This is Rupert Kingfisher's first book although he is working on another. His favourite authors as a child were Roald Dahl, Susan Cooper and Ursula le Guin. He also loved American horror comics and French cartoon books such as Asterix and Tintin. It was on a family holiday to Paris that he visited a bookshop dedicated to books such as Tintin - and also ate anchovies for the first time, on a pizza from a street vendor. He says that both experiences were equally life-changing. Rupert studied Philosophy at Bristol University and Play Writing at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Rupert has had plays performed in Dublin, Edinburgh, London and on BBC Radio 4. He grew up in Oxfordshire and now lives in Brentford, Middlesex.

'Think Amelie scripted by Heston Blumenthal' Financial Times 'Enchanting debut witty, warm-hearted and as delectable as one of the dishes it describes, this is as much a hymn to the culinary arts as to the magic of kindness, and is recommended for 6-9s' Amanda Craig, The Times 'A sophisticated book for sophisticated readers. Warmly recommended' The School Librarian 'Weird and wonderful concoctions, sweet and sour characters, and line drawing decoration by Sue Hellard are a recipe for success in this deliciously original little novel' Literacy Time Plus Ages 7 to 9