Catherine Wilkins

Cafe Chaos: My Family Is Not a Piece of Cake

About Author

Meet Catherine Wilkins and find out about her series Café Chaos, a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at running a cafe, chaotic families, and bullying.

Catherine is a writer and comedian. She has always wanted to write funny stories for children and is finding the whole process more exciting than that time she bungee jumped. Which is pretty exciting. If you think about it.

Illustrator Katie Abey is committed to the idea that she can make a positive difference to the world by drawing perturbed animals and lots of rainbows. She has illustrated over 50 children's books.

Interview

Catherine Wilkins introduces her laugh-out-loud series, Café Chaos (Nosy Crow)

March 2025

Hope loves her demanding family, but between constant demands from their Café customers and new ideas to keep the business afloat, there doesn't seem to be much time for her, or help to tackle the bullies at her new secondary school. Is it time to take a stand?

We spoke with author and comedian Catherine Wilkins about Café Chaos: My Family is Not a Piece of Cake - the first title in a laugh-out-loud series - to find out about writing from your lived experiences, transitioning to secondary school, and what makes her laugh.

More about Café Chaos: My Family is Not a Piece of Cake plus a chapter extract

Q&A with Catherine Wilkins: "I know what it's like to be eleven and starting secondary school with busy parents,
and crazy family members showing up unexpectedly."

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, and three things that readers won't know about you?

My name is Catherine Wilkins, I am a writer and comedian. I love jokes and stories and I have a strong background in comedy but mainly only do live shows now as part of a comedy podcast team. I have two children, two cats and one dog. Three things you might not know about me:
- I used to be the drummer in a band
- My cats follow me everywhere because they think I will feed them
- I have never slipped on a banana skin

2. How did you become an author and what kinds of books do you enjoy writing? What has been your 'standout' book so far?

I became an author by trying to write the kind of story I love to read. I sent it off to lots of places but nothing happened. Then I started doing stand-up comedy and met lots of people who were looking for the kind of thing I was writing. Eventually somebody liked what I was doing and I was introduced to Nosy Crow, who decided to publish my books.

I enjoy writing funny books the best. I also like writing books about what people are really like, and a little bit of drama and intrigue.

I don't know about a 'standout' book. I love all my babies equally. My first book [My Best Friend and Other Enemies] is special because it was my first book, and it got onto some nice lists. You're Not The Boss of Me won a Lollies award for funniest teen book, which was quite a standout moment. My new book Café Chaos has some of my favourite characters and I'm very excited about it.

3. What is Café Chaos about, and who is the family at the heart of the story?

Café Chaos is the story of 11-year-old Hope Crumble, the overlooked, forgotten one in her workaholic family, the Crumbles. Business manager Mum has to keep the café running; Chef Dad has to cook all day; Grandma Margery bakes; Wannabe-actress-and-reluctant-waitress sister Stacey is distracted; and Fortune-500-Wannabe cousin Connor is currently living with them and seems to think he’s on Dragon's Den. And that’s before we even get to Clairvoyant Auntie Rita (Connor's Mum) unexpectedly showing up to visit Connor, and being plonked in Hope's bedroom - without anyone asking if that's OK.

4. Have you drawn on your own experience in writing about a family that runs a café? Would this be your dream job - or absolute nightmare?

I have previously worked in the hospitality industry and it is fun but hard work. You are constantly on your feet and the work is never-ending. There is always something that needs doing. There is definitely a lot that's great about it (the food was a perk!)

But I think I would find it very stressful to run my own café, especially with my family. I think it takes a special kind of person with great cool-headedness and composure. (But the Crumbles can have a crack at it too!)

5. Why did you decide to write the book from Hope's point of view, with the day-to-day problems she faces at home and at school?

I wanted to write the book from Hope's point of view because I have such strong memories of being her age. I know what it's like to be eleven and starting secondary school with busy parents, and crazy family members showing up unexpectedly. Hope is facing the challenges of trying to not need her parents, so she doesn't add to their problems, but she really does still need them, and it's hard for families when there just isn't enough time in the day.

At school, Hope is dealing with a new ecosystem, with the cool kids becoming uncool and vice versa. Then Hope has to deal with being picked on, and the bullying escalating before it gets better again.

6. What makes the shift from primary to secondary school such a rich time to write about?

The shift from primary to secondary school is a really big deal. It's a huge transition for children going from being the oldest at their school, to being the little ones again. Most secondary schools are much bigger than most primary schools, so that's another huge change to get used to.

It's a really big step on the road to adulthood and children are understandably nervous about starting a new school. Then you have everyone growing up in different ways and friendships and alliances sometimes changing too. There's so much happening at once and so much to write about.

7. Cafe Chaos is very funny - what is your stand-out moment or character in the story?

My favourite scenes to write in this book were the family business meetings. This was always such a fun opportunity for everyone to clash. The family business is struggling, and they need suggestions from everyone for ways to make more money. So of course Stacey wants to put on a play, and Connor is interrupting about revenue streams, and everyone is accidentally revealing the worst sides of themselves in their pitches. I loved it.

8. Although there is lots of humour in the book, you also explore demanding families, and bullying. What would you like readers to take from Hope's adventures?

I would like readers to take away the idea that they are (and should be) allowed to say no to things. Hope has been trained to always put her family first, and never really fight for what she wants, and that's not good. Everyone should be allowed to choose their boundaries.

With the bullying storyline, I hope readers take away that these things happen so much more than some people realise. I hope anyone who has experienced anything unpleasant like this knows they're not alone, and that no one deserves to be treated badly.

9. What other plans do you have for Cafe Chaos - will you be revisiting Hope, her family and Cafe Crumble?

Yes! Absolutely. Book Two of Café Chaos will be out next year and I have SO many ideas for these characters! I never want to stop, so I hope we do get to do lots more installments.

10. There are lots of 'interesting' baking ideas in the story - is this a hobby of yours? What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?

I go through phases where I get really into baking, and then other times I just want to buy something quickly. There is something really satisfying about baking, that makes you feel connected to all the people that baked before you. I love it when I have time to do it.

When I'm not writing I like playing with my children, running, swimming, reading, walking my dog, performing and watching live comedy, and having fun with my friends.

School events details: I do enjoy visiting schools and I offer a presentation where I talk about how I got into writing, where I get my ideas and what publishing is like. The best way to get in touch with me about this is through my publishers, Nosy Crow ([email protected]).

Catherine Wilkins introduces You're Not the Boss of Me (Nosy Crow)

Catherine explores sexism, toxic masculinity and being true to oneself in her award-winning title, You're Not the Boss of Me. Amy Miller is a very positive person and she is fully prepared to be the star of the Lower School Comedy Review - until the boys are put in charge... Find out more about You're not the Boss of Me - plus a chapter to download.

About Author

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