A fluffy book we read as a group. Nice story, could have been elaborated on much more! ( )

An excellent book! 8 students gather at Lillian's restaurant for a cooking class. It becomes so much more. An awakening of the senses and the heart. Read how the strangers came together, how they slowly grew and the unexpected turns their lives take. Everyone should read this. ( )

The love of cooking mixed with various lives that are influcened ( )

I loved this book! Lillian is the owner of a magical little restaurant where she also teaches cooking. Like Vianne in Chocolat, Lillian seems to know exactly what recipe each of her students needs to get on with their lives. A beautifully written story with amazing descriptions of food. ( )

Thank you to G. P. Putman’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. This is the author’s debut novel and I think it is very successful. I particularly enjoyed the format of the book with each chapter focusing on one of the characters while continuing to move forward the story line.

Lillian is the central character of the novel and runs a successful restaurant and cooking school. This comes as no surprise as she has had an intimate relationship with food from a very young age and she seems to intuitively know what food experience each person needs. We are introduced to the eight students who have found themselves enrolled in Lillian’s monthly cooking class. Each of the students has a secret need and story that seems to be evoked by the lesson of the month. In many cases, the stories become intertwined much like the mingling of foods in a well-thought out dish. To add further reader interest, the author provides very interesting information about the ingredients of the month as well. I did not want this book to end, even as I enjoyed the ending. ( )