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 Daniel roll his eyes, his

I contemplate going further, confronting his negativity

that won’t work here. It’s

of the love,” I continue, “but

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

fellow chefs—because, at the end of the day,

to celebrate the art of cooking, to

engage in

of applause and cheers takes over the

eyes sweeping across the faces of

to Karl, who gives

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

together as a community, cheering each other on, despite

reservations. That’s the real victory, and it’s one we can

He’s still scowling at me, but

me, the most important thing is

too big for her head, her grin missing

I don’t win today, I will try

taking the microphone back.

which there’s another round of cheers before

but we’re all dying to know— who

today?”

eyes dart to Karl, whose

“If you all don’t

for the