We’ve always thought that what happens at the Waverly Inn stays at the Waverly Inn, but that may change, given this recent deal announcement on Publishers Marketplace:

Chef at New York's The Waverly Inn John DeLucie's THE HUNGER, a la Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, [sold] to Dan Halpern and Emily Takoudes at Ecco, for publication in Spring 2009, by Rebecca Oliver and Richard Abate at Endeavor (NA).

Dan Halpern is, of course, the cookbook editor (he recently threw serious ducats at Zak Pelaccio’s cookbook) and with super-agent Richard Abate involved, we can only assume DeLucie got a nice chunk of change to put down the spatula and pick up the pen. But DeLucie is going to have to spill a lot of beans about the Waverly and his former employers La Bottega and the Soho and Tribeca Grands to earn back his advance. Watch yourself, Wintour.

Deal Announcement: John Delucie’s THE HUNGER [Publishers Marketplace/subscription only]