''Ten minutes left ladies and gentlemen!''
Santana's eyebrows raise in surprise as she watches her wife catch a shaker Marley threw in her direction and glances at Nicolas as she watches Brittany shake it and often throw it up and catching it behind her back while she also helps Kitty decorate the plates.
Nicolas chuckles and shrugs. ''Why are we surprised mommy knows how to shake drinks?'' He asks curiously as he notices everyone watching his mommy in surprise.
''Marls!'' Santana shrugs turning back to her wife as she hears her loud voice and chuckles as she watches her throw the emergency lighter she still carries around in her direction, she rubs Quinton's stomach as he leans back against her smiling as she watches Oliver cuddle in Puck's arms and turns back to watch her wife set the table.
''Whoa what is that?'' Abi asks in surprise as she watches Brittany pour three small glasses with colorful liquid, Santana shrugs her shoulders and chuckles.
''I have no idea, but it looks amazing.''
''Two minutes left!''
Santana smiles as Brittany just hugs Marley and Kitty after they all washed their hands and smiles as they swap their cook jackets for formal black executive chef jackets with the name of their restaurant. ''Time is up, hands away!'' She watches her wife, Marley and Kitty just turn to look at the other competitors, she turns to their family and chuckles.
''They are so calm, it's insane.''
''I don't think we ever saw her stress in the kitchen.'' Maribel breaths out in amusement as the jury walks out.
''So before we start, competitors will you please tell us the country you picked and why?'' Kathryn turns to Brittany and smiles. ''Let's start with the winners from the past nine years, this years win will make the ten full, Young, Wild and Crazy Grills what country did you pick and why?.''
Brittany chuckles and links her fingers behind her back. ''We picked the country Spain.'' She replies with a kind smile. ''Both lovely ladies beside me allowed me to pick the country and I picked Spain because not only is my wife a Latina but my in laws and their parents moved here from Spain before my wife and sister and law were born so in some way I also wanted to honor them because without them I would have never met the love of my life and have the loving family I have now.''
''That's adorable.'' Kathryn breaths out with a loving smile. ''And Spanish children are beautiful.''
''They really are.'' Brittany agrees.
''Alright Duck in The hat what country did you pick?''
''We picked the Netherlands and we picked it because we kinda love that country.''
Santana snickers as she watches her wife's eyebrow raise in surprise and shakes her head. ''Britt knows that, that short answer will cause them to ask more about the recipes.'' She turns back to the stage as they just hum and rolls her eyes as the other team just tells the country they picked but not the reason and chuckles as she notices her wife just relax back against the table behind her. ''She feels quite sure today.''
''She does.'' Puck agrees.
''Alright ladies and gentlemen, let's taste.'' Kathryn announces. ''Duck in the hat can you tell us more about your recipe choices?''
Brittany glances at Kitty and Marley as the restaurateur stutters over his words and sighs. ''I feel kinda bad for them but I also ask myself how the fuck someone can join a competition like this unprepared.''
''Yeah we ask ourselves that too B.'' Marley murmurs as they all watch Kathryn subtly turn around to spit out something she tried, they watch her walk over to the next restaurateur and smile as she glances at them.
''We all know what that look means.'' Kitty muses.
''Let's hope they love everything we made.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling, she slowly steps forward with her hands still behind her back as Kathryn leads the jury over and smiles as they greet her with a nod of their head.
''Brittany.'' Kathryn greets with a grin. ''What did you prepare for us?''
''As an appetizer we decided to serve gazpacho and for people that don't like much cold vegetables we picked cold tomato soup with cheese, garlic and herbs breadsticks.'' She waits till they all tried both appetizers smiling as she hears their soft hums and follows them to the main course.
''For the main course we picked Spanish chicken, which is chicken thighs with chorizo and white beans in a red wine sauce and Spanish meatballs a mix of ground beef and pork, three sorts of Spanish paprika sweet, hot and smoky and we simmered the meatballs in a tomato sauce.'' She smiles as they nod their heads hanging on to every word and licks her lips. ''We recommend the chicken with Spanish rice and the meatballs with the patatas bravas.''
