The Secret Diary of the World's Worst Cook

by Subhadra Sen Gupta

Rohin is fifteen and, despite his father’s wishes, wants nothing to do with science in school. But what does he want to do instead? On vacation at his grandparents’ rambling haveli in Lucknow, he stumbles upon the secret diary of fifteen-year-old Hassan Ali, or Hasnu, reluctant cook’s apprentice, the despair of his father and black sheep in a long line of illustrious chefs to the nawabs of Lucknow. As Rohin reads the story of Hasnu’s doomed culinary career, he decides he has to track down Hasnu and find out what happened to the Bekaar Bawarchi. Did he escape the kitchen? What did he do instead? And how did he tell his father he didn’t want to be a cook? Rohin’s search unearths some hilarious stories-of spotted eggs; how a famous actress demanded a hot meal; the disappearance of a khandani khazana; of friends and kitchens! And one day Rohin realizes what it is he wants to do with his own life.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ahtims · Rating 3 out of 5]

The secret Diary of the world's worst cook:

It was a fun read. The story happens when 15 year old Rohin has to spend his vacation at his paternal grandfather's huge bungalow as his parents and sister are away. He loves this as he can dally with the cook, help and explore the huge place. Unfortunately, Rohin, though an aspiring amateur cook, is quite mediocre in his science and maths and has to face the wrath of his over achieving parents and sister. This is a god given time for him to explore his inner ideals and find out what he wants to become in future. His grandparents are loving and eccentric and he has no worries there. He happily involves himself in culinary tasks, and later gets embroiled into a culinary mystery. Finally, things end positively for Rohin.
Its a fun read for maybe 12-16 year olds, especially those who love the kitchen and cooking, and those who are at loggerheads with their parents.

[Sumantika Bhandari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Shushant who discovers what he wants to do with his life after reading about a confusing story of a cook in India.He is spending his summer with his grandparents when he finds a diary belonging to a miserable cook in India who does not want to cook, but is being forced to do so.

[Zarreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this book is meant for teenagers/kids and not meant for a 36 year old (!!) but I loved the simplicity of the read. It had its set of flaws like all books but I simply loved the characters- they made you sit up and fall in love with each one of them! I esp loved bajju the cook and I laughed endlessly at dadaji telling everyone it was 2 o clock irrespective of what the time really was!
I hope to find more from the author! ReAlly good read!

[Priyanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 13, and I still remember as this book to be one of the highlights of all the books I read that year and I read Harry Potter when I was 13.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totaly so much funny
Love it 😂☺️😂☺️☺️☺️☺️

[Anamica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventures can never be UN-ending. This is really a totally new concept and a very different mystery. Though the portrayal of the main character-"Rohin" seems a little more matured than the age described.
But good fun reading it...

Keep it up!

[Saloni · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a delightful little book- sweet, unpretentious and well-written.

[Book Pickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful heart-warming read! It is about many people who find themselves and how fate brings them together, again! Fate? Or is it a cat?

[Aashna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ithink it was a good book.it was very interesting...................