Well I found that the Rocket Launcher (Lead Pipe and Rocket Fireworks), along with the Paddlesaw (Paddle and Chainsaw) worked REALLY well against the cannibal chef, first drop your paddlesaw just outside, and equip youe rocket launcher and walk in, when it starts, spam him with the fireworks until he either stops moving or tries to eat, at this point, drop it, pick up the paddlesaw and go to town on him.
I'd also say to use the same tactic on Carl the mailman, but when I tried him last, he killed me because he's got some sort of pinpoint accuracy with his shotgun...
Also, I'd recommend taking some OJ with you for healing, maybe take a quickstep too (Forgot what makes it... but it's the white one), that'll help you get close with the paddlesaw.
Actually, scrap the OJ, I've just realised that the Beer Hat is tons better, takes up one slot, and you can use it I THINK it's 6 times, and it heals 2/3 blocks I think, also get the book that increases food healing by 50%, so it'll be 3/4 blocks x 6 = 18/24 blocks of health in one inventory slot, well, two since there's the magazine too...