He tried to steal some time alone with her but she was careful to keep her distance from him. Perhaps he should bedoing the same thing instead of trying to catch her attention. He focused on his dish. Remembering everything he’d learned in the previous week and in a lifetime of cooking. He created a dish to please his palate. Not being in charge of the team meant he could stand back and just cook. Which turned out to be a good thing because there was a lot of testosterone in the kitchen. He stayed clear of Conner and Quinn, who were in a battle to prove each was a bigger egomaniac than the other.
Christian did his best to lead but it was clear to Remy that the other man’s strength was really in the creation of the menu and the front of the house. He charmed every patron who entered their restaurant and it wasn’t long before Remy believed that they would win.
Until he heard the laughter and compliments coming from the women’s side. Just that was enough for Conner and Quinn to put their egos aside and start working together. No one wanted to lose this challenge.
“The judges are here,” Christian shouted, coming into the kitchen. “I’ve just seated them. Chefs, we need your very best!”
They all cooked and plated their food and there was no time to wait for feedback from the judges as other customers were waiting to be served, but they sent back the appetizer that Conner had prepared. Which didn’t sit well with the other man. It worried Remy since he knew the dish had been well prepared until he learned there was a shell in the seafood pate that Conner had created.
An error, Remy thought. That was something that Conner should have caught before the dish was sent to the floor.
But the other man had been too focused on other things...just as he Remy had been with Staci in the Quick Cook. The only way to win this, and that was still his objective, was to do as Staci was doing and put her from his mind.
But that was harder than he’d anticipated. His dreams hadbeen filled with steamy visions of Staci in his arms on the beach. He’d been tormented by the memory of her soft warm body wrapped around his.
“You’re up, Remy. Three mains.”
He started cooking, remembering making love to Staci and when he plated his dish he knew he’d created something that had its roots in what they had both experienced together. He sent the dishes out with the waiter and tried not to stand there like a first time chef.
None of the dishes came back and the rest of the night passed in a blur. Soon they were back in thePremier Chefkitchen. There was a tension in the stew room as they waited to be called in front of the judges. Staci jotted notes frantically in her journal. Others drank water like it was cheap vodka. Finally Fatima entered the room.
“We’re going to do individual judging first and then teams. We’d like to see Vivian, Remy and Gail.”
Remy got to his feet more nervous than he wanted to be. He knew he’d cooked a great dish but he hadn’t exactly hit a home run with the judges thus far.
“Now it’s time to see if we’re the winners or the losers,” Vivian said. “But if we’re the bottom three then there is something wrong with them. I know I didn’t screw up today.”
“We will just have to see,” Remy said.
“Yes, we will.”
They entered the judging room where a long table sat with the three judges behind it. Fatima took her spot next to them and Jack, the director gave them all marks to stand on. In this moment he really resented the fact that this was a TV show. He wanted them to just deliver the news—good or bad. But they had to be set up and then wait.
Eventually, the production crew were in their spots and Fatima smiled at them. “Congratulations, the three of you had the top dishes.”
“I know that,” Vivian muttered.
Relief coursed through Remy. He was very happy to know that he’d made a good showing today. A part of him, just a tiny part felt bad that Staci wasn’t in here. But perhaps being the leader of her team had distracted her from cooking.
The judges all took turns telling them why they liked their dishes before Fatima announced that Remy had won the challenge.
“From the first dish you put up, we knew you could cook,” Hamilton said. “But tonight you showed us something fresh and new. Good job.”
“Thank you, chef.”
“You’re welcome,” Hamilton said.
“We need you to send back a few of your colleagues.”
“Certainly,” Remy said.
They asked to see Tony, Ashley and Conner. Remy had a feeling that Conner might be going home. Although he had no idea how bad Ashley’s dish was. Tony’s dessert hadn’t set right but Remy had tried it and presentation aside it had tasted really good. He was thrilled they didn’t ask to see Staci. He wanted her to stay in the competition. He wondered if their date had been a distraction for her. And decided he’d keep his distance as she clearly wanted him to.
They returned to the stew room and sent the three chefs to see the judges after Remy announced he’d won.
“I heard them raving about your dish,” Staci said when he sat down.
“The judges?” he asked.
