ZIN MIGNON Series

      A frolicking trip to the pantry! Incredibly, the greatest Chef in the world is only 13 years old. He's Zin Mignon, the spectacular culinary mastermind who lives at the intersection of fantasy, laughs, gripping mystery, inspiration and humanity. The four-book Series kicks off in the pathetic family Brooklyn deli where young Zin clutches a secret note from his dying dad. The cryptic words set Zin on a world-spinning quest, an adventure that takes him through the alleys of the homeless to the tables of billionaires, to discover who he really is and the greatness for which he's destined. Is it a spoof on the celebrity Chef phenomenon? Or a sophisticated, inspirational and twisting mystery? Book One chronicles Zin's astonishing apprenticeship, where he's kidnapped from Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris by the mysterious Mustard Monks and spirited away to the Monks' ultra-remote mountaintop abbey, where they worship food. They also show Zin the world's greatest cooking secrets. But why in the world are they showing Zin? That's the question both Zin and his comically materialistic mother will ask, over and over, as they strive to learn his shocking family legacy.   Soon enough, Zin shocks the cooking world. After all, despite a host of envious and evil detractors, he's become the greatest Chef on the planet. As billionaires send private jets for take-out, supermodels, celebrities and European royalty scramble to sit at his tables. Ah… but Zin's just a kid. He's easily distracted. Besides, he made a solemn promise to his dad -- to learn the incredible secret of his family legacy.   Find out why ZIN was seen on CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS. It's truly original, perfect for foodies and mystery lovers of all ages. A wonderful (and clean!) Series for kids who cook, or their parents and grandparents, who cook with their kids. Never to be taken too seriously; but maybe so. How 'bout all these amazing exploits? And the heartfelt compassion? High concept fiction is here, hiding under the tablecloth!   Book Two finds Zin in the challenge of his life, with his culinary empire on the ropes.   Book Three has the nay-sayers and evil-doers catching up.   Book Four solves all the mysteries, reveals who Zin really is, and what his family legacy is all about. The ending is, to say the least, nothing short of a shocker and a revelation. "How did he ever think of that?"   A Series of Magical Realism, full of pop-culture, twists and turns, laughs and tears. We ask… why can't a 13 year old be the greatest Chef in the world? Why can't every child be great at something? This Series shows you how! Try a nibble or two! Delicious kitchen-fiction. Author MICHAEL DASWICK is the winner of both of Columbia's prestigious literary awards for creative writing and story-telling. He writes High-Concept fiction. He's the author of the gripping and much-acclaimed epic novel CHIP ROCK and the FAT OLD FART, its sequel CHIP ROCK and the CATALINA KID, and HALLBOYS, a collection of inspiring connected short stories. The Zin Series is four books long, was written for his own children. It's suitable fun for all ages.              

     Find out why Zin was seen on CNN, ABC, FOX, NBC, etc!       ZIN MIGNON is back for #2 in the series about a 13 year-old wonder Chef.      From the filthy streets of Brooklyn to the sizzle of Beverly Hills, 13 year old chef extraordinaire Zin Mignon serves a parade of royalty, celebrities and supermodels. As nasty rivals bring all the ingredients to crush Zin's dreams, he juggles the greatest kitchen in the world with a frantic search for his lost family legacy.       But the forgetful Mrs. Pirogi - Zin's sole link to his family past -- can't quite remember much about Zin's cryptic ancestry. With the Mustard Monks lurking and movie stars fighting for tables, why is he cooking for the homeless on skid row? His rivals try anything to take him down: the burnout hotdog salesman across the street sabotages with elephant laxative, while evil restaurant critic Brandy Bitterwine roasts Zin with... zero stars!      With the help of Avalina, the brilliant 22-year old business manager, and his swim-teammate Jenny, Zin must fight to learn his family history that may not be entirely appetizing. Is it related to the secret of his incredible Russian Rye? While his fans rave and vile scoundrels close in, Zin's fragile artistic temperament is pushed to the boiling point.      Then, Jenny has a brilliant idea. But will it work? Little do they know they'll face the ultimate challenge which could shut down Zin's kitchen forever. RIDDLE of the RUSSIAN RYE mixes food, fame and family, and twists its way to an emotionally tasty - or distasteful - ending. Humor meets humantiy in the back of the kitchen!

     Find out why Zin was seen on CNN, ABC, FOX, NBC, etc!         With the extraordinary events of Book #2 and the Secret of the Russian Rye behind him, Zin Mignon's quest turns to his shadowy family history. The 14 year-old phenom Chef reaches the squalid peasants' orphanages in the hinterlands of Russia.       But with his pal Jenny, all they find are skinny kids and crushing conditions. Ah, but Zin has fame. And an appetite to help. Thus, he cooks up a daring charitable scheme to feed the planet's poorest kids. In the globetrotting Book 3, Zin does his finest cooking ever. Blindsided by one revelation after another, join Zin as he moves ever closer to the astonishing secrets baked into his mysterious past. MICHAEL DASWICK is the award-winning author of the Zin Mignon series and Chip Rock and the Fat Old Fart, 

     Zin Mignon approached his father's grave and buckled in horror. "Mom! Look! Who would do such a thing?" "Oh, son, I'm so sorry." "I don't get it. Dad was just a simple guy who ran a little deli. I mean… Wasn't he?"     Thus begins the 4th book of brilliant 13 year-old Chef Zin Mignon. He's one part culinary mastermind and two parts just-another-kid with The Great American Dream. But everything's gone haywire. Zin's returned to the docks of Brooklyn to face the wicked winter wind and to learn, once and for all, about his family's dark history. He's long suspected the key lies among the mysterious Mustard Monks, who've apparently shadowed him in their yellow shrouds for years. But why? The first 3 books of the sprawling Series have chronicled young Zin's unfathomable yet delicious rise to the pinnacle of Chef-dom. He's the finest Chef in the world, serving supermodels, billionaires, and every A-list celebrity in his Sunset Strip restaurant. We've also seen him roast rats in homeless camps, suffer the squalid orphanages of Russia, roam Gypsy caves of the Steppes, as he's continually undermined by a host of ever-envious evil provocateurs. Zin has also climbed to the reclusive mountaintop Abbey of the mysterious Mustard Monks, who conceal their secrets like prized Russian caviar. But if he could only unravel his rotten family history. Dare you learn the monumental secrets of Zin's gnawing past? This book tells it all. Join Zin in his most fantastical world-spanning adventure yet. But be warned: food will never taste the same. In this epic conclusion, the Truth is Served. Will Zin be elated to finally uncover his family saga? Or utterly dashed into doom? Neither Zin, nor the reader, ever expected a shocker like this. And yes... once and for all, brave and fearless readers will learn …Who the heck are the Mustard Monks?