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.”

see

moment, I contemplate going further, confronting his

work here.

you for all of the love,” I continue, “but

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

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

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

engage in a

takes over the studio. I

faces of the audience, then

lastly to Karl, who gives me

the prize today,”

as a community, cheering each other

That’s the real victory, and it’s

still

Because to me, the most important

big for her head, her grin

even if I don’t win today, I will try my hardest… for

grins, taking the microphone back. “What a lovely

there’s another round of cheers before he

dying to know— who

today?”

dart to Karl, whose eyes

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

private for the duration of this