This is very interesting. I love cooking and have read a lot of Michelin-star chef's books in the past and I thought this might be a nice addition to that, looking behind the scenes. And indeed it was. Every foodie will probably like this a lot and I will recommend it to all my manga and comic liking friends in the future.

The drawing style is also a lot of fun, even though I suspect it might appeal more to female readers than to male readers. I also would advise to not compare it to Food Wars! I have seen a lot of people do this and while both deal with food.... the tone is really different.

This book is based on true events. So apparently there has never been a female Michelin Inspector. Thus the story is about what Emma's journey is like as the first-ever female Michelin Inspector. This manga gives a good preview into the world of Michelin Stars.

At first, I hadn't read the summary so I didn't know it was an autobiography but I went straight to check it out. And frankly, I think it's great.
We follow Emma who was the first Michelin guide inspector. Each chapter shows an important moment of this unique journey, so we have the expectation to get the job, the difficulty that others have to accept that you can be a woman on the road, the learning, the stress. Really, it was a very interesting read. I almost wish it had been longer. I didn't know that this job was so hard; I learned a lot. Anyway, I'll keep his name.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to discover the inside of the Michelin guide or the life of an exceptional woman.
4/5

Review will be published at gxrlpod.com soon. Feedback will be updated when the review is published.

Good story, well-written, and gorgeously depicted. It's hard not to envy Emma's journey and budding career as a Michelin inspector, especially when so many of us are stuck at home during CV-19.

If there's a 2nd book to this, I'd happily read it.

This is based on the true story of a woman named Emma, who became a Michelin star inspector,

I didn’t know too much about Michelin stars, so that aspect of the book was interesting. I liked seeing Emma travel and try all sorts of different food, and how much detail went into the descriptions of the different food,

The book didn’t completely hook me though, and I don’t think I’m interested enough to read another volume. I found myself a bit bored at times, and was reading just to finish,

Such a great manga title. I'm so glad it's been physically released! More physical releases, please!

This one is great for our library because one of our schools has a culinary program.

It isn't every day that you get to see a graphic novel based on a true story, so when Emma Dreams of Stars popped up on my radar, I knew I had to give it a try. Created by Julia Pavlowitch, Kan Takahama, and Emmanuelle Maisonneuve, Emma Dreams of Stars tells the story of a former Michelin Guide Inspector.

Young Emma always had one dream in life: to find her way into the world of Michelin Guides by becoming a food inspector. It's a dream she worked hard at, and now it seems to finally be about to come true. This is the true story of how she got here.

Remember, Emma is a real person, and this story really did happen. The depictions of the harsh life of a food critic are very much real, though most likely never thought to consider the details of those lives. I know I didn't.

If you've ever been curious about what it is like to be a food critic (in France, no less!), then you really ought to read Emma Dreams of Stars. The fact that the story is told in a graphic novel format allows for visual elements and is an overall shorter read.

I enjoyed the format of Emma's story. It added a lot to the visual side of things. Admittedly, I think more time could have been spent letting readers know Emma first. Perhaps this wouldn't have been an issue if I went into it knowing more about her work? I can't say.

Emma Dreams of Stars had a lot going for it, including the accurate portrayal of a person's real life. This included many personal moments and industry-specific issues such as gender discrimination and the exhaustion/loneliness that can come from constant travel and isolation.

Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley and Kodansha for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun to read as I learned about the experience of Emma as she become a Michelin Guide Inspector. how she learned and what goes behind the scene as a professional foodie. There are lots of foods and I love this the most!. The art style was simple but lovely to look at. I had much fun learning and it's always cool to read about the interesting jobs of other people.

4.5 STARS
*A review copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Warning: Do not start this book in the middle of the night, when you’re hungry and there’s nothing to eat.

Emma Dreams of Stars follows Emma, young, and the only woman in a male-dominated industry. This poses as a minor yet constant theme in this story, with the main being food and the insider details on what it means to be a Michelin Guide Inspector.

