A/N: My cat is having surgery tomorrow and I am not sure how that is going to affect her clinginess to me. The next chapter might be delayed. I will try my best to still have the chapter published on Tuesday but my fur baby comes first.
Crime Scene Kitchen
Chapter 3, Let the Competition Begin
Thursday night came faster than any of them could have imagined. They reported to the campus a few minutes before five as instructed. They entered the Culinary Arts area and had a seat at their assigned table. They took off their jackets and coats and made themselves comfortable.
At 5 PM sharp, the teacher, Miss Sharon Wilson, let them know that she had decided to disperse the remaining students to the teams. Each team received three more students that would assist the lead student. They would be responsible for gathering supplies for the team and keeping track of the time. Each team had a wagon with a cover on it to get supplies. There were enough supplies of various ingredients so that even if every team was making the same recipe, they would be okay.
Sharon put the department names in a bowl and drew a name so she could assign team numbers. "We will now assign team numbers." She reached into the bowl and drew the first department name and announced, "Team 1 will be the Major Crimes Unit." She continued drawing department names until all teams had been assigned. "Team 2, Vice; Team 3 Homicide; Team 4 Headquarters; Team 5 the Drug Unit and Team 6 Patrol. These numbers will decide the order of visiting the Crime Scene Kitchen tonight and your kitchen space number. The numbers will stay the same throughout the entire competition. Because there are six teams the competition will last five weeks. One team will be eliminated each week. The fifth week we will see the last two teams facing off against each other. Once you enter the Crime Scene Kitchen your three-minute timer will begin. Your three-hour timer will begin as soon as you are back in your kitchen. The ending times will be staggered as not everyone can view the Crime Scene Kitchen at the same time. Are you all ready to begin?"
All teams replied 'yes' and nodded their heads. Sharon said, "Please, all team members report to your kitchens." She waited for all of the teams to be in place and then she said, "Team 1 please report to the Crime Scene Kitchen to begin your observation time." Team 1 approached the kitchen and as they entered the kitchen one of their students started their 3-minute timer. As Team 1 left, the staff reset the clues in the kitchen and then the next team was invited in. That process was followed until all six teams had gone through the Crime Scene Kitchen. On average a team was going through the kitchen every five minutes. One student was responsible for timing the team's time in the Crime Scene Kitchen. Another student was responsible for starting the three-hour timer when the team returned to their kitchen.
What Will We Be Cookin'
Team 1, Major Crimes
When Mike got back to the kitchen, he asked all the members of his team to list what they discovered in the Crime Scene Kitchen. They talked to each other while they were in there but he wanted to refresh their memory of what they had seen while they were in there, so that they could identify what they needed to be baking. Mike, Sally and Cami chatted for a few minutes before they decided on Lemon Chiffon Pie. They notified their student leader who in turn gave them several recipes to select from and they ordered their ingredients.
Team 2, Vice
Gen, Clarence and Robert each stated what they saw in the Crime Scene Kitchen and then they collectively decided they were going to bake a Sacher Torte. They notified their student leader who in turn gave them several recipes to select from and they ordered their ingredients. The student leader gather the other students and they went and retrieved the requested ingredients. While the students were gathering the ingredients, Gen, Clarence and Robert got out the kitchen items they would need to make their Sacher Tote.
Team 3, Homicide
Jane, Maura and Frost walked back into their kitchen and Jane immediately said, "Man that was tougher than I thought it would be. I did notice some things though. I saw cake pans in the dishwasher and chocolate remnants and powdered sugar on the counter."
"Ya, I saw that also, plus eggs and pastry cream in the sink." Frost added.
"There were pie pans out but they had not been used, also there were almonds dipped in chocolate on the counter. I think we are looking at the leftover mess from a Boston Cream Pie. What do you two think?" Maura asked. Jane and Frost nodded in agreement and Maura then told their student team member who handed her three different recipes for Boston Cream Pie. Maura, Jane and Frost quickly reviewed the recipes and decided on one, and then Maura provided their student leader with a list of ingredients to gather for them. Once the ingredients arrived Maura gave Jane and Frost their tasks.
Team 4, Headquarters
Penny, Shea and Lisa had been meeting at Penny's house each evening after work to go over their plan of attack for the competition. They had decided they would each go through the entire kitchen very carefully. The each spotted the same items in the kitchen and agreed they would make a Dacquoise. They notified their student leader who in turn gave them several recipes to select from and they ordered their ingredients. Penny had made a Dacquoise before so she was quite comfortable with it. It had been on the list of items that they thought might appear during the competition.
