Frida's Cook - by Florencia Etcheves (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

2026 International Latino Book Awards Winner:
Bronze Medal: Best Novel--Historical Fiction--English
Silver Medal: Best Fiction Book Translation--Spanish to English
Gold Medal: The Nora de Hoyos Comstock Best First Book--Fiction--English

This "vibrant, tender" (Kim Fay, USA TODAY bestselling author) historical debut whisks us to the home of Frida Kahlo, where food, art, and love weave together an unforgettable story of friendship and loyalty, with a bright Coyoacán as a vivid background.

A hidden painting. A buried past. A legacy waiting to be uncovered.

Mexico City, 1939: Young and determined Nayeli Cruz flees from her Oaxaca home to arrive in Mexico City with neither friends nor prospects. Alone and armed only with her sharp wit and extraordinary talent in the kitchen, she finds herself in front of La Casa Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. As she begins work as the artist's cook, Nayeli is pulled into Frida's world of pain, passion, and defiance. But it isn't long before amid the vibrant tapestry of flavors, scents, and colors, the two women form a deep bond--one that will shape the course of Nayeli's life and leave behind a secret buried in art.

Buenos Aires, Present Day: Paloma, Nayeli's granddaughter, stumbles upon a mysterious painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. The artist's identity is unknown, but the artwork's existence threatens to unravel long-held family secrets. As Paloma delves into her grandmother's past, she uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience that challenges everything she thought she knew about the one woman who raised her.

"Each page is a revelation" (Luis Jaramillo, author of The Witches of El Paso) in this lyrical and timeless celebration of one of the world's most famous painters, female friendship, and love.

Review Quotes

Frida's Cook is a gorgeous novel about art, food, and family secrets--it's also a gripping tale of art forgers and thieves. Each page is a revelation.

--Luis Jaramillo, author of The Witches of El Paso

An engrossing dual timeline story about the resilience of women. I especially enjoyed the threads of the Tehuana and Mexican culture that were woven so vividly throughout the novel that I considered them as vibrant a character as Frida herself.

--Annette Chavez Macias, author of Big Chicas Don't Cry

Like the paintings of Frida Kahlo, Frida's Cook is a vibrant, tender portrayal of love and emotional longing. The story skipped between past and present, sparking my curiosity with each new chapter. Devoted female friendships, fractured family relationships, kitchens simmering with flavor, and a page-turning art forgery--all of it tied together by one of history's most passionate love stories. Florencia Etcheves has blended the intimacy of daily life with universal truths to craft a smart, savory tale.--Kim Fay, USA Today bestselling author of Kate & Frida

About the Author

Florencia Etcheves is an award-winning journalist, writer, and news presenter. She is also the author of several novels, two of which have been made into feature films, Perdida (Lost) and Netflix's La Corazonada. Follow her on Instagram @FloEtcheves.