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Recipe for Adventure Series

Found in Children’s Chapter Books
A deliciously fun chapter-book series from Emmy Award-winning celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. The books follow the Bertolizzi siblings, Alfie and Emilia, as they discover the sights, sounds, and tastes of world’s greatest culinary destinations.
Naples! #1 by Giada De Laurentiis; Illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa
Miami! #7 by Giada De Laurentiis and Brandi Dougherty; Illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa
Philadelphia! #8 by Giada De Laurentiis and Brandi Dougherty; Illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa

Recipe for Adventure Series : Titles in Order

Book 8
The votes are in! The Bertolizzi siblings are headed to Philadelphia for their latest great culinary adventure.

When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister, Emilia, know what’s in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show them how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best takeout pizza. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn firsthand how food can not only take you places but also bring you back home.

In this adventure, Zia sends the entire Bertolizzi family to the city of brotherly love – Philadelphia! Known as the “birthplace of America,” Philadelphia welcomes the family with its historic blend of colonial buildings, national landmarks, and equally revolutionary cuisine. Their Philadelphia tour guide, Emma, shows the family that foodie destinations like Reading Terminal Market and 9th Street have as rich a history as the Liberty Bell.
Book 7
When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister, Emilia, know what’s in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show them how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best takeout pizza. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn firsthand how food can not only take you places but also bring you back home.  In the seventh book in the series, Zia turns up the heat when her secret ingredient sends the siblings to the “Magic City” – Miami, Florida! When they get there, they cook up an unforgettable adventure full of beautiful beaches, salsa dancing, and deliciously spicy Caribbean food.
Book 6
When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister, Emilia, know what’s in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show them how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best takeout pizza. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn firsthand how food can not only take you places but also bring you back home. 

In the sixth book in the series, Zia’s secret ingredient takes Alfie and Emilia to an island famous for its surfing, luaus, and delicious food — Maui! There they dive headfirst into Hawaiian culture and discover the best sights, sounds, and tastes of the Pacific Islands.
Book 5
Alfie and Emilia’s adventures continue in the deliciously fun chapter-book series from Emmy Award–winning celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis!

When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what’s in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food cannot only take you places, but can bring you home again.

In the fifth book in the series, Zia’s secret ingredient takes Alfie and Emilia to a city famous not only for its food, but also for its carnivals, music, and beaches – Rio de Janeiro! There they meet Miguel Costa, who persuades Alfie and Emilia to take part in the children’s parade at Carnival. Once again the siblings get caught up in an adventure that introduces them to the sights, sounds, and tastes of the one the world’s most incredible cities – all while trying to find their way home.
Book 4
When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what’s in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food cannot only take you places but can also bring you back home.

In the fourth book in the series, Zia’s secret ingredient takes Alfie and Emilia to New Orleans. There they meet the members of a kids’ jazz band and are soon helping save the band’s performance venue, as well as tracking down a long-lost cookbook, which just might hold some very special secrets. From beignets and gumbo, to jazz and zydeco, Alfie and Emilia experience everything New Orleans has to offer, all while trying to find their way home.
Book 3
When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what’s in store for them. Zia Donatella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food cannot only take you places but can also bring you back home.

In the third book in the series, Zia’s secret ingredient takes Alfie and Emilia to the other side of the world – Hong Kong! Ying and her family are convinced that Alfie and Emilia are the foreign exchange students scheduled to visit them, and the siblings soon find themselves helping out with the opening of the family’s new restaurant. Between shopping at the markets, assisting in the kitchen, and trying to get back home, Alfie and Emilia discover the sights and sounds of the exotic and bustling city.
Book 2
When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what’s in store for them. Zia Dontella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food can not only take you places but can also bring you back home. Alfie and Emilia are transported to Paris, where a case of mistaken identity finds them caught up in the behind the scenes drama at a traditional French cooking school. As they explore the beautiful city of light and try to figure out how to get back home, they meet an incredible cast of French characters, as well as sample some of the best pastries and real hot chocolate that Paris has to offer.
Book 1
When Zia Donatella comes to live with the Bertolizzi family, little do Alfie and his older sister Emilia know what’s in store for them. Zia Dontella is determined to show the kids how a home-cooked meal is better than even the best take-out pizza or burrito. And when Zia’s plan actually transports Alfie and Emilia to famous food cities around the world, they learn first-hand how food can not only take you places but can also bring you back home. Alfie and Emilia find themselves transported to Naples, where they meet Marco, a young Italian boy on a very important mission to shop for the essential ingredients for his family’s entry in the city’s annual pizzafest contest. In their whirlwind search for the perfect items, Alfie and Emilia not only get a taste of Italy, but also find themselves refereeing a family feud between Marco’s family and his uncle’s family.

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