This is an absolutely delicious and delightful charity anthology with so many different stories involving food that are “chef’s kiss”💋 that it’s impossible to pick a favourite. I enjoyed them all so decided to just give you a tasting plate of what to expect. Yes, this is a very food oriented review intro! 

This is beautifully sweet friends to lovers story featuring two wonderful men. Ste needs help rescuing a celebration meal he tried to cook for his parents so best friend and chef Kiefer comes to the rescue. Ste has carried a torch for Kiefer for 5 years and after a boating date which includes some delicious and iconic Australian foods their friendship finally turns into more. 

Set in the sheep grazing Canterbury region of New Zealand this wonderful story has an ongoing food exchange between two neighbours who always have some point of friction between them. David (the grump) and Benji also get to experience a quite unique experience being stuck in a hedge together. A picturesque riverbank picnic is where everything clicks into place for David as he realises what’s really being going on with all the bickering between him and Benji over the past years. 

What fun it is to be back in Heather Bay. Cookie works his cupcake magic at the bakery where he literally runs u to Quinn who is back home after finishing University. Cookie is an upbeat guy full of sass and sunshine and develops a yearning for Quinn, who is struggling with and delaying as much as possible a much needed conversation with his family. After some drinks these two wonderful men find themselves having a moonlit dip in the ocean where the water may be cool but the atmosphere soon heats up! 

Riley and Jace’s story had me craving all things bread! It was bound to happen as this is set in Riley’s bakery and he loves experimenting with all things bread. He also makes very good pastries. Combine the two together, thrown in the hot handsome baker and sweet Jace doesn’t really stand a chance. Fortunately these two men can work around sleep schedules to find the perfect balance of bakery items, friendship and love. 

Food truck owner Bas is crushing on his shy customer Dylan, veterinarian technician Dylan has been crushing on Bas. Dylan’s bestie sets him up on a blind date who happens to be the brother of Bas. Said brother gets sick so Bas goes to tell blind date and voila - the start of something steamy and real. 

Hot Dish by Annabeth Albert 

Art teacher Stu and First Responder Perry are neighbours. Stu knocks on Perry’s door with a casserole in hand as a thank you gift and they both discover that the casserole isn’t the only thing that’s hot. Both have been through a divorce so there are no expectations attached but sometimes life doesn’t go as planned and through the power of gift giving (food) these two men soon find themselves dating and more.