Really sweet novel, that had interesting characters particularly a cute pig. Liked the interactions and development of the main characters but thought the romance could have been built up slightly more. Enjoyed the style of the artwork and thought it worked well with the story.

Beautifully drawn, fun and interesting story, I would definitely purchase my own copy and recommend to my friends !!

Beautifully drawn with a story that kept me engaged. I find graphic novels to be really easy to walk away from but this one kept me reading.

If you wish to read a graphic novel with slowburn romance, lots of food, wholesome friendships and piles and piles of cuteness then look no further!

Loved every second of it, I wish I had the physical copy in my hands!

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing me an e-copy of Chef's Kiss! My heart swelled with joy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a precious graphic novel! It reminded me a little of Bloom. I really enjoyed Ben's self-discovery of his career and his expectations. While I really appreciated the wholesome nature of the romantic plot, I'm glad that it didn't overshadow Ben's exploration of a new hobby and career! I also really enjoyed all of the characters. They were all very distinct and played an excellent role in Ben finding what he wants in life. Lastly, the best part of the novel was the test-tasting pig, Watson!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC graphic novel of Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez.

Ahhh, what's not to love with this beautifully illustrated graphic novel. It has everything! Dreams, ambitions, friendship, romance, disappointments, disputes, and lots of delicious descriptions of food.

Ben is a newly graduated writer looking for a job, ANYTHING that will help him achieve his dreams in the literacy world. But with every door that closes, Ben is more and more despondent. Desperate for any job, he comes across a help wanted ad outside of a restaurant, he quickly jumps on the opportunity. But it's not as easy as just throwing some plates together, Ben must pass several tests. He has to make dishes that will satisfy the restaurant's official taste tester, a pig!

But easily the best part of working at the restaurant is Ben's handsome young mentor Liam, who is always a soft spot when Ben is down, and never stops believing in him. But does that mean that there is any chance of a relationship? And does Ben have what it takes to even keep working there?

Like I said, adorable. I think any young person trying to make their way in this world can deeply relate to so much of this story, not to mention the fact that it's gorgeous to look at and so silly and entertaining.

This was the cutest fucking thing! The artwork! The friendship dynamics! The humor! WATSON! That slow-burn romance! Ah! I could have read at least 200 more pages and NEED at least 100 more. It's just the perfect sweet new adult graphic novel. My heart is so happy after reading this - it's just what I needed. 4.5 stars rounded down.

A cute & fun romp for a main character who is trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his life after college. While looking for an editing job and finding his credentials lacking, our main character happens upon an opportunity to work in a restaurant, no experience necessary. While tackling multiple challenges to prove himself as a cook, he also finds himself with a huge crush on a co-worker and dealing with parents who are controlling when it comes to his future. A quick read. Great for libraries that need more new adult graphic novels, especially where there is a lot of interest in cooking.

This absolutely lived up to expectations, and surprised me along the way! Queer people deserve queer content from its most serious to a pig with a perfect palate (though this book definitely goes into some more serious character development), and CHEF’S KISS is the fun, new adult, queer rom-com that I needed to brighten up my week. If you’re looking for something quick, fun, and with a great plot and character arc that doesn’t get too heavy, this one’s for you!

CHEF’S KISS isn’t quite a coming of age story, but more of what comes after. After you’ve realised you’re queer, after you’ve been through school, as people begin settling into life and you have to figure out what exactly is next. Which is exactly what Ben is doing, as he tries to figure out how exactly his English degree fits into his life, and eventually if he’d rather have a restaurant whose chief taster is a pig and a sous chef that he can’t stop thinking about fit into his life instead. The story is easy to follow, and Ben is easy to empathise with. I rooted for him from the very start, and was wholly satisfied with the happy ending he ended up with.

Moreover, CHEF’S KISS really is just a fun time. It’s goofy and queer and personal with genuine heart. And it does all of that without sacrificing the story, or the character growth. Ben isn’t perfect, and he grows into himself and how that changes his relationships. He grows as a chef, as a friend, and just as a person. His queerness is paramount to who he is, but it’s not a coming out story, as much as a coming into story. And if that’s not enough, there is a pig named Watson who, as mentioned before, is the chief taster.

Truly, this graphic novel is a fun time, and worth sitting down for a little while just to relax, and enjoy the story.

Dare I say Chef’s Kiss was Chef’s Kiss?!? It was hella good!! The story, the artwork, the love and the humor … I loved it all!!

I highly recommend! Cuteness Overload!! It was like a little hug you didn’t know you needed!

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Chef's Kiss was a cute graphic novel all about the unexpectedness of life and how things not going according to plan can be the best thing to happen to you. It's about standing up for yourself and doing what makes you happy.
It covers the themes of friendship, romance and independence.

I'm not usually one to read graphic novels but this one caught my eyes quite early. Plus the cover's pretty cute and believe it or not "don't judge a book by its cover" doesn't really apply to books because I will choose a book by its cover.

The storyline's pretty awesome and the characters are pretty real, considering graphic novels often lack realistic characters.

Ben is a new college grad feeling the pain of job hunting for that first job out of college. The only job he finds is at a restaurant. He realizes he's pretty good at cooking. He also realizes he has a crush on his coworker. Part coming of age story, part romance, this graphic novel will satisfy readers looking for a sweet story about finding yourself.

I LOVED this graphic novel! It is an absolute delight to read, for sure take the time and savor it in one sitting. The characters are relatable and the relationships realistic. So much of this graphic novel plays out like a sitcom that I want a next installment, maybe a focus on one of the roommates. What more could a reader ask for than food, friendship, and a romance that is just too adorable! Please check out this impeccable read!

This was actually such a cute graphic novel and story! The characters were all distinct and the plot was pacy, I loved every second!! Also the art style was beautiful too!

A super adorable graphic novel.

Chef's Kiss is my kind of comfort read.

I loved the chef boss and the pig, so cute :)

Recommended!

I was looking forward to read this one. A fun and short read, I would recommend. The cover was what made me press that request button and I stayed for the story :)

This was such a cute, fun read! I loved the art style and the main characters. Ben's friends seemed almost a little too conventionally quirky?? In the sense that it felt like the author went "Ah yes, every queer friend group has one of these friends" and then proceeded to put all of them in Ben's friend group. So while honestly accurate, it also just felt like a bit much to have a character that speaks using Shakespearan language. I enjoyed the overall plot a lot but wished to see more of Ben and Liam and their relationship development.
In the end, it was a really cute and quick read. I definitely recommend it for people looking for a sweet, queer graphic novel.

Absolutely adorable!

For Libraries: Nothing in this is necessarily too much for YA collections, but the age of the characters does place this in a New Adult category.

Ben Cook is a recent college graduate who longs for a job connected to his English major. He goes on over a dozen interviews, but lacks the experience needed to land a job that will allow him to gain experience. Luckily, a local restaurant is hiring, with NO experience required (plus a very dreamy sous chef, Liam). Now Ben must excel at Chef Davis’s series of challenges, mastering recipes both classic and original. He also has to please Watson, Le Cochon Doré's official taste-tester; Watson is a pig, an adorably affectionate one. “Cook the cook” really takes to the restaurant gig, especially the camaraderie that’s forged in the kitchen, but his roommate and longtime bestie, Liz, feels that Ben has given up on writing too easily. This upbeat graphic novel (with abundant character diversity) joyfully depicts the life-changing moments that happen when your life’s prescribed path opens up to a world of possibilities. With incredible culinary sequences, a slow burn romance, and a dash of early-twenties angst, it's just, yes, chef’s kiss.