Handicapped

Part Six

-Present Time-

I remembered, again, how everyone had told me that I couldn't cook. Their voices echoed through my head.

"Wait, if you're blind then how do you cook?"

"You know that you're not just any regular girl, Emily."

I opened my eyes. Sadly, blind people never saw anything when they opened their eyes. All I saw was pitch black. 

However, what I heard was what surprised me. The echoes of those who said I was a failure were replaced with the cheers of the crowds. Yes, I was now in the finale of The Next Top Chef. I had successfully made it through every round. Sure, there were a few difficulties, but I kept my head up high and remembered my father's words. I decided to cook Roasted Pork with Char grilled Peach Salsa, one of my father's favorite dishes, for the finale. 

Cooking has always connected me with my dad. I imagined him next to me, smiling. However, I realized that I had to focus on cooking once again instead of mourning. I took the spices next to me and toasted them in a fry pan. I felt the heat. Too high, I thought. I turned the handle to make the heat lower, so that the spices don't add too much crunchiness to the dish and only a smell and taste. I then took the pork from the fridge and drizzled a bit of olive oil on it. There had been times in which I found it difficult to distinguish between olive oil and sunflower oil, but I was used to their smells with practice. I then added a pinch of salt and pepper. Now, all I had to do was put everything together. 

Now comes the fun part, I thought, smiling. I heated the roasting pan, and placed my onion and garlic in the center. Next, I placed the pork. The sizzling sound filled the grand kitchen. If I could see, I probably would've seen head turns in my direction. Once a bit of time had passed, I got my knife from beside me. I couldn't see if the pork was golden brown, so I brushed the side of the knife against the pork, and heard a quiet sound. I was relieved that it wasn't under- cooked. If it was, then no sound would've come out, for it would have been too soft. I added some bay leaves and stock, and smelled the herbs. I took out the pork and set it on the cupboard, silently praying that it was tender.

For the salsa, I brushed the peaches with oil, and grilled them. Many people would've found it surprising to have added a fruit with a meat. However, the peaches added a bit of sweetness to anyone's palette. This technique not only made the dish tasty, but also unique and different. I added all the juices to the salsa and began to plate the dish. The plating was the most difficult part. I had to neatly place the pork and the salsa in an orderly manner. To do so, I had to take my time. When it was time to bring my dish to the judges, I was trembling. The crowds were cheering again, and shouting my name. They want me to win, I thought, barely believing it. I gave one of the staff my dish, almost crying tears of joy. People couldn't believe that I could cook, but here I was, proving them wrong.

A few minutes later, after the judges had privately tasted the dishes, I heard their footsteps enter the grand kitchen once again. Suddenly, there were no cheers, no chattering, nothing. The only sound I heard was the sound of silence. Everyone was anxious to know who won. I myself had been on the verge of looking mentally disabled because of the excessive trembling and shaking of my hands. It was how I coped with worry.

"Emily and Raymond, you are both extraordinary chefs. Both of your dishes were nearly perfect, and I hope you understand that no matter who wins, you're both two of the best cooks in the country," one of the judges said. He then took a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce that the winner of The Next Top Chef is......"

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Don't worry, the story will not end in a cliffhanger. However this part will :).

I will post the next part later on.

Hint: Expect the unexpected....