Radio Network

“With Food Whore, Jessica Tom gives readers an enticing romp through New York City’s culinary world. It’s The Devil Wears Prada for foodies--or anyone with an appetite for delicious drama.” - Lauren Shockey, author of Four Kitchens: My Life Behind the Burner in New York, Hanoi, Tel Aviv and Paris

“The Devil Wears Prada goes gourmet in this debut novel. Tia Monroe has big dreams of becoming a food writer. As a grad student in NYU’s Food Studies program, her ultimate goal is to intern with cookbook author and food superstar Helen Lansky. After a chance run-in with New York Times food critic Michael Saltz, Tia’s convinced the internship with Helen is a sure thing. Instead, she’s disappointed to be assigned to the coat check at an upscale restaurant. However, when Michael visits the restaurant and is very interested in her opinions, Tia gains a whole new opportunity. Michael’s lost his sense of taste, but he doesn’t want to lose his job—so he needs Tia to taste everything for him and essentially ghostwrite his reviews. Tia readily agrees, but her undercover gig is more work than she thought it would be. She has to keep her new job a secret from everyone, including her school, her internship, her friends, and her boyfriend. Tia loves the perks of her glamorous lifestyle, like unlimited shopping sprees and the attention of a sexy chef, but when things start to catch up to her, she begins to wonder if she’s made a mistake. The book speeds along with enough intrigue and excitement to keep any reader hooked. The ending is tied up a bit too neatly, but the deliciously detailed food descriptions are a bonus. A fun and compulsively readable look at a woman’s journey into the underbelly of the New York food scene.” - Kirkus Reviews

“The Devil Wears Prada goes gourmet ... The book speeds along with enough intrigue and excitement to keep any reader hooked... the deliciously detailed food descriptions are a bonus. A fun and compulsively readable look at a woman’s journey into the underbelly of the New York food scene.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A delicious indulgence from start to finish. Jessica Tom has written a gripping tale about food, passion, and ambition that will have you tearing through the pages as she thrusts you into the competitive and cutthroat world of New York’s dining scene.” - Dana Bate, author of Too Many Cooks and The Girls' Guide to Love and Supper Clubs

“Tom obviously knows her way around the kitchens and high-fashion stores of New York City--her writing has a knife-edged precision to it. She understands the complexity and psychology behind the creations her imaginary chefs produce, as well as the inner desires and fears women experience as they navigate the fine line between being true to themselves and projecting an air of power and sexiness to those who matter in the fine dining world. If book reviews gave out Michelin stars, Food Whore would rate three stars.” - Shelf Awareness

“Tom obviously knows her way around the kitchens...of New York City. She understands...the inner desires and fears women experience as they navigate the fine line between being true to themselves and projecting an air of power and sexiness to those who matter.” - Shelf Awareness

Tom’s delectable debut catapults readers into the New York City food scene, complete with out-of-this-world dishes and enough drama to match each meal’s extravagance. Overall, Tom will leave fans hungry for a sequel. Bon appétit! - Romantic Times BOOKclub, 4 stars

“Food Whore is a perfectly delectable peek behind the curtain of the mysterious world of restaurants and restaurant criticism, melded seamlessly with a story that has some serious things to say about being open to the universe and finding your true self. This book has everything a foodie fiction fan craves—a heroine to root for even in her worst decision making, bad boy chefs, some steamy romance, and descriptions of meals so amazing you’ll want to lick the page. Jessica Tom’s debut both satisfies completely, and makes you hungry for more—she’s definitely one to watch!” - Stacey Ballis, author of Out to Lunch and Recipe for Disaster

“Jessica Tom’s debut both satisfies completely, and makes you hungry for more—she’s definitely one to watch!” - Stacey Ballis, author of Out to Lunch and Recipe for Disaster

“Food Whore is jam-packed with playful insider jabs for those who work in food and restaurants. But anybody who loves to eat and follows famous chefs--or wants a look at the world of media and criticism--will get a kick out of this. Tom deftly captures the intrigue and often comically precious, sometimes rarefied air of fine dining. As a culinary connector and food journalist in New York City, I was delighted by Tom’s spot-on observations, her likable and relatable protagonist, and best of all, a view into what it’s like to hustle to the top as a young arrival to the Big Apple.” - Leiti Hsu, host, WORD OF MOUTH, Heritage Radio Network