I've also heard you have to be level 40 ... not sure if that's a requirement, but I know one of the items you need to get for the quest drops off birds that are level 42-45, so I gather being level 40 helps!!
Ok for alliance the book you need you have to buy from a trade goods merchant, there is no cook to train you. The merchants name is Shandrina. she is the trade foods merchant and the book is the last item on the last page of her items for sale. cost to an honored faction is 90 silver.