The Holiday Toast Duo

Together at last: The Christmas Toast and The Valentine Toast, plus bonus recipes and the short story Curry for One.

The Christmas Toast

Alan Randall Liebowitz is a man stuck in a pattern: right before the holidays his current significant other goes walkabout, leaving him alone … again.

Jacques Lambert is an up and comer chef with a bright future. Until his partner with benefits runs off, leaving him bankrupt and relying on the kindness of his family.

The local college holds night cooking classes, for seniors mostly. Jack’s sister talks him into applying for a teaching spot. Alan’s neighbor talks him into expanding his horizons.

When a lonesome foodie meets the chef of his dreams, more than the scallops are flambéed.

The Valentine Toast

Alan’s the numbers guys, the VP’s golden boy until a corporate shuffle leaves him downsized and at loose ends. It’s a hit to the wallet and his ego. When Alan turns to the kitchen for solace, no vegetable is safe.

With money tight and their options dwindling, Alan jumps at the offer from Jack’s brother-in-law, Ted, to run an audit on the QT. The dealership’s in trouble and Ted needs fresh eyes.

For his cooking class, Jack is faced with making comfort food sexy, not as easy a task as it sounds. Alan floats the idea of a contest, pitting the culinary arts students against the senior ladies. When the media find out, it makes a feeding frenzy look tame.

Dealerships and contests leave them little time to plan for their first Valentine's Day, but when it rolls around, they make a toast that will change everything.

Curry for One

It’s Anika’s farewell dinner for her fellow grad students.

It’s Tom’s last chance to throw his hat in the ring.

But there’s the niggling matter of cultural differences and family obligations.

And a bet on the line…