Team 5, The Drug Unit
Angela led her group's discussion. "What did you see in the kitchen Susie?"
"I saw the eggs and pastry cream in the sink?" Susie quickly responded.
"How about you Riley, what did you see?" Angela said as she glanced over at Riley.
"I noticed the almond slices with chocolate on them and powdered sugar on the counter and there were raspberries in the refrigerator but they didn't seem to have been used." Riley replied.
"Well, I noticed that there were pie tins that had not been used but the cake pans had been used. I think they might have been trying to tell us something with the pie tins and cake pans, maybe something like Boston Cream Pie, which is actually a cake not a pie."
"Oh, that is an excellent point, Angela." Susie stated as she smiled at Angela.
"So, you think it's a Boston Cream Pie?" Riley asked Angela.
"I do. Are you two okay with that?" Angela asked. Susie and Riley nodded their heads and Riley motioned for their student team member to come over.
"We would like to go with Boston Cream Pie." Riley told their student leader.
The student team member handed her three recipes for Boston Cream Pie. They quickly reviewed the recipes and gave a list of ingredients to the student team member, who left with the other students to retrieve their ingredients. When the students came back with the ingredients, Riley took charge and divided the tasks.
Team 6, Patrol
Sam, Hailey and Gwendolyn decided based on the clues to make a Bakewell Tart. They notified their student leader who in turn gave them several recipes to select from and they ordered their ingredients. When the students returned with the ingredients, they began making their Bakewell Tart.
During The Bake
Team 3, Homicide
Maura asked Jane, "Jane, can you turn the oven on to 350 degrees?"
"Sure babe." Jane responded as she walked over to the oven to complete that task.
"Barry, can you help me unload the ingredients and place them along the edge of the counter top?" Maura asked Frost.
"Yes, I would love to assist you with that." Frost replied.
"Maur, want me to get the 10-inch cake pan?" Jane asked as she reached for the cake pan knowing Maura would say yes.
"Yes love, that would be perfect." Maura answered as she and Frost finished unloading the ingredients from the wagon.
"We will start with the sponge cake first as it needs to cool completely before we continue." Maura said as they all looked over the recipe. Frost and Jane started gathering the ingredients they would need and the measuring devices while Maura greased the cake pan. It only took a couple of minutes to prepare the sponge cake and then they put it into the oven. While the cake cooked, they prepared the pastry cream and the chocolate frosting.
When the cake had cooled sufficiently, Maura carefully cut it in half and Frost spread the cooled pastry cream over one layer and then Jane topped it with the second layer. The whole time Jane was telling jokes and trying to keep the air around them joyful and fun. The three of them were having fun and laughing.
Maura started working on the frosting as Jane was adjusting the second layer and smoothing things out between the two cake layers. They had practiced setting layers of cake on top of each other and Jane had perfected her technique during their practice sessions. Frost had perfected the spreading of creams and icings so they made quite a great team. Jane, Maura and Frost were working well together. They felt confident that they could win this competition.
Maura had taken the time during their practice sessions to teach Jane and Frost about the different types of flours and sugars. She thought that was important for them to know. Flour wasn't just flour, each type had its purpose. Details like that would make a difference. If you used the wrong type of flour, it would cause your item being baked to turn out differently.
There was five minutes left in the competition and they still had to finish the icing and place the almonds on the side of the cake. Jane asked Maura, "Maur, why do they call it a Boston Cream Pie, if it is a cake?"
"It was originally a creation for the Parker House hotel and was created for the opening of the hotel in 1856. Back then pie tins were a common kitchen item and they called it a chocolate cream pie. It became so popular they changed the name to Boston Cream Pie. It is also the official dessert of Massachusetts."
They continued to talk as they all placed the almonds around the cake and finished the webbing look on top of the cake. There were all smiles as their timer went off, their cake was ready to be judged.
Team 5, Drug Unit
"Angela and Susie can you gather the pans and bowls we will need?" Riley asked.
"Of course." Angela answered as she and Susie looked in the cabinets to gather the required pans and bowls.
"Can you guys make the pastry cream? I will make the cake and get that in the oven." Riley questioned.
Riley mixed the cake ingredients and when she went to turn the mixer on, she didn't realize that the setting was on high and when she turned it on the flour flew everywhere. Riley quickly turned it off but she was covered in flour. Angela shrieked and Susie laughed. The sight of Riley covered in flour was funny, Susie was doubled over in laughter.
Angela stopped what she was doing and came over to assist Riley. They needed to start the cake batter all over again. Angela took over while Riley cleaned up the best she could. When Riley returned to the mixer Angela went back to working on the pastry dough with Susie.
