Spiced: A Pastry Chef's True Stories of Trails by Fire, After-HoursExploits, and What Really Goes on in the Kitchen

Read Dahlia Jurgensen's posts on the Penguin Blog.

A clever and affectionate glimpse at the truth about what goes on behind that swinging door, full of "great insider stuff" (Anthony Bourdain)

Life in a restaurant kitchen is strenuous and exciting, while its inhabitants are...unique. In this testosterone-laden atmosphere, Dalia Jurgensen tirelessly pursued her dream of becoming a chef, working her way up though New York's top restaurants.

In her deliciously…