Amal Awad - Bitter & Sweet

The lake in the middle of her father’s kitchen is only the first in a series of disasters in Zeina’s life. Nassar’s recent health crisis has left Casablanca, his once vibrant restaurant, losing ground and customers to trendier competition. Unlike her husband who won’t speak to her, her best friend who is sliding towards self-destruction, and her cousin who is stealing Zeina’s life story for content, the restaurant is something she can fix. And Zeina, suddenly lonely and adrift, needs something she can fix.

Taking leave from her prestigious chef position, Zeina throws herself into caring for her ailing father and immersing herself in the familiar foods and flavours of her childhood, trying to save both him and Casablanca. But working in this kitchen, her childhood home, brings memories, secrets, and unexpected ambitions bubbling to the surface. When it comes time for hard decisions, Zeina will have to accept that growing up is an ongoing process – one that never gets any easier.