Off menu [graphic novel] / written by Oliver Gerlach ; illustrated by Kelsi Jo Silva ; [lettering by Dev Kamath].

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The last thing on Soup's to-do list is to make waves at the restaurant she works at, but when she discovers her boss's villainous grip over her beloved town, she decides it's time to dismantle his power--and what better way than a cooking competition? This graphic novel is an empowering story about taking risks, finding your voice, and being brave enough to stand up for friends.


At seventeen, Soup is at a crossroads, eager to make her mark on the world, yet reluctant to leave the restaurant she calls home--the place where she was found as a baby, the place where she grew up, the place where she learned to cook. It's only when her elven boss snaps at her that she begins to see his pattern of abuse, starting in the kitchen and extending all across town. Something's got to give, and the answer is simple: a cooking competition for the restaurant.

If Soup wins, she'll claim the business and protect her village from destructive expansion. But if she loses, she'll have to leave her home and stand by as the food community she loves is razed to the ground. With friends and chosen family rallying around her, Soup has a chance to win. Yet, everyone knows villains don't fight fair, and this restauranteur is not going to give up his throne so easily . . .

"Readers will love the themes of found family and burgeoning love. Don't miss this one." -School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 9 Up--Seventeen-year-old Soup has always known life at the Brazen Manticore, the bustling restaurant where she was found as an infant. The restaurant is run by Trysil Heldritch, a celebrity chef with questionable morals and a habit of bullying. When she learns that his domineering ways extend beyond the restaurant and into the local market, which he is trying to shut down as part of his grand expansion plans, Soup knows something has to be done and challenges him to a cooking contest. If Soup wins, she inherits the restaurant and saves the village. If Heldritch wins, Soup will leave town and the chef can expand at everyone's expense. Soup's colleagues and neighbors rally around her, but Heldritch is a bad guy and if he won't play fair, so Soup and her best friend Clarion may have to get their hands a little dirty for a good cause. This cozy fantasy has all the best elements: a cooking contest, a sweet developing romance, and a cast of fantastic characters, including elves, fae, goblins, and an adorable dishwater elemental. Silva's illustration style is like a hug, with warm earth colors, delicious-looking fantasy foods, a charming local market, and a restaurant that manages to be homey while capturing the hustle and bustle of a busy professional kitchen. VERDICT Readers will love the themes of found family and burgeoning love. Don't miss this one.--Rosemary Kiladitis

Booklist Review

Soup loves to cook tasty food and desserts, and she's great at it. She finds inspiration all over town, especially at the food market, and creates new and original dishes. But when Soup tries to update the menu at the restaurant where she cooks, her boss, Trysil, loudly scolds her. Soon after, she notices Trysil's patterns of abuse not only in the kitchen but throughout the entire town, and she decides to challenge him to a cook-off. If she wins, Soup gets the restaurant; if she loses, she has to leave forever. As she prepares for the competition, however, she discovers how deep Trysil's corruption goes, and it will take more than just her superior cooking skills to find the courage to face him in competition--before long, she's embarking on a quest into the wilderness to uncover her confidence and a supportive community. Gerlach playfully sets the sizzle of the restaurant industry in a magical world filled with fae, elves, and goblins, and the soft colors and figure designs add lots of fantasy atmosphere. A good choice for readers who like Delicious in Dungeon.