Tag Archives: chefs kiss

Oni Press Presents Chef’s Kiss Again – Jarrett Melendez and Irene Flores’s Brand-New Sequel to the Eisner and GLAAD Award-Nominated Sensation, Chef’s Kiss!

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Oni Press has announced the return of Alex Award–winning and Eisner- and GLAAD-nominated graphic novel Chef’s Kiss Again! Bringing back all the steamy recipes and steamy romance from Chef’s Kiss by series co-creators Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine, the new volume features Ben and Liam experiencing the ups and downs of new love, new jobs, and new dreams. From food journalist, comic writer, and cookbook writer Jarrett Melendez and Irene Flores comes the next chapter in Ben and Liam’s love story, in stores everywhere August 26, 2026!

Ben Cook seems to have it all. An awesome new cooking job at Cochon Doré, a steady writing gig, amazing roommates, and—best of all—super-dreamy boyfriend, Liam. Even better, reservations at the restaurant have skyrocketed thanks to Ben’s recent viral article, and the staff is buzzing with excitement. But between the pressures of the growing restaurant, looming writing deadlines, and nosy parents, Ben is worried about making sure everything is perfect in his new relationship with Liam. When Ben can’t quite figure out the perfect Halloween couples costume or the perfect Christmas plans, and Liam gets more and more overwhelmed with all the new responsibilities at Cochon, the new couple starts to grow distant rather than rely on each other. When pressure mounts and signals get crossed, will Ben and Liam be able to overcome their anxieties and learn that striving for love is better than striving for perfection?

Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Check, Please!, eighty-six all your other plans when Chef’s Kiss Again debuts on August 26, 2026!

Chef's Kiss Again

NYCC 2023: Chef’s Kiss Again, Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine, and Irene Flores return with a brand-new sequel

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Chef's Kiss Deluxe Edition

As revealed this weekend at New York Comic Con, Oni Press has announced Chef’s Kiss Again, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2023 ALA Alex Award-winning original graphic novel by co-creators Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine! 

Teaming Melendez with incoming illustrator Irene Flores, Chef’s Kiss Again is scheduled for publication in 2025 and will pick up precisely where the first volume left off—with the romance between culinary wunderkind Ben Cook and his sous-chef-turned-new-flame, Liam, on the front burner and even more high-pressure adventures in fine dining awaiting with each evening seating! But when a culinary rival decides to kidnap their restaurant’s secret weapon—the taste-testing pig named Watson—the heat is going to rise…inside and outside the kitchen!

Plus: Before Chef’s Kiss Again reaches stores worldwide in 2025, catch up on the first course with the critically acclaimed debut volume that has earned a wide-ranging coterie of awards and nominations—a 2023 ALA Alex Award winner, 2023 Eisner Award nominee for “Best Teen Publication,” a 2023 GLAAD Media Award nomination, a 2023 YALSA “Great Graphic Novel for Teens” citation, a 2022 New York Public Library “Best Book” citation, and more—with the Chef’s Kiss Deluxe Edition hardcover! 

Arriving on shelves in May 2024, the sensational first volume from co-creators Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine returns in a beautiful deluxe hardcover edition featuring a gorgeous new cover by Brine and never-before-seen bonus content!

Chef's Kiss Watson's Autumn Spice Mix

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 the search couldn’t be going any worse. When he stumbles upon a “Now Hiring, No Experience Necessary” sign outside of a local restaurant, he jumps at the chance to land his first job. But when Ben begins developing a crush on Liam—one of the other super-dreamy chefs at the restaurant—and starts ditching his old college friends and his writing ambitions alike, his future becomes much less clear. Will he follow his dreams…or will he see what cooks up between him and Liam? 

Debuting exclusively in the Chef’s Kiss Deluxe Edition hardcover, look for a foreword by New York Times best-selling author Kami Garcia, author Q&A, new recipes from author Jarrett Melendez, and never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes process art featuring the exquisite work of artist Danica Brine.

Finally: Reserve your seat for the first comics-to-kitchen crossover with the Chef’s Kiss Watson’s Autumn Spice Mix—a custom Curio spice blend personally crafted by Chef’s Kiss writer Jarrett Melendez! Perfect for pairing with mushroom barley soup or roasted butternut squash, this seasonal fall offering will be available for pre-order later this week at OniPress.com.

Preview: Chef’s Kiss

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Chef’s Kiss

Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine, Hank Jones, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

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.

Chef's Kiss

Preview: Chef’s Kiss

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Chef’s Kiss

Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine, Hank Jones, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

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.

Chef's Kiss

Comics Deserve Better Episode 19: Papaya Salad by Elisa Macellari

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On the penultimate episode of Comics Deserve Better Season 2, Brian, Darci, and Logan discuss the historical fiction/biography/magical realism comic Papaya Salad by Elisa Macellari. This 2020 release is a Thai/Italian comic about Macellari’s great-uncle as he goes from rural Thailand to serving in the military in Europe on the eve of World War II and gives a unique perspective on this historical conflict. Also, there’s the usual news chatter including new Image comics by Guillem March and James Harren, upcoming books Brindille and Chef’s Kiss, and Dan Rather working on a graphic novel. There’s also a discussion of Grant Morrison doing an origin story for Atomahawk, more R-rated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and finally, an obituary for legendary cartoonist, Richard Corben. Other comics mentioned on the podcast were Homunculus, Gonzalo, Minotaar, Cry Wolf Girl, Under the Dead Oak Tree, Karmela Krimm, Phonogram: Singles Club, Ronin Island, The Picture of Everything Else, and Reckless. (Episode art by Elisa Macellari)