Chef's Kiss is a lighthearted story that perfectly captured the transition of college life to adulthood.

The story followed Ben, an English graduate, who was having a difficult time to get a job related to his passion for reading and writing. When he stumbled a 'now hiring' sign outside a restaurant, he took that chance. To be fully get the job, he needed to pass series of tests first. Having fun while acquiring new skills and experiences, new friends, and a possible new love interest because of this job, Ben started questioning what he really wanted to do with his life.

Plotwise, it was straightforwardly real and relatable. Everyone could relate to Ben's dilemma about choosing between pursuing the career related to what he had studied and the one which he found fun and exciting. It also portrayed how hard it was for graduates to get a job because of some companies' ridiculous requirements. On the other hand, there was a little bit of romance but it didn't overwhelm the story which I liked. Lastly, the food. The illustrations were definitely mouthwatering.

The characters were interesting too even when they weren't fleshed out much. The art style was cute too!

Overall, Chef's Kiss is a cute queer graphic novel that everyone can enjoy.

Chef's Kiss is a sweet, queer graphic novel that give us a reminder that the best things in life are unplanned.

I absolutely loved how much diversity & representation this story had. I couldn't help to smile a lot through the book. The characters were described so vividly that I could relate to them so easily.

First book I've read by this author and will look at more in the future.

This was a fun and flirty read, with lots if quirk and character.
It's definitely one of those where you'll be able to enjoy it more if you check your expectations and skepticism at the door.
The art style was cool and memorable, and I'm interested to see where it goes.

This is a contemporary fiction with an interesting blend of different emotions in it. The book focuses on the lead character named Claire. The plot takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings as we go along with our protagonist on a road of self discovery and development. The author has written down the an very interesting plotline where the plot focuses on the character development of the protagonist along with amazing characters and scenarios involved in it. The narration of the book is so smooth and easy that the readers are able to enjoy the spirit of the book. There are numerous characters involved yet each shines throughout the book as the author has well potraited each and every character. The book is being layered nicely with the situation and incidents that were quite interesting to read. The characters in the plot kept me hooked till the end. Each has been given sufficient scope to contribute to the plot. The language used is lucid. It is definitely a good read for all the readers.

I mostly really liked this book. My main problems with it were that the conflict with Liz felt like it came out of nowhere and was still resolved quickly, and didn't really matter in the main narrative. I also felt like Ben's parents showing up at the restaurant similarly came out of nowhere, and I felt like that point could have been more fleshed out in the middle where the Liz conflict was instead. I always wish that graphic novels were longer, but overall it was a cute and enjoyable story.

"'I was supposed to be a writer. At least that's what I thought I wanted. Really, it's what my parents always wanted, and I think what I really wanted was their approval. But I don't think I would have gotten that even if I got one of the writing jobs I applied for. Now I'm doing this with you guys, and I think I'm happier, but I still love writing. Is that crazy?'
'There's nothing crazy about figuring out what makes you happy and deciding to pursue whatever that ends up being. It sounds like maybe writing is a passion, but you pursued it for the wrong reasons? Whatever you decide to do, it doesn't have to be forever.'"

This is another one of those graphic novels that I requested on NetGalley by looking solely at the cover. I keep telling myself I'll stop doing that, but then again, I sometimes end up being approved to read cute little graphic novels like this one. This is definitely a mature young adult or new adult graphic novel. The characters have just graduated from college and are busy figuring out what life looks like post-grad. Ben has just moved into a new apartment with three of his friends. Two of them have new jobs and one is pursuing another degree. Ben has just graduated with his bachelors in English and is busy looking for some type of writing job. He gets told over and over again that because he has no experience, no company is willing to hire him. Ben happens to walk by a restaurant that is hiring, no experience necessary. Ben lands the gig, but he has to go through three weeks of training first learning how to make the various vegetarian dishes and having them approved by Watson, a taste-testing pig. Yes, Ben's full-time employment is contingent on a pig taste-testing his culinary dishes.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel as it very clearly and painfully shows the reality of how difficult it is to land your first job post-grad. For years, college has been pushed on young people and they are told if they "just have a degree, they'll land a job!" However, the reality is much different for too many college graduates. Companies want to hire young talent, but they also don't want to train their employees from scratch so they want someone with a few years of experience. Ben faces the dilemma that I faced when I first graduated: no one will hire you because you have no experience. As someone who experienced that reality for 2.5 years, it was nice to see my experience validated on the page. I also enjoyed seeing Ben figure out what he wanted his life to look like without the influence of his parents. There are definitely some growing pains with Ben figuring this out, but at the end of the graphic novel, I felt I could see Ben moving in the right direction. I also appreciated how there were some major sparks flying but overall this book was pretty clean in terms of sexual content. There's nothing in this graphic novel I wouldn't want a teenager getting their hands on. This is an enjoyable read for readers of mature young adult and new adult graphic novels!

