I went on a recent binge of books about food. Chefs who can write are rare, but when they do write about food in a compelling way, it is a great combination of ingredients.

Its been out a while, but I also finally got to Kitchen confidential: adventures in the culinary underbelly, by Anthony Bourdain. This one is a fun, though by no means gentle read. Bourdain lets us in on what it takes to run a top-tier restaurant, and it is an eye-opener.

Keeping the feast: one couple's story of love, food, and healing in Italy, by Paula Butturini, tells the author's story of how she used food, Italy, and patience to help her husband through a serious depression. Butturini's descriptions of her fresh, sun-warmed ingredients had my mouth watering.

Food is center-stage in the story, The hundred-foot journey: a novel, by Richard C. Morais. This is the tale of a young boy from India born with the gift of a perfect palate. He is trained in the art of French cooking and becomes a world-renowned chef. Many tempting dishes are described, as well as the ambition and perfectionism needed to be a master of cooking.

So, if mixing food and good writing sounds tempting to you, then feel free to sample some of these titles.