Buzz for Food Whore: A Novel of Dining & Deceit
 

NEWS OF NOTE

DreamWorks Lands Jessica Tom’s ‘Food Whore: A Novel of Dining and Deceit’ (EXCLUSIVE) Read the announcement >>>

REVIEWS

Pete Wells, the actual New York Times restaurant critic, weighs in on his fictional counterpart:
"Please allow me to introduce Michael Saltz, a man of wealth and no taste. Not bad taste — no taste at all. One day he finds that he can no longer detect sour, salty, sweet and bitter. This is inconvenient because he is supposed to be the restaurant critic of The New York Times. As the person who holds that title..." Read more >>> 

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

 

"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

"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

"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

“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.”

- Beth Harbison, NYT bestselling author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong Finger

"Tom deserves full credit for nailing the psychology of elite dining in the dark metropolis. The author has a tight grip on what we can call the “human cost” of being a restaurant critic....[and] conveys something more brave and daring than standard 'chick lit'" - PopMatters

"Think of this as The Devil Wears Prada for the fine dining industry....When [Tia] meets a respected but wizened industry insider, she virtually sells her soul for food, fashion and fame." - Audrey Magazine

"The author’s descriptions are incredibly poetic and worthy of their own (real) New York Times column." - RT Book Reviews

Favorite fall fiction. "A funny and delicious novel." - Great Thoughts

Fall Fiction to watch (among Elena Ferrante, Jonathan Franzen, Salman Rushdie, Michael Cunningham & more). - Bookish  

"Exceptional food writing...I'm completely in love with how [Jessica] writes about food." - Well-Read podcast

WRITING, EXCERPTS & PROFILES 

RT Book Reviews asks, when one kitchen door closes, does another truly open? Read the "Debut Spotlight" here >>>
My 5 favorite food books in Julieverse. Read here >>>
Dinner Date Dos & Don'ts on Cupid's Pulse. Read here >>> 
WeHeartWriting catches me on a day-in-the-life. Read here >>> 

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ON THE MIC

Industry insiders Melanie Young and David Ransom get the scoop on the real-life inspirations behind Food Whore. Listen here >>>
Cathy Erway of Eat Your Words gets me talking about sex and food and the rise of foodie fiction Listen here >>>
The legendary Michael Colameco asks me about the millennial obsession with food on his Heritage Radio show, Food Talk. Listen here >>>
I chat with Matt and Case on their podcast Hustle Sold Separately. A meaty convo that gets into the nitty gritty of my ups and downs. Listen here >>>
On KJHK's Sunflower Reading Series, I read a passage and talk non-cringey sex scenes. Listen here >>>
Leiti Hsu of Heritage Radio's Word of Mouth asks me if I've ever dated a chef and then calls me out on equivocating. Listen here >>>
Doris Booth of AuthorLink interviews me about "the call", how the title came to be, and more. Listen here >>> 
Jacqueline & Ben of Love Bites on Heritage Radio chat with me about the intersection of dating and dining. Listen here >>>

WHAT READERS HAVE SAID: 

"I was sad when it was over and I hope she is planning a long career of writing novels! Jessica Tom can now count me as a loyal reader and fan!" - Sharon, Cupcakes & Cutlery

"Would it be ok to write a review that just said, “Get this book.  You wont regret it.”? I loved it that much and could have read about 20 more chapters. Yup, that good." - Courtney, Bliss Beauty and Beyond

"If you're a foodie - a homesick NYC foodie - a current/former NYU Food Studies student - or just someone appreciates the writing of an extremely talented culinary enthusiast, then you will absolutely get a kick out of this book!" - Lindsay, The Lunch Belle

"The conclusion of Food Whore was exactly the type that I enjoy the most! Things did not end up how I expected them to, but the ending that the author came up with was even better than the version that I had in my head! It was the perfect conclusion, an honour that I bestow on very few books." - Jonita, The Book Chick

"Tom seduced me with her sensual and lush descriptions of food and fashion." - Raven-Haired Girl

"Have you ever wanted to just live inside of a story? To lay on the crisp pages, wrap yourself tightly around the words, and just submerge yourself within the world? Good, we're on the same page." - Tika, Fangirl Confessions 

"Tom's food writing is perfectly succulent, and deserving of three Michelin stars, to say the least." - Davida, "Deliciously Dressed Up Deceptions", The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews 

"When it comes to describing the gourmet eating experience Jessica Tom most definitely has it going on. I don’t know what her future plans consist of, but if she decides to go into food writing, she already has one (slightly overexcited) fan." - Cath Murphy, Book Shots, LitReactor

"An engrossing tale that you simply cannot put down" - Taryn, "How far would your love of food take you?", Phoenix Bites

"I love when a book can teach me something without me even realizing it." - Kristin, Kritters Ramblings 

"A fun debut that can (and should) be gobbled up in one sitting. You might want to have some snacks handy, though, as the food descriptions will definitely lead to cravings!" - Becky, No More Grumpy Bookseller

"One of the best foodie novels I've read in years! ... Exquisite. The way [Jess] writes about food and relationships will make you insatiably hungry for more. A great debut novel." - Erin Cataldi

"I just love books about food. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. I'm a Food Network/Cooking Channel junkie. One of my other favorite hobbies? Reading. Reading food themed books is the best of both worlds! Tom does a great job of integrating a lot of food verbiage in Food Whore. The descriptions of food alone was enough to make my mouth water!" - Lola, Lamplit Reviews

"This book centers on a woman who is making her way through the ranks as a food critic. The crazy combinations and descriptions were delectable and I enjoyed the drama that occurred. This is a wonderful read, and I was reminded of how much I adore the word 'toothsome'!" - Lydia

"Take 1 cup chick-lit. Add 3/4 cup foodie facts. Whisk in a pinch of guilty, gossipy pleasure & you've got a fun read to enjoy. I could tell Jessica Tom has a strong background in F&B, and I appreciated how she managed to display this without showboating and alienating her readers."- MsNick

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