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.”

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

I contemplate going further, confronting his

work here. It’s

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

not my opponents, but rather

at the end of the day, we’re all here

to celebrate the art of cooking, to challenge ourselves, and most of

in

of applause and cheers takes over the studio. I

eyes sweeping across the faces of the

Karl, who

today,” I add, “what truly matters is that

a community, cheering

the real victory, and it’s one

still scowling at

Because to me, the most important

her head, her grin missing teeth,

win today, I will try my

microphone back. “What a

round of cheers before he continues.

all dying to know— who is

today?”

dart to Karl, whose eyes

say. “If you all don’t mind, he has asked to

identity private for the