While on break, I run into the woman from Team Warren in the bathroom and smile at her in the mirror while washing my hands.
She smiles back. “Rowan, right?”
I nod and turn off the water. “Right. You’re Elizabeth?”
“I am. Some competition, huh? That last one really threw us.”
“It was a surprise, but your team did a great job.”
She leans against the wall and rubs her temples. “Thanks, but those Everhearts…” She leaves the rest of that sentence lingering out there.
I throw my paper towel in the trash and head for the door. “Yeah, they’re very talented.”
“Right? Especially Knox. I’ve never seen a chef so comfortable and nonplussed. He doesn’t miss a beat no matter what the judges toss our way.” She opens the door for me and I walk through. “Anyway, best of luck.”
“Same to you.” For the first time since the competition started, I’m not a hundred percent sure I mean that. I want to be the one to beat the Everhearts and for once, I have a little more confidence that I can.
When it’s our turn, the judges pick salt and pepper again. The uncle from the Ortiz family picks steak. Yes, perfect. Mama selects celery. Which, of course she does. It’s fine though. The next pick is tomato, then Wyatt selects jalapeno. The last Ortiz member picks mushrooms, so I select an oil and vinegar set.
With the ingredients laid before me, my mind runs through the possibilities. It needs to be something inspired but also needs to taste really good for our pedestrian judges. Ah, okay.
Chef Buccola starts with us first. “You have a glint in your eye. Do you know already?”
“Yes, Chef.” I’m wary of him because I still think there’s something going on between him and Knox, but he’s not judging this round and he can’t exactly sabotage me, so I tell him what I plan to make.
He nods, “Good choice.”
“Okay, Mama, make me a vinaigrette. Wyatt, come here and I’ll show you how to shave the jalapenos and mushrooms, and what to do with the tomatoes.”
I pick up my knives and think back to when I had Knox’s knives. When he’d substituted them in to save me. No wonder he thinks he can beat me with one hand tied behind his back. And maybe he can, but I’m ready today and this steak will be spectacular.
Dean Ellerson comes over next. “Hello, Rowan. Do you need any guidance?”
“I have it, Dean. Thank you. Maybe you can check on my brother. I’m not sure he’s shaved vegetables before.”
She nods and then goes over to where Wyatt is bent over a cutting board.
I slice the meat in thin sheets, almost see-through. Then I torch them ever so gently, barely breaking down the surface. When we’ve finished, we arrange the seared beef carpaccio with shaved jalapeno, mushrooms, and concentrated tomato on the platter to take downstairs. I decorate the plate with the celery leaves.
On their platter, Team Ortiz arrange pan-roasted steak with tomato confit and grilled jalapeno. It’s perfectly fine and something any home cook could serve.
I’m excited to go downstairs.
It’s interesting to watch the passersby rumple their eyebrows and try to figure out if it’s worth it to stop. Plenty do after seeing the cameras and it’s free food, so why not? By the time the last morsel is gone, eighty percent of the people like our offering more.
Back at our seats, my family marvel at our outing, all smiles.
Mama leans over and grabs my hand. “I don’t know what’s going to happen but you made me prouder today than I’ve ever been. And that’s saying a lot.”
“It’s not that big a deal.”
She squeezes my hand before letting go, her eyes misty. “You’re so talented.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
Wyatt says, “I concur. Great job. You were really in your element.”
It’s not anything more than I’ve done in school, but with cooking Lillie’s food and supporting her dream, they’ve never really seen me shine.
It felt great. I can hardly contain my smile.
*
Anxiety grips my stomach, twisting the knots already inside. I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for the results of our competition with the Ortiz family, and chance a glance at Knox. He’s perfectly still, features bland, not looking my way. Gazing at a studio wall from what I can tell. Seems like he should be happier, at least have a grin on his face. They already punched their ticket to the next round. I switch my gaze to Weston, who is smiling. He offers me a small nod, conveying his support.
When Lee and Aaron open the envelope, I look at Mama and Wyatt. She has schooled her face to a mask of disinterest and he is chewing on his lip, a little fidgety. This is the moment of truth and while I’m still euphoric over our win on the street below, the pasta mishap creeps back into my consciousness. It was not a simple mistake.
Lee says, “The family moving on to the final round of competition next month is…” She turns the slip of paper to Aaron who picks up with, “The Ortiz family. Congratulations.”
I sit in stunned silence while the Ortiz family jumps up from their seats, hugging one another. The defeated Warren family goes over to
