Word Count: 431 | Reading Time: 2 min
Writing a science fiction book with the premise of a cooking competition in the far future
seemed like an unusual recipe, one which, at least for me, had the potential of not being engaging
enough. Yet author Lavanya Lakshinarayan allayed all concerns with Interstellar Megachef, a novel
with decidedly lower stakes, one which don’t involve something that could destroy planets.
Having said that, the stakes are very personal and meaningful for one of our protagonists, Saras,
who is from Earth, where they’re so barbaric that they still cook with fire!
Saras narrates much of the plot in the first person, and our other protagonist, Serenity Ko, is
explored in close third person. That writing style makes for an interesting contrast, as do the two
characters themselves, both of whose lives intersect in the most unexpected ways. Saras is the
outsider, the underdog; she has a point to prove, not only to others, but to herself, and she wants
to prove it in her own way. Serenity Ko, meanwhile, is essentially a bitch without meaning to be
one, and her character arc, which unfolds gradually rather than immediately, is one of the
strengths of the novel.
Interstellar Megachef also poses some very pertinent questions about us, and the world we currently
live in, despite being set several centuries in the future and on a different planet entirely. Issues of
xenophobia, racism, arrogance, open-mindedness, and how we perceive those different from us
form the core themes of the novel, along with exploring how we understand our past whilst
looking to a better future. Add to that some complex questions which aren’t easily answered,
such as progress versus preservation and technology interacting with food, and you’ve got a
recipe for success.
Of course, the novel isn’t without its shortcomings. The one that stood out the most was the
slow beginning, as it just didn’t do enough to hook readers in the opening section. It’s not boring
or bad, and the worldbuilding is reasonably interesting at times, but overall, it wasn’t particularly
interesting.
On the whole, though, Interstellar Megachef is a fascinating novel, one that gets better the more you
read. The secondary characters, each of whom has their own agenda, add to or create intrigue
and suspense that isn’t fully resolved by the end of the book. That makes sense, because the
recently released sequel, Interstellar Feast, continues the story! So, if you’re in the market for a
science fiction book with strong desi flavours, look no further than Interstellar Megachef by Lavanya
Lakshinarayan.