Ask anyone what foods they crave, and most people will be able to reel off a list without hesitation. Cravings almost always have an emotional component, and in every case, there is a flavor, texture, or temperature combination that gives each dish what Akunowicz calls the “wow” factor. It’s what she strives for every time she creates new dishes for her restaurants, and it’s reflected in each of the recipes in Crave.

As a chef with experience cooking many different cuisines―Italian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Southeast Asian―Akunowicz has a unique take on cooking. Her recipes, organized by flavor and texture cravings, from Crispy & Crunchy or Hearty & Homey to Sweet & Luscious, include Tomato Salad with Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette, Chicken Cacciatore, Ginger Scallion Lobster, Smoky Eggplant Dip, and more. She’s a great teacher and makes it easy to bring the vibrancy of her cooking into your own home.