''This is delicious.'' One of the woman standing beside Kathryn breaths out covering her mouth. ''The three of you definitely know your way around with the seasonings, everything is perfectly seasoned and the chicken falls apart with the softest touch.''
''These are two outstanding dishes Brittany.'' One of the man compliments with a grin. ''You surprise us every year with the recipes you pick.''
''Thank you.'' Brittany breaths out.
''Alright on to the drinks.'' Kathryn announces.
Brittany steps aside knowing Marley walks up to them a just nods her head to Marley. ''Mrs Wilde, what drinks did you pick this year?''
''For the adults we picked Sangria to go with the Spanish meatballs, Rebujito with fresh lemon and Lime soda to go with the chicken and Mezcal.'' Marley explains pausing as everyone takes a sip. ''And for the children we picked three specialties we also serve at the restaurant.''
''Sangria sweet and sour with fresh lemons and strawberry.'' She taps the tall glass with red liquid and yellow and red fruit in it.'' She taps the glass beside it and clears her throat. ''A mango lemon margarita with fresh mint.''
''And our restaurateurs specialty, she is also the only one who can make this drink this beautiful.'' She continues as she taps the beautiful long glass filled with brown liquid and colorful glitter. ''This is a chocolate colada with edible glow in the dark glitter.'' She smiles as the lights go down after a voice announced it and low fives Brittany before the lights go back on as she hears nothing but surprised and amazed murmurs.
''And what did you pick as a dessert?'' One of the man ask as the light turn back on.
''Each one of us picked one dessert out and prepared it ourselves too.'' Kitty informs them with a grin. ''Marley.'' She mentions her hand to her wife. ''Decided to prepare buñuelos, those are sweet, tender and fluffy fritters filled with custard and dusted with powdered sugar.''
''I decided to prepare crema Catalana.'' Kitty continues after they tasted Marley's dessert choice. ''That is the Spanish version of crème brulee.''
''And Brittany decided to prepare Flan, a traditional Spanish dessert.''
''It's baked custard topped with caramel.'' Brittany adds as Kitty turns to look at her, she steps back as they inform them that they will vote now and leans back against the table.
''We got this.'' Kitty whispers as she notices the jury pointing at them more than once as servers walk over to grab plates for the audience to try, Brittany hums turning to look at their family and bites her lip as Quinton looks at her with a pout.
''QT want to come over.'' She breaths out nervously biting her lip, she locks eyes with Santana and quickly taps her own head hoping she gets the hint.
''Is he sick?'' Marley asks knowing QT needs Britt's closeness whenever he has an hyper fit or feels under the weather.
''Yeah he woke up complaining about a sore throat.'' Brittany breaths out, she crouches down as soon as she watched Santana place a cap on QT's head and whistles their family whistle. She nods her head as Quinton looks at her with a doubtful look and smiles as he sprints over, she stands back up easily hoisting him up with her and kisses his head as he nuzzles his face against her neck with a yawn.
''How is your throat Smiley?'' She asks softly as she rubs his back.
''Hurts.'' Quinton whimpers, Brittany pouts walking behind the table and grabs a tiny rest of a lemon, she squirts a bit of the juice on a table spoon and grabs the honey they used to sweeten the children sangria.
''Take this baby.'' She whispers holding it up to his lips, she kisses his temple as he takes it without questioning it and adjusts her hold on him as she quickly cleans the spoon.
''Brittany is everything alright?''
She turns around as she hears Kathryn's voice and smiles slightly, she calmly runs her thumb over Quinton's thigh as he shyly hides his face against her neck and slowly nods her head. ''Yeah he just doesn't feel that will, is it alright if he stays with me?''
''Of course but I thought you didn't want to have them on screen.'' Kathryn murmurs with a kind grin.
''He will keep his face hidden.'' She looks down at Quinton as she nods her head knowing the commercial break will be over soon and lifts his cap to kiss his forehead. ''The camera's will be back on soon, place keep your face hidden okay?''
''I will mommy.''
