Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 54- King of the Hill Part 3/3

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Eventually, all of the other chefs make their way to the pass with their exotic meat plates. Strangely enough, Abel is the last to put his plate up a second before Ramsay calls time.

"Are we all prepared to present our dishes?" Gordon asks the lineup of chefs.

"Yes, Chef!" we respond. I sense there's a bit less confidence in all of our voices. This challenge really threw us for a loop, it seems.

"Excellent. I'm excited to try all of your unique cuisine ideas." Gordon walks to the table in the center of the room and stands behind it.

"Might I have Mary step up first, please?"

Red steps out of line and grabs her domed plate from behind her. Her hands are trembling, but she stays relatively calm as she approaches Chef Ramsay.

"What have you prepared for me today, Ms. Mary?" Gordon asks, tilting his head.

"Chef, I've made an Autumn duck confit salad. It has endive, arugula, radicchio, grapes, apple, radishes, and walnuts." She passes the dish towards him.

Gordon looks it over.

"The duck leg you've used here does feel like the centerpiece, but the salad is cluttered. Let's give it a taste." He takes his fork and gathers some salad and a bit of duck for a bite.

Red averts her eyes as Gordon looks up at her from her dish, as if she's afraid of what he might say.

"Mary, it's delicious. I do wish you'd finessed a more intricate dish, but I cannot deny that I enjoyed eating it. Go on and sit." He opens his palm towards the throne.

Red bows her head then heads to the throne, sitting uneasily. She tentatively raises her head towards the chef lineup, then looks down at her lap. I love Red, but she needs to be more confident. I know that's a trait Gordon has to see in order to consider her for his head chef. Of course, I don't want tougher competition– but Red is so sweet, I'd hate for her to not wear a black jacket.

"Next, may I see Dave's dish?" Gordon inquires.

Dave steps from his spot in the chef lineup and takes his domed plate with him. When he reaches Chef Ramsay, he lifts the lid.

"Hey Chef, all I did here was butterfly cut the emu steak, stuff it with Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, and a hint of Madeira wine. Then I sealed it with egg, basted it with flour and cooked it until it turned medium rare."

Gordon nods then looks down at his plate.

"Your presentation is lackluster, Dave. You should have made some side dish or puree to go along with it. Right now, the emu is having to stand on its own in a vast sea of white plate," Gordon says as he cuts into the emu steak and takes a bite.

"It's good, Dave. Well cooked. The stuffing is original and unique. But I can't let you take the throne with a poorly presented plate. Back in line, please." Gordon waves Dave from the table.

Dave looks angry as he takes his plate back to the lineup. Bella watches him with a concerned look on her face. Huh, I don't think I've ever seen her look concerned about anyone but herself.

"Pietro next, please?" Gordon curls his finger towards himself.

Pietro steps from line and heads towards Chef Ramsay, his wide frame toddling from side to side.

"What have you made for me, Pietro?"

Pietro lifts the lid and turns the plate towards Chef.