BookView Review

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we talked to Lori Rotter, about her writing and recently released book, Best Chef in Town, a flavorful blend of humor, heart, and humility (read the review here).

How did you decide which form or genre was right for you?

I have been in the design field for over 35 years. My career and professional experience have spanned multiple areas in the design industry, but predominantly, I work in the toy industry as a designer, developer, and brand creator.

My product career has always focused on kids 3-6 years.  Developing toys is storytelling. I imagine how children will play with a toy and how they will interact. All toy products have character names and backstories. Writing copy around toys has been an unexpected creative outlet that I enjoy. After all these years, authoring children’s stories seemed a natural progression. 

What inspired the premise of your book?

I love watching cooking shows on TV, especially those centered around competition. It’s always impressive to see how quickly chefs must think on their feet, or the dynamics of a team of chefs working together in a race against time. In Best Chef in Town, we join boastful Chef Romi and her loyal sous chef, Sam, as they navigate a cooking competition that’s full of surprises. When Chef Romi’s ego creates chaos in the kitchen, it’s Sous Chef Sam who impresses the judges with the winning ingredient and dish.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

Best Chef in Town is about teamwork and fair play. It is about the power of collaboration, humility, and giving credit where credit is due. Best teams work together, and that leadership sometimes means stepping back and letting others shine.

Which character was most challenging to create? Why?

Chef Romi was a challenging character to create. In the beginning, she is boastful and shows little regard for others. As the story progresses, we see Romi’s vanity peak as she preens in front of her fans, while ignoring the contest rules and dismissing Sam so she can take credit for the dish he cooked. By the end, Chef Romi humbles herself and acknowledges that Sam is deserving of the winning crown.

Which scene or chapter in the book is your favorite? Why?

I have had the pleasure to work with illustrator Vaughan Duck on Best Dinosaur Ever and Freckles’ Best Ribbit. He is brilliant in creating characters and bringing them to life on the page. Best Chef in Town is no exception. My favorite scene is when Sous Chef Sam sprinkles cocoa into a spaghetti sauce that Chef Romi accidentally seasoned with sugar instead of salt! Sam’s last-minute decision will save the dish. The scene’s point of view and the audience in the background capture the tenseness in the air.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love spending time with family, catching up with friends, being outdoors, and BAKING (much to the chagrin of my family and their healthy diets!).