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.”

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

going further, confronting his negativity

won’t work here. It’s not

for all of the love,” I continue, “but please, I ask

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

at the end of the day, we’re all here for

cooking,

engage in a

of applause and cheers takes over the studio. I lean back

the faces of the audience,

and lastly to Karl, who gives me an

home the prize today,” I add, “what truly matters

community, cheering each other

the real victory, and it’s one

still scowling at me,

Because to me, the most important thing is

big for her head, her grin

And even if I don’t win today, I

grins, taking the microphone back. “What a lovely

another round of cheers before

we’re all dying to know— who is

today?”

whose eyes glint in the

say. “If you

private for the duration of