In between travelling, stuffing herself with dishes and inspecting each restaurant from its’ cuisine to the full dining experience, Emma’s personal life is bumpy. Though, it only plays a small part. As this book stops abruptly, I’m guessing that this is only Volume One, or so I hope. I am very invested in the storyline, especially when it comes to Chef Antoine, but this book alone leaves a few questions unanswered.

I enjoyed the food illustrations and the landscapes, especially being stuck in lockdown. It’s lovely to enjoy such scenery and food, the two things that I search for and value whenever we travel. The art is heavily focused on bringing the food to life, while the background reminds me of a painting. Personally, I think the art made the storyline shine.

I am very glad to have been given a review copy of this book. It combines a few of my favourite things – food and sharing opinions (hence this blog). I was also happy to read about Emma’s experience with cuisine in Japan, especially when she visited Nishiki market as it brought back many fond memories from years ago. It’s always very exciting when a book makes references to things that I know, and maybe, just maybe, I might be able to eat in a Michelin-star restaurant someday.

Emma Dreams of Stars is the story of Emmanuelle Maisonneuve, a young female in France who fought her way through the usual misogynistic stereotypes to be the first female Michelin Guide inspector.

I can't describe how much I absolutely adored this manga/graphic novel, I had a constant little smile on my face for each page and honestly was a little sad when it ended.

The story is told so well with a balance of the battle Emma had against the usual "you're a woman this job won't suit" arguments contrasted to the sheer joy and pleasure she experienced while tasting some amazing food.

The food, oh the food. The illustrations in this were absolutely fantastic, a perfect mix between cartoony on occasion with others that actually looked like a photograph of fresh fish just sitting on the page. Both the descriptions of the food and the drawings had my belly rumbling throughout.

I'm so so glad I read this and really would love a second volume. What else did she eat? Where did she go?
What happened with her relationships?

An absolute must read for fans of manga/graphic novels and foodies alike!

Thank you to Kodansha & Netgalley for this review copy.

I have read very few, if any, graphic novel/manga bio/autobiographies, so this was outside of my usual realm of graphic novel/manga reading.

I really enjoyed it! Though I think it might have been more due to the person this was about. What a life this woman led! So interesting and full, I can only imagine being raised to have such a mature and knowledgable palette. It is so interesting how she was raised made such an impact on her as an adult.

The artwork was beautiful and I admit, I am so used to black and white manga, that the full color of this book took my breath away. It spoiled me, lol!

The story was told in such a way that you can really feel Emma's feelings and you worry along with her when certain spoilery things happen. I was sad when I turned the last page and realized that was the end of the story that we were going to be getting. Her story obviously continued, but our viewing of it had come to a close.

4, it was a privilege to be able to see into her amazing life thank you for sharing it Emma, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for providing a copy of this book for review

Have you ever wondered how a restaurant gets a Michelin Star?

Have you ever wondered how much work goes into reviewing food?

This was a brilliant and interesting read.
Emma Dreams of Stars I would perhaps call a niche manga, part biography and part food story, all presented in wonderful full detailed color!

The art style is a mix of realistic and cratoonish, this is a gentle read, but it has enough depth and build up that I really want a volume 2. Who would she meet? What food would she taste? What will happen between her and her boyfriend? Will she get with Marc?

This comic is based on the story of the first female Michelin Guide inspector, and it really went indepth into the Michelin Guide process. Maisonneuve’s story explains that getting onto the staff in the Michelin Guide is easier said than done.

Takahama’s art style captures everyone perfectly, from the beauty of French and Japanese cuisine to the facial expressions and body language we have while we eat.
The detail is outstanding, the food looks delicious, along with the text and descriptions it really will make your tummy rumble.

Emma may dream of stars, but her story will make you hungry and want to go out and try every dish that your eyes feast upon.

This was a very interesting read! Part biography and part food story, all presented in wonderful full color! The art style is a mix of realistic and cratoonish, that reminds me of the works of Naoki Urasawa. Warning: Do not read this if you are hungry! The food featured here really does look good enough to eat! This is a gentle read, but it has enough pull to it that I wanted to see what each new chapter brought to the table for Emma. Who would she meet? What food would she taste?

