Interstellar MegaChef is the first novel in the sci-fi series Flavour Hackers, a really clever book written by Lavanya Lakshminarayan, and published by Solaris Books. A novel which not only has an excellent plot woven around two deep characters and their way to understand food and cooking, but which also takes the opportunity to examine many current themes through the sci-fi lense.

Saraswati (Saras) Kaveri has arrived to Primus from the often deemed as primitive Earth, only with her techbot friend and with an invitation to compete on Interstellar Megachef, planning to show to the universe that she can cook; but things don't go accord to plan, and she struggles to find a place on the elitist Primus' culture. But opportunities appear in unexpected places, and stumbling into the tech genius Serenity Ko and her idea to change the concept of food forever is the gambit she needs to prove her value.

Lakshminarayan has written an excellent novel in all aspects, starting with the characters. Not only we have in Saras the figure of somebody fighting against adversity, constantly being shunned due to her origin, but in contrast with the Primus people, she's open to change her mind; she's marked by her past and wants to prove her value. We also have Serenity, a workaholic that is trying to create a revolution in a field she doesn't understand; she's trying her best even if her manners are not always good, and in reality, when paired with Saras, we finally have somebody that really wants to learn.

Outside of the characters, it's incredible how Lakshminarayan manages to organically weave into the novel themes such as the dismiss done by colonialism to the occupied places; how food plays a role in society, and how it is understood in different ways, all being equally valuable, even if many of them are not taken into account because of the origin. How Saras is treated because of her being a refugee is a perfect portrait of the racism experienced by many people (especially BIPOC nowadays).
The story is amazingly paced, told using several POV, and taking the story to a finale that I personally love (I have a soft spot for them).

Lakshminarayan has created something incredible with Interstellar MegaChef, and definitely I recommend it to people that like clever sci-fi with abundant social commentary; I've enjoyed every single page of it, and I can't wait to see how the Flavour Hackers series continue. And be sure to have a meal before reading this one, because you will end hungry!