Eat or Be Eaten(2004)

Kuu ka Kuwareru ka

Masaki Ashizawa was hired by a restaurant mogul to find a world-class chef for his new French restaurant. He finds the perfect candidate in Shuichiro Tsubaki, the gruff master chef of a small restaurant. But the proud Tsubaki is happy calling the shots in his own business and Ashizawa must go to all-new lengths to convince him to accept the offer.

What will it take for Ashizawa to clinch the deal? And what secret from his past is Tsubaki keeping from Ashizawa?

(Source: Juné)

Notes:
- Includes the short story "Torokeru Dinner (蕩けるディナー | Melt in your Mouth)"
- Bunko edition Includes the extra chapter "Full Course ni wa Mada Hayai" (フルコースにはまだ早い), not present in the English edition