Andrew J H Sharp - Author

The Chef, the Bird and the Blessing

The bold, bright and colourful cover image for ‘The Chef, the Bird and the Blessing’ by Andrew J H Sharp grabbed my attention immediately. I was then intrigued by the images on the cover and wanted to know how they were connected to the story. Lead character Savalamuratichimimozi “Mozzy” Mlantushi works as a Safari Chef for a struggling bird observation business but has higher than high aspirations of travelling to the most reputable of restaurants in New York or London as a renowned and applauded Head Chef.  Mozzy sees his visiting VIP guests as an opportunity to make new connections and progress, and when a new opportunity arises he looks before he leaps. The supporting characters are just as vibrant and interesting to get to know as Mozzy. His wife, Dorothea is devoted to her Divine Prosperity Assembly, and guests Miss Camlyn and Mr Summerberg are determined to hear the call of the illusive Brackish Akalat. A tale of friendship and healing, Mozzy’s journey is one about chasing aspirations and knowing when to realise that the grass isn’t always greener. I found Mozzy to be perhaps too selfishly steadfast to his dreams and I didn't really warm to him until the second half of the book, however I enjoyed the flow of the story and the pleasant outcome. This is an interesting contemporary fiction tale filled with hope that I’d be happy to recommend.