Accepted under the mentorship of your idol and the world's hottest chef Gordon Ramsay, you must prove your skill and determination through competing in Hell's Kitchen- A month long cooking contest versus fifteen other fierce contestants and difficul...
Once we get back to the dorms, we prepare some rice and chicken for a quick meal before bed. While I work on chopping chicken into bite sized pieces for our chicken fried rice dinner, I'm drawn aside by the hawk-eyed woman who directs the interview crew. I find it a bit odd, as she usually sends someone else to call us in for our interviews at the end of each day.
Usually the interviews are a recap of how we thought we'd performed during challenges and dinner service, but I sense this time is somehow different.
I follow her into the interview room– a separate room a bit of a ways away from the kitchens with a green screen behind it– and sit down in a chair facing the camera crew. The boom mic operator, the cameraman, and of course the predatory brown eyes of the director all watch me as I sit down in the interview chair and try not to appear nervous. The daunting black hole of the camera lens stares at me accusingly, threatening that it could so easily give audiences across the globe access to the most intimate details of my life.
"Good afternoon, (Y/N)." The director and interviewer woman gives me an unnerving smile. I recall her name being Janice, but she'd never told me that herself. I'd heard the cameraman address her and had filed her name away subconsciously.
"Afternoon, Janice," I respond, hoping that my use of her name would bring about some friendly light into her endless chasm of a gaze Unfortunately, I have no such luck and her eyes remain as soulless and dark as obsidian.
"As you know, this season has been filled with drama, but Bella's pregnancy is one of the most shocking things to have happened in the history of Hell's Kitchen," Janice starts.
Oh Janice, if only you knew what was going on right below your nose...
"First, we wanted to ask what your thoughts are on Bella and her recent developments."
I think for a moment.
"Bella started off as a real drama queen, and she still sort of is now. But being with Dave has humbled her, I think. She's started to become a team player," I begin.
"Yes, yes." Janice hurries me along impatiently. "What did you think of her pregnancy announcement?"
I purse my lips. Why is she being so pushy to get me to talk about Bella? I'd better watch my words, or I'll end up sounding like I hate her after they get done with editing.
"At first I was worried for her since Dave hadn't been talking to her, but now that they have discussed the situation with each other things are looking up for all of us," I respond carefully.
"Alright, good. Thank you. Our second question, what did you think of family night and the resulting elimination?" Janice asks.
"I wasn't in the kitchens, but I did alright in the dining room. I'm glad we won, but I'm sad to lose Shaun. He was a good man, and a good cook. But there's not anyone I want to go home now, we're all talented chefs at this point in the competition," I respond honestly.
Now, our last question." Janice cuts me off in eagerness. She leans forward and rests her elbows on her knees with her hands clasped together in front of her. "Tell us about your relationship with Chef Ramsay. Why did Tana introduce you to their kids as a friend of them both?"
My heart stops. I didn't consider that the production crew would find something strange about that. It didn't seem strange to me at the time but I suppose it would raise some flags.
Janice's lips pull back in an uncomfortably knowing grin.
"In the history of Hell's Kitchen, Tana has never introduced anyone to their family. We don't have record of you having interacted with her either, so how could she be your friend? You wouldn't happen to be cheating, would you?" she asks, the sweetness in her voice giving me sickening chills.
Wait, cheating?
...
My mind goes blank for a second.
...
OH– she means in Hell's Kitchen!
I clear my throat and– in a burst of courage– lock eyes with the hawk-woman.
"I met Chef Ramsay once at a cook book signing years ago. His wife was there visiting with him and having met them was a good motivator to go on Hell's Kitchen in the first place– but Tana was being kind. We're not friends," I lie boldly to her face. Hopefully she doesn't try to ask where this happened, because I wouldn't have an answer. To try and stave off questions, I continue.
"As far as being friends with Chef Ramsay, you could say I'm one of his star pupils, but you'll also notice that Abel has been doing as well as I have. If not better. He's never been yelled at either. In fact, I think he's screwed up far fewer things than I have," I finish.
Yes, this was the way to go, I think to myself. Let's talk about Abel. Please don't revert the subject back to the original question...
"Abel has been pretty solid, I agree. But Chef Ramsay seems to," Janice unclasps her hands and then steeples her fingers together, "like you more."
Her eyes bore into mine.
"Regardless of what Chef Ramsay 'seems to feel', you'll notice I get no special treatment. He's as meticulous in his judging of my food versus everyone else," my steely voice cuts through the air. Janice recoils a bit, sitting up in her chair. Maybe I was too harsh.
"Alright, (Y/N), thank you for your time. Go on and rejoin the others," Janice sits up from her chair and holds a hand out to me. I stand and shake her hand with a nod before exiting the most uncomfortable interview of my life.
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