THE COOK

Shortlisted for the 2012 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Prize for Fiction

THE COOK is a funny, sad and unexpectedly alarming novel, written in a voice you will always remember.

The voice belongs to Zac. He's in his late teens. He's been in trouble with the police and the courts. Somewhat improbably, but just in the nick of time, he is given the chance to redeem himself by going to Cook School where he can not only learn how to be a five-star chef, but he can make a new life for himself.

Zac could not take this opportunity more seriously. He may not know his bouillabaisse from his bouquet garni, but in the company of his new friend Hunter, with the help of the hapless Assistant Chef Fabian, and under the pitiless gaze of the Head Chef himself, he sets out on his crash course of Larousse-inspired self-improvement.

He will do everything he can to make his dream come true.

He is a quick learner. He knows how to improvise. Cook School turns out to have more on offer than he could ever have imagined. Until things start to fall apart. But that's when the second miracle happens. He is whisked away to a mansion in the city where he is to be House Chef for the Mistress, the Master and their two daughters Melody and Jade.

Zac will perform this role with the utmost dedication, even when he can see his dream slipping through his fingers.

Wayne Macauley has published two novels and a book of stories. All of his writing has earned high acclaim.

"A riot of a book! Gripping and subversive..." - Nick Cave