Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

A little girl with a costume chef’s hat on. It’s a little too big for her head, causing

it to fall into her eyes. She pushes it up out of her face, shooting me a toothless

grin as she holds up a handmade sign that reads, in haphazard crayon…

“ABBY, U R MY HERO!”

Tears come to my eyes, but I blink them away. Suddenly, I’ve found my voice

again. I clear my throat, stand up straight, and start to speak.

“I want to say how grateful I am to stand here as a woman in a profession that

has long been dominated by men. And not just as a woman, but as someone

who believes in the power of diversity, of giving chances to those who are often

overlooked.”

Enter title…

I pause, choosing my words carefully. “But it’s not just about me,” I continue, “it’s

about all of us here. The incredible chefs who have come to compete, the staff

who make this show possible, and you—the audience, who make us want to be

better.”

my eye, I see Daniel roll his eyes, his scowl deepening.

moment, I contemplate going further,

but that won’t work here. It’s not right.

the love,” I continue, “but please, I ask

opponents—no, not my

fellow chefs—because, at the end of the day,

of cooking, to challenge ourselves, and

in

and cheers takes over the studio. I lean

my eyes sweeping across the faces of the audience,

Karl,

home the prize today,” I add, “what

community, cheering each other

real victory, and it’s one

Daniel’s once more. He’s still scowling at me,

most important

for her head, her grin missing teeth, and her heart

don’t win today, I will

microphone back. “What a lovely speech,”

to which there’s another round of cheers before

loves you, but we’re all dying to

today?”

dart to Karl, whose

the name ‘Ken,’” I say. “If you all don’t mind,

the duration of