Chapter 11- Cinematic Debut!


Emma took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. It was time to address the contestants and set the tone for the competition. "Now, it's up to you to prove that you have that special combination of cooking chops and on-camera charm, the kind that makes you worthy of having your own show on the Food Channel."

"Emma and I will be there to mentor you along the way, and of course, we have a little surprise for you that we will reveal in just a few minutes." The entire cast seemed a bit uneasy at the mention of a surprise, except for Little John, who appeared to be a go-with-the-flow type.

As Killian introduced the concept of the cold open, Emma explained its significance. "At the beginning of every Food Channel show, there's an attention-grabbing segment called a cold open. Audiences tend to make up their minds about whether they're going to watch a show in the first 30 seconds. If you don't grab the attention of your viewers, they tend to click away."

"We want to know what we can expect from you if they were to tune in to watch it on the Food Channel," Emma added. The tension in the room grew, with contestants not expecting such a challenging task so early in the competition.

"All right, guys, let's get started," Killian said, guiding Emma to a director's chair behind the camera. The contestants looked nervous, uncertain about how to approach this unexpected challenge.

The first to step forward was Tinkerbell, who had initially been hiding behind others. Emma inwardly sighed at the hesitation, thinking there should be no hiding in this competition. Tinkerbell eventually found her way to the camera, and after a moment of nervousness, she began introducing herself and her culinary identity as a baker. Emma noted that she forgot to mention what the judges would be tasting, but it wasn't a bad start.

Next up was Leroy, who presented himself as the "Chef of Love," a southern chef specializing in chicken. He confidently described the food he wanted to make, making a positive impression for a first-timer on camera.

Ruby, a tall and beautiful contestant, stumbled through her introduction, leaving the judges puzzled about her culinary identity. Regina observed closely, recognizing a potential stumbling block.

Regina, the next contestant, walked up with confidence. "I'm Chef Regina, and I want to welcome you to my savory world of food. I am an Italian chef with some Latin flavor, and I want to serve you a mash-up of my native cuisines, like a Risotto con pollo or a Latin lasagna. We're always going to cook good food, have a good time, and spread some joy."

Emma listened to the peer comments, appreciating Regina's approach. However, one contestant, Victoria, had a less favorable opinion, and Emma couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. "I think that I'm intrigued to see more," Emma stated. "Listen, if that's really your attitude, great. We want exactly who you are."

Mulan, an enchanting contestant, presented a very conversational cold open. Emma smiled, acknowledging the success of Mulan's approach.

"Next up, Anton," Emma called out to the tall, bearded man. After some height adjustments, Anton introduced himself as a chef from San Francisco but missed mentioning his food. Emma found him unique and urged him to use that to his advantage.

Robin, a handsome blonde with a farm-boy charm, stumbled through his cold open, primarily focusing on meat. Emma thought it wasn't a disaster but merely charming.

Andrew, another southern chef, didn't say much in his introduction, but Emma noted his great smile.

Victoria Belfrey, on the other hand, completely tanked, and Emma refrained from commenting on her performance.

Kathryn, a health-conscious contestant, received mixed feedback. Ruby thought it came off too teacher-like, and Emma agreed, suggesting Kathryn focus on a more positive approach.

Sabine, the next contestant, impressed both Emma and Killian with her clear and concise introduction. She presented herself as a Southern cook, making the third in the competition.

Finally, Little John stepped forward. Self-taught like Emma, he revealed his experience as a lunch lady, managing to make the judges laugh. Emma appreciated his sense of humor, signaling a positive impression.

As the cold open session concluded, Emma couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility before her. The contestants had shown glimpses of their personalities, but the real challenges were yet to come.


"So, you guys feel good about those cold openings you just shot?" Killian asked, his gaze shifting across the thirteen contestants. A few voices chimed in with a resounding "No."

Emma nodded, acknowledging their honesty. "Alright then, we're going to give you a second chance to shoot your cold open." She could see relief on the faces of those who hadn't quite nailed it. This was a teaching competition, after all, and everyone deserved a second chance.

"Everybody deserves a second chance, right?" Emma asked, and the contestants unanimously agreed.

Killian couldn't resist a smirk. "Well, we're glad you feel that way because the Food Channel believed that there were several former finalists who also deserved a second chance." He paused for effect, allowing the anticipation to build. "They all participated in a competition called Comeback Kitchen, and the winner of that is about to join you in this competition. Please welcome, Jacinta."

