The Last Super Chef

May 15, 2021
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. (Fiction. 8-12)

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July 1, 2021

Gr 4 Up-Curtis Pith wants to be a chef almost as badly as he wants to meet the man he believes to be his father: TV's Super Chef Lucas Taylor. When the Super Chef announces a contest he calls The Last Super Chef with children as the competitors, Curtis sneaks into his neighbor's well-equipped kitchen to film himself cooking. Curtis gets selected to be in the competition on live television, but he has mixed feelings about it. He wants to win the prize money to help his struggling family, but he also wants to be acknowledged by his father. The ups and downs of the competition take their toll and the pressure continues to grow. The relationships between Curtis and the other children fluctuate as each challenge tests their capabilities. Along the way, Curtis begins to realize that there is so much more to cooking and being a chef than he ever thought possible. Can he put everything he's learned together and win the contest? And what about the Super Chef? Is he a good guy or a villain? As Curtis wrestles with these questions he comes up with a plan that just might make all the difference, if he can pull it off with a little help from the other kids. Negron has written a compelling story with engaging characters who have unusual but intriguing experiences. The cooking details shine through, but not as clearly as the heart and soul of Curtis who longs for a father and wants to help his mother and sister more than anything else. VERDICT A great addition for libraries serving fans and cooking shoes, and those seeking stories about following your dreams, discovering who you are, and learning what really matters.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 26, 2021
Fifth grader Curtis Pith, who is white, has always looked out for his mother and younger sister. With his mom juggling job after unstable job, however, Curtis’s dream of becoming a chef is difficult to sustain, as making rent takes precedence over purchasing practice ingredients. But Curtis is armed with the secret knowledge that his father is world-renowned television superstar chef Lucas Taylor—both have “identical sandy-brown hair, even down to the spike up front”—and so Curtis dreams on, believing he’ll reach his goals eventually. When Chef Taylor announces that the final season of his show will feature five child contestants instead of adults, Curtis jumps at the chance to prove his skills, meet his father, and provide a better life for his family. But once Curtis gets accepted, the competition proves fiercer than anticipated, involving talented young cuisiniers from all over the world. Food descriptions and attention to preparatory details pop as Negron (Dan Unmasked) serves up a toothsome tale filled with insight into the unseen obstacles even idols face, accented by commentary on poverty and different forms that family can assume. Ages 8–12. Agent: Alyssa Jennette, Stonesong Press.