State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy

In ten words or less: White House chef competes for job; is target of assassin.

Review: Olivia Paras is nervous enough. She's been a leading contender for the Executive Chef position at the White House, until food show host Laurel Anne is scheduled to audition. The White House staff is talking like Laurel Anne's appointment is a done deal.
Sighing, Olivia runs out on her lunch hour to pick up a retirement gift for the retiring chef--an engraved saute pan. When she spies an intruder on the White House grounds, with the Secret Service in pursuit, she brains the man with her pan. But as she brings down the skillet on the man's head, he tells her something. And when the Secret Service hushes up the incident, Olivia is suspicious. Even the Secret Service agent she is dating won't tell her what's up.

Why bother? Totally unbelievable plot, but the insider's view of the White House kitchen is fun. And the smug Laurel Anne gets her comeuppance. Recipes included.