Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Miles
I leaned against the counter while Clarissa explained the plan for the competition to everyone for what felt like the hundredth time.
I knew she was excited about it, but I couldn’t help but feel like there was more riding on this than what she was letting on.
What had started out as a fun, friendly way to get Kat to agree to go out with me had quickly spiraled into an all-out event that the city was buzzing over.
The kitchen had been converted into a friendly space for the four judges to sit at a large table covered in a freshly pressed linen tablecloth. There were no floral arrangements or fuss, just a clean table, free of distraction so they could watch us work.
Their table was directly across from the two stations that had been set up for Kat and me, which were already stocked with the list of ingredients and spices we had requested.
The walk-in freezer had also been rearranged so our stuff was neatly organized toward the front for easy access.
While this wasn’t supposed to be as formal as those reality shows you saw on TV, it was starting to have that same vibe.
“The judges will be here in an hour, but the team from Channel 8 News should be here any minute to start setting up. I’ll handle getting them set up, but I need Ava and Charlie to stay at the hostess station to greet the judges when they get here.
There have also been a handful of calls already asking about the event, so I’ll need you guys to guide people to the website where it will be live streamed. ”
Everyone collectively agreed, then dispersed and got to work on their assigned jobs. For Kat and me, it was simply waiting for the cook-off to start. We had the easy job for now, but I could see the stress sitting on her shoulders the closer it got.
“Hey, you ready for today?” I asked, leaning against the counter beside her and bumping shoulders.
“No.”
She didn’t bother to look at me, just kept her gaze straight ahead to where the judges would be sitting.
“It’s going to be fine,” I said reassuringly but still didn’t get a response.
Finally, I turned to face her and held her hands in mine.
“Kat, if you don’t want to do this, we can call it off now.”
Her brown eyes sparkled in the light, but a hint of sadness lay beneath.
“We can’t do that.”
“Sure we can. Just say the word.”
She sighed and pulled her hands away.
“Clarissa already organized everything. If we pulled out of it now, it would disappoint a lot of people, including her.”
“I don’t give a damn about disappointing anyone. All that I care about is you and what you want, Kat.”
“I just want this to be over already,” she sighed and then walked over to the busser who had called her name.
I ground my jaw and headed back to my station to get ready.
Two hours later, the judges were seated across from us, watching intently as Kat and I worked on our appetizers. I’d had an elaborate menu lined up but changed my mind right before the competition started.
The food truck was closed today, so Anthony and Darryl had been there to help me.
When I’d told them my last-minute changes, they scrambled to swap out the stuff I needed before anyone noticed.
It wasn’t like we had to get pre-approval or anything, but I didn’t want the extra chaos on my side to force Kat to feel more pressured than she already was.
“Five minutes,” Clarissa called out, letting Kat and me know that we needed to have our appetizers plated and on the presentation table soon.
I nodded and lowered the slotted metal spoon into the hot oil, fishing out the last zucchini bite and setting it on the paper-towel-covered plate. While I had a few minutes left, I stirred the marinara sauce I’d made from scratch and turned off the heat.
My appetizer was simple and easy to assemble on four plates for each of the judges. I carried them over to the presentation table, stood to the side, and waited for Kat to join me with her dishes. Once she set her plates down, Clarissa nodded, and the servers collected and served them.
“Alright, Kat, you’re up first,” Clarissa announced, standing to the side as the cameraman panned around her to get an up-close shot of Kat. “What did you prepare tonight for your appetizer?”
She swallowed hard and held her hands tightly in front of her to avoid fidgeting.
“I’ve prepared a prosciutto crostini with a balsamic honey glaze.”
“Impressive,” Clarissa noted with a warm smile. “Walk us through your dish, please.”
Kat nodded and pulled her shoulders back.
“I used a loaf of Italian bread and cut it into one-inch slices, brushed it with an olive oil garlic paste, and baked for a few minutes until it was golden crisp.
While that was cooling, I prepared the balsamic honey glaze.
To assemble, I added a thin layer of burrata cheese, then a thin slice of prosciutto, and topped with freshly cracked pepper.
Once each crostini was ready, I added the balsamic honey glaze and a thinly cut ribbon of basil.
The judges examined the food on their plates, lifting the bite-size appetizer before lifting it to their lips and whispering amongst themselves. I glanced at Kat, noticing her brow slightly furrowed as she waited for their reaction.
A few seconds later, she let out the breath she had been holding once they smiled and nodded in appreciation.
“Delicious,” the female judge on the end commented.
“Simple and amazing—two of my favorite things,” the guy on the end said with a wink.
That left the other female judge and Luka Fagiolo to give their feedback.
They both took another bite as everyone waited on pins and needles.
“I absolutely love it,” the other woman said, wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
She smiled, but I could see the anxiety etched on her face while she waited for Luka. His opinion is what mattered the most to her, and I knew that it was killing her not knowing what he thought.
She wrung her hands together, and I wanted to reach out and touch her but knew I couldn’t. It wasn’t the time or place for that, but I hated seeing how worked up she was over this stupid cook-off.
Finally, Luka set the rest of his crostini down and lifted his head, locking eyes with Kat.
“I’m not usually at a loss for words, but you’ve surprised me,” he said without any hint of emotion on his face. “Well done.”
Kat exhaled heavily, her shoulders relaxing as she stepped to the side to allow me to stand in the center while my appetizer was served to the judges.
“Miles, would you please do us the honor of telling us what you’ve prepared for your appetizer tonight?” Clarissa asked, her voice sounding like she’d been practicing saying the words on repeat for days.
“Sure,” I said, clearing my throat so I didn’t sound so unenthusiastic about it. “I’ve prepared zucchini bites with marinara sauce.”
I watched the features on Clarissa’s face change before she composed herself again.
“How delightful,” she commented, walking over to where the judges were taking their first bites. “What inspired you to create this for your appetizer?”
I shrugged and felt Kat’s eyes on me.
“It’s simple and delicious,” one of the judges noted.
The judges were busy dipping the fried zucchini bites into the cups of marinara that had been added to the side, but I could feel the heat on me from the two women standing closest to me.
“Clarissa is right; this is simply delightful.” The woman on the end smiled and then pushed the rest of the bite into her mouth, giving me a wink as she did.
I didn’t give her any reaction but stayed focused and turned my attention to the other judges. Two were busy finishing the rest of the food on their plate while Luka studied his and held it up in front of his face with his brows pulled together.
“Is everything alright?” Clarissa asked, drawing everyone’s attention to him.
“Yes,” he drew out slowly, continuing to study the zucchini bite. “My mother used to make these when I was a boy, and I haven’t had them in years. The way this is fried is impressive. It’s a perfect rectangle, each portion equally cooked without anything leaking out the sides.”
He set it down on the plate and looked up at me.
“I can see that you tried to underwhelm us with a simple dish, but I think you’ve failed to give yourself enough credit for mastering the ability to turn a basic appetizer into something extraordinary.”
I heard the whispers amongst us and knew that Kat was overthinking Luka’s compliment and doubting herself.