As a child, Stephanie Lucianovic created an elaborate system for disposing of yucky food involving bookshelves, holiday centerpieces, and, later, boyfriends. As an adult, this picky eater found herself in the most unlikely of circumstances: a graduate of culinary school who became a cheesemonger and then a food writer. Along the way, she realized just how common her plight was. Picky eating is an issue for millions of kids; there are even support groups for adults who can't kick it.

With wit and charm, through visits to laboratories specializing in gene testing and support groups for parents of picky eaters, Stephanie explores her own food phobias and tries to discover the roots of picky eating. Even as she eggs fellow picky eaters on, offering plenty of clever ways to avoid hated foods in every social situation, she also shares tips to help readers overcome pickiness in themselves and their children.