Chapter 8: The Big Day (3)

As the time ticked, all the candidates fumbled and the big room was filled with clanging sounds and tension.

Alena decided to cook parmesan risotto with roasted shrimp as the main dish and a raspberry and vanilla bean cream tart for the dessert.

Mr Russell along with his assistants Mr. Harold and Mr. Coretti inspected the candidates. He was joined by two of his assistant head chefs especially for this round to assist him and the other judges.

In the big room only the sound of utensils clanging, the sound of footsteps, and the prominent aroma of food floated. The fresh smell of a variety of ingredients including herbs was floating in the air making the stomachs of the judges' grumble and their mouths water in anticipation. The room sure smelled nice due to all the food scent floating in the air.

The fresh sweet scent of cake and pie tingled the nostrils of the judges. The scents made their stomachs grumble with hunger. A few of them imagined being sent back to their mother's kitchen. They discussed and speculated what was being cooked.

This was an important test round which would decide the fate of the candidates and select the next Top 5 candidates. It was a crucial round.

One of the candidates was the young mistress Susan Walton who was the daughter of a food chain business owner Mr. Walton. A delicate girl with beautiful hands, she was cooking duck breasts with Apple and mushroom stuffing along with baking a chocolate mousse cake which she had planned to present with a pine nut brittle to the judges.

The sound of fresh vegetables sizzling in oil, the beeping sound of the ovens filled the room. After an hour and fifteen minutes, all the candidates were ready with their respective dishes. The anticipation for tasting the food was finally over for the judges.

Alena was confident in her cooking skills, after all cooking for her was like breathing air. She had cooked at her house so many times especially under the masterful eye of her father and his guidance that she didn't have any doubt on her skills. Of course she was a little worried if her dish would make her win this round but she was happy and satisfied with whatever she had come up with.

After cooking time was finally over, Mr Russell was joined by Mr. Arnold and Mrs. Maria as the judges panel.

One by one each candidate presented their respective five platters of their dishes to the judges for tasting. The judges were presented with a variety of dishes. They got to taste a variety of continental food and cuisine along with a delightful variety of desserts. Some of the dishes included grilled corn with fennel and Brussel sprouts; duck breast with apple and mushroom stuffings; turkey skewers breast marinated in orange; carrot, tomato, and spinach Quinoa Pilaf with Ground Turkey; Broccoli, Beef and Tater Tot Hotdish, Parchment baked Salmon, etc; as for the desserts: chocolate mousse cake with pie nut brittle; french cotillon chocolate cake; coffee cake with cinnamon cream; chocolate-mint bars; pumpkin pie pudding; Nathan's lemon cake.

After 20 minutes of discussion, the judges announced the results. Everyone was made to gather in front of the judges and step forward as the names were announced.

When Mr Russell announced names one by one the heart rates of each candidate went rising with their breaths stuck in their throats, they all anticipated for the names of the finalists for the next round.

When Alena's name was announced, her breath was caught up in her throat and she gulped a lump of saliva.

"Miss Alena Flameheart, your dishes parmesan risotto cheese with roasted shrimp sent us all to our childhood days", Mrs. Maria remarked.

"It refreshed my childhood memories of my mother cooking it for us when I was a kid", remarked Mr Arnold pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a gentle soft smile on his face.

"Your dessert of raspberry and vanilla bean cream tart was my personal favourite. My mother used to cook it often when my father used to come back from his business trips", remarked Mr. Russell as he explained one of his childhood memories with delight.

"So the final decision for your dishes was not a difficult one Miss Alena! Since your dishes gave the sense of homeliness we were looking for, you've made it to the next round! Congratulations!"

Alena froze up as she heard the final remarks and was startled by the applauses of other candidates and the throwing on confetti which brought her back to a sense of joy. Alena's face was marked by two tear drops of joy on this joyous moment. She couldn't contain her happiness as she was hugged by Millie.

In about the next 10 minutes all the finalists were announced which included Alena's name. Although unfortunately Millie didn't make it to the next round and had to bid farewell to Alena. They both hugged, exchanged numbers and bid each other a bittersweet goodbye.

It was sad but life had to move on.

Only candidates whose dishes contained that homely flavour were shortlisted for the next round.

"Congratulations on making it this far, everyone!", gleefully announced and congratulated Mrs. Maria. She was the most cheerful as she was the youngest in the jury panel and therefore had more energy.

"To have made it this far, you guys must be so excited! The special bonus and surprise for this round is that everyone who has made it this far will be employed by the Rumaro household BUT", emphasised Mrs. Maria, "only one candidate will bag the special job of being the personal maid"

"For the next round, we have a special guest with us who's judgement is very crucial to decide the final candidate", smiled Mr. Russell.

"Please welcome, the person in flesh himself-- young master Kai Rumaro!", gleefully announced Mrs. Maria.

As Alena's eyes met his, she was startled. Befuddled, she thought to herself 'what is he doing here?' Alena felt uncomfortable and nervous with the eye contact and broke it by looking away.

Kai still maintained his aloof stature. Although he was stupefied when he saw Alena amongst the candidates, but still, nothing fazed this boy that easily. It wasn't easy to capture his attention or to even surprise him. Alena being here, perked his curiosity but he wasn't that interested to determine exactly what, why and how she ended up there. He was aware though, that she was the top student who bagged the scholarship programme in his school.

He stood with an expressionless face. His eyes were unreadable and the depth of his eyes emanated an icey coldness.

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To be Continued ~

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