This graphic novel was so cute and fun! I went through it so quickly. I loved the characters and the storyline.

Ben is trying to get a job as a writer but no one will give him a job because he doesn't have enough experience. But how can someone get experience right out of college if no one will give you a chance? He starts to apply to all jobs he can find, even though he know his parents will not approve. He gets a trial at a restaurant and he starts to really find himself there.

I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Chef's Kiss is such a cute graphic novel about one man's cooking, and his attempt to get a job working in a kitchen. I will preface this by saying that the boss VERY much gives me pissed Gordon Ramsey vibes and can be very hot and cold... but tbh - working in hospitality I've seen plenty of Head Chef's like him so it didn't seem too lut of character for me to believe.

Said boss also has a pet Pig that I would love to pet lmao. It'll make sense if you read it.

I also appreciate his group of friends, their post-Uni attempts to survive and just live in general. The love interest is also cute as heck. I am a heavy fantasy reader, but this was everything I wanted from a contemporary graphic novel.. Yes. I'm happy with this, and I'd put it under a lot of noses!

Ben Cook has just graduated from college and is hoping to find a job in publishing or journalism. Only, every interview he goes to he has too little experience to be hired. Desperate for a job, Ben applies to work at a vegetarian restaurant, The Conchon Dore. However, in order to work there he must pass rigorous testing by the Chef, in which his food will be judged by the Chef's pig (Watson). At the same time, Ben's relationship with his best friend (Liz) and roommates becomes strained as he is so busy. He also begins to develop feelings for another chef at the job, and he continuously lies to his parents about the nature of the work he found.

This was a quick, cute, charming read that also packs a lot of emotional moments. Ben is a character who thinks he knows what he wants after college, but has really only been following the dreams his parents have for him. When he starts cooking for The Conchon Dore, he begins to feel his own freedom of choice. He is able to really dive into his love for food and cooking, which he had dismissed as a hobby. He places his desires and dreams first.

This is also a book about both the power of good friendship and sometimes the claustrophobia of longtime friendship. He has support from his friends, but because he is not truthful with them, or himself, about his love for this new job, they do not understand why he is spending so much time there and not with them. However, like good friends, they talk and work out their issues, making their friendship stronger.

The art style is reminiscent of mangas, specifically boys love mangas. This gives the story a softer, more heartfelt and emotional resonance. The characters are realistic, while also having funny or strange back stories (the relationship between the pig, Watson, and Chef in particular). The stylization adds to the romance blossoming between Ben and Sous Chef Liam. There were moments I found sort of dragged on, for example Liz's yoga class. I understood its importance in calming Ben's mind and helping to make a vital decision, but it could also have been shorter (felt a little like filler).

Overall, this was a sweet book about finding one's self and enjoying the freedom to be your own person. It is about fighting familial expectations and voicing your own dreams and desires even when you are scared to do so. It is a book about found family and friendships that help an individual to grow and thrive. It is a book about many different kinds of love and how love is the perfect ingredient for life.

Thank you so much to Oni Press and Netgalley for gifting me a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick read for me, one that would love to read to get out of the slump. I loved the graphics in the novel and the plot was interesting.
However, I could not connect with the characters and felt like they could use more descriptions and have meaningful interactions.
The main character does pine after the love interest but their interactions were too limited to end up the way they did.
Overall, the plot could use a little more brushing up but I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a light, fluff read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the art style much more than anticipated–not that I was looking or not looking forward to it. The art style is very reminiscent if not the same as comic art in comic books, which felt like home [I grew up reading comics]. Story wise, I found Ben’s experience in the job market extremely relatable as I recently graduated college as well. Overall, I think this story kind of hit close to home to me, despite there being differences between Ben and myself. Character-wise, I liked all the main characters save Tom. I think Tom was a bit one dimensional and could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. Rachel is a bit one dimensional as well, however, somehow I was able to enjoy her character still. I liked Ben as a main character and found him extremely relatable. Also, the fact that we’re both really into cooking, are recent college graduates who love reading and writing and are queer resulted in me connecting with Ben quite quickly. An important piece of a story is the character’s relatability and that really was a spotlight with Chef’s Kiss. I would love love loveeee to see where Ben’s life goes, especially with how the story ends. I give Chef’s Kiss a strong 4/5.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my goodness, this was absolutely delectable! Highly recommend for fans of Bloom and Check, Please!! Keep in mind this one does have a slightly silly element, when it comes to the cooking competition. That did take me out of the story just a little bit, wondering where in the heck that part of the story came from. Otherwise, though, this one was a boat load of fun!! Bonus: The art style is absolutely beautiful, as well!

