Be still my little heart. I found Chef's Kiss so charming. As someone that worked in restaurants for many years, the descriptions of food were perfection. I know this will be a massive hit at my library's branch. I cannot wait to recommend this title over and over again. :)

This adorable story is presented in a graphic novel with cute drawings you can just fly through. It's about a man, his friends, career, love and of course a pig.

I know just what to recommend next time someone wants to explore something new!

This is exactly the kind of New Adult story I craved. Following the main character right after they graduate college and struggles to find a job in their field, this story is a very relatable one today. The art style is amazing, I really loved the writing. The characters, their relationships, they all felt really real to me. Highly recommend as another great graphic novel.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It's cute and sweet. The characters are fun to follow and I would read sequels following them.

The premise of the pig is quirky, for sure. But that makes the story almost feel like an anime. If that's not your thing, you might not like the plot. I think it's weird enough to work.

Chef’s kiss is a wonderful story of Ben trying to find his way in life, figuring out where he wants to go and exploring his passions. After leaving university Ben struggles to find footing in this new phase of his life. The story beautifully explores his journey of figuring out what he wants. His struggles definitely were relatable and I was aching with him. While doing that, it finds a balance between the heavier emotional topics and funny moments. I definitely chuckled and laughed every now and then. Overall the story is fairly lighthearted and ended up making me really hungry. The food looked delicious.
All of that is supported by a glorious cast of characters. But the one who stole the show, without a doubt, was Watson. If there is an animal character, I am sure to love it. And Watson is a wonder. Funny and utterly adorable.
However, at times the story became a bit boring. Especially in the middle I was hoping for it to speed up a bit. But in the end the story could pick me up again and now I’d definitely like to know how Ben after the ending.

WOW!! This was one of my first graphic novels and I absolutely ADORED reading it. The art style was sooo appealing and I loved the storyline. As a queer wannabe chef who also loves to write this hit too close to home! I loved the characters, especially a crazy little taste testing pig! After reading this I will definitely be checking out other graphic novels now seeing just how much they have to offer!

What would you do if you’re caught between the world you know; the life and the school you’ve devoted yourself to for years. Then a new world opens up to you in a chance happening while job searching it’s hard to choose just where you can go.

In Chef’s Kiss, that’s our protagonist Benji. Stuck between the worst rock and a hard place when he strikes out time and time again as a recent college graduate looking for a job in his field when he happens upon a chance to cook. The thing is that Benji’s good at it - he learns and improves and grows in his new circle of friends at the restaurant while also still trying to navigate his post grad life with his closest friends and loved ones.

I enjoyed the story and the art and the story; it tells a common narrative for some who sometimes leap off the deep end after graduating college and find themselves working in an area they’re not used to. It's more optimistic than the stories you’d usually see with LGBTQIA main characters and I’m really happy to see that the driving force of the story wasn’t Benji’s sexuality but the drive of what to do after graduating.

The only downside is that some of it felt rushed in ways that felt too short. Perhaps that’s my own want for happy stories with queer characters that aren’t all focused on their trauma or the unhappiness. I wanted to see the middling sections, more about the friends that Benji’s gone to school with and see their lives too.

I give this a 4 star!
The struggle of finding a job is so relatable, especially after school is over!
The art style is great and loved the reference to Japanese anime/manga in the graphic novel. Fast paced as well especially since I was in a reading slump for such a long time and wholesome as well. Characters in this book is all relatable and funny as well.

*4.5 stars* WOWOWOWOW!! This book was amazing!
The books main character Ben Cook is on the hunt to find anything to do with his passion for reading and writing. We quickly realises that this isn't so easy, and he will have give up, until he finds a wanted sign infront of a restaurant.

This comic was so fun and an easy read! Parts made me laugh really loud and some parts were intense. I would of given 5 stars, but something was lacking in the animation that didn't appeal to me.
Other than that, it was great. I totally recommend this novel and thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!!

It's a cute book, I like that Ben's life is very relatable. The finding a job issue after school.
I think Ben's friends are really disconnected from reality and are a bit weird especially the one who thinks liking anime is a personality trait.
I also wish Ben was a little bit more outspoken and could stand up for himself.
I love the romance though, it's so cute.

This book is one of the most perfect romances I have ever read. You have relatable characters, charming romance, great food, and a pet pig. Can you get any better? Not by much. The pacing and artwork were both on point. I want to read more.

Thanks to NetGalley for my eARC

4.5 out of 5 stars

[3.5] first and foremost, THE ART STYLE AND COLORS Y’ALL 👩🏻‍🍳👌 as someone who can barely draw a stick figure with equal proportions, i was in a constant state of slack-jawed awe while reading this. everyone’s character design was on point, Ben’s blushes were adorable, and Liz was a literal goddess 😳 and yes, there’s plenty of food p0rn, so don’t be like me and start this in the dead of night or you <i>will</i> fall victim to the midnight munchies 😈

what i really liked about this graphic novel was how it captured the struggles of new grads trapped in the cursed entry-level catch-22 (because we all know expectations in the job market are <i>always</i> perfectly reasonable 😔), while simultaneously being bombarded with money concerns, pressures from family, etc. the stress is paralyzing and demoralizing, and i absolutely felt for Ben here.

the rest of the story includes plot points that will require you to suspend your disbelief—and i mean a taste-testing pig whose word is final and a head chef bordering on Gordon Ramsay levels of “idiot sandwich” harassment when the help wanted sign clearly said “no experience needed” 🤣—and whether you’re able to successfully do so will either enhance or mar your reading experience. expecting a more OTT rom-com style should help!

i will say what mainly had me hesitating between 3 and 4 stars was the fact that the romance left me wanting. Ben’s love interest Liam was incredibly supportive and understanding throughout, but apart from that and the sweet meaning behind his tattoo sleeve, i really didn’t know much about him as a person. i wish we got more of the two of them and less of the cooking trials, but alas, that is my romantic side speaking. Ben’s friend group was also a hoot, though i won’t say i expected the inclusion of the token anime-lover friend using “senpai” in conversation 😂

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review</i>

Chef's Kiss was absolutely precious! Great banter among the cast of characters, and chemistry between the romantic leads. I loved the references to Japanese anime/manga. The art was really pleasing to the eye. I smiled a lot while reading this story. My only complaint is it ends sort of abruptly. I would highly recommend this graphic novel!

