CHAPTER TWELVE
Mid-way through the time allotted, there was commotion at the other end of the aisle where the Belle Fleur team was located. Everyone stopped, almost fearful of another tragedy.
“You spilled your flour in my space!” screamed one of the bakers.
“I did no such thing. It’s not my fault that you’re messy and can’t keep your space clean. Clean as you go, Graciela. Didn’t they teach you that in your fancy culinary school.”
“Don’t be jealous, Angela. It doesn’t look good on you.”
That’s when all hell broke loose and things got really nasty. The bakers nearest them backed their tables away to prevent any spillage in their baking areas.
By the time security, the judges and Milton got there, the two were tugging on one another’s hair and flour, butter, and icing were everywhere.
“Enough!” yelled Milton. “What do you think this is? We’re not some sort of wrestling show or a stupid reality television show trying to get more ratings! You’re both disqualified.”
“No! It was her fault,” yelled Graciela.
“It was both of your faults. You allowed one another to get under the others skin and you reacted like children. This venue is not a place for that. You are disqualified from this competition and you are banned for two years.”
The other judges nodded at Milton, pleased with his final decision.
“What are they saying?” whispered Sara as she handed the piping bag to Casey.
“I can’t hear and honestly, I don’t care,” she said. “I want these cookies to be perfection. I don’t want anyone to have a reason to disqualify us.”
By the time Wilson and the others got back to their station, they explained what had happened in a low-key voice to the bakers and then watched as they raced against the clock to finish.
Casey, Taylor, and Dylan plated the different varieties of cookies, the casual placement of flowers, fern leaves, and painted sugar animals making it appear as a wonderland. It would all play into their new vision for the gingerbread competition tomorrow.
“This is the agonizing part,” whispered Dylan. “We’ve done the work, we’re sitting here second guessing ourselves and now we wait for five people to decide whether ours is the best.”
The watched as Adrians cookies were tasted and the judges raised their brows, nodding at the man. His interpretation of Italian wedding cookies, baklava, pecan sandies, and a rustic oatmeal cookie was well-received.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” smiled Milton. “I always look forward to your creations.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Casey. Dylan explained each of the plates, the recipe cards carefully written out in beautiful calligraphy for the judges to see.
“Do I taste lavender?” asked one of the judges.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Dylan.
“Delicious. Just a hint and lovely in the macaron. And rose water in the other?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she smiled again.
“Delightful, fresh taste.” Sara gripped the hands of her team and they all smiled at one another. The judges whispered in front of them, marking their cards, giving a polite nod and moving on down the rows.
“What now?” asked Tailor.
“We wait. They have another forty or fifty plates to test,” said Sara. “Hopefully, we place in the top five at least. If we can hit top five for the rest of the events, we’ll be in amazing shape to win overall.”
“I’m sure you will, babe,” said Wilson kissing his wife. “We’re all so proud of all of you.”
“Bakers please make you way to the main stage. Bakers, please make your way to the main stage.”
“Oh, gosh, that’s us,” said Sara. “Let’s go.”
As the bakers crowded the main stage, security behind them watched over the tables, the cameras catching every move, every single moment of the action. Hiro and AJ had actually sent tiny drones that were viewing things from the rafters of the convention center, giving a bird’s eye view of it all.
“We are excited to announce the winners of the cookie event,” smiled Milton.
“We are so impressed with the level of talent and skill in this room. It’s absolutely humbling.
One of the things we looked for was not just flavor or style, not just elegance and edibility, but would these be cookies that the average consumer would want to display in their homes. You all succeeded at this!
“But with every competition, there must be a winner.” Nervous laughter filled the room as they anxiously waited. “We will begin with our ten honorable mentions.”
He listed off the names of the bakers, the disappointment on their faces making the team from Belle Fleur want to cry for them.
“Now, for the main prizes. In third place we have Maren Holt and the Patisserie de Paris team!” There was polite applause but the anger and red face of Maren Holt told the real story. She walked up the steps on the dais, grabbed the third-place prize and then looked at Milton.
“This is bullshit and we both know it.”
“Don’t be a sore loser, Maren. It doesn’t look good on you,” said Milton quietly. She stormed off the stage toward the back of the group. Her team was already hovering like abused puppies waiting for the lashes.
“In second place is, Adrian Vale and the team from Fleur de Lis Baked Goods.” Adrian clapped his hands together, smiling at his team as he ran up the steps, hugging Milton and the other judges. He raised the trophy as Sara and the others cheered for him.
“And in first place with a collection of cookies we haven’t seen the likes of in years, flavors that seemed unbelievable, Dylan Dougall and Casey Wolfkill along with the team from Crescent City Bakery!”
“We won,” whispered Casey. She turned to Dylan. “We won!” The women jumped up and down screaming and crying as the men let out whistles and cheers. Bakers congratulated them as they walked up accepting the prize for the team.
That was two. Two first place trophies and they were only beginning.