The Big Tournament - (Magda, Intergalactic Chef) by Nicolas Wouters (Paperback)

About the Book

"Twelve-year-old Magda's gift for inventing unique and delicious dishes earns her a spot in the famous intergalactic cooking tournament, but she discovers a conspiracy to rig the competition and steal the prize: the world-healing Nectar"--

Book Synopsis

Can a little chef with a big heart save the galaxy with the communal spirit of cooking?

Twelve-year-old Magda was born on Azuki, a tiny moon with incredible plant life. Magda may be a bit of a mess, but she's also a gifted chef--so gifted her unique and delicious dishes earn her a spot in the centuries-old Intergalactic Cooking Tournament! Kids from all over the galaxy hope to win honor for their home planet--as well as the Nector, a precious resource that can reshape entire worlds . . . or even save dying ones. But when Magda discovers an intergalactic conspiracy, only the kind-hearted chef can stop a secret society from stealing the Nector--and with it, control of the entire galaxy.

Review Quotes

"Along with capturing the drama, suspense, and stylized commentary of real cooking shows, this interstellar culinary romp showcases one tempting dish after another, capped by three recipes at the end. . . A delicious kickoff that combines haute cuisine with sky-high stakes."--Kirkus Reviews

-- (4/14/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"Wouters is an ingenious storyteller, inserting mysteriously provocative hints throughout. . . In explosive full-color images, Van Gheluwe creates worlds bursting with imaginative flora and fauna. . . Author and artist embolden tenacious Magda, a vegan force of nature poised to save the whole galaxy."--Shelf Awareness

-- (4/4/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"This Belgian import boasts wildly imaginative artwork, looking something like Spirited Away via Tintin: lush colors and crisp linework reveal inventive flora and fauna on every planet and architecture teeming with whimsy."--Booklist

-- (3/12/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"A whimsical graphic novel in which a girl who hopes to be a great chef helps others in the process of pursuing her dreams."--Foreword Reviews

-- (1/15/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"Gheluwe pairs imaginative depictions of alien ingredients and futuristic kitchen tools with expressive character designs; dynamic compositions heighten both the tension of time-bound cooking challenges and the joy of artistic expression, while color shifts underscore the story's emotional beats. With its humor, inventive premise, and eco-conscious messaging, this graphic novel celebrates resilience and creativity."--Publishers Weekly

-- (1/21/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"A colorful and engaging graphic novel about a young girl who uncovers a nefarious plot and finds the courage to fight."--School Library Journal

-- (12/12/2024 12:00:00 AM)