Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 64- Menu Testing

Friday, July 12th, 2013

The next morning, our sous chefs wake us up early and give us thirty minutes to eat breakfast and line up downstairs. In twenty-five minutes, we're lined up outside of the kitchens awaiting instruction.

Chef Ramsay flits down the stairs from his office. He comes to a stop in front of us and beams.

My mind races with what I'll say to Ramsay the next time I'm alone with him. I feel anxious as I consider all the ways I can breach the subject of Abel as a potential cover.

"Good morning, Chefs!"

"Good morning, Chef!" we shout back.

"Are you all excited to showcase your unique menus tonight?"

"Yes, Chef!"

"Good! First of all, I need to try your menu. I'll give critique and suggestions on how you can improve your chances of pleasing the customers and scoring higher on their forms they will be filling out after their delicious dinner. Please take the next hour to prepare each of your dishes for my judging, yeah?"

"Yes, Chef!"

"Excellent. Your hour starts... now!"

In a flurry of shouts and clanging pans, the blue kitchen kicks into gear.

Each of us agrees to take over the food we'd suggested. I'm working turkey sliders and honey-ginger glazed salmon, Kalyani is making pork chops and filet mignon, and Abel gets to work on his bay scallops and vegetable paella. Dave had suggested a salad, so he agrees to take over the desserts so that Kalyani and Abel can focus on their meats.

As promised, when Abel is preparing the bay scallops he calls us over to explain his process.

Whenever one of us appears to be struggling, we assist each other. Though I'm new to the blue team, they aren't abrasive towards me, which helps tremendously with concentrating on my food and keeping out thoughts of my parent's rapidly approaching death anniversary.

In no time at all, Gordon announces that there are five minutes left.

I meticulously plate my food– two sliders on a rectangular plate that fits them perfectly and my salmon on a round plate with couscous to it's left and steamed purple, white, and orange carrots cut lengthwise on it's right.

We set our plates up with apps first, entrees next, and desserts last. The red team finishes plating their last dish the moment that Gordon calls for time.

"To get through this twice as fast, I'm going to be judging both of your plates alongside each other. Don't worry though, there won't be any points. The only winners tonight will be the team that wins service. Just listen to my suggestions, please." He motions for the first two apps to be brought forward.

Up first is Abel. He hands over his plate as Gina hands over hers.

"Describe the dish as I eat," Gordon requests as he forks a scallop.

"I've prepared a spicy-sweet bay scallops dish with garlic, pancetta, pineapple juice, and cubed mango."

"Mm-mmm, delicious. Maybe a little less pineapple juice, but still stunning. Gina, describe your dish now." Gordon pushes away the scallops and pulls Gina's plate towards him. Abel takes the plate and moves to stand behind his next appetizer.

"Chef, I made a chipotle shrimp app on a skewer."

Gordon lifts a skewer and pulls a shrimp off the top with his teeth. Shortly after, he spits the shrimp out into the garbage can to his right and gives a disbelieving look to Gina.