2.5. Lost in the forest

The farm wasn't really a farm like Nova said. Well, it looked like a farm in the outside but the inside was modern with high-tech kitchen material. Only the second half of the farm was a real farm with cows, sheep, chickens and lots of other animals. There was also a garden with fruits, vegetables and herbs behind the property.

The two other judges were waiting for us inside. Each contestant went to his place, ready to start the new challenge.

"Welcome, everybody! I hope you all slept well and had sweet dreams about a cucumber and an onion falling in love and having cute little babies…"

We were all looking at chef Anthony with weird expressions, even the other judges. I sniggered. It seems like he's the one who had sweet dreams last night. He coughed and went back to the original subject.

"Hum! As chef Nova had explained to you sooner, you'll have to make a dish with what you found in the farm. Since the place is quite big, you'll have three hours for this challenge. Is there any question?"

I raised my hand and chef Anthony pointed his chin to me.

"Can we go outside the farm? Like a bit further in the mountain?"

Chef Anthony pondered for a short while.

"Well, yes. You can but don't forget you only have three hours so you can't allow yourself to lose too much time. It's easy to get lost in the mountains."

I nodded knowingly. It sure is easy, unless you have the system like me. Moreover, there's a lot of good herbs that have medicinal properties and will add flavour to the food in the forest. It will be perfect for the theme of this dish.

"Other questions?"

People shook their heads in negation.

"Then let's begin… now!"

They all started to run. I went to see the animals and took some eggs and milk. Then I went to the garden to pick som vegetables. When I went back to the kitchen, most of the participants were already starting to wash their ingredients or kill some chickens.

I made a disgusted face. How can they kill animals so casually?

I put down my provisions, took a small basket and got out of the farm. I climbed higher in the mountain, searching for my herbs.

***

In the kitchens, all the cook apprentices were busy grilling their meat or cutting vegetables. Only one worktop was deserted. The judges were staring hard at the empty place, worried. It's already been an hour since the young cook left.

"Maybe something happened. Those mountains are quite dangerous —even by day."

The food critic nodded in agreement.

"There's a cameraman with him but we should send someone to fetch him anyway, just in case. I'm worried about his safety."

They turned their head toward chef Nova who was still looking expressionlessly at the empty work place.

"I'll go."

They opened their eyes wide. Huh? Since when did he become so altruistic? He shot a glare at them.

"What? This place belongs to my family, I know these mountains by heart. It's only natural that I'm the one who will go."

Chef Anthony smiled amused.

"Of course, it is."

***

"So you're still alive."

I fell on my back in surprise when I suddenly heard his voice behind me. I looked up only to meet mocking playful green eyes looking down at me. Ugh, my ass hurt like hell. It's so embarrassing.

He gave me his hand and helped me standing up. I glanced at him while taking of the dead leaves sticking on my pants.

"Why are you here?"

"You've been away for more than an hour so I came to fetch you. The others were worried you fell in a ravine."

So you weren't? I held back from asking him. I had no reasons and no rights to ask him that kind of question —I would look like an upset lover if I did. He chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"Of course, I was worried too."

I pressed my lips tightly to suppress my smile and felt my cheeks redden. I crossed my arms, sulking.

"Mph! As if I care."

He laughed and grabbed my hand, leading me out of the forest.

"Okay, I trust you. For now let's go back to the farm."

We walked and arrived to the filming site. I went back to my place and started cooking. There was only an hour and a half left but fortunately, that was enough. I didn't chose a difficult recipe, what's impressive are the ingredients I put it in —There are mostly rare herbs that only professionals can find in the nature.

When the time was out and it was my turn to pass, I presented my dish to the judges. A simple soup with bread, cheese and cold cuts. I could hear my brother's laugh from afar but he'll soon regret it. My choice of dish was the best if you take everything that was asked into consideration.

The judges tasted and a satisfied smile appeared on their faces. The first to comment was the food critic, as usual.

"It's really good. I feel completely reinvigorated, that's exactly what we wanted you to serve us."

Chef Anthony added, content.

"That's right, the flavours of the alpine herbs you added on this soup is bringing warmth and strength to my body. I suddenly feel like going in a walk, don't you, Nova?"

They both looked at Nova, expectantly.

"I often went hiking when I was younger and that was the kind of dish my grandmother prepared for when I finished. It's light but enough to fill your stomach, that way you can spent a good night and you don't have a stomachache the next morning."

He then looked at the other participants with disdain.

"I guess most of you have forgotten what I said back in the house. This dish is made in the middle of the mountain for people who are walking, that means that most of them will continue to walk the following day. How can they walk properly with a beefsteak in their stomach?"

He sighed and looked back at me.

"Your dish is perfect. You thought about your costumer while doing it and that's the most important but that's also what a lot of cook tend to forget. You can go back to your place."

I smiled and thanked him before sitting at my place. I watched as Dany went to present his dish to the judge. They started eating and this time, chef Nova spoke first.

"I can't eat that. The meat is overcooked, it's as hard as a stone. The cooking of meat is different here than in the city because of the altitude, as a cook you should know that much. Next time just don't do anything instead of poisoning me with that kind of shit."

Unexpectedly, a tear ran down Dany's face and then he started to sob. Nova didn't talk very harshly compared to some other contestant so it was quite obvious that he was simulating. Chef Anthony was flabbergasted.

"Are you okay, young man?"

Dany nodded slightly but kept on crying.

"It's just that… sob… it hu-hurt to… hear s-such harsh words c-coming from… m-my favourite c-chef… I-I've always… snif… respected him s-since h-he… saved my l-life, ten years a-ago and-"

"Why are you lying?"

A cold voice interrupted his wailing.