Family and food take center stage in this heartfelt middle grade story perfect for fans of John David Anderson and Antony John.
For as long as he can remember, Curtis Pith has been obsessed with becoming a chef like Lucas Taylor, host of Super Chef. And Curtis has a secret: Taylor is actually his long-absent father.
So when Taylor announces a kids-only season of Super Chef, Curtis finally sees his chance to meet his dad. But after Curtis wins a spot in the competition and arrives in New York to film the show, nothing goes as smoothly as he expected.
It's all riding on the last challenge. If Curtis cooks his heart out like he knows he can, he just might go home with the top prize--and the truth.
Winning will take more than just the perfect recipe.
- An Absent Father Secret: Curtis Pith is sure that Lucas Taylor, the famous host of Super Chef, is his dad. He's entering the competition to finally prove it.
- Found Family on Set: Away from home in New York City, Curtis discovers that the other contestants might be the only ones who truly understand the pressure.
- A Heartfelt Story of Family and Dreams: Perfect for young readers who love stories about food, big dreams, and the families who support them, no matter what.
- Friendship and Teamwork: From cooking up schemes with his best friend back home to learning to rely on his competitors, Curtis learns that you don't have to cook alone.
About the Author :
Chris Negron is the author of several novels for children, including Georgia Author of the Year finalist and Sakura Medal nominee Dan Unmasked. His latest novel, Underdog City, released in the fall of 2023, again from HarperCollins. He holds a computer science degree from Yale University, but it was his years of playing Dungeons & Dragons in friends' basements that inspired him to write stories about the things he loves, including comic books, baseball, competitive cooking shows, and dogs. Visit him at chrisnegron.com.
Review :
PRAISE FOR DAN UNMASKED: "Dan Unmasked is a grand slam of a debut: timeless, moving, and filled to the brim with heart. I can't stop thinking about it."
- Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda"Dan Unmasked is about sports and comics but also about the complicated nature of guilt and grief and the healing power of community. A beautiful new addition to the middle grade canon."
- Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound"Stirringly hits every despairing low and thrilling high of a sports movie."
- Kirkus Reviews"Perfect for fans of Chopped Junior." - Kirkus Reviews
"With a winning concept, and full of humor and hijinks, middle grade readers are going to eat up THE LAST SUPER CHEF. A truly delightful read that is packed with so much heart." - Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling author of Other Words for Home
"This book had me grinning ear to ear from page one to the very end. There might have been a tear or two shed as well. Chris Negron is fast becoming one of my favorite voices in middle grades fiction." - Greg Howard, author of The Whispers
"Food descriptions and attention to preparatory details pop as Negron 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." - Publishers Weekly
