In Bailey’s frenetic third entry to the Confused Spice series (after Brown Sugar and Spice), competition between two Toronto restaurants yields plenty of drama. Belligerent Mrs. Singh rules her Michelin-rated Indo-French bistro with an iron hand. New line cook Anushka stresses over the constant nitpicking but figures having the place on her résumé will help her career. Agreeing to an arranged marriage with Singh’s food critic son, Dashan, wouldn’t hurt either. Singh is apoplectic over the opening of the Spice Café across the street. The only Black-owned business on the block, the café is run by Detroit natives Zola and Pierre, who serve Southern comfort food. Seething at seeing her customers at the café (“Who knew they wanted to eat peasant food?”), Singh tries to sabotage the café by, among other things, planting media stories that allege the café is exploiting undocumented immigrants from Haiti. A stew of romantic entanglements add spice to the plot: Zola has the hots for Dashan, and Pierre can’t get enough of Singh’s chiseled head chef, Marquis. With truffles and foie gras versus collard greens and fried catfish, Bailey expertly brings readers into the hustle and bustle of the restaurant life. Readers will be sated by Bailey’s deliciously fun culinary romp. (Self-published)