Sugar, Spice & Secrets

44

Back at the cozy confines of the bakery, the atmosphere was relaxed and serene, devoid of the usual flurry of activity that accompanied a typical workday. With no pressing tasks demanding our attention, Laura had joined Zoe and me.

Seated around a rustic wooden table, we huddled together, our heads bent over sheets of paper as we diligently penned down our plans for the upcoming baking competition. Ideas flowed freely as we brainstormed potential recipes, each one more tantalizing than the last.

"I think we should start with something classic but with a twist," Zoe suggested, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scribbled down notes. "Perhaps a decadent chocolate cake infused with exotic spices."

Laura nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Yes, and we could pair it with a creamy coconut frosting to add a hint of tropical flair."

I chimed in, adding, "And let's not forget about the presentation. We need to make sure our dessert not only tastes divine but looks absolutely stunning as well."

As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the bakery windows, we continued to refine our ideas, each of us contributing our own unique perspective and expertise.

"You say Amari is our competition, right?" Laura asked, looking up from the paper on the table.

Zoe nodded in response to Laura's question. "Yes, Amari is definitely our main competition," she confirmed, her expression serious as she considered the formidable opponent.

I interjected, "Let's not forget, though, that everyone in this competition is our competition. They're all well-known in the baking world."

Zoe's defense was swift, a hint of pride coloring her tone. "We're well-known too," she insisted, her confidence unwavering. But then, with a thoughtful pause, she conceded, "Well, maybe just in this part of the city."

I nodded with a giggle. "Exactly," I replied. "But this competition is our chance to change that."

Laura's eyes sparkled with excitement as she chimed in, "And who knows, maybe after this competition, we'll be the ones everyone is talking about. What are the categories for the competition?"

I quickly retrieved the competition brochure from the nearby table, flipping through the pages until I found the section outlining the categories.

"Here you go. There are three main categories," I began, studying the paper in front of me. "First, there's the classic cake category, where we can showcase our traditional baking skills. Then, there's the creative category, where we have the opportunity to let our imaginations run wild and experiment with innovative flavors and designs. And finally, there's the signature bake category, where we can present a dessert that truly represents our unique style and culinary identity. However, at each stage, there's a given ingredient that must be used."

Zoe leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing as she read over the details. "Looks like we'll need to bring our A-game in the last category," she remarked, a determined glint in her eye.

"I'm guessing that's where Amari dominates?" Laura asked, her eyes still glued to the brochure.

"Most likely," I replied, my tone thoughtful as I opened my phone to show Laura who Amari was. "She has a reputation for creating signature bakes that incorporate unexpected ingredients and creates visually stunning presentations."

Zoe chimed in, "And apparently, she never repeats the same ingredients. So it's always like a shocker to the judges when they taste what she brings."

"You guys," Laura called out, scrolling on my phone, through the list of Amari's past wins and signature bakes, her eyes widened with excitement. "I think I've found her secret."