AU, characters in 20's. Be prepared for wackiness.
BB
BB
BB
Ken the cameraman started counting down with his fingers. "We're going live soon people!"
The hostess quickly downed her smoothie, not feeling the smidget of strawberry seeds on her cheek. "Ok Ken, let's hop to it!"
"Your cheek."
"Hmm? I already got blush on love."
"No, there's something on your -"
The red light turned on. Everyone stilled except for the hostess.
"Hello Cape Mary, I'm your hostess Sarah Dupont for 'Best Chef' - as if they'd trade me for someone else," the lady tittered behind a hand.
Just as quickly, her expression grew serious. But the lady's eyes betrayed her excitement, making the look not so intimidating. Add the strawberry seeds and it definitely ruined the image.
"If you're just joining us, we're streaming live in the final round where our contestants were asked to make a four coursed meal. We've had soup, we've had salad -and in some cases appetizers - we've even experienced our main entrees." She got extremely close to the camera. "And now we are down to dessert. But this won't be a cake in the park, ladies and gents. Veteran fans groan as a whole while the newbies tilt their heads in confusion."
She pointed over to the judges' table and cupped her mouth over to the camera. The camera zoomed in to get the image of a tall stoic man with a silver low ponytail. If he noticed the camera, he didn't show any sign of acknowledgement.
"That, loves, is three time pastry chef award winner Leon Oswald. Our previous course judges Mia Guillemo, Rosetta Passel, and even Kalos Eido - nicknamed the round crusher - pale in comparison to the standards of Monsieur Oswald's stern palate."
She looked over at the small kitchen area and then back at the camera.
"There is still time on the clock for our cooks. As a review, let's see who our three finalists are..."
The live streaming switched over to pre-recorded intros of the cooks.
"Hi all! I'm Anna Heart and I'm 24 years old. I just love comedic cooking. My signature is leaving a hidden surprise in every dish I make. Who said you had to be so serious when cooking? Haha. My dream is to win the cash prize and use it to open up a small store near the Comedy Club downtown." The young woman looked a little pensive. "My dad works there and I just want to get closer to him. He's worked non-stop since I was a kid..." She grinned and gave a thumbs up. "So root for me everyone!"
The live audience clapped.
"Hey. I'm May Wong, soon to be best chef." There was a murmuring in the background. May's face scrunched. "What do you mean, 'in what area'?! In every aspect stupid! That's what the best means! And what the hell do you need my age for, pervert?! This isn't a dating show!"
The clip cut off and then a much calmer May faced the screen.
"What I would do with the cash prize is invest half of it because, let's face it, that isn't enough to open and maintain a store. But it is starting money. With my skills and the recognition of this show, though, it shouldn't take too long for me to open a restaurant." May frowned and pointed a finger at where the interviewer behind the screen was. "And don't you dare ask me what kind of restaurant! It'll be a great one! I'm naming it 'Demon Spiral!" She settled back against the chair. "Keep your eyes peeled for when it opens."
The audience half clapped. They had mixed feelings about this one.
"Konnichiwa! I'm Sora Naegino!" The redhead leaned closer to the camera. "Demo, I can't hear what you're asking me to -Oh! My age! Haha! I thought you said 'my sage'! Well I'm 22, but my birthday's in a couple of months. So all you Sagittarius band together and lend me your support!" There was a pause as she considered the next question. "What I'd do with the prize...Well, I guess it's kind of selfish, but I want to have a food truck." She smiled widely. "I can't feed people if I'm stationary, right?"
A couple of people awwed. She was too cute.
"So let's win this together, hungry people!"
There was clapping and whistling.
Sarah's smiling, strawberry cheeked face was now on camera. "With such prospective candidates it's going to be a tough call, especially with Leon Oswald being the judge for this final, showstopping round."
The large clock in the kitchen rang out. Sarah quickly turned to look.
"Oh loves! That's it! Time is out! Contestants, step away from your dish and come forward when called." Sarah took a whiff of the air. "Mmm, just like Granny's kitchen. Right then. Anna, will you bring your dish up to the judges' table?"
"Right!"
Sarah waited until the plate was on the table. "So then. You were all asked to make classic desserts with your own twists. Anna, what did you choose?"
"Ok, so, Mr. Judge I've made a classic tart with passionfruit custard and raspberry jam on top."
Sarah grinned as Leon looked under the treat. "And your twist?"
"Bite into it and find out," Anna grinned.
Leon picked up the tart and then dropped it on the plate. "Your crust is too hard."
Anna blinked at that. She thought it had been just fine. "Ok."
He forked some of the middle. "Decent custard. " His eye twitched. "What is that sourness?"
Anna grinned. "I added a sour patch kid in the center."
"I don't like it."
Anna's grin waned. "Oh."
Leon wiped his mouth and raised his hand. Someone took Anna's plate away.
"Next."
Anna walked back to her station, slowing down a little when she got near Sora's. "I think he's an alien."
Sora slowly nodded. She had tried Anna's tart. It had been one of the most delicious treats she's ever had.
"Ah, yes. Thank you Anna! Save a tart for me love." Sarah winked. "Alright, May dear, come forward."
Her plate was placed in front of Leon. Before Sarah could ask, May jumped in.
"I made a roasted cinnamon pear on top of mascarpone cream. I added some expresso to the cream to give it a kick."
Leon nodded. "The smell is right." He cut his fork through the pear. "Slightly overcooked."
May took out a notepad. "How about the cinnamon ratio?"
"Needs more." He faintly glared at her. "I will not answer any other questions."
May stiffened a little but then relaxed. Shoot. She forgot where they were. Leon Oswald was not a person to be demanding answers from. Even she knew that.
He tasted some cream. "Good decision not to add liquid expresso."
She half grinned. She had gambled right.
"Tolerable."
Her grin waned. "Tolerable?" All that hard work and that was all she got?
He wiped his mouth and like before, someone took the plate. She opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it. His word was law around here. Aggravating him further would just make him give a worse review. She's seen it in the previous season. You can hardly taste correctly if you're upset, after all.
May turned around and then allowed the frown to appear on her face.
Sora gulped. She was next. She looked down at her treat and then mentally shook her head. Her treat was good. She's made this millions of times. She had nothing to worry about.
"Sora love, come up."
"Hai!"
She brought her covered plate up with a smile. Leon quirked a brow. Whatever it was, it was tall.
"What did you make for us Sora?"
"I made..." with a flourish, she took the cloth off of the plate, "S'mores cake in a jar!"
Sarah peered at the treat. Well, that was new.
"I refuse."
The whole place was silent.
"What?"
Leon pushed the plate aside. "It's no good."
"But you haven't even tried it!"
"I don't need to," he half sneered.
Sora leaned over the table, pointing a finger in his face. "Listen, baka, I didn't spend all this time making it perfect just for you to deny it on sight!"
He crossed his arms as frost covered his eyes. "Security."
"H-Hey, where'd you guys come fro - get your hands off of me! I'm competing! Heeeeyyyy!"
Sarah blinked at the scene. "Uh. We're down to two then." She turned back to the camera. "After this commercial break, we'll see who will be given the title 'Best Chef'!"
The camera zoomed out and over the audience. Over the music, viewers could faintly hear Leon Oswald telling Sarah to get rid of the strawberry on her cheek.
Sarah covered her cheek in horror. Why didn't anyone tell her?!
BB
BB
BB
AN: So. As far as I can tell, this will be a two or three shot story. Once it's done, it's done. XD This idea has been bothering me for so long, I just had to get it out.