The contestants looked at Jacinta with a mix of skepticism and surprise. She exuded confidence, clearly reveling in the fact that she had been through all of this before.

"Jacinta was backstage watching your cold opens the entire time," Killian revealed, adding an extra layer of tension. "So, what did you think of how these guys did?"

Jacinta assessed them with a critical eye. "The energy I felt was really lacking… Like you have to be jumping from the inside out, you know?" Her tone conveyed her confidence and a hint of superiority. "Like you have to be a little more excited."

With a subtle shift, Killian took control of the situation. "So, we're going to leave you to it now. We're going to let you reshoot your cold openings, and hopefully, you will follow the notes from Emma and me."

"Make this one count," Emma added with a smile. "Because your new cold opens will premiere tonight at one of L.A.'s premiere movie theaters."

Excitement rippled through the group. Kathryn, in particular, seemed psyched to get another shot at it.

"We cannot wait to see your big-screen debut," Killian said, injecting a touch of charm.

"Good luck, you guys," Emma finished, and the group responded with a chorus of thank-yous. The stage was set for a second chance, a moment of redemption that would test not only their culinary skills but also their ability to capture the audience's attention.


Emma and Killian walked off the set, leaving the contestants to process the unexpected twist. She felt her insides quaking with shock at the sight of the one woman who had once rocked her to the core. Breathing rapidly, Emma couldn't shake off the unexpected encounter.

Pulling out her phone, she quickly texted Mal.

Emma: Regina Fucking Mills? Mal: What? She is good, and she was available. Why should we suffer because you can't keep it in your pants?

"For fuck's sake, Mal," Emma muttered to herself as she and Killian headed off the set. The last thing she wanted was to get cornered by an angry brunette during a break.

With three hours until the contestants were due at the movie theater, Emma decided to head to the gym. This job came with both perks and detriments, and she refused to let it mess up her waistline.

Emma's discerning approach to food and her dedication to maintaining her physique was rooted in her own journey of healing. In her late teens, she had experienced body dysmorphia, exacerbated by an unplanned pregnancy at 17. Emma had dissociated from the baby, firmly choosing adoption, but her distorted self-perception fixated on her body, leading to a meticulous approach to eating. As part of her healing, her therapist had discovered Emma's palate, and the rest was history. Since eating was her job, Emma did not overindulge at home, focusing on other activities and maintaining the hardest body on the Food Channel.

Lost in her thoughts, Emma found herself getting a call from the wardrobe department. She needed to get her makeup and hair done, prompting her to head for the makeup room. After a quick shower and a change back into the green and white dress she had been wearing, Emma prepared to face the cameras once again.


Mal and David joined Emma and Killian at the luxurious iPic theater, forming a quartet to greet the arriving contestants. Emma welcomed the finalists, introducing the hosts of Comeback Kitchen, Maleficent Drake and David Nolan. The contestants were in for a treat as Emma highlighted the theater's amenities, complete with leather seats, chairside service, and gourmet dishes.

"Now it wouldn't be dinner and a movie without the dinner," Killian added. Each contestant had 45 minutes to create a dish for their big screen debut. The pressure was on, and some looked shell-shocked while others exuded confidence. "Your time starts now," Emma announced, and the contestants scattered to begin their creations.

As the contestants worked, Emma made herself comfortable next to Mal. "How are they looking so far?" she inquired.

"Okay. I mean, some had a decent intro," Emma said. "Now let's see if they took good notes."

When the time came to present, the four judges stood at the front of the theater, ready to taste the contestants' creations. The director called for action, and the cinematic debut unfolded before the audience.

Ruby's cold open went well, though David noted it was a little too pretty. Jacinta had impressed with both her intro and the food. Robin stumbled with an awkward intro, and the food didn't live up to expectations. Tinkerbell's cobbler and perfect intro garnered positive reactions from Emma.

Little John's performance and dish were fantastic, earning him praise from Emma for having real star potential. Sabine improved significantly in her second take, though Emma found her scallop a bit tough. Leroy's comical intro showed potential, but his food was forgettable. Victoria's improved intro and laughter-inducing presentation delighted the judges, and the food was excellent.

Regina's performance puzzled Emma, as it was vastly different from the morning's screen test. "She had way more flair," Emma observed, expressing disappointment at the apparent toning down of Regina's unique style.

When Regina presented her dish, a fish and grits pan-seared with spicy Swiss chard and tomato sauce, and a fried fish, Emma praised its beauty and enjoyed the crunchy texture of the grits. However, she noted a change in Regina's delivery and found the overall impression "average."

