Published: March 2022
Series: N/A
Author: Jarrett Melendez
Illustrator: Danica Brine
Genres: Graphic Novels, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary, Comics, Fiction, Adult, New Adult, Food
Audience (Grade Levels): High School / New Adult (Grades 11-12 featured)
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Goodreads Link: Chef’s Kiss
Triggers: Alcohol, Drugs, vague homophobia from parents, pressure & guilt trips from overbearing parents, stress about unemployment
Review By: Sara Tripp
Publisher’s Summary:
Watch things start to really heat up in the kitchen in this sweet, queer, new adult graphic novel! Now that college is over, English graduate Ben Cook is on the job hunt looking for something…anything…related to his passion for reading and writing. But interview after interview, hiring committee after hiring committee, Ben soon learns getting the dream job won’t be as easy as he thought. Proofreading? Journalism? Copywriting? Not enough experience. It turns out he doesn’t even have enough experience to be a garbage collector! But when Ben stumbles upon a “Now Hiring—No Experience Necessary” sign outside a restaurant, he jumps at the chance to land his first job. Plus, he can keep looking for a writing job in the meantime. He’s actually not so bad in the kitchen, but he will have to pass a series of cooking tests to prove he’s got the culinary skills to stay on full-time. But it’s only temporary…right? When Ben begins developing a crush on Liam, one of the other super dreamy chefs at the restaurant, and when he starts ditching his old college friends and his old writing job plans, his career path starts to become much less clear.
Review:
I was a little worried this wasn’t really for young adults when I started this book but it turned out to be the perfect book for a graduating senior. The real life struggles of a young adult facing the work place is very relatable. Things are lightened up with the quirky but cute twist of a little pig starring as a main character. It’s a fun mix of struggle and laughter. Ben discovers what is really important in life is finding his own path. His true friends rally to support him showing the heartwarming strength that friendship creates. This is a cute quick read for a young adult stressed about what comes next after graduation.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Life Transitions: This book is an invaluable mentor text for graduating seniors navigating post-graduation anxiety, career identity crises, parental pressure, and the stress of unemployment. It serves as an excellent resource for discussing self-discovery and the importance of carving out one’s own path rather than adhering to rigid expectations.
- English Language Arts (ELA): A great option for upper-level graphic novel studies or contemporary fiction units, allowing students to analyze text-to-illustration synergy, romantic comedy tropes, and character-driven plot arcs.
- Extension Activity / Library Application:
- Graduating Senior Transition Workshop: School librarians can feature this book in a display or workshop targeted at older teens preparing for life after graduation. Pair the reading with activities focused on managing post-school stress, resume writing, or career exploration.
- Graphic Novel Book Club / Literature Circle: Perfect for a high school graphic novel club, prompting discussions on how the humorous and light elements—like Watson the taste-testing pig—work alongside heavier real-world struggles to keep the narrative well-balanced and engaging.
- Diversity & Representation: Chef’s Kiss excels in meaningful, positive queer representation, placing a sweet and wholesome gay romance at the very center of its plot. Furthermore, the graphic novel incorporates intersectional representation by populating its supportive culinary world with multiple BIPOC side characters, celebrating a truly diverse and inclusive community that rallies around the protagonist.
Readalikes:
- Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu
- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