She walks back around the table as the commentator welcomes the viewers back and leans against the table in between Marley and Kitty. ''Restaurateurs could you step forward please?'' She steps forward as she feels Quinton's heated face nuzzle into the crook of her neck and stands beside the other two restaurateurs.
''Before we start, may I ask who that adorable little guy is?'' Jasmine one of the TV cooks asks with a grin.
''Quinton.'' Brittany replies with a grin as she rubs Quinton's back. ''One of our twin boys, his brothers are sitting in the audience with our family.''
''And he needed mommy's cuddles?'' Jasmine asks with an adoring grin after glancing over to the Young Wild and Crazy side.
''Yeah he mostly does when he doesn't feel that well.''
''Let's start with our review so the little one can enjoy his mommy's cuddles at home.'' Kathryn tells everyone as they coo, she turns to her colleague Jack and smiles. ''Jack?''
Brittany runs calming circles on Quinton's back with her thumb as she listens to the jury's review on both restaurants they tasted before hers and gently feels his neck as she feels him cough, she glances at Santana quickly mouthing 'fever' and turns to the jury as Kathryn calls her name.
''Brittany.''
''Mrs Rhodes.'' She replies formally with a grin, Kathryn shakes her head and chuckles.
''I thought we were past formality after you came here nine years in a row to defend your title.''
''And defending you did.'' Jasmine compliments. ''Brittany this is my first year standing here for the James Beard award but Kathryn and Jack tried all your amazing recipes the past nine years, the day they invited me they praised the current carrier of the award, the restaurant that won nine times in a row and I just had to join them up here to try and see is their praises were justified.''
''And?'' Jack asks as he turns to look at her with a grin, Jasmine just shakes her head and laughs.
''Your praises didn't even reach the heavenly recipes I tried today.'' She tells them honestly. ''I observed all three competitors today but.'' She locks eyes with Brittany and chuckles. ''I have to praise the ability you have that makes you work so amazingly together under pressure, the three of you started off almost immediately not once discussing something and went to work.''
''Jasmine is right, aside from watching the three of you laugh and joke around while you focused on your tasks I don't think you mentioned whatever you were doing once unless we asked.''
''How do you manage to work so perfectly together?'' Jasmine asks curiously.
''Marley and Kitty are the manager and co-manager of my restaurant, I promoted them after my wife fell pregnant and they run the restaurant ever since.'' Brittany informs her. ''The three of us started the restaurant together with a friend who sadly passed away during the fire at our old location.''
She pauses as everyone gasps softly and smiles sadly. ''He was our executive chef and he will be forever missed, but we honored him at our new location and the private section for celebrities carries his name.''
She licks her lips as they nod their heads and smiles. ''We opened the restaurant almost twelve years ago and working so long together causes a bond that is indescribable, I may not stand in the kitchen at my restaurant anymore and only handle the paperwork for them so I can focus on my family but we often meet up and cook or mix drinks together so we keep up the strong bond not only the three of us have but the whole crew has.''
Kathryn nods her head and smiles. ''Do you remember what I told you the very first time?''
''That you are afraid because what we deliver is something a three star restaurant normally offers?'' Brittany asks.
''Exactly.'' Kathryn confirms. ''Now ten years later I can't tell you that because you have the three stars you definitely deserve Brittany, your restaurant started small but right now you are the best restaurant in LA.''
''Cali.'' Jack corrects, Kathryn nods her her head and chuckles.
''Right sorry, you currently run the best restaurant in Cali.'' She corrects. ''But I was right.'' She chuckles as Brittany frowns in confusion and huffs.
''I checked yelp during the commercial break, you kicked my restaurant down to second place Brittany. You are currently running the best reviewed restaurant on almost every restaurant rating website, the first time I tasted your ribs I knew I would never find a restaurant that could make it like you do and I am right I tried so many ribs but yours are still my all time favorite and I am bummed you don't share the recipe.''
Brittany chuckles and smiles sheepishly as Jack immediately agrees. ''It's the Lopez family recipe.'' She informs them. ''Only my wife, our eldest and I know the complete recipe everyone else just receives a glass with our family recipe seasoning without knowing what's in it.''