I am so in LOVE with this story. It combined so many things that I love like Shakespeare, books, food, and sweet sweet romance. Ben is adorable in all his awkward book nerdiness. The friendships between Ben and his roommates and his co-workers made me so happy. All the love and support for him as he is trying to discover his path in life made this so heartwarming. Liam, the love interest in this book, is such a heartstopper and incredibly nice too. I love the slow burn chemistry between them too. Also, Liam supports and understands the struggle Ben is going through in trying to figure out what he wants to do with his career and life.

This story and artwork made me so hungry. All the recipes that Ben has to learn and the ones he created looked so delicious. It made me want to start experimenting with cooking and baking again. Ben having to get approval on all his recipes by having a pig taste test them was hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was such a cute and heartwarming romantic read. I loved it!

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am loving this great rom-com of a graphic novel. Ben Cook is struggling like any other newly graduated guy. He can’t find work because every job requires people with prior work experience including the garbage company. Desperate to find a job, Ben noticed a “now hiring” sign on a restaurant’s window. Out of his element he decided to take a chance with the little but very tasteful experience he has with cooking. This is where he meets Liam, the Sous Chef that is very handsome, muscular, and tatted. Ben finds himself struggling because of Liam's presence. Liam is willing to hire him, but the head chef has other plans. Ben must complete three challenges before he is offered a permanent position, but the final decision will be made by the greatest food critic, Watson the pig. While this is all going on, Ben must make a decision that can potentially destroy what finally makes him happy.

I loved this short graphic novel. I found myself in love with all the characters which is something I always hope to find in any book. The artwork is also very fitting with the storytelling. There were a lot of cute moments throughout the book. The moment that Ben spent $80 on socks because he felt terrible that he threw up on Liam’s shoes. Hilarious! I also find it very relatable the pressure society puts on teenagers to make a life long decision before they graduate high school. Having to go to college and deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life. Like Ben, it is ok to question that anytime throughout your life. You don't have to be stuck regardless of what others are saying. I find Ben super relatable and that’s probably why I enjoyed this book a lot.

If you’re looking to root for a character and to defy expectations this is the book for you.

Ben is fresh out of school, moving in with his friends and looking for a job. However, no one is ready to hire him without any experience and so when he comes across a cooking job with no required experience, he takes it.

This was such a fun, easy to read graphic novel!!
Ben is such a lovable and relatable main character and you just can’t help but root for him throughout the story. This graphic novel has a little bit of everything; a job crisis, friendships, cooking and a tad of romance. The illustrations are amazing and if you love graphic novels, you” ll fly through this one! Highly recommend!!

Huge thanks to Oni Press and Net Galley for the digital copy!

this story is very nice, and I could connect a lot with the main character since I am about to graduate and that is my biggest fear when looking for a job, that we are denied for lack of experience and I know that the whole process is too frustrating and it's okay to feel bad for not finding something you studied and this story shows us that not always life has prepared us a path to follow, but it will present us with an opportunity that can exploit other qualities that we have and that will make us happy.

It's a nice story, I loved the drawing and the interaction of each of the characters (especially the piggy haha, he gave me too much laughter).
I only had a small but with the owner of the restaurant, but then he became more understandable and kind and I could tolerate him more.

It's a nice story, I recommend it to everyone, since it's a very light read and its English is a very simple thing, so there will be no problem for those people who are just starting with the language

Received digital ARC from NetGalley.

100% would re-read again and again. This was a really cute graphic novel of young adult finding his path after college. This story is realistic in its telling of how many Americans may struggle in finding a job in a field they obtained a degree in; therefore, forcing them to find work in alternate areas. Really cute lgbt story line as well. I would love it if this were a series; to follow Ben and his friends as they navigate their life.

Will Ben take the easy way out or fight for what he really wants? After college, Ben is struggling to find a job as a writer without any work experience when he stumbles across a help wanted sign…

This is a sweet, low angst graphic novel about four young twenty-somethings just after college graduation. The four friends are all at different points with their education and careers with some continuing their education and others working or looking for work.

The story focuses on Ben and his dreams of being a writer. As he struggles to find a job in his field without any work experience he finds a job working in a vegetarian restaurant. The kitchen dynamics are challenging and the head chef puts him through a difficult set of tests before he will give Ben the job.

Ben has to face the challenges of his new job, support his friends, and make his parents happy while deciding what he really wants to do with his life. Ben has a lot to figure out with the added complications of his feelings for Liam, another chef at the restaurant, and his parents demanding him to take an unpaid internship that they set up for him.

The characters are unique and interesting, the artwork is beautiful, and that taste-testing pig, Watson, steals the show. This is a quick read with an optimistic ending.

Recommended for: romance readers that like low angst fluffy stories; foodies that read graphic novels

Content warning: slightly toxic, overbearing parents

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was SO cute. I was a really big fan of the Webtoon Gourmet Hound so I was really hoping for a sweet, romantic story about cooking, friendship, and finding yourself. And this was all those things! The artwork was lovely and I adored the story. I found myself laughing at Watson the pig's elaborate backstory and Vlad the bong.

