Unbreak My Heart

26. Wine Stains

"Chefs, you have ten minutes left on the clock, start plating," shouted the Chef instructor.

Practicals had to be my favorite part of my week, today we were instructed to recreate any pasta dishes and wow the judges. We were happy to take on the challenge, I mean it's pasta, who doesn't love pasta? 

Instead of using packaged pasta like some of my classmates were doing, I decided to start over and make my own pasta. When it came to foods I could serve fresh, I always went for it instead of using packaged foods.

"Don't forget that you will be judged on presentation, taste and creativity," the instructor reminded us.

With two minutes on the clock I start plating, my food still hot and ready to be devoured. "You have sixty seconds!" Shouted the Chef instructor. I wasn't done plating, but I surprised myself with how calm I was, shutting every noise around me and focused on my work.

With thirty seconds on the clock, something suddenly clicked and I ran to get another dish. How could I forget to plate for four judges? I felt everyone holding their breath, wondering if I would manage to beat the countdown. Luckily I still had food left over, and I plated food in mere seconds. 

"Five, four, three, two, one. Move away from your dishes!" 

With my hands raised I slightly moved back from my workstation, heart pounding, hands  shaking and sweat dripping down my face and back. I caught my breath for a while and took a sip of water, that was a close call! I almost forgot that the Chef instructor was also judging this round.

For the next few minutes I listened while they passed judgment on my classmates' dishes until it was my turn. "Amara, what did you prepare for us today?" Inquired the Chef instructor.

"I prepared sauteed pork chops, with Asian pasta salad and mayo sauce." 

For about a minute I tried to gauge what they thought about my food, but as usual their faces were neutral. "Amara, your pork is seasoned well and cooked perfectly," commended one of the judges.

"I'm stunned with what you prepared in just 45 minutes, your flavors are so bold and work well together. And don't get me started on that Asian pasta salad, just devine!" said another Chef.

When the two judges finished commenting on my food, I took my place back at my work station while they continued tasting two more dishes prepared by my classmates. We weren't going to get our marks right away as this practical was part of our course work. I was confident that I did well and this mark would come in handy when the term ended in a few weeks.

I was getting better with using any sort of alcohol in my meal preparation as well as pairing wine with meals. Beth and Jake had agreed to let me work only in the late noon on weekends at his restaurant so I could attend my Saturday morning classes. And I was no longer working on the floor as the waitress, I was helping in the kitchen as a cook, and was actually learning a few tricks.

"You will find your marks on the notice board tomorrow morning, class dismissed." The Chef instructor told us before walking out the door with the judges.

As soon as they left we cleaned after ourselves, this was one of the rules drilled into our heads, to clean up after each practical and leave everything as we found it. I made small talk with a few of my classmates and joked around while we cleaned. 

Sophie was in another group, for important practicals or demonstrations our class was always divided into two groups. I was in group B while Soph was in group A. On days like these I wished my surname wasn't so far off in the alphabet.

I miss doing practicals with my girl.

"What's with the frown?" Called out a distant voice. 

"I was missing you,” I answered Sophie.