Here is the tale of young Tomasso de Befanini, whose family has practiced the secret magic of the kitchen and hearth through many generations of the Medici dynasty. Trained in the culinary arts, befriended by the great Michelangelo himself, Tomasso seems destined for a life as master chef. But when war and intrigue threaten the city's future, Tomasso finds himself playing a crucial role in a grand and intricate mystical design. This novel also includes a glossary and recipes for several of the more memorable dishes discussed.