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Emma Dreams of Stars by Kan Takahama; Emmanuelle Maisonneuve; Julia Pavlowitch was a surprising treat. It's based on the story of the first woman Michelin Guide inspector, and I really got interested in the Michelin Guide process. I love foodie type manga and anime also, so I enjoyed it immensely. It was packed with delicious looking and sounding delicacies from all over France and described in such an appraising and appetizing way it made me want to travel. The art was wonderful as well, and the writing was easy to understand. I would read a whole series of graphic novels on this.

This was such a fun read and really opened my eyes to the amount of work that goes into this career. It was interesting to see how much gender discrimination there can be in jobs like this and I admired Emma's strive to stick with her passion and her love of the job,

However at times I felt myself getting a little bit bored, maybe it's because I truly don't have a passion for food in comparison to Emma.

Overall a good read.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightfully refreshing read! I really enjoyed this, and all of the insightful things I learned about the Michelin star process. The only downside was I found it to be too short, and would have loved to see more of Emma and her journey.

In the cuisine critics realm, there are two kinds of people. First you have your foodies, the ones who basically brag about all of the different kinds of meals they have while putting flare over respectable taste. Then you have your inspectors, the people who have mastered the art of gastronomy and know when great food is worthy of being called as such. Emmanuelle Maisonneuve is one such inspector, whose early days of working for the world-renowned Michelin Guide have been captured in the new graphic novel Emma Dreams of Stars.

Co-written with journalist Julia Pavolwitch and drawn by Kan Takahama (Nyx’s Lantern), Emma Dreams of Stars begins with Emmanuelle on her last tests to work for The Michelin Guide. After making the grade, she embarks on a journey through many parts of the world, taking in the sights and flavors of her surroundings. As she works through one restaurant after another, her palette becomes more accustomed to telling the difference between an okay meal and one that’s deserving of the much-touted Michelin Star.

Unlike series like Food Wars! or Restaurant in Another World, there’s no fantastical element to Maisonneuve’s story. Readers will experience the wonderful and harsh truths of working for a top-tier publication like The Michelin Guide, as the workload is as full as a well-nourished belly. Despite her easy-sounding job, Emmanuelle has a lot on her plate when taking on a restaurant. The food quality, the atmosphere, the setting, the aura, and even something so minuscule as how much natural light comes into a restaurant are all judged with determined eyes and taste buds.

It’s this element that makes the job of being an inspector quite grating. In fact, because of the nature of the job, women have never been made inspectors of The Michelin Guide…until Emma came around, that is. Very early on in Emma Dreams of Stars, it’s clear that how things are run at the organization can be seen as sexist, with early judges during Emma’s tryout bringing up the lack of time for dating or having a family. But without using any sort of anger or objection, Emmanuelle finds a way to sway every one of the men, all with the help of her impeccable taste buds and strong articulation.

Soon Emma is pushed through all of France to experience the highs and lows of critiquing restaurants. Current Michelin star recipients are shown having bad days, which will affect their status in the long run. Traveling to Japan has Emma surrounded by a totally different food culture, with foreign ways of making fine cuisine happening right before her eyes. Then there are the hidden discoveries, with one restaurant’s peculiar set up bringing forth the best kind of dining one could even imagine.

One of the great things about Emma Dreams of Stars is how it shows the thinking process when it comes to critiquing food. There are points for being unique with dining, but finding a close familiarity in a top-tier cuisine also brings a realm of positivity. How a food looks also plays an important role, with even the texture of a cherry — no matter how tasty — greatly affecting the overall presentation. Something can be delicious, but it’s hard to convince others of such if the food itself looks grotesque!

Takahama’s art style captures the beauty of French and Japanese cuisine, while showing the importance of facial and body language when in taste test mode. The look of eating delicious food is important to keep the story realistic, and how Takamana brings to life the joys, concerns, and even disappointments of a restaurant experience is shown with the finest care. How the food looks is also terrific, going so far as to showcase the visual aesthetic of both good and bad cuisine presentations.

