Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 47- Budget Challenge Part 3/3

Monday, July 8th, 2013

"Let's have Dave and Gina up first." Gordon motions for the two chefs to come forward.

They approach the judging table and set their domed plates down on either side.

"Dave, will you please present your dish?" Gordon asks, opening his palm towards his domed platter.

Dave obeys Gordon's cue and removes the dome from his plate, laying out his dish on the table for the judges.

"Chefs, today I've made a delicious tuna melt with avocado and muenster cheese."

Dave watches closely as the chefs examine his plate.

"It's pretty lackluster, Dave." Chef Ori frowns as he looks at the plain-looking dish.

"Yeah, I have to agree with my husband here, it wouldn't grab my attention if I were to see it on a menu." Genevieve looks up at Dave from the dish and shrugs.

Gordon taps his chin with his finger, but remains silent.

Each chef tries a bite of Dave's dish before they sit back in their chairs.

"Honestly, it wasn't bad. I can't see myself ordering it from a menu, though, you know?" Ori looks to his wife, who nods in agreement.

"What do you both think this dish should be valued at?" Gordon inquires, looking to the couple.

"I'd pay about twelve dollars for this," Ori says.

"Maybe fifteen?" His wife follows up.

Gordon sighs before he gives his verdict. "Thirteen dollars from me. Pretty disappointing, Dave. I would have thought you'd put in more effort after yours and Bella's failure at training the students. Your total combined value of the dish is going to be..." He looks at the TV that descends from the ceiling. "Thirteen dollars and thirty-three cents."

Dave frowns as he takes his plate and returns to the line.

Gordon turns to Gina, who smiles at him when he addresses her. I haven't forgotten how she had been checking him out the first day we were here, but she's a lot less desperate than Bella and has never pushed for Gordon's attention. I can respect that about her.

"Gina, will you please present your dish and tell us all about it?" Gordon requests.

Gina removes the lid of her dish and places it on the table as she describes it. "Today I've made shrimp fra diavolvo, which is shrimp with onion, tomatoes, white wine, garlic and some crushed red pepper flakes. I hope you think it's good!" she cheerily says as she takes a step back.

Genevieve and her husband both try a bite, along with Chef Ramsay.

"What did you think?" Gordon asks the couple.

"Very good!" Genevieve smiles broadly. "The textures were pleasing, none of the flavors were overwhelming, overall a real stellar job."

Ori taps his fork on the plate. "I mean, I thought it was good but it wasn't that expensive of a dish, you know?"

Gordon nods. "Have you decided on what you'd pay for this?"

Genevieve speaks up first. "Yes, Chef, I think I'd pay about twenty dollars for this."

Ori turns to Gina. "Excellent work Gina, I'd pay seventeen."

Gina bounces on her toes delightedly.

"And I'd pay eighteen. That makes your total value eighteen dollars and thirty-three cents! Well done, Gina." Gordon praises her.

Gina takes her plate back and high fives Red, Taylor, and me as she takes her place in line.