Round 9: Pie Day

By J. M. Allison

I just needed two more minutes!

“Come on!” I whispered to my masterpiece. Four minutes left on the clock for the challenge. Once my timer beeped, I’d have just enough time to plate it for presentation to Chef Gordy Lynn.

I quadruple-checked everything was ready on the nearby counter. I couldn’t afford any mistakes. Dessert plate—check. Whipped cream—check. Chocolate fudge—check. Mini chocolate chips—check. Mint green sprinkles—check. Three raspberries—check.

Ding! I ripped open the oven door and lifted out my chocolate masterpiece. Ideally, I’d let it sit for fifteen minutes before cutting into it. But not today.

I sliced through the flakey chocolate crust with a practiced hand. I scooped a pristine slice onto the plate and splashed a dash of cream on top. I twisted the whisk out of the fudge and drizzled an elaborate zigzag pattern. Wood elves had a reputation for precision and artistry in their creations, and I didn’t intend to disappoint.

The red second hand on the timer raced toward its finish line. I had to move faster!

I tossed sprinkles across the slice, then dropped mini chocolate chips over it and around the edge of the plate.

“Thirty more seconds!” Chef Gordy announced.

My heart pounded like a meat tenderizer against my very meatless ribs. I deposited the three raspberries on top with a flourish.

“Time! Hands up!” he barked. “When I call your name, bring your dish forward.” Chef Gordy glared down his gray-green goblin nose at us three remaining contestants. “Rory Leeon. Bring your dish forward.”

Rory gave an exaggerated gasp and ran one paw through his perfectly styled mane. He gingerly picked up his dish and pranced forward to deposit it before Chef Gordy.

“Describe your dish,” Chef commanded.

“Is huckleberry orange pie,” Leeon gushed in his thick French accent, “with vanilla drizzle glaze and blueberry garnish.”

I scowled. Figures he’d make Chef’s favorite, despite claiming meat pies were his specialty. He’d sucked up to Chef Gordy every round.

Chef lifted the plate, inspecting the dessert for any imperfections.

“Visually it’s very appealing.” Chef Gordy sunk his fork into the pie and lifted a tiny morsel to his lips. He sniffed it then popped it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, his head doing more work than his lower jaw. His plume of platinum hair swayed with each bite.

“Excellent!” Chef praised. “Texture and flavor balance is superb.”

Leeon strutted back to his station. “Bonne chance, little imp,” he muttered as he passed. “Chocolate, so pretentious and bourgeoisie. True chefs make anything taste good.”

My fists clenched. Graduating from some fancy cooking academy didn’t make him a better chef, I reminded myself, just more entitled.

“Seline Fey!”

The old fairy to my left flew her pie over for inspection, jabbering about her Corsican creation and its cultural significance.

Chef held her pie aloft and rotated the plate, scrutinizing the flowery offering from all sides.

I held my breath and glanced at my dessert. The whipped cream had melted slightly mixing with the fudge drizzle, creating a marbled effect.

“The zucchini flowers give it a nice color, but the bits of ricotta have gone all droopy, and this bit over here is blackened to a crisp.” Chef chipped off a tiny sample and popped it in his mouth. “Darling, this dish is a disaster. An utter disaster.”

Fey’s wings drooped, and she stopped hovering. Sniffling, she shuffled to her station.

“Josie Rose!” Chef’s voice echoed around the kitchen. Judgment time had come.

I carefully delivered my masterpiece to Chef for inspection.

“Describe your dish.”

I pressed my palms down the front of my apron and looked Chef straight in the eyes.

“I made a chocolate swirl pie with ribbons of mint-raspberry fudge in a dark chocolate crust, topped with whipped cream, fudge drizzle, mini chocolate chips, mint sprinkles, and raspberries.”

Chef inspected my pie then stabbed it with his sampling fork. “Beautiful artistry in its design and presentation. But taste is, of course, the ultimate ruler.”

I swallowed and nodded. He popped the loaded fork into his mouth and chewed.

The ticking of the clock grew louder in my ears as I watched his hair sway back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.

I reminded myself to breathe. As long as my pie didn’t kill him, I still had a chance at making the finals.

“Simply divine! The flavor balance is magnificent, and the crust is flakey on top but not overcooked on the bottom. Your choice of garnish accentuates the flavors in the body of the pie. Truly, a culinary masterpiece!” Chef beamed at me.

I squealed and clasped my hands together to keep from hugging him. “Thank you, Chef!” I skipped back to my station.

“Just two contestants will move on to the finals. And the winner of this round will receive a huge advantage in the final round.” We nodded to the familiar words. The winner always received an advantage: additional time, first pick of ingredients, or determination of what dish would be made. “Monsieur Leeon,” Chef continued without pausing for a breath, “your pie was expertly executed and tasted sublime. Ms. Fey, your pie was unique, but I’m afraid it failed in both presentation and taste. Miss Rose, your pie was a true work of art combining flavors in a most awe-inspiring way.”

I glanced at Leeon. Our eyes met, and his lip curled with a low growl.

“Ms. Fey… You are eliminated.”

Fey burst into loud, gasping sobs and ran from the kitchen, leaving a shimmering trail of pixie dust in her wake.

“The winner of round nine, and the contestant who will receive all three benefits for the finals, is…”

I closed my eyes.

“Miss Rose!”

My eyes snapped open. I whooped and danced in a circle.

“Miss Rose,” Chef Gordy’s voice cut through my celebration, “what dish will we be making for the finale?”

I grinned at Leeon. He wouldn’t show me up next round. “Lion burgers!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. M. Allison, more commonly addressed as Lisa, or Mommommommom, grew up captivated by the magic and wonder of fairy tales. She finds daily adventure in raising four small humans, teaching musical theatre and dance, sewing, drawing, cosplaying, writing, and reading. Stories can communicate so many things, and she hopes her stories will inspire others to courageously live their own adventures or at least bring a little happiness into their humdrum lives.

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