Fate of love

The contest 2

Adeola was feeling very lonely in the garden while Tayo came to comfort her; Adeola, what is wrong with you? You have been too cold since Ibukun left, he held her by her shoulder. Nothing she nodded as she stood up to go to her room. Where are you going? Tayo asked because Adeola’s mood was unusual. To my room of course, my head aches so I need to rest. Okay o, if you say so.

The day was on vacation as the night draws in. the contestant were being interviewed on their experience of their first day in the competition. Welcome to ultimate cooking show season two, Niyi introduce the show as usual with lots of smile and laughter as he humorously pronounce each word. Today there won’t be cooking completion but an oral one. Yes, I still have my judges here to ask the questions and the participants are to answer. This was an unusual practice in the competition so it caught the contestants unaware. Were you expecting this? Ibukun whispered to Shayo. Not at all, this is very unusual. I pray we meet up with the scores needed to qualify. Yes, the show is about to begin, are you ready? Niyi echoed.

Tayo, tomorrow mummy is going to bring a girl home, she is the new cook. Please help her locate things and show her how things are being done here. You know she is new to this environment. That is not a problem ma, but ma’am have you informed Adeola about it? I am sick and tired of her rejecting every single cook that is being brought to this house, she will have to cope with this one and that is final. But ma’am you know she is very emotional. There is nothing I can do about that, she just have to bear with me. Are you not watching the program today? Sure I will, I would not want to miss any part of it.

Adeola walked sluggishly to the couch, she sat on the couch and placed her head on Tayo’s thigh. The show is about to begin, Tayo pushed out the word. Adeola what is wrong, you don’t seem to be excited about the show? Favor said after reading the expression on Adealo’s face. Adeola just kept mute like she didn’t hear her mother. Deola, mummy is talking to you. I am fine, she concentrated on the television. Adeola, this you are doing is really not fair. You are keeping us in the dark. Please let the cat out of the bag let us know exactly what is wrong with you, Tayo felt very concerned about Adeola. You don’t need to worry too much, Ibukun will stop by often hmmm. Look at this dumb head, you just confessed your love to the woman of your heart and now she is at distance at the peak of you love and here you are sympathizing with me. I can cope with my new cook, Adeola thought within herself.

What’s up with the question this time? I really hope Ibukun is able to meet up with the score, Mojisola walked out of the inner room and talked to herself like she is really in a conversation with someone. This girl does not like anything question. I really hope she’s going to meet up with the score. Mojisola walked in circles having no idea of what to do; God, I rest my case, Ibukun is up to you now, do what only you can do. The television embraced the atmosphere in the room.

Brother Tayo, Adeola shouted all of a sudden, what is this stage about? Sister Ibukun is not really good at answering oral question, how is she going to cope with this? Tayo rested his back well on the couch, don’t worry too much dear, she already improved on that already, Tayo sounded with a lot of confidence. But… Brother Tayo, you sound with so much confidence, what did you do? Adeola raised her head from Tayo’s thigh and looked straight into his eyes. What do you mean by what did I do? I did nothing, I only helped her overcame that phobia. Hmmm, Favor sigh where she was sitting as she threw away her face pretending she was not listening to Tayo and Adeola’s conversation. Tayo and Adeola looked at her but also played along like nothing happened. Segun dragged himself out of the room because he was bored and lonely inside the room, it was written all over him that one could easily tell what was wrong with him mere looking at him. He dragged himself to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. He moved towards the sitting room; Honey, when is mummy bringing the new cook? She said hopefully tomorrow, so I am expecting her tomorrow. Oh, that is good. Is this not the same show you guys were watching yesterday? Yes daddy, Adeola won’t let the question have it ground before she gave the respond. Its sister Ibukun show, this is the second stage, funny enough two people will be evicted today. Why is it that way? I thought it was just one person that was evicted yesterday? Yes daddy, it was just one person, I think this is one of the most difficult stage of the show. Hmmm, you are right it must be. They all concentrated on the show.

Ibukun kicked off her phobia. My fear will never have control over me, she told herself, never again she repeats again and again clinching her hands together as the flash of Tayo’s word runs through her head “Bukunmi, I know you are always scared when you are being asked question directly, you have to muster up the courage and tell yourself you won’t let your fear have control over you. Bukunmi, you know what, I feel you won this competition already”. She blushes swinging herself in comfort. Chinaza saw her and was amazed by the sudden confident Ibukun suddenly gets. This girl is really full of surprises, what has she come up with this time? Dayo couldn’t help but stare continuously at Ibukun; this girl again. Why is she suddenly smiling? “All you need to do is kick out all of your fears, forget all about your worries and never let them pull you down. Face the reality with courage, and make it know you are not afraid of what it throws at you.” Tayo’s word keeps hitting Ibukun building up lots of courage in her.

Hmmm… Hmmm, Niyi cleared his throat. I think the room finds it comfort already. Now I am going to leave the rest to the judges after I read out the question any of you pick. On my list I have thirty five questions which mean each of you here will answer five questions. According to your lines, pick any number of your choice and I will read out the question to you. Ok let me begin with you Chinaza, what number? Without hesitation, chinaza replied two! What is going to be the next big thing in the food world? Niyi read out the question. Jeez, this question is kind of technical. Well, umm… According to Wisdom, staying on track with sustainability will be the only way the food world can get better and move forward. Wow, fantastic Mrs Joan stood to clap for the complete sense in Chinaza’s response to the question. You have five points.