''Do you sell it?'' Jack asks curiously, Brittany shakes her head and laughs.
''No and I won't start selling it either, the restaurant received the mix after I prepared it for them so Kitty doesn't know what's in it either she only knows the allergies.''
''I think you notice what we try to say right?'' Jasmine asks with a grin as Jack and Kathryn just sigh, she steps forward as Brittany tilts her head and holds up the James Beard one hundred competition trophy. ''Brittany this is your tenth win in a row and I can't wait to see how far you will kick it, Young, Wild and Crazy grills well earned winner of this beautiful one hundred competition trophy!''
Brittany takes the trophy from her as she hears her family cheer the loudest and thanks her with a kind grin, she hands Kitty the trophy as she slides beside her with Marley and shakes Jasmine's hand still keeping her strong hold around Quinton fast asleep with his face against her neck. ''Thank you Jasmine.''
''That's not all though.'' Kathryn announces as she walks over, she holds up a check with Jack and smiles. ''You are also the winner of twenty-thousand dollars Brittany, any ideas what you will do with the money?''
Marley clears her throat as Brittany nudges her and smiles. ''We will expend the restaurant.'' She informs them with a grin. ''We often receive the request for live music or karaoke nights, so with the money we won we will expend our restaurant and make that wish happen.''
''Let us know as soon as it's done, we will come by.'' Kathryn tells her with a grin.
''We will.'' Brittany promises as she also shakes their hands.
''We have one more thing before the show will end.'' Jack announces as everyone stands up, he turns to Brittany as everyone silences down and smiles. ''Brittany you know what I do aside from running my restaurant right?''
''I do yes, you are one of the inspectors visiting restaurants with a group of other inspectors to try and decide if they are star worthy or not.'' Brittany replies.
''That is correct.'' He smiles as Marley and Kitty just pat Brittany's back and licks his lips.
''My group visited your restaurant four or five times the past six months.'' He informs her, he takes a gold shield one of the stage hands brings over and locks eyes with Brittany. ''How many stars does Michelin hand out?''
''Three.'' Brittany replies in confusion, he nods his head once again and turns the shield in his hands.
''How many do you see here?''
''Four.'' Brittany breaths out the confusion clear in her voice as she reads the name of her restaurant and the year they opened on it.
Kathryn chuckles and nudges Jack. ''Stop confusing her Jack.'' She tells him as she hears the exited murmur around her, Jack laughs and steps forward holding the shield out for Brittany.
''Brittany we visited your restaurant so often because several of my fellow restaurateurs went to your restaurant and informed me that it got even better, after ordering almost everything off of the menu I had to agree with them because every dish was a piece of art and absolutely amazing.''
''So after brainstorming and making a view calls.'' He continues as Marley takes the shield from him so Brittany has her hand free and smiles. ''We agreed that there is only one way to show everyone that what you grounded, what you created and what you still keep going on is a one of a kind sensation.''
''Long story short.'' He breaths out. ''Congratulations young, wild and crazy grills you are the first restaurant worldwide that has four stars to their name.''
Santana's jaw drops as she watches Brittany just blink in surprise and turns to their family. ''Holy shit.'' She whispers after covering Oli's ears.
''Did she just..'' Puck cuts himself off and shakes his head with a proud smile. ''I'll be fucking damned.'' He whispers as everyone stands up to clap.
Nicolas wraps his arms around his mami smiling as his girlfriend just joins him and kisses her head. ''Mommy reached that what other highly rated restaurant didn't manage to succeed in.'' He breaths out.
''She can't believe it either.'' Maribel murmurs with a soft adoring chuckle as she watches Marley and Kitty hug Brittany tightly as the camera lights go out.
''She looks shocked as fuck.'' Quinn agrees snickering.
''Come on.'' Liv breaths out as the jury tells family and friends that they can come down, Santana adjusts her hold on Oliver as she follows their family down the steps and smiles lovingly as they one by one hug Brittany tightly and congratulate the three women.
