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.”

of my eye, I see Daniel roll his eyes, his scowl

I contemplate going further,

but that won’t work here.

the love,” I continue, “but please, I

my opponents—no, not my opponents, but rather my

at the end of the day, we’re

cooking, to challenge

engage in a

cheers takes over the studio. I

faces of the

to Karl, who gives me

prize today,” I add, “what

cheering each other

victory, and it’s one we can

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

important thing is

head, her grin missing teeth, and

don’t win today, I

announcer grins, taking the microphone back. “What a lovely

there’s another round of cheers

we’re all dying to know— who is your sous

today?”

Karl, whose

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

private for the duration of