The Compulsive Chef

by Stephen Anthony

The Compulsive Chef by Stephen Anthony is a comedic romp that feeds the soul. When David, a star, college athlete, loses his scholarship after a career ending injury he is forced to find his way in the real world. After a series of dead end jobs, he discovers his gift – gourmet cooking. Eventually, he rises through the ranks of the restaurant business and emerges as a world-class chef. In time, he and his older brother Vinnie open a restaurant in a trendy part of Los Angeles but they do so with a few strings attached. The seed money they secure from a prominent Mafia boss comes with one stipulation. They are forced into giving the mob boss’s scheming nephew a job. Tensions soon mount and in one tragic moment, David’s life changes forever, and he becomes a chef on the run!

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2012

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young man who doesn't quite grow up convinces his father and brother that he should have a career in cooking. He only mnages one semester in cooking school but he goes off to Europe to learn to be a good chef. He doesn't hold a job for long anywhere usually because he is mixed up with a women. Him and his brother get involved with the mafia and get money to start a restaurant. Suspenseful in places. Characters are ok, not really memorable.

[grundoon · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 I'll put up with quite a lot in pursuit of a little kitchen action. Your basic loser finds his calling while dishwashing in his brother's restaurant, gets promoted, goes to culinary school, heads abroad, etc. - sounds promising, no? Turns out no. There is literally more text praising his cooking than text involving his cooking. Which is ridiculously pedestrian, what little mention there is. And trust me, this disappointment was still the highlight. Unless you enjoy counting homophone errors, I guess - in which case you[ll be in heaven.

[Alison]

kindle 233

[Lazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is not for everyone, especially if you're sensitive to women's issues. Lots of sex and humor. I liked it and would recommend it to thicker skinned, youthful thinking males.