The chef's secret

When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577 he leaves his vast estate - properties money and his position - to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi's dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni's life and others at risk Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle's secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi's journals and uncovers a history of deception betrayal and murder - all to protect an illicit love affair. As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi's past he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces - his brother Cesare and Scappi's former protege Domenico Romoli who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef's recipes. With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known The Chef's Secret serves up power intrigue and passion bringing Renaissance Italy to life.