Page 23 of A Recipe for Romance

Kelsi took a deep breath, focusing. This was her chance to show the judges—and herself—just how far she’d come.

"Time to get to work," she whispered, gathering her ingredients.

Her menu had been designed with intention, each course reflecting a pivotal moment in her journey. She wanted to blend the old and new, to highlight how she’d evolved from social media influencer to a serious chef with a voice all her own. She started with a deconstructed avocado toast—a dish that had once symbolized the superficiality of her early work but now stood as a tribute to simplicity and refinement.

Her hands moved fluidly, the pressure of the finale driving her creativity rather than stifling it. Drew’s voice echoed in her mind:“Trust your instincts.”She could almost feel him watching her, a reminder to push boundaries while staying true to herself.

An hour passed in a blur of chopping, whisking, and plating. The kitchen was a controlled chaos, and she thrived in it. When Drew made his way to her station, she braced herself. Even under the guise of professionalism, there was always something unspoken between them.

"How’s it going?" His tone was steady, but his eyes, full of warmth, told a different story.

"I think you're going to like what I have planned," she replied, her hands never faltering.

Drew nodded, a subtle smile tugging at his lips before he moved on. That single moment of connection sent a pulse of energy through her, reigniting her focus.

Her third course, a fusion of classic French techniques and modern molecular gastronomy, was a risk, but she wanted to demonstrate just how much she had absorbed from both the traditional and contemporary culinary worlds. The dish represented the synthesis of everything she'd learned—her journey of balancing new trends with respect for culinary tradition.

But as time ticked by, the pressure mounted. The fourth course came together, but the dessert—lavender ice cream with delicate textures and floral notes—threatened to unravel her momentum. Her hands trembled as she tried to create the perfect quenelle, each attempt crumbling under the weight of her nerves.

Breathe, Kelsi.She closed her eyes, Drew’s voice in her head once again. “Trust your instincts.”

She opened her eyes and tried again. This time, the quenelle formed perfectly, as if the calm she’d summoned had guided her hands. Relief washed over her as she plated the final course just as Zak called time.

"Step away from your stations!" Zak’s voice rang out, signaling the end of the challenge.

Kelsi exhaled sharply, taking a step back from her station. Her heart raced as she surveyed the five dishes before her. She’d poured herself into every element, each one a piece of her story. Now, all that was left was to present them.

One by one, the other contestants presented their courses, and Kelsi felt the tension build with each dish that wasn’t hers. She stole a glance at Drew, who sat with his typical composed expression, but she knew—beneath that exterior—he was rooting for her.

When it was finally her turn, Kelsi stepped forward with as much confidence as she could muster. “For my five-course menu, I wanted to take you on a journey through my evolution as a chef,” she began, her voice steady but thick with emotion.

She presented her dishes one by one, explaining how each represented a milestone in her culinary path. The judges tasted carefully, their expressions giving little away.

Amelia paused over her deconstructed avocado toast. “Interesting,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “A nod to your influencer days, I presume?”

Kelsi nodded. “Yes, but with a more refined twist. The sourdough starter is something I’ve been working on since the start of the competition. It symbolizes my growth and commitment to the craft.”

Amelia’s smirk softened into something like approval, though she didn’t say more.

Then came the third course, the fusion dish Kelsi had agonized over. She watched as Drew took a bite, his eyes widening slightly—a tell only she could see. His mask of neutrality slipped for just a moment, revealing pride in her work.

“The balance of flavors here is exceptional,” Drew said, his tone controlled but his words glowing with praise. “You’ve honored both traditions while creating something entirely new. Well done.”

That small acknowledgment sent a rush of warmth through her, but she quickly tamped it down. There was still the dessert to get through.

As the judges tasted her final course, the lavender ice cream that had nearly undone her, Kelsi felt a wave of satisfaction. No matter what happened, she knew she had left everything on the plate. She’d risked it all, and she felt... complete.

The judges deliberated for what felt like an eternity. Standing next to Marcus and Aisha, Kelsi could barely contain her nerves. Her heart raced, anticipation building with every breath.

Finally, Zak stepped forward. “After much deliberation,” he began, drawing out the tension, “we’ve made our decision. The winner ofCulinary Crescendois... Kelsi Martinez!”

The words seemed to hang in the air for a moment, not quite real. Then the world exploded around her—cheers, applause, confetti raining down. Kelsi’s knees nearly buckled as the realization sank in.

She’d won.

Tears pricked at her eyes as her fellow contestants congratulated her. The noise of the celebration swirled around her, but Kelsi’s focus was solely on one person—Drew. He stood back, watching her with pride written across his face, and though he couldn’t show more in front of the cameras, Kelsi knew that everything he felt for her was mirrored in her own heart.

As the camera crews circled, capturing every angle of her victory, Kelsi overheard murmurs from the crew and the contestants.

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