While the romance didn't totally blow me away, it was fun to read and had me rooting for them to be together. What I was really drawn to in the story was actually the plotline about Ben trying to discover what he wanted to do after graduation: his long-time goal of being a writer, or chasing after his newfound passion for cooking.

Being a recent grad myself, and someone who is now trying to decide whether or not to go after a job in writing, I felt like the author was inside my brain. It made me really happy that Ben found a balance between these two things. It gives me hope that I'll find something like that too!

If you get the chance, I definitely recommend this graphic novel. It's a quick read and just so upbeat and adorable.

it is a very cute read. the style is visually rich, colorful and appealing. the storyline is a good mix of sweet and deep.

Could this have been any cuter?
The art is beautiful and colorful, the characters expressive, the dialogue clever and funny. Ben is such a relatable character and the relationships between him and his roommates are a joy to watch, even when they're fighting. The story communicates so well the stress and pressure of figuring out a whole life at a young age. The romance is sweet and (mostly) wholesome. The entire book is a lovely affirming joy to read.
I loved that the story focused on the friends and support Ben has. Life isn't all roses - he faces pressure and toxic behavior from other characters. But rather than giving the majority of the story to the conflict other people cause in his life, Ben's story is allowed to be about him living his best life in spite of that conflict. The story doesn't focus on his overcoming or drowning in the conflict, and that's a rarely enjoyed relief in books aimed at young adults.
My only complaint (and probably unpopular opinion): the increasingly unlikely actions of Watson the pig were jarring for me in the context of a story otherwise very realistic.
I would love to see this book continued in a series!

I loved this! The main character is ridiculously cute and very endearing. This was a joy to read. My only issue is I wish it was longer

Life after university is daunting; from job hunting to interviews to the heavy weight of eyes and expectations, setting foot into the world of adulthood is nothing short of a challenge. Chef's Kiss tells exactly that story: Ben's fresh out of school and taking on the world of employment with his friends. Heavy with the subtle rejection for early every writing job he applied for (seriously, how are you going to get three years of experience when you've just graduated), his beacon of hope comes in the form of a restaurant with an unconventional head taster — and a very cute boy.

From start to finish, this story gives off a very warm and homey feeling that the artstyle was able to capture really well. The dialogue between the characters were evidence of how close they were, and being privy to the group's inside jokes were a delight. Although there were parts where I felt like the text was taking up the bulk of the page, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Would like to personally give my thanks to the illustrators behind this as it was very much eye candy - the details in the backgrounds giving more inside to each of the characters' personalities, the environments, and the timing when to utilize the two-page spread.

Highly recommend to anyone wanting to take a breather from life and just read something that's just... *chef's kiss* 🤌🤌

Big thanks to the publisher for providing me this ARC via NetGalley. This does not in any shape or form influence my review on this book.

A newly-graduated English major, Ben is determined to find a writing job … trouble is, nobody wants to hire him without progressional experience. When he happens upon a restaurant that is hiring (no experience needed!), he jumps at the opportunity. When he’s given a series of tasks to prove himself, he throws himself into the challenge, honing his once-casual interest in cooking into a passion. It doesn’t hurt that the sous-chef, Liam, is incredibly easy on the eyes (and charming to boot)! Dealing with increasing pressure from his parents to find a ‘real career,’ along with the stress of the restaurant’s owner, Chef Davis, Ben is forced to decide: what does he really want to do in life? Should he choose the path his parents chose for him, or one that he forged himself? Or … can he do it all?

I’ve found that I really enjoy the intersection of romance and cooking, and I adore the graphic novels ‘Check, Please!’ and ‘Bloom,’ so I’m happy to report that this was right up my alley! Great art, a sweet storyline, and a hilarious taste tester … super glad I read this book.

I received an advanced copy of this graphic novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Publishing March 1, 2022.

In this graphic novel, we follow Ben who is struggling to find a job after graduating until he stumbles upon a job that he would never expect to love.

This was so cute!!!! The illustrations were beautiful and I loved all the characters. If anything, I just wish it was longer but I still enjoyed it.

I rated it 4 stars :)

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for an advanced copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this graphic novel more than anticipated since I had little to no expectations going into it. It's an adorable quick read that you shouldn't read on an empty stomach as all the food descriptions sounded amazing. Hats off to the illustrator as I loved the vibrant design choices used. This novel wouldn't have done well in a black and white or very monotone scheme since the visual of the food in the kitchen is what brought this book to life.

My one con keeping it from being a five-star read is the pacing. I understand it's a short novel but I felt some scenes that were brushed over could've had more and some scenes went on too long.

Otherwise, I highly recommend this quick read for anyone that's need a kickstart to their 2022 reading goals!