Mariah's P.O.V.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stood amongst the other homecooks. We were waiting for Gordon Ramsey to walk out of the doors that led to the Master Chef kitchen.
It felt as if I couldn't breathe as the doors swung open. Gordon, along with Graham and Joe, walked out of the building.
"Welcome to the Master Chef kitchen!" Graham yelled.
Everyone clapped. I was one of few who kept my composure, my hands behind my back. There were twenty of us, and I knew I had what it takes to beat them all.
~
"We want you to make us your signature dish." Joe told us.
"But there is one thing you must include." Graham added.
Gordon walked up to the table in front of them and pulled something out from under it. He set it on the table, and every beside me moaned and groaned at what they saw. On the plate sat a few leaves of my most favorite flavor.
Mint.
"You will be tying your whole meal around this simple flavor." Gordon told us. "Mint leaves."
I smiled to myself, and Gordon's eyes landed on me.
"So you finally crack a smile?" He asked.
I lowered my head.
"She's the mute, Chef." The man beside me, Leslie, said.
"Mute?" Gordon repeated, looking back at Graham and Joe.
"I'm just a bit shy, Chef." I said, trying to be loud.
"Speak up, Darling." Gordon said.
I blushed and tried again. "I'm shy, Chef!"
His genuine smile took my breath away.
"Your time starts.......now!" Gordon yelled.
Everyone scrambled and headed into the pantry. I took my time to grab exactly what I needed.
I was going to take Gordon's breath away the same way he did to me.
Double fudge brownie with homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream with a chocolate shell.
Once I had everything I needed, I walked back to my station. I set my basket down on the table and pulled out the things for brownies.
"Mariah, Darling?" Gordon yelled.
"Yes, Chef?"
"You seem to be taking your time."
"Of course, Chef. I don't want to mess up!"
"May I come and have a taste?"
"If you wish to, Chef!"
Both Gordon and Graham walked to my station. I placed the bowl of brownie mix where they could reach it and moved on to making the ice cream.
"That is incredible. What exactly are you making?" Graham asked.
"Double fudge brownies with homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream coated in a hard chocolate shell." I answered.
"And what is it you normally make at home?" Gordon asked, his british accent melting my nerves away.
"Well, I usually have my younger siblings over and they don't like anything more than a regular brownie and vanilla ice cream, so that's what I'm used to making."
"So you're elevating this by adding mint to the ice cream and making it a double fudge brownie?"
"Yes, Chef."
"I wish you good luck, Darling."
I smiled and went back to work.
~
"Hands in the air!" Gordon yelled.
Some of the other homecooks looked nervous. There were some who didnt have a organized plating. Gordon called up the other homecooks one by one. He asked them simple questions, and only a few of them met his standards. I was the last to be called.
"Mariah!" Gordon yelled.
I nodded once, picked up my plate, and carried it to the table that stood in front of the judges. Joe stepped forward first. He picked up a spoon, and the snap of the solid chocolate shell as he dug the spoon in made me smile slightly.
"Tell us about your dish." He said, eating the food on his spoon.
"I made a double fudge brownie and mint ice cream with a hard chocolate shell." I answered.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-nine."
He said nothing more. I watched as he walked back to the other judges. Graham stepped forward next, grabbed a spoon and dug it into my dish. After he took a bite, his eyes widened.
"That really is fantastic." He told me.
I smiled.
"The ice cream is just the right consistency. The brownie isn't too dry, and it is complimented by the mint in the ice cream. The shell even hardened enough to make that snapping sound even though you put it on seconds before you were told to stop. Honestly, this has to be the most wonderful dessert I have had while judging this show."
My smile brightened. Graham put his spoon down and walked back to the other two. My heart started pounding when Gordon stepped forward.
"I tasted the brownie mix before it was cooked. Is there any possible way you have made it taste better?" He asked.
I giggled slightly. He easily took a bite of my dish. He covered his mouth while he chewed, which made everyone behind me laugh. A smile was on his face when he lowered his hand.
"You really did make it taste better." He told me.
"Thank you." I said, struggling to keep the smile on my face from making me look insane.
"You told Graham and myself that you make this for your younger siblings. How old are they?"
"Seventeen, fifteen, and six."
"And you're the oldest?"
"No. I have an older brother. He's thirty-two."
"Is there any particular reason why there is such a big age gap between you two and your younger siblings?"
"My mother got sick, and she was in the hospital for a few years. My father waited until she felt well enough."
He nodded once. "Right. You may go back to your station."
I bowed slightly and walked back to my station. Gordon cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Not all of you will be safe from the second round. As I call your name, please come and stand in front of us." He said.
I looked at the other chefs. At the station beside me stood an old man.
"The first person I want to call up here is......" Gordon said.
I rocked back and forth on my heel, having trouble standing still.
"Having a bit of trouble, Mariah?" Joe asked.
"No, Chef." I answered, freezing in place.
Gordon chuckles. "Come up here, Mariah."
I walked away from my station and stood in front of the judges.
"We proudly present to you your Masterchef apron." Graham said.
Gordon held out the apron, which was neatly rolled up. I took it and unrolled it. Once I had it on, I stepped off the stage and stood in front of the first two stations.
