Culinary Art: An Interview with Jarrett Melendez

metroweekly.com:

Chef’s Kiss, his celebrated graphic novel, is an adorable piglet named Watson.Watson is an evolved being, essentially, with a palate beyond the ordinary, and he serves as the ultimate “taste-tester and head of quality control” for the restaurant in which Ben, the novel’s gay protagonist, is discovering his not-so-hidden talent for creating fabulous dishes.At the same time, Ben is also discovering his feelings for co-worker Liam, and the book spends a lot of time in “will-they, won’t-they?” territory as their romance gently simmers to a boil.“I wanted it to be a slow burn,” says the 38-year-old from his home in Massachusetts.

He’s engulfed in a bright pink light, the glow from a neon sign hanging in his office. A pair of Monokuro Boo plushies, part of an extensive collection, are nestled off to the left just behind him.Written by Melendez, meticulously illustrated by Danica Brine, and gorgeously colored by Hank Jones, Chef’s Kiss is a joyful, effervescent read.

Like any good story, it’s not without drama and turmoil, but it doesn’t force its central gay character through the usual queer grindstone.Ben is already out and comfortable in his skin.

Rather, Ben is going through a crisis of what to do with his life when his dream of becoming a copy editor at a publishing house falls flat.The book won an Alex Award from the American Library Association and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.