Foodie Reads: Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez

When it comes to books for foodies, we often think of cookbooks first and foremost, and then maybe the culinary mysteries. But Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez is not that. Instead, it is a graphic novel that gives us a new adult story of discovery and finding one’s self in the kitchen (and in life).

There are so many reasons we are loving Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez, but it is definitely the actual story itself that had us hooked. Not only do we love the premise of a recent college graduate (an English major to be exact) stumbling into a job in a restaurant after repeated disappointments in his own field, but the character himself.

We are talking about a young man with a vision for his future that ends up shifting as he finds himself in a restaurant kitchen falling in love (with another chef and even the work he is doing). There are the growing pains we all know from moving on from school and moving into the work force. And then there are other aspects of growth and finding oneself that really makes this story come to life.

And yes, we love every moment in the kitchen, because of course the kitchen is at the heart of this story in its own way. (Plus, we are foodies, which means we are really here for the kitchen and cooking.)

Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez is a beautiful coming of age story with a touch of kitchen magic

The art work is amazing. The foodie imagery is everything. And the fact that there is actually a recipe in this graphic novel makes it a must for foodies looking for something other than a cookbook to enjoy.

This graphic novel could easily be an animated Netflix short, it is just that good. If you want a better idea of what to expect from Chef’s Kiss here is a taste of the book summary to inspire you!

"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."

Basically, this book has it all – romance, food, art, and passion. We love a good story and we definitely love a good new adult rom-com in a graphic novel.

If you need something new to read this weekend, I am definitely recommending Chef’s Kiss for your reading pleasure.