The story starts with Lawrence a fusty old engineer who likes his quiet after his wife has been gone from cancer five years. He is romanced by an Italian pastry magnate, a whirlwind in high heels, also widowed. He loves cooking. She loves him. But her family is volatile Italian, loud and argumentative. Will the alliance survive a Basque event at the art gallery where Lawrence works part-time, advising on the food and wine? What of the mysteries between his coworkers? Will Drew romance Bernadette, the France teacher who knows so much about art?
The narrator starts with a slow and inexpressive voice, boring. But as the pace of the story picks up so does he, doing a credible job carefully pronouncing the names of Basque dishes, ingredients and wines.