THE LAST SUPER CHEF

A fifth grader hopes that winning a cooking competition will provide for his mother and connect him to his father.

Curtis Pith has been obsessed with Lucas Taylor, TV’s Super Chef, ever since the day his beleaguered mother hinted that the man was actually Curtis’ father. It’s always been just the three of them—Curtis, his mom, and his little sister, Paige—struggling to make ends meet while his mom works a series of low-end jobs. Curtis already uses his impressive culinary skills, selling cupcakes to help them make rent. When the Super Chef announces he’s closing his career with a contest to crown a kid in a show entitled The Last Super Chef, Curtis finds himself in a televised competition with four other young chefs: Kiko from Japan; Bo from Mexico; Pepper from Boston, who is cued as Black; and another White boy, Joey, from Chicago. But his biggest competition may be himself, as the emotional impact of his father’s neglect overwhelms him at the worst possible times. Curtis is an appealing narrator, and both his kitchen dexterity and family relationships ring true. The supporting cast isn’t as finely drawn, however, and certain scenes—such as Curtis filming his audition video in his landlord’s kitchen—veer toward farce in a way that weakens the book’s emotional impact. It’s awfully wordy, as well—trimming the fat would have improved the overall meal.

Perfect for fans of Chopped Junior.