Title: Kitchen Princess volume 1

Author: Natsumi Ando and Miyuki Kobayashi

Genre: slice-of-life, cooking, shojo

Summary: The story follows Najika Kazami, an orphan and an excellent chef from Hokkaido, and her arrival at Seika Academy, an elevator school.Not only does she plan to become a great chef like her deceased parents, but she also sets out to find her "Flan Prince", a boy that saved her from falling into a river and gave her a cup of flan with a silver spoon with the school's emblem on it. She promised him she would make the best treat ever. However, as soon as she is placed into Class A, she has to deal with the constant insults of Akane Kishida and her group. Things become better, however, when she befriends Sora and Daichi Kitazawa, the school's most popular brothers, and possible candidates for the status of her "Flan Prince". (quoted from Wikipedia)

Opinion: Kitchen Princes is predictably shojo with a female main character, two flanking cute guys, and a jealous female rival. Still, with a cooking/food element in it, Kitchen Princess is fun and simple to read. Included at the back of the manga books as 'extras' are the recipes that Najika uses to make the yummy food throughout the volumes, so never fear - if you like the look of something in the manga, you can use the recipe to make it yourself!

I think Kitchen Princess is worth a read if you have enjoyed other shojo manga such as Fruits Basket, Ouran High School Host Club and Absolute Boyfriend. Kitchen Princess gets a thumbs-up for nicely drawn art (and the cute bishounens) but gets slightly marked down because, well, shojo plot is so predictable, wouldn't you say? Although my vote might have been biased because I love eating...XD ~rage-chan

The art really reminds me of Mermaid Melody. Cute. And the food looks absolutely delish. XD

The plot, as Rage said before, is very simple. Najika practically solves all her problems using her amazing skill in cooking. But other than revolving around food, the story would also tackle on things such as acceptance, discrimination, being true to yourself, following your dreams, putting your talents to good use and judging a person based on first impressions.

Because of it's simplicity, 'Kitchen Princess' is a relaxing and interesting story to read. But it also makes one hungry. XD ~Gelly

Rating: 4 out of 5