Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 1

ELOISE DUPONT

"Mrs. Dupont-" I roll my eyes, because of course, like always I must give a clarification.

Why some people do not recognize that a woman can be entirely empowered, independent, successful, and do all of that without a husband is still a fleeting idealism.

I clear my throat to delicately interrupt the young woman before me, "it's Miss actually. But you can refer to me as Eloise, or Elle even." I had already introduced myself, but along the way she started back up with last names, attempting formality.

I cross my legs to readjust my black Dolce & Gabbana pencil skirt by smoothing it down with freshly manicured nails. Jade made sure that today I was completely prepared for my interview with Cook's Illustrated.

This final interview will culminate the past year of my career that has ultimately prepared me for my Touring Cook Class that begins next week.

The interviewer looked flustered at my recent correction and started to quickly shuffle her papers in front of herself while muttering in French again. "Mes excuses. Je veux dire aucun mal." Her accent was strong and I was lucky enough to know the language well enough to understand the apology.

I wave my hand dismissively to brush off the apology as unnecessary instead giving her a big smile, "it's a common mistake. Now, where we were, you were talking about the concept of knowing what the best way to decide on a menu for something like a teaching course that I would be administrating. To answer your question Lorraine, I would say that it changes depending on my moods, or where I am at. Sometimes, something just feels right. You may walk into the event thinking you are doing a course of a seared cornish game hen cooked in duck fat, garlic, and rosemary on a bed of homemade risotto with caramelized onions. Going as far to top it with a little bit of scallion oil and lemon. But then the night before you watched a Studio Ghibli film and saw something else that inspires you, and now you are craving the wonders of something more like a dashi consomme with buckwheat soba noodles, chili oil, furikake, and quail egg. Because, honestly, ramen is never out of style."

The young brunette aggressively jotted down notes while nodding along to my explanation. She reminded me of a young Veronica Lake with her curly hair that continued to drape over her face. She was put together well, probably after being in the business for a few years she got the hang of how to dress and act, like I did. I never assume anyone grew up ready to be a business professional, at least not anyone who still has their manners intact.

As she scribbled furiously over pages I checked my phone that was sitting on the end table. Only fifteen minutes left before this interview is over and I am off on my next errand. This week has been chaotic trying to get everything done with packing and planning. In three days I will be leaving for tour and I will be away from my home for the next four weeks to traverse the globe.

I sip the white wine that was poured for me at the beginning of the interview. They supplied the beverages while I brought small snack foods and bakery delicaseys I spent the evening before creating in order to impress Lorraine.

Lorraine was much better than some of the interviewers I had interacted with in the past, some that would oogle at me or tell me that because I was a woman I succeeded in the kitchen because it was my birthright.

It's almost shocking how little respect you can sometimes receive even when you are being praised for a successful career. Men do not understand the artwork that can go into my craft and therefore more often than not, do not appreciate it.

I do not simply hand you a brownie from the box and tell you to enjoy it. I spend an hour creating a masterpiece disguised as a dark chocolate brownie from scratch, with red miso peanut butter ice cream, and strawberry caramel syrup drizzled on top to taste like a chocolate pb&j. It's a beauty to challenge yourself, and continue to break the barrier to find out the new things you can invent and amaze yourself with.