A cold plate with more food than she needed for the whole day was on the table. She nibbled lightly, not really wanting to eat at all, but she tried.
Brenda rummaged through a basket on the counter. “Craft service hooked us up. Snacks, drinks, all kinds of goodies. Healthy and the good stuff. I never know exactly how long these rounds are going to take. We’ll have something to snack on later.” She moved the basket to the glass coffee table next to the flowers. “Do you know how you’re going to describe your dish to the judges?”
“Yes. I’ve been practicing in my head.” Kelly dug into the basket and took out one of the fruit and yogurt parfaits. Stress eating wasn’t usually a problem for her, but right now it seemed to be doing the trick.
After two hours of excruciating waiting, Brenda’s radio finally crackled back to life. “Go ahead,” she said into the radio.
“We’re ready for McIntyre on the judges’ stage.”
“On our way.” Brenda clapped her hands together. Excitement made keeping up with long-legged Brenda easy.
They zipped right by the door where Kelly had finished her first round earlier this afternoon, then stopped in front of a set of double doors with the Four Square Cooking Show logo on them. A man with a clipboard checked off something on a sheet and let them in. Martin Schlipshel and the judges were already there.
I’ve got this. She raised her chin, set a smile on her face, and walked inside, but just as she did she caught a glimpse of two people rushing down the hall. For a second her brain told her she’d seen Andrew, but by the time she turned, they were around the corner. Her imagination had to be in overdrive. No distractions. This is my big shot. Don’t blow it now. She balled her fists and then shook out her hands.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“I’m Kelly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to bake for you,” she said to Martin and the judges.
“We’ve already introduced the judges for the show, so I’ll just do an impromptu intro for you. We won’t be filming that. Then I’ll get you to stand on the blue X. They’ll check the lighting and when they say action, we’ll be rolling.”
“Okay.”
He quickly went through the introductions, and everyone was so relaxed and welcoming. It really put her at ease.
“Places, everyone,” a voice came from above.
Kelly took her position on the blue X.
“Action.”
Martin paused for a two-count then started with, “What have you prepared for our judges this round, Kelly?”
She clasped her hands in front of her to keep from using them when she spoke. “I’ve prepared a fiftieth wedding anniversary Flourless Chocolate Cake with a Spicy Mexican Frosting. I made almond flour with the almonds, and integrated the chocolate into both the cake and frosting. I pulverized the conversation hearts into sugar and used that in the cake as well. The cayenne peppers are highlighted in the spicy frosting and as flowers in the plate garnish. The golden fifty on top represents the traditional gift of gold for that wedding anniversary.”
“Thank you, Kelly.”
The three judges dove into the dessert.
She watched their facial expressions. No one seemed to be grabbing for water, always a good sign when it came to using peppers in food.
“Let’s start with Chef Georgie,” Martin said.
“Thanks, Martin.” Chef Georgie pushed her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Kelly, you’ve given us a wonderful dessert that seems rich and special enough for fifty years of marriage.”
The way Chef Georgie rolled her R’s made “marriage” sound like the most beautiful thing in the world.
“The flourless cake is ultra-rich and delicious. I love the crunchy top, and I can taste the teeniest hint of the fruity conversation hearts in the chocolate. The frosting is perfectly spicy. It’s lovely.”
Kelly finally swallowed the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, Chef.” One. She held a finger behind her back. Then made it two, hoping for the best.
“Thank you, Georgie. Chef Abraham, what are your thoughts on Kelly’s dessert?”
“I like it very much. It’s much simpler in style than some of the others, but I like the balance.”
Kelly’s throat felt like it was swelling.
“You’ve used every ingredient successfully, and I love that you hand-carved the numbers for the topping. You show great precision. I would have like to have seen something a little more out of the box. Fancier, or unexpected.”
Her smile wavered. She rubbed her thumbnail against that second finger, unsure if it had been a pass or fail.
“Good feedback from Abraham. And Chef Collin. What are your thoughts?”
Kelly’s heart pounded so hard she had to concentrate on the smolderingly handsome Chef Collin’s mouth to make out the words.
“I disagree with Abraham. I think this dessert is out of the box.” Chef Collin leaned over to eye his fellow judge.
Thank goodness. He must’ve liked it.
Chef Collin went on, “I don’t know that I’d have baked a flourless cake in the first round. That in itself was a bold move, and we’ve got great, bold flavors to match.” He turned and faced Kelly. “This cake is baked to perfection, and the frosting makes for an unexpected surprise. I’m not sure I’d want to eat chocolate flourless cake without your frosting ever again.”
“Thank you, judges,” Kelly said, trying to resist the urge to skip off the stage. As she’d been coached earlier, she turned and exited the stage to the left.
“Cut.”
Brenda stepped through the door and grabbed her hand. “We’ll just wait here for a second while they make sure they’ve got everything they need.”
“We’ve got it,” came over the speaker.
“You’re done,” Brenda said. They scurried down the hall toward her dressing room, and as soon as they closed the door, they both squealed. “You did so great, Kelly!”
“I’m afraid to get too excited.”
“Well, don’t be.”
A minute later, a knock at the door sent Kelly into overdrive, but it was the woman who’d collected