Beautiful art style that had mature elements, with a contrasting adorable storyline that felt fantasy like. Details in the art contrasted the unanswered questions about the storyline oddly well. It felt adult and wholesome which made for an easy, enjoyable, fast paced read.

We never dive into too much details about each characters life, which for this style of book I don’t mind. I would love to see further progression in the story where we learn more about everyone and how they all knew each other prior to living together, or how each chef earned their place in the restaurant. I’d really love to know how Davis came across Watson being a master taste tester.

Speaking of Watson, he obviously stole the show! Even if Davis did make up an incredible pig lifetime adventure, Watson in his own right is already living the dream. The art style and random humour was so funny and sweet.

Parts of me rather enjoyed the idealistic energy surrounding the story but on the flip with Davis being so aggressive and accusatory immediately, it made me feel concerned about a hostile work environment. Also Ben’s friends often just enter the restaurant without having been invited in, surely it would be more secure than that with food around. It left a lot unsaid which honestly just made me want to read more, i’m really hoping for a second volume to answer some underlying questions i have.

This is definitely a comfort read that you can pick up and read in one go for some wholesome warmth to let your mind rest (it definitely was for me).

This graphic novel is a sweet story about a recent graduate finding his way after college. Ben Cook feels lost after spending the last 4 years pursuing a degree in English and is now finding it hard to find a job with "no experience". His frustration in going to interview after interview and hearing the same thing is completely relatable to any new adult trying to start their careers. His job search brings him to a restaurant that is looking for a new chef, but before he's officially hired, he needs to complete 3 challenges set out by the eccentric owner. The illustrations are fun and lively and really add to this sweet story. This is a graphic novel that I will recommend to anyone looking for a cute story about love, friendship and pursing your passion.

This was so, so good! I read it in less than an hour because once I started…I couldn’t put it down!

The rhythm of the story was excellent, and the characters were so fun and relatable. Watson the pig was my favorite, but there were some close contenders.

I love every book about food and cooking, and this graphic novel was no different! Ben is an absolute cherub of a character, and his friendship (and more) with Liam was just so pure and sweet. I also loved all of the side characters, and would love a book about Rachel or Liz or Tom!

The plot was fun and the conflicts were relatable, although I’m kind of wanting to know what happens next with Ben’s conflict! The illustrations were stunning and phenomenal on a different level, and I definitely want to read more by the people who made this book!

Read this if you want a good binge, enjoy graphic novel!

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for the digital copy of this book.
Chief’s kiss is a beautiful story with wonderful drawings and colors. The story of a young man, fresh out of college who can’t find any job. But one day, he finds one in a restaurant… And he starts to doubt everything about his future and his passion.
I think it’s a really relatable story to any young adult in their twenties. Also, it’s fun, the characters are great, touching, and funny, and the little love story is really cute. I loved the character development and how they manage their feelings and handle their life.
This graphic novel is really good, and you should definitively read it. It will make you happy. Also, I LOVE Watson!

this was such a quick and cute read. i loved the art style for this graphic novel so much! i genuinely just wish it was a little bit longer so that we could see more of ben and liam’s relationship develop and just get to see more of the day to day of the restaurant. i also wish we had a bit more resolution between ben and his parents. but overall, i really enjoyed this little wacky, slice of life graphic novel, with an adorable friend-group and fun concept.

side note, still not totally sure why a pig resides in a commercial kitchen but… i’ll let this one slide since he was cute.

I'm always appreciative of a story that centres around navigating adulthood and all the troubles that come with it. The pressure of going out into the world when you're done with school is a journey that is often overlooked in media. I'm also glad it featured LGBTQ characters!
Unfortunately, I felt that the dialogue was a bit stiff and unnatural. It could be funny at times, but overall, not so much. It's like it was older millennial humour. Nothing about the characters screamed 'young adult'. Except maybe Rachel. I really liked Rachel!
There's a lot of absurdity in this... the pig thing was odd to me. What sort of chef doesn't taste-test food? There was also a whole lot of unnecessary detail around the cooking and the yoga. It got a bit boring and I skimmed parts of it.
Lastly, Ben and Liam were cute, but now that I think about it, I don't really know why Ben liked Liam other than he was hot and nice.
But like I said, I'm grateful for an LGBTQ new adult story, which is why I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 3.

Chef's Kiss follows fresh college graduate Ben Cook as he struggles to find a job related to writing and (ironically) ends up being hired as a cook. His journey of self-discovery related to what he really wanted to pursue in his life will probably be highly relatable for many people, including myself, and I enjoyed seeing him realize how much he truly loved cooking. Where this graphic novel let me down, however, is the underdeveloped romance between Ben and one of his new coworkers. We barely see any meaningful interaction on the page between them, which caused me to feel indifferent towards the meager romantic development that did end up happening towards the end. I'm also honestly not sure what was going on in any of the scenes with the taste-testing pig. Maybe it's not my kind of humor? Overall, this is a solid graphic novel but not one I would recommend if you want romance to be the central focus.