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.”

eye, I see Daniel roll his eyes, his

moment, I contemplate going further, confronting his negativity right here

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

the love,” I continue, “but please,

opponents—no, not

at the end of the day, we’re all here

art of cooking, to challenge ourselves, and most of

engage in

takes over the

the faces

lastly to Karl,

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

as a community, cheering each other on,

real victory, and it’s one we can all

He’s still

anymore. Because to me, the most important

big for her head, her grin missing

don’t win today, I will try my

taking the microphone back. “What a

another round of cheers before

loves you, but we’re all dying to know— who is your sous chef

today?”

to Karl, whose eyes glint in the

say. “If you

identity private for the