She places Oliver in Nicolas's arms after he congratulated his mommy and slides up to her wife after kissing Marley's and Kitty's cheek softly congratulating them, she wraps her arms around her wife's waist placing one hand on Quinton's thigh as he continues napping in her hold and pecks her lips. ''I am so fucking proud of you Britt-Britt.'' She whispers after making sure Quinton is really asleep. ''Congratulations baby.''
''Thank you love.'' Brittany whispers as she drops her head on her shoulder. ''I can't believe it.''
''You just made the impossible, possible sis.'' Puck tells her proudly.
''Mrs Lopez, Mrs & Mrs Wilde do you have time for a picture for the LA times?''
Santana gently takes Quinton from Brittany as she watches her wife nod her head and pecks her lips. ''We will wait here mi amor.'' She whispers softly, she smiles as she nods her head and watches her walk over to Kathryn, Jasmine and Jack with the four star gold shield in her hand.
''It will take a while for the news to settle in.'' She muses softly. ''I don't think Kitty and Marley believe it either.''
She smiles as everyone just hums in agreement and rubs Quinton's back feeling the heat he oozes off, she turns her head to look at her parents after watching her wife pose for a couple of pictures and sighs. ''QT has a fever, can we go to our house instead of Santa?''
''We can I will call Maria that they have to drive to your house.'' Emilio breaths out, he reaches out to feel Quinton's temperature and sighs. ''He feels quite hot but it's still low.''
''I know.'' Santana whispers, she turns her head as she feels arms wrap around her waist and smiles as bright blue orbs lock on her own. ''Party at our house instead of Santa?''
''Yeah QT needs his bed.'' Brittany murmurs. ''Marley and Kitty will join us.''
''Let's go so QT can sleep.'' Abi breaths out, Brittany nods her head grabbing the trophy they received and follows her wife out of the building after wishing everyone a nice night. She unlocks her car watching Santana as she places Quinton in his seat and slides into the drivers seat after everyone jumped in their respective cars.
She leans her head back as she pulls out of the driveway and turns the radio down, she glances in the rear view mirror as she hears Quinton cough and sighs. ''Let's hope you won't catch it Cheeky.''
She smiles as he just nods his head in agreement while watching his brother with a pout and concentrates on the road with a yawn, Santana laughs softly and lifts their intertwined hands up to her lips to kiss the back of Brittany's hand. ''Will you take a nap with QT?''
''Maybe.'' Brittany murmurs chuckling. ''Too much things happened at once today.''
''You don't even know how proud we are mommy.'' Nicolas breaths out with a proud smile playing on his lips. ''You run the best restaurant worldwide and you won the James Beard Award ten times in a row!''
''I think that calls for celebration.'' Santana agrees. ''When will you tell the crew?''
''Marls and Kitty will drive to them before joining us, I will all invite them out after QT got better to celebrate it properly with them.'' Brittany replies. ''Maybe a barbecue and drinking night at our place?''
Santana nods her head and smiles. ''That sounds perfect.'' She whispers as Brittany parks her car in the garage beside their house, she turns in her seat as she hears the doors open and smiles. ''Please wash your hands before attacking the snacks.''
She turns to Brittany as they slide out of the car and watches her pick Quinton up. ''Do you want to tug him in?''
''Yeah I will rub him in, let's hope we can break his fever before it really starts.''
She nods her head following her into the house and rubs the small of her back knowing she is hurting after carrying Quinton for a few hours. ''I will make you a coffee, but please sit and relax baby we will do everything.''
She walks into the kitchen as she nods her head and grabs her wife's favorite coffee blend, she leans against the kitchen counter after taking out her phone and opens their family chat as she waits for Brittany's coffee.
She taps the pictures Abi send her and smiles as she sees a picture of her wife holding the shield with four stars, she exits the chat immediately opening Instagram and taps the button to post a story.
She adds the picture Abi just send her and tags her wife, the restaurants Instagram page, Marley and Kitty, she taps the picture to write a text.
Hard work is the formula for success and they proofed it.
So insanely proud of my wife and the YWC crew!
Congratulations on running the first four star restaurant worldwide guys!
I am so insanely happy for all of you that your hard work and passion for your job brought you this!