Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 38- Mystery Ingredients Challenge Part 2/2

Friday, July 5th, 2013

Gordon stands in the middle of the dining room behind the judging table as we line up next to our dishes.

"Now, the blue team has one extra dish that I will not be judging. Please decide among yourselves whose dish will be sitting out," Gordon requests.

The blue team group together to deliberate. It takes a minute before Kalyani speaks up.

"Chef, we're leaving out mine. I didn't get enough ingredients to make a truly great dish." She sighs.

Gordon nods.

"Well, now that that's decided, I'll let you all know that I am not going to be the only one judging your dishes. I've invited two prestigious chefs to assist me in judging. First, let's welcome a woman who has spent a lifetime committing herself to finding new and unique ways to pair food together, giving her a distinct advantage in judging this particular competition. She's also the owner of the Michelin restaurant, N-Naka here in Los Angeles. Please welcome Niki Nakayama!"

Gordon holds his arm out to the door as Chef Niki pushes it open and steps to the judging table, shaking Gordon's hand and receiving a greeting kiss on the cheek.

"Next up is someone I'm sure you will all recognize. My esteemed friend and owner of the world-renown restaurant, CUT. Please welcome Wolfgang Puck!"

Chef Ramsay starts clapping as the doors open. Chef Puck makes his way to the chef's table and shakes Gordon's hand enthusiastically.

"Great to be here my friend." Wolfgang gives Gordon a genuine smile, then moves his eyes to scan the lineup of competing chefs.

Wolfgang Puck never quite caught my attention in the way that Chef Ramsay had– even before I knew him as I do now– but I have always respected Chef Puck. I find myself smiling at him when he passes his eyes over me.

"Each of us will rate your dish from one to five stars. The team to gather the most stars wins the competition. Now, let's have our first two chefs come up. Mary and Garrett, please." Gordon curls his finger towards himself, beckoning them.

They each set their plates on the waist-height stands by the judging table. Red casts a glance over her shoulder at us, and I give her a thumbs up. Surely Red can beat Garrett, he's not very good at finessing his dishes to look as appealing as I'm sure these Chefs expect.

"Let's have Garrett go first. What have you made for us?" Gordon tips his head.

Garrett clears his throat then sets his plate on the judges' table.

"I've prepared garlic rosemary lamb chops with fingerling potatoes and spinach."

Each of the chefs cuts off a bit of the lamb and takes a bite in turn.

"Wolfgang, what did you think of it?" Gordon inquires.

"Ehh, it was a little tough," Wolfgang says, picking at something between his teeth, "and a bit gamey."

Chef Niki nods. "Gamey and over-cooked. However, the seasoning was great. You could have benefited from five less minutes in the oven."

"What they said." Gordon gestures to the other two chefs, who laugh at his matter-of-fact tone.

"Are we ready with our ratings?" Ramsay inquires.

Each chef holds up a scorecard and turns it towards the camera. Garrett gets a three from Niki, a two from Wolfgang and a two from Gordon.

Garrett takes back his plate and shrugs.

"Alright, Mary, what have you made for us?" Gordon holds out his hand for her plate.