TW: emotional abuse, vomit, alcohol use, drug use

**Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced reader's edition of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

Instant 5/5⭐ to Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez. Thank you Oni Press and Netgalley for an egalley copy to review! This is a fantastic graphic novel that follows Ben Cook after he finishes college and is trying to find a job. His family and degree want him to get a job in writing or publishing, but the job search is futile. Eventually he gets a job practicing as a cook at a restaurant and it changes the course of his life. I adored actually seeing characters on the slightly older side of YA (mid 20s), and in general this GN had fantastic characters!! I also think many (myself included) millennials and older gen Z can relate to the reality of employment, education and how those often don't align today as we've been told. It also touched on issues of parental expectations which I appreciated. The food and cooking scenes were delightful and made me so hungry! We also get the most adorable slow burn romance that made me squee at the end <3 Finally is the art...immaculate, adorable, and perfect!! Literally, *chef's kiss* (pun intended). Please go out and get it or request it from your library!

This is a delightful new adult graphic novel! Ben and his friends just graduated from college & have moved into their new apartment. Everyone has their life figured out except Ben. He has intentions of being a writer, but can't get hired anywhere. When a local vegetarian restaurant offers him a chef job with no experienced necessary, Ben decides to go for it. It doesn't hurt that one of the chefs is very easy on the eyes. Will Ben change his career direction and can he pass his chef's training?

I enjoyed this graphic novel, but I think it was just a little short and under developed for me to truly love it.

I thought the story was super cute and the characters were all interesting and had unique personalities. I also loved Watson the pig, who was hilarious and adorable. The illustrations were also amazing!

For me, it was just a little short and some things felt rushed. There were some scenes that suddenly changed and it felt abrupt, and other times scenes were suggested, like going out for a drinks date, but then not explored, which I think would have helped develop the relationship between the MC and his love interest. I also thougt the final cooking challenge was rushed and I didn't feel any anticipation or nerves for the outcome.

Overall, a very cute graphic novel, but would like to see the romantic connection and some scenes developed a little bit further!

Thanks to NetGalley & Oni Press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very sweet coming-of-age story with comedy peppered throughout. I really enjoyed the light and sketchy art style and the fun characters. A very wholesome graphic novel!

Thank you to Oni Press & Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of Chef's Kiss in exchange for an honest review!

Not to be dramatic but this is one of the cutest things that I've ever read.

Before I dig into what I really loved, let's get the basics out of the way: the story is good. The art is good. This book is good.

Okay, now that we're done with that, CHEF'S KISS IS SO GOOD.

At this point, anyone who knows me knows how much I love food-related stories. They're usually instant wins for me. A little background info: I previously worked in a kitchen & my IG stories could show you how much I love cooking. So, obviously, this graphic novel has already earned a special place in my heart. I'm even considering replicating one of the dishes in Chef's Kiss!

Chef's Kiss follows recently graduated Ben Cook as he attempts to find a writing job; his parents are throwing on the extra pressure, because "HELLO WE JUST PAID SO MUCH MONEY FOR UR EDUCATION YOU BETTER FIND A JOB RIGHT NOW!@!!" Things are just not going so great for Ben. That's when he notices a hiring sign for an assistant cook (& unlike other jobs he tried out for, no experience was needed for this one!)

Chef's Kiss addresses growing up & breaking out of this idea of doing what others expect of you & instead doing what makes you happy. There's a story of friendship & having a wonderful support team. There's a Queer romance (& oh my gosh, the love interest even makes me swoon!) Oh & there's a taste-testing pig that really holds Ben's fate in his... hands? ...Claws? ... Feet?

I absolutely love this one & will be snagging my own physical copy when it's released into the world.

I read the graphic novel from NetGalley and I highly recommend the book if you love light-hearted graphic novels about a character who is in dire need of a job after graduating from university with a degree in English. I'm pleasantly surprised how much I smiled throughout reading this and seeing how the main character progressed from not being a good chef to impressing Watson the pig. Plus, the romance is absolutely adorable and seeing a LGBTQ+ story that doesn't have coming out as a major plot point is refreshing for me. My only thing is that I wish the graphic novel was longer and see how his parents reacted to him staying at the restaurant after three weeks.

Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine was very cute! Ben Cook has graduated with a English degree and he's having no luck getting a job in his field. He's got to pay the bills though if he wants to avoid moving back in with his parents. When he sees a job opening advertised at a restaurant, no experience necessary, he immediately jumps on the opportunity. He enjoys cooking already, but if he's going to get the job he needs to prepare dishes that will please the head chef's taste tester, a pig named Watson. It doesn't hurt that Ben will get to work with Liam, the cute sous chef at the restaurant.

Chef's Kiss is a love letter to cooking and finding work you enjoy, even if it's not what you expected. I loved how well this graphic novel addressed the pressure to stick to what you studied but how many of us end up in jobs outside of our majors. This lovely graphic novel comes out on April 12th!

This is worth reading! This light and fluffy graphic novel covers the struggles of new adulthood in a wholesome yet relatable way. I enjoyed the art style as well!

A sweet, fun filled graphic novel! I enjoyed every bit of it! My favorite character was Watson the pig, he’s adorable. I don’t read many graphic novels but I loved everything about this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chef’s Kiss is a sweet graphic novel and a delectable feast for the eyes! The artwork is amazing and it reminded me of a comic book art style while also having a modern feel to it. I loved the colour palette and was drawn to the pretty cover.

The story follows Ben who has recently graduated from university and is struggling to find a job. I personally related to Ben and I think a lot of people can see themselves in his character. Ben is a fellow bookworm who has a passion for writing, but he soon learns that his dream job is out of reach without professional experience. Luckily, Ben sees a help wanted sign outside of a restaurant which doesn’t require any experience. He decides to apply and is hired on a trial basis. Ben needs to pass a series of challenges before he can prove himself in Le Cochon Doré.

Without giving too much away, I loved Watson, the adorable food connoisseur! The foodie feel in this graphic novel is a highlight. Ben enjoys cooking in his spare time and he goes on a delightful culinary journey where he not only learns about the art of cooking but also discovers more about himself. It was lovely to see the different dishes that Ben learns to prepare in the restaurant and they all looked delicious.

Ben’s friendship with his roommates Liz, Rachel and Tom was a joy to read. They are all very supportive of each other’s aspirations. All of Ben’s friends have their own unique personality traits and they have great dynamics. There are moments of humour in their interactions, as well as a sense of found family.

Since the title of this graphic novel is Chef’s Kiss, I was hoping for a little more romance! The development of Ben and Liam’s relationship is subtle and cute, but the focus of the story is more about finding your way in the world.

Overall

A feel-good graphic novel about food, friendship and finding yourself.

Its cute and quirky and had me falling in love with all of the characters. The art is wonderful and really help highlight the story. As someone who has just graduated from college, it's scary to find oneself in the world. Like what comes next and all of that. This story gives that validation of whats coming next and not having to follow all of the steps of the recipes to go next.

Ben Cook is a recent college graduate with an English degree. When he can’t find a job in publishing after weeks of interviews, he finds a restaurant that is hiring with no experience necessary. It doesn’t hurt that Ben also likes the cute sous chef who interviews him. Ben must do a series of challenges to prove to a tough critic that he has the skills to work there full-time.

I loved the quirky characters in this story. All of them, even the minor characters, had distinct personalities. There was also a pig, named Watson, who was just adorable.

The one thing I didn’t understand was why Ben had to do weeks worth of challenges for this job. He didn’t spend time actually working in the restaurant. He had to work on one dish a week to perfect it, but it seemed more like a training program or school rather than a job.

Chef’s Kiss is a cute queer graphic novel!

Thank you Oni Press for providing a copy of this book.

This has such cute art style, such a relatable premise and was super easy to get invested in. Not to mention all the descriptions and depictions of food actually had me starving by the end! I wish there was a touch more romance but overall and cute and fun queer graphic novel! Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A cute and fun graphic novel with great rep!

The main character, Ben is a bit geeky and awkward but adorable!
He’s a relatable character, that has finished college and struggling to find a job after finishing his English degree. (Hits way too close to home haha)

The food aspect of this graphic novel was awesome! I felt genuinely hungry at times. I like the whole dynamic between Ben and the other chef’s. (Apart from the scary head chef)

There’s not only a bit of a slow burn romance (LGBT) but there’s a huge focus on friendships – which is nice to see! The romance actually isn’t a massive part of this, at least in my opinion. It takes a while for any romance to happen. It’s more about Ben learning about himself and where he wants to go in life; while dealing with pressures from family and juggling his friends and new friends.

Illustrations: GORGEOUS!
I love the art style here. It reminds me of older comic book and cartoons drawing style.

Overall, definitely worth picking it! Light fun read that does deal with some deeper topics. A well balanced story!