Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 79- Black Jacket Challenges Part 2/4

Monday, July 15th, 2013

"Are we all ready to present?" Gordon claps his hands from the dining room, turning our heads to him.

"Yes, Chef!" we respond, though my voice comes in a bit quieter than the others. Making such a lackluster dish for the first challenge won't get me off on the right foot at all.

"I'd like to introduce my assistant judge for today, Chef Frank Bolvidair. He-"

My thoughts spin in a storm of disarray as Gordon continues to introduce his guest chef– a short, brown-haired man with a bit of a belly. My food looks like rubbish compared to everyone else. Soon enough, Gordon calls for the other chefs to present their dishes. I want to concentrate and see what they've made, but my failure to prepare an adequate dish eats away at me.

I miss out on Dave and Kalyani's dish being presented as I work to keep a level head. I look to the TV screen behind Gordon and his assistant judge for their scores– Kalyani got a 3 in presentation and a 3 in flavor while Dave got a 4 in presentation and a 2 in flavor. So far, I might have a chance.

"Bella, please. Come forward," Gordon asks. I take a deep breath and force myself to look at whatever Bella has prepared.

Bella walks to the front and lays out her tray, removing the dome.

"Chefs, today I prepared Chicken Francaise with lemon caper sauce on a bed of cilantro jasmine rice." She smiles sweetly as she takes a step back.

Even from where I am, I can see the chicken glistening.

Both chefs take a bite of her chicken and nod approvingly.

"Excellent, Bella. Very well executed. Frank, what do you think?" Gordon asks, turning to the chef beside him.

A grin spreads across Frank's face. "As far as the meat is concerned– well cooked indeed, young lady." He elbows Gordon, who smiles at Bella and nods his agreement. "However, while the chicken is cooked to perfection, the presentation leaves a bit to be desired. I'd like some vegetables in this dish to add color."

"So with that, I'd say three in presentation, five in flavor!" Chef Bolvidair announces as Bella smiles. Dave claps for her from my right side as she comes back into the lineup.

"Next, Mary if you would please approach the table?" Gordon requests.

Red takes a step forward, realizes she forgot her tray, then grabs the tray and rushes to the front with her face already burning red.

"Well?" Gordon asks, gesturing to the still-lidded dish. She grabs the lid and pulls it off, clearing her throat.

"Uhm, I have thyme crusted pork tenderloin with brown sugar candied blood oranges." She bows her head and steps back from the table.

Red has her pork tenderloin on a black round plate, with the red-hued oranges fanned out around it.

"Upon first glance, your presentation is astounding, Mary. I mean that," Chef Bolvidair compliments her, reddening her face even further.

"But," he pulls the pork apart where he's sliced it, "it's not cooked through. I'm sorry, but I can't eat this. I'll go with a five for presentation, and a 1 for flavor."

Gordon sucks in air between his teeth. "Ooh, sorry about that Mary. Back in line, please?" He hands her the plate. Surprisingly, when she turns around, she isn't crying. Maybe she's toughened up a bit? She makes it back into line next to Kalyani and sets her plate down behind her on the pass.

"Taylor, would you mind presenting next?"

Taylor shakes her head and grabs her tray. When she makes it to the table, she sets the plate down and removes the dome.