Emma Dreams of Stars can be considered a niche manga. However, those who have ever wondered what the mentality of professional food critics is like will find a lot to learn about this part of the journalism scene. While making it to the staff of The Michelin Guide is a lot easier said than done, Maisonneuve’s story will give you a great appreciation for the work that goes on to bring the world’s best foods out to the public eye. Emma may dream of stars, but her story will make you dream of trying out every dish that your eyes feast upon here.

Emmanuelle has a passion for food and ends up becoming one of the undercover reviewers for the Michelin Guide, the gold standard for restaurants and hotels. As the lone female in a male dominated field, Emma forges her own path down the roads of France for four years. Eating and reviewing nine meals a week, with a different hotel each night, is more grueling than Emma dreamed, but she soon learns the way of the guide. As the shine comes off the stars, Emma learns that the job is decidedly less glamorous than she had hoped.

Emma Dreams of Stars is one of those hidden gems that readers may not expect. Written in graphic novel format, it is suprisingly well told and quite interesting. As this is a format that I rarely read, and considering the fact that I normally do not enjoy the way stories are told graphically, I really like how well paced and captivating Emma Dreams of Stars turns out to be. Not only does it tell a good story, it has a good message for readers. Hard work, perseverance, and reaching for your dreams are the main focus and will serve the target audience well. Based on the true story of Emmanuelle Maisonneuve, readers can see Michelin Guide world through this woman's capable eyes.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Emma Dreams of Stars by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this graphic novel was entirely my own.

[Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for providing a copy of this book for review]

Emma is young and full of vinegar(s), with the dream of becoming a Michelin inspector and the first female one, at that. This biographical story follows her journey into the harsh lives of a prestigious food critic and the toll it can take.

This book was a pure delight, with a caveat. But we’ll save the caveat for after the main course, so lets start with the good bits. The art is delightful - Emma’s design is funky, but relatable, and the food she’s eating is lovingly presented, which is something a story like this really needs to nail and they do a good job.

The book presents the life she’s chosen for herself as equal parts harsh and wonderful. Yes, she gets to eat at new places and try new things and you can feel the joy when she finds a new hidden spot that provides amazing food. The climax of the story is based on this passion and works well as such.

But you also see the strain of the work on her, the sheer desperation of the restauranteurs who depend on their ranking to maintain their livelihood, and the toll this all takes on personal lives. The training from her fellow guides alone is a ton of memorization and learning deception and many tricks of the trade.

To say nothing of the fact that Emma is the first woman to do this, so there’s definitely a lot of awful chauvinism to be dealt with, both intentional and unintentional. Emma is definitely the hero of her story, as she should be.

And I especially liked Emma’s formative experiences in Japan - it’s probably no coincidence that the title of this book reflects a rather famous Japanese documentary. She learns a lot during a two week trip that fundamentally alters her perception of food and feels especially important.

Between that change and her work beforehand, we see that Emma is very, very good at what she does and is absolutely passionate about food. It’s incredibly easy to get swept up in her energy and the writing does an amazing job making reading about various foods interesting.

On the downside, I kind of wish we’d had a little more backstory on Emma. Beyond her passion for collecting vinegar, which I think is wonderful, we are left to get what we can from small details. The book does flesh her out quite well, but this still a hint of enigma about her.

More frustratingly, this story doesn’t so much end as it stops. The climax is good for what it is, but we sort of trail off with a very open-ended final scene that leaves so much on the table that it’s a bit disappointing.

I basically wanted much more of this and, since this appears to be the only book for this story, we’re left with a meal that feels incomplete. Much as a good meal can leave you feel sated, so can a good book, and this one is a few little tweaks (or another volume, which I would LOVE) just shy of brilliance.

4 stars - in a way, it is fitting that this story, like many of the restaurants Emma eats at, is incredibly close to perfection and does many, many things right, but has one or two details wrong that keep it just shy of the highest heights. Very recommended, nonetheless.