Chef's Kiss

By Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine. Published by Oni Press. 

Softcover, 160 pages, Colour, 2022. 

Now that college is over, English graduate Ben Cook is on the job hunt looking for something…anything…related to his passion for reading and writing. But interview after interview, hiring committee after hiring committee, Ben soon learns getting the dream job won’t be as easy as he thought. Proofreading? Journalism? Copywriting? Not enough experience. It turns out he doesn’t even have enough experience to be a garbage collector! But when Ben stumbles upon a “Now Hiring—No Experience Necessary” sign outside a restaurant, he jumps at the chance to land his first job. Plus, he can keep looking for a writing job in the meantime. He’s actually not so bad in the kitchen, but he will have to pass a series of cooking tests to prove he’s got the culinary skills to stay on full-time. But it’s only temporary…right? 

When Ben begins developing a crush on Liam, one of the other super dreamy chefs at the restaurant, and when he starts ditching his old college friends and his old writing job plans, his career path starts to become much less clear. 

Watch things start to really heat up in the kitchen in this queer new adult debut graphic novel, written by Jarrett Melendez, illustrated by Danica Brine, colored by Hank Jones, and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

 “Fresh, funny, and romantic. This coming-of-age story about friendship, finding yourself, and following your dreams will melt your heart and teach you how to bake a mean pear tart!”

—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Creatures and Teen Titans: Raven

"This graphic novel has everything—delicious foods, even more delicious gay romance, and an actual food critic pig. Chef’s Kiss explores the messiness of young adulthood in the most delightful, heartening ways, and I want to follow Ben and his friends on a million more culinary adventures, eating up every word. 10/10 recommend." — Robbie Couch, author of The Sky Blues

"Chef’s Kiss is part rom-com, part sultry anime, and part instructional cookbook, there may not be another book out right now that ticks so many of my entertainment needs. Ben and Liam taught me what it means to ship.” - Sohla El-Waylly

“Chef’s Kiss is the perfect recipe of humor and heart.” —Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die and Mera: Tidebreaker

“Probably the best food-related comic ever made!” --John Layman, writer of New York Times bestseller Chew