The Kitchen Front: A Novel

Nell looks through Mrs. Quince’s recipe book and struggles with her feelings of inferiority next to her mentor. Within the book, Nell discovers a letter written by the previous head cook, Mrs. Newton, to Mrs. Quince many years ago. Mrs. Newton wrote it shortly before her death and handed the book, along with her legacy, to the girl Mrs. Quince once was. Nell then discovers a second letter written by Mrs. Quince to her, saying goodbye. After mourning her loss, Nell feels renewed and puts her energy toward her cooking. She cooks a feast for after Mrs. Quince’s funeral with Audrey and Zelda’s help. Finally, she makes Mrs. Quince’s Special Occasion Cake. The recipe says, “bake until it feels ready” (340), and Nell panics, thinking she won’t know the right moment. As the cake bakes, she remembers baking with Mrs. Quince before the war and finds she knows exactly when the cake is done.

The community gathers for Mrs. Quince’s funeral. The vicar recounts highlights from Mrs. Quince’s life, and Audrey considers what she knows about the woman’s upbringing. The women say their goodbyes and reconvene at Willow Lodge. Audrey remembers her happy life with Matthew and becomes aware of how hard she’s become. Ambrose pays his respects and learns that all four contestants are now living together. After the guests leave, the women toast to Mrs. Quince.

Zelda considers her impending childbirth, the contest, and her life in London. She begins to feel less enthusiastic about her plan to return home, wondering if the struggle was worth the success. As the four meet to discuss the upcoming contest, Gwendoline suggests they all join together to open a local restaurant. Zelda explains the way restaurants avoid the use of ratio allowances to Nell, and they talk about the restrictions, price caps, and ways high-end restaurants maintain exclusivity. Audrey warms to the plan, and they invite Zelda to be their head chef, but she declines in favor of her life in London. Afterward, she struggles with her guilt at their disappointment.

Audrey and Christopher approach the beehives for honey to use in their dessert entry, but they’re interrupted by a fleet of bombing planes and run for cover. While Audrey worries, Christopher identifies the planes as friendly. Ben joins them, and the three of them gather honey from the bees. Audrey teaches them to approach the bees kindly and calmly, and they return to the kitchen to taste it. Then they go pick apples from the garden and begin making a cake.

All four contestants arrive at the final round together, and Ambrose speaks to the large audience. Nell introduces her summer pudding, while Gwendoline has created a healthy wartime fruit tart. Audrey explains her apple and honey cake. Finally, Zelda reveals her dessert: a luxurious croquembouche. She talks about how she adapted a difficult French recipe for wartime rations. Ambrose tries it and is astonished. He awards Gwendoline seven, Audrey eight, Nell nine, and Zelda ten. In total, Nell becomes the winner, and the others congratulate her wholeheartedly. Gwendoline confirms she’s signed the lease on their new restaurant.

Nell hears a rumor of Paolo’s return and goes to Fenley Farm. Barlow has been arrested. They meet, and Nell tells him about the contest, her role on the radio program, and Mrs. Quince. When she arrives back at Willow Lodge, she finds Gwendoline has been checking to make sure Sir Strickland won’t be released. As they begin working, Zelda goes into labor. Gwendoline calls the midwife, and the women stay by Zelda’s side. When she gives birth, she refuses to look at her new daughter. Nell sees her own childhood reflected in the newborn. Finally, the midwife arrives.

Audrey tries to convince Zelda to stay in Fenley with the new restaurant and her child, but Zelda is convinced a woman can’t be a career woman and a mother at the same time. Audrey tells her that all four of them will be a family together. As Audrey tries to comfort her, Zelda grows angry and recounts the struggles she’s faced as a woman alone. Finally, she throws Audrey out of the room. Audrey leaves, angry at Zelda’s betrayal.

A woman from the adoption agency arrives, and Zelda fights to remain calm. Nell greets the woman and invites her in. However, Nell comes to Zelda’s room with the baby, frightened; she says that Gwendoline has recognized the woman as disreputable and that the baby will be taken to an orphanage. Nell forces Zelda to take the baby while she finds Audrey. Once Nell is gone, Zelda speaks to the child and considers her future. She tries to justify her decision. When Audrey and Nell return, Zelda decides they’ll keep her after all.

Nell arrives for her first day on The Kitchen Front. She remembers discussing the restaurant with the others; they agree to call it “The Four Friends.” At the radio station, Ambrose introduces her on the air. He goes off their agreed script to ask Nell about her new restaurant, and she talks about its origins and opening date before she and Ambrose discuss new recipes.

Audrey prepares for their grand opening, dressing up in a way she hasn’t for many years. She and her sons arrive at the restaurant, which looks disappointingly deserted; however, they soon see that the crowds are hidden by a blackout. Inside, the place is packed with diners. After the meals, Ambrose comes to congratulate them and meets Zelda’s baby, Madeleine. They introduce the desserts, including Zelda’s croquembouche, and Gwendoline makes a speech and introduces the other women to the crowd. Audrey makes a short speech introducing Gwendoline’s role, and they all toast to each other.