Next is Dayo, what question? Dayo shook his head, Thirty five he replied. Hmm, thirty five, where is that? Niyi flipped the book with him. Okay, I found it. How do you ensure success when cooking with a chef of a kitchen manager? Dayo bowed his head then looked round inside the room like the clue where written on the walls. Hmm, hmm he cleared his throat; if I need to ensure success, I need to work side by side with the chef, accepting his advice and wisdom to achieve success and also learn from my mistake. Correct, Mr Johnson echoed. Wow, Dayo, you’ve got yourself five points Niyi said with a wide smile.

Shayo, you are next. Question five she said looking at the ground. What is the relationship between a chef and the market? Huh, umm, chefs are often involved in market and promotion of their restaurant. If one had any such experience or education, do not hesitate to say so. Chefs already know the market and can therefore participate in branding a place and creating marketing presence and promotional strategies. You’ve got yourself five points.

Ibukun, you are next. The sound of Ibukun’s name as mention by Niyi tries to break Ibukun’s confidence shield. Question six, she said with her legs shivering and trying to find it ground. As a chef, what will be your greatest accomplishment? Oh, that will be when guest ask to see me to tell me how wonderful the food I made for them was and how it makes them happy. Wow, that is the greatest accomplishment of any chef Mrs Joan exclaimed.

The questions went on and on that the contestants tighten up their belt and will not let a question slide without grapping their five points. Wow, the battle is not over until it is over. Our contestants are on the hit, not letting go any point of theirs. It is tie. Do not turn out the show. We will be right back after the short break. Niyi walked up to the judges to discuss on what is needed to be done.

Wow, sister Ibukun was amazing, I never saw that coming. Adeola exclaimed as she looked at Tayo closely. How did you make her build so much confidence in herself? Tayo quickly bent his head to whisper to Adeola’s ear; watch what you ask and say, mum and dad are both present here. I just told her, he said aloud with a wide smile. Adeola just stared because she was short of words. Favor and Segun looked at themselves then smiled.

Wow, Ibukun is really trying even more than I expected of her, Mojisola echoed as she glance at the television with all of her concentration. Suddenly her eyes were clouded; Samson, your girl is really doing well, thanks for watching over her and comforting her. The flood rushed out as her words will cramp, not sounding out fine like it should because she was overwhelmed by her tears. She is becoming the chef she has always talked about. I really wished you could be here to see for yourself how better she has become.

A benevolent atmosphere rolled into the room, as the questions were already seated in their rightful position awaiting orders. Welcome back to your favorite cooking show, the ultimate cooking show! Let it go hot like it has always been, like I said, it is not over until it is over. So put in your best to get qualified. I few questions with me here, the hint is technicality and creativity so, well, I wish you all the best. Starting from you jummy. Question one. Explain briefly what you know about flattop, grill, and sauté station? Firstly, each and every kitchen tool can be used in diverse way to create very tasteful cuisine. Flattop, can be used to simmer sauces and stock in a controlled temperature. Grill can be used to reheat Asian type of foods, and sauté station can double as egg and omlette station, hot cereal station as well. Bravo, that was excellent, Mrs Margret shouted. Thank you ma, jumoke bowed her head as she replies. This girl must have been a big chef before even participating for this competition, hmm, no wonder, Chinaza thought to herself as she stared at her.

Ayombami, you are next. Question three. Supposed as an executive chef, what is the first thing that you will do in a kitchen that has often been a reason for criticism? That’s simple, for a kitchen that has always been a reason for criticism, there is usually a problem with base structure. My first solution will be to investigate the problem. When I know where the problem lies, I will create a structure or system to make sure that all kitchen operations are handled within the scope.

Adekitan, you are next. Question four. As a chef, how do you handle stressful situations? Um, I think, no, I mean I will keep it under control by trying to lighten up the mood if it is not too serious. Proper communication is key and diffusing the situation right away if need be. Wow, you all have given your best but yet some of you need to put in more effort. Shayo, Jumoke, Ayobami, and Dayo, you all made it to the next stage Chinaza, Ibukun and Adekitan you have a tie by which only one of you will qualify to the next stage in Delhi. Tayo and Adeola felt so cold like one who has just seen a ghost. They became very quiet.

Okay let’s make it easy this time, Mrs Margret said adjusting herself on the chair. Why do you cook? Chinaza, Ibukun and Adekitan went silent. They got no answer to the question then suddenly a flash hits Ibukun. It was Tayo’s voice. “Why do you cook” she smile, it was just the same question. Ibukun stepped forward; cooking has always been part of me which can’t be separated from me. I cook to save lives and put smiles on peoples face, cooking is just who I am. Wow, that’s really touching, Mrs Margret exclaimed. And finally Ibukun made it to the next stage. Ibukun fell to her kneel as tears rolled down her eyes. Shayo rushed to her with a warm hug.

Grasp at straws, finally the hook caught a big fish. Every eye was clouded that no one could hold back their tears. Adeola hugged Tayo’s thigh to cry on, Tayo tried so hard to hide his tear, looking at the pop pattern to pour back his tears. Favor hugged her husband and cried on his shoulder, Segun just picks up Tayo’s way to hide his tears.