I read Volume 1 of this series a while back, but hadn't been keeping up with it. Spotted this volume at Barnes and Noble and decided to give it a try - I'm a sucker for the guy with glasses on the cover {wry grin}.

Not surprisingly, glasses-guy turns out to be Shinomiya, one of those characters who puts on a bossy, unsympathetic demeanor, is eerily competent - and, once he decides to befriend someone, can become a trusted companion (though he still won't cut any slack). Here, he's boss-and-mentor of former foe (and series hero) Soma when Soma comes to work at his new Tokyo restaurant. It was fun watching him put Soma through his paces - and even though Soma's a prodigy, he did have a lot of trouble learning how to perform on the line at a restaurant, having to do tons of perfect food-prep in much less time than he was used to. His work ethic is admirable, and impressed even the snobbiest of the staff, all in all a nice little sequence.

As always, the manga loves to provide food-porn plus fan-service - when tasting the latest delicious item, people tend to burst out of their clothing (figuratively, but we get to see it in the artwork); this happens to a couple of the girls who work at the restaurant, and later to Shinomiya himself when he tastes one of Soma's dishes. Something for everyone!

Soma certainly seems to be advancing in his chosen career, but there are more challenges to come. I love how the series makes every aspect of meal-planning, including slicing radishes, into Serious Business...

Cute feature: Shun Saeki, the artist, includes a photo of her pet ferret on the about-the-authors page!

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series, and an anime adaptation.]

I plan to leave this book on a bench in the entrance of Not Your Average Joe's restaurant on DW Hwy at around 2; hope the finder enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2017 Wine+Food release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2017 TV Series release challenge. ***