The rest of the time went by without incident. Riley was so happy when their cake was completed. Although they had some difficulties with it.
Judgement Time
Sharon called the teams up one at a time to review what they had made. The school had provided partitions to keep others from seeing what they had baked until it was time for the item to be judged. When Riley walked out from her kitchen everyone could tell that she had flour all over her. Maura put her hand up to her mouth. Jane and Frost were quietly laughing. They tried to hold it back but couldn't. The other teams were also quietly laughing.
Riley knew they would be laughing at her so she walked up to Sharon and asked, "Can I speak to my coworkers?" Sharon said 'yes' and Riley said, "Look I had an accident with the mixer and flour, go ahead get the laughter out, so we can go on with our competition." She looked directly at Jane, "Go ahead Rizzoli, I know you have a smartass comment for me. Let me hear it." Jane thought about saying something but looked at Maura who shook her head from side to side. Jane knew it wouldn't be professional and this was still a work function so she refrained. She really did want to give Riley crap though, she would just have to wait. Riley sat back with her team and Sharon continue with the program.
Team 1, Major Crimes was called up first. They baked a Lemon Chiffon Pie. They felt that the pie pans were a hint that it was a pie and didn't pay attention to the fact that the pie tins weren't used. They thought they smelled lemon in the pot. The pie didn't set, the lemon filling was tasty but it was soupy.
Team 2, Vice made a Sacher Torte, a flourless chocolate cake. They saw the almonds with chocolate and the chocolate ganache and decided it was a Sacher Torte. It was very delicious and very rich.
Team 3, Homicide made a Boston Cream Pie it was beautifully done and even included a spider at the side of the webbing for decoration. The sponge was flavorful but a little dense and the ratio of ganache on top was great.
Team 4, Headquarters made a Dacquoise. It was very nicely done and delicious. Sharon was surprised that it was so beautiful for the time limit that had been set. It had a nice crisp shell on the meringue. It was soft and chewy, simply amazing.
Team 5, Drug Unit also made a Boston Cream Pie. The cake tasted great however the presentation was bad, it was very messy. When Sharon cut into the cake, she could tell that the cake had crumbled.
Team 6, Patrol made a Bakewell Tart. They didn't have enough time to let it cool down properly so they left the dessert in the tart pan for the presentation as they felt the tart would fall apart if they removed it from the pan. They thought the raspberries were to be included in the dessert. The crust was nice and thick. The icing tasted like glue though.
Gen Booker stepped up and asked Sharon if she could speak. Sharon said, "I have finished commenting on all of the desserts and Lieutenant Booker would like to take a minute and speak to all the teams."
Gen addressed all the teams and said, "I would like to invite all of the teams to the Dirty Robber tomorrow night at 5:30 PM to celebrate the completion of our first round of competition. I think it would be appropriate for the winning team to buy the eliminated team their first round. Can each team agree to that?" Each team nodded their approval and Gen stepped back down and sat with her team.
After Gen's comment Sharon revealed what the mystery baked item was, it was a Boston Cream Pie. She then went over the clues that were left in the Crime Scene Kitchen and told them what should have led them to a Boston Cream Pie. She said, "The first item was the pastry cream on the spoon and pot in the sink. The next clue was the cake pan in the drying rack. The paper label was still on the 3-pack of pie tins meaning they had not been used. The melted chocolate in the bowl was evident of the chocolate icing used. The raspberries were in a full and closed container in the refrigerator and therefore had not been used. The circle of sliced almonds and frosting on the parchment paper should have given you the clue that almonds were placed on the outside of the cake and the toothpick was dragged across the icing making the spider web pattern."
After all the oohs and ahs, she continued, "Although two teams came up with Boston Cream Pie, one team's dessert matched the mystery dessert better and therefore the winner of this round is Team 3, Homicide." Jane hugged Maura and Frost. She was thinking 'take that Riley Cooper.'
After a brief pause, Sharon said, "Unfortunately, we must also eliminate one team and two teams are safe from elimination having made the correct dessert, Teams 3 and 5. The rest of the teams are not safe." She looked at her students and then at the remaining teams and said, "After consulting with the scoresheets and the students we decided that Team 6, Patrol would be eliminated tonight. The deciding factor was leaving the dessert in the pan during the presentation. Thank you for participating and you are welcome to join us each night of the competition to root the other teams on. Thank you everyone this concludes our evening. See you next Thursday at 5 PM for our second round."