The judges tasted each contestant's dish, offering feedback on the presentation and flavors. As the chiefs left, the judges headed off to deliberate, contemplating the varied performances and dishes they had just experienced.

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The deliberation was swift, and the judges quickly identified the top performers and those whose performances fell short. As the thirteen contestants gathered in front of the judges, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.

"There were three of you who really stood out in this challenge," Killian began. Emma and he took turns praising Little John's unpredictability, Ruby's captivating presence, and Victoria's outstanding dish that left an impression on Killian.

The relief was palpable among the middle-ranking contestants as Emma listed the other chefs who had performed well, granting them passage to the next round. The grateful finalists thanked the judges before exiting the theater.

Yet, the air grew tense as the focus shifted to the three remaining chefs. Killian and Emma delivered their feedback, pointing out areas of improvement for Kathryn, Robin, and Andrew.

"Kathryn, a couple of notes we gave you, you sort of went through the red light again," Killian stated. "When you're talking about food, you want to talk about things that are gonna turn people on and get them interested, as opposed to the negativity."

"Okay," Kathryn acknowledged.

"Robin, I think you were really in your head when you were doing that cold open," Emma said, tilting her head. "It was funny, but they weren't laughing with you; they were laughing at you."

"Alright," Robin responded.

"Andrew, you're incredibly likable, you have a great smile," Killian interjected. "But the chicken was really burned. It tasted like carbon."

"You're all extremely talented, or else you wouldn't be here," Emma stated. "But the competition on 'Food Channel Star' is tough and it's only gonna get tougher."

The person leaving the competition was announced, and Andrew sighed in relief as he walked away. Emma sighed too, feeling the weight of the day. She put her head down on the table, expressing her exhaustion.

"You alright, Swan?" Killian asked.

"I'm so tired… and emotionally drained," Emma admitted, standing up and walking toward the backstage. The day had taken its toll, and she needed a moment to collect herself.

As she did, the distinct sound of heels approaching rapidly caught her attention. Regina was the one closing the distance. Emma pondered attempting a speed walk to her office, but Regina intercepted her, grabbing her arm and turning her to face her.

"I have some words for you," Regina declared, her brown eyes penetrating Emma's gaze. Emma, paralyzed by the intensity, could only await what Regina had to say.


A/N? Decided to share the recipe that wowed them from the Food network Enjoy!


Recipes

Tropical Chorizo Burger with Citrus Aioli, Guava Ketchup and Paprika Matchstick Fries

Recipe courtesy of Ana Quincoces (Victoria Belfrey)

Tropical Chorizo Burger with Citrus Aioli, Guava Ketchup and Paprika Matchstick Fries

Total Time:

1 hr 25 min

Prep:

20 min

Cook:

1 hr 5 min

Yield:4 servings

Level:Easy

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (80 percent lean)

1 pound chorizo, casing removed

1 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus more for seasoning fries

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/4 cup panko

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup guava paste

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 medium onion, sliced into half-moons

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup ketchup

4 large potato buns, split

2 russet potatoes, scrubbed

Olive oil, for frying

ADD CHECKED ITEMS TO GROCERY LIST

Directions

Combine the ground beef and chorizo in a bowl and sprinkle with the smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. In another bowl, combine the evaporated milk, panko and egg, and then add to the meat mixture. Combine well with your hands and form into 4 patties. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lime juice, orange juice and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine the guava paste with 3 tablespoons water. Cook down over low heat until reduced slightly. Add the cider vinegar; cook 2 minutes more.

In a medium saute pan over medium-low heat, cook the onions in the butter, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 45 minutes. Add the onions and ketchup to the guava mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the patties until crispy on both sides but soft in the middle, turning once, 4 minutes per side. Grill the cut sides of the buns until grill-marked, about 1 minute.

Grate the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater or in a food processor fitted with the shredding disk. Heat 1 inch of olive oil in a deep skillet and fry the grated potatoes until crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Toss with smoked paprika and salt.

Spread the bottom halves of the buns with a little of the "mojo mayonnaise," top with the patties and then cover with the bun tops. Add the crispy fries on the side and top with the guava ketchup.

CONTESTANT/COMPETITION RECIPE:This recipe was created by a contestant during a cooking competition. The Food Network Kitchen have not tested it for home use and therefore cannot make any representation as to the results.

Recipe courtesy of Ana Quincoces

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