Davindson, Diane Mott. Mystery series, including "Cereal Murders" and "Dying for Chocolate."  She's a caterer/detective, and recipes are included.

Esquivel, Laura.  Like Water for Chocolate – a wonderfully written novel that incorporates the almost magical cooking skills (and recipes) of one of the daughters. Sexually explicit content, though. Probably need to pre-read to check for appropriateness.

Kerr, _Fell_  It's not a culinary theme, exactly, but he does take on the other  identity in order to get the money to open his own restaurant.  He wants to be a chef.