Last year, I released a comedic novel, SoupChad, the tale of a boy who
loves soup (and won’t tolerate kids who liked salad). It’s a fun little story, meant as an allegory about intolerance and learning to respect others
who might think differently.
But SoupChad’s love of soup, I’ve discovered, is also part of the
book’s niche appeal. I've received numerous emails from parents and loved ones of young chefs, expressing their child's excitement at discovering this "tasty" little book.
Kid chefs have developed an affection for
this soup-foodie of a thirteen year old.
It’s a golden time for kids who cook, with numerous television
programs showing off the fine culinary
skills of boys and girls as they create everything from appetizers to exotic
dessert dishes. Even Chef Gordon Ramsay
is prominent in the game, with his Masterchef
Junior series, which just completed its seventh
season. Gone, it seems, are the days when most kids were finicky eaters and
lacked even a hint of culinary bravery.
SoupChad isn’t a book about cooking—Chad loves soup, but prefers
it canned. As kids his age are prone to do, he's gone all-in on his obsession, even
creating a “Soup Club” to share his soup-centric world view with doubtful
classmates. He annoints club members with club names based on their
favorite soup. He’s soon surrounded with kids named Noodle, Spinach and
Chowder.
Kid chefs, I’m happy to say, recognize SoupChad as one of
their own, while also sympathizing with the salad-loving classmates he faces in
a climactic showdown. In the end, Chad learns that while he can still love soup, there's other food to love, too!