After the Competition
Team 3, Homicide
On the way home Maura told Jane and Barry, "Thank you, you both did a wonderful job tonight and I thought we worked well as a team." Frost had rode to BCU with Jane and Maura as they had left directly from work. So, Jane drove them back to the station to allow Frost to pick up his car. He would see them at work in the morning.
"Jane, thank you for not commenting when Riley called you out. I know you wanted to give her a piece of your mind, but this competition is a work function and that would not have been appropriate, just as it was not appropriate for her to call you out." Maura stated.
Frost said he didn't want to comment until he had a chance to replay things in his mind and get some sleep. He had been nervous about the competition and didn't get that much sleep the night before. Jane and Maura were fine with that. They would see him at work the next day and would speak before they went to the Dirty Robber to meet up with the other teams. Right now, they had some celebrating to do.
Jane ordered some new items that she wanted to share with Maura. Maura was looking forward to seeing what Jane had purchased. When they got home Jane presented Maura with a box. Maura carefully unwrapped the box and found sexy lingerie. "It's beautiful Jane, thank you!"
Jane said, "I know it won't stay on long and it will look great on you and even better on the floor. I also got us this." Jane gave her another box with three different vibrating toys. They had looked at toys and these were some on the list that Maura said she would be willing to try. She also purchased a new harness as their other one was showing signs of wear.
Maura had a huge smile on her face as she went into her closet and changed into her new lingerie. Jane had a bigger smile when Maura walked into the bedroom and showed her how much she truly appreciated her new gifts. Maura proceeded to kiss Jane passionately and started removing Jane's clothes. Jane assisted Maura in removing her sexy lingerie. Jane smirked as the new lingerie found its way to the floor, "Why are you smirking, love?"
"The lingerie looks great on the floor just as I suspected. You looked so beautiful in it, but I would also like to show you how much I appreciate you." They proceeded to appreciate each other for some time before falling asleep snuggled up together.
Team 5, Drug Unit
After the first round of the competition ended and all the other teams had left the building Riley and her team went out to Riley's cruiser and had a long talk in the parking lot before driving back to the precinct to pick up their cars. Riley had driven everybody to BCU. They decided they needed to communicate more while preparing their dessert.
Angela was a little upset. She didn't know why their cake didn't set as well. It was crumbly when they went to slice it. The consistency was like cornbread. The only thing she could figure out is that it had too much gluten, meaning it was mixed too much. Riley had mixed the cake. Angela told Riley, "We need to be careful with beating our cake batter." Angela was not placing blame she was just making a statement. Riley had never made a cake before and therefore she over beat the batter, not knowing that it could cause the cake to crumble. This was only the first round and they are still in the competition so all is good.
Riley freely admitted, "I may have not measured the ingredients correctly in my haste to make up for the time we lost by me putting all the flour in at once and turning on the mixer."
"Riley, thank you for admitting that but please measure correctly and follow the instructions. You have to add the flour a little at a time to get it to mix properly." Angela stated.
Angela asked if she could take charge of dishing out the tasks. She was the most experienced on the team. They all agreed that Angela should lead the team and they decided to meet and go over reading recipes and how to do basic functions. Riley thought that she could handle this and that it was simple but she admitted she was a little out of her element. "Please don't tell Jane. I never would have entered this competition if I didn't think I could beat her, and I thought by having the two of you it wouldn't be an issue, but I forgot I am not that great of a cook. So, thank you ladies for your assistance."
Angela said, "You know you shouldn't just enter a competition with the intent of beating my daughter. I know you two have no love between you, but she is a decent human being and just loves to compete."
"I know, but I love to try and beat her. She is so God damn competitive and wins most of the things she attempts." Riley stated as she smiled at Angela. "I challenge myself to be as good as her at things." Riley admitted. As soon as they got back to the precinct Susie grabbed her coat and headed to her car.She wanted to get home and this conversation was making her a little uncomfortable. Jane was her supervisor's wife and she considered her a friend. She was second guessing herself for agreeing to be on Riley's team. She knows Maura said it was okay but Riley really wanted to beat Jane and Susie just wanted to have fun and enjoy the competition for as long as she was in it.
After a few minutes they agreed on what time to meet at Riley's apartment on Monday evening. They would meet the other teams at the Dirty Robber Friday night and then take the weekend off. Angela was going to teach them both how to make a cake. She had a feeling that another cake might appear in the competition. She wanted them both to know how to beat the batter and slice a cake in half. It was too late for the Boston Cream Pie competition but other cakes might require the same techniques. Even if they lost the overall competition, Angela would feel better knowing that the two ladies gained some techniques from it.