It's been a month since the launch of Cooking Fest and I must say that the reviews are great and this weekend will be the Cooking Fest end of the month co petition and I was super for it. I wasn't going be the host; I was going to be one of the judges and I couldn't wait to taste different cuisines from different people and it will be fulfilling. The participants got free forms from the company's sales desk and 10 of them were randomly selected. The whole selection was a bit crazy at first but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it during next month's competition.
I was excited and I couldn't wait for the weekend. I didn't have any close friends apart from Sterling so Cooking Fest was the only thing that kept me sane apart from work.
Talking about Sterling, he's been really laying low after our conversation and I kind of like it. The idea of him coming strong at me didn't quite sit well with me; yes, whenever we spoke, I had this feeling that we shouldn't stop talking but when I thought of that, another voice in my head reminds me of what I have been through in the hands of some certain men. He offered Olivia a job which I'm really grateful for and speaking about Olivia, I really should give her a call and see how she's settling in.
"Hey Olivia,"
"Miss Mills, good afternoon,"
"Please, just call me Phoenix,"
"Okay, Phoenix; I wasn't expecting your call anytime soon seeing that you're busy and all that,"
"Yeah, I am busy but I guess I could always make time to check up people that matters,"
"Oh, really; I'm honored but to what do I owe this pleasant surprise,"
"Oh, nothing really; just calling to check how you're settling in at your new place of work,"
"Oh, that's right, how clumsy of me. I never really got to thank you for getting me this job at STERLING INC., I'm forever grateful. I couldn't call earlier because of the training I was undergoing to make sure that I really was qualified for the job; my apologies,"
"It's really no big deal. I'm glad that you're settling in. I hope the Marketing Department isn't stressful over there as it is here,"
"Well, I can't really say; I guess every department has got its responsibilities to carry out and the Marketing Department isn't left out,"
"Hmmm, I see, that's good to hear, really well. Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Yes Phoenix, what is it? I'll do it as long as it's within my power,"
"Can you be one of my judges for the Cooking Fest competition this Saturday and can you also have drinks with me after Cooking Fest?"
"Absolutely, that's something I can within a blink of an eye,"
"That's fantastic; I'll keep in touch. I'll let you go back to work now since it's still office hours,"
"Sure thing, Later then,"
"Yeah, bye,"
Phoenix hung up and heaved a sigh. She really needed a friend in her life and maybe Olivia could be that extra friend apart from Sterling. These past month, Phoenix felt as though her life revolved around Sterling with the constant use of his name even when he was not around.
The week days went by in a flash with preparations for Cooking Fest first competition.
(COOKING FEST FIRST COMPETITION)
The day for the competition had arrived and Phoenix was pretty nervous. She was nervous as to how the contest would turn out to be. Over the past one month of its existence, Cooking Fest had attracted a lot of viewers from different age grades, so today had to be perfect.
"Phoenix, you'll be on in 3 minutes,"
"Oh, okay. I'm ready,"
Damn, this people weren't kidding when it came to business. I guess I'll have to check in on the rest of the judges. I went around looking for the rest of the judges and luckily enough, I found them in one corner discussing about God knows what.
"Hey guys, are you ready cause I have just been informed that we'll be live in 3 minutes or maybe less,"
"Yeah, we're ready. I can't wait to taste the cuisines. I'm sure everyone will give in their best," That was Chef Felipe Hernandez. Felipe was one of PHOENIX restaurants chief chefs and he was really a masterpiece.
"Me too, I really can't wait," Olivia said
"Well then, let's go on,"
Within the twinkle of an eye, the competition had started and it was live. I took in deep breaths and exhaled them. Well, let's get this show started.
"Well, well, well, it's the most anticipated show of the week and I'm sure everyone is eager and ready to see the lucky winners. I remain your one and only Debby Williams and I will be the host for today's show," Debby said with much enthusiasm.
I watched from behind the curtains as she was yet to introduce both the judges and the participants.
"Without wasting much of your time, I'd like to call on all 10 participants to please make their way to the front," after Debby said that, all the participants came out in their apron and head gears looking like chefs. They stood at their assigned post and waited for further instructions.
The various ingredients were placed before them and they had to make a meal with them… The clock was ticking and I'm sure the anticipation had reached its peak.
"And now, our judges, they are here to judge and rate which dish is worth winning and I must say, they're definitely not your regular judges. May I present to you, our fabulous judges for this episode, Miss Olivia Jones from STERLING INC., Chief Chef Felipe Hernandez from PHOENIX Restaurants and the last but not the least, Miss Phoenix Mills, CEO of PHOENIX CORP.! A round of applause everyone," Debby called on us and we went on stage and took our designated seats.
"Now, without further ado, let the competition begin! The participants have just one hour to wow both the audience and the judges. Your time starts now,"
Phoenix and everyone else in the hall watched the participants with hawks eyes, not wanting to miss out on anything.
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AN HOUR LATER….
Debby came up to the podium to announce the stopping of the competition.
"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, your time is up and I assume you're all ready to present your dishes to the judges. Here is how it will go, contestant 1 will walk up to the judges and present his or her meal telling them the name of the dish and what ingredients were used and the rest will follow after that. Note that the judges will rate you after your presentation so I hope that your dishes are really mouthwatering. Contestant 1, please present the judges with your dish,"
After all the contestants had presented their dishes, it was time for the judges to show their ratings for each contestant.
"Okay, it's time for the judges to show us their ratings. I'll start with contestant 1,"
Miss Olivia: 8.2
Chef Felipe: 8.7
Miss Phoenix: 8.7
The ratings continued until all the contestants were rated and it was time for the winners to be announced.
"All the contestants have been rated and I'd call on Chief Chef Felipe to announce the winner and Miss Phoenix to give the prizes,"
Phoenix and Chef Felipe walked up to the podium and stood alongside the host while she announced the winners.
"Well, it has come to the anticipated part of the show were I present to you all the winners of this month's edition. The winners for the this month's edition are Contestant 7; Miss Gloria Kaira from Nigeria and contestant 10; Mr. Flynn Gustavo from Italy!," Chief Chef Felipe announced the winners to the audience and everyone stood up and gave the winners a standing ovation for a job well done.
I was called later on to present the winners their prizes and as expected, the winners wanted a stable job.
"Congratulations on your victory and see you on Monday. As for the other contestants, I'd like to commend you all for your efforts and time and in order not to leave you all hanging and wasting your time, consolation prizes will be awarded to you all for your time. Thank you once again for making this month's competition worth it," I said with utmost sincerity as I shook hands with all the contestants and walked out.
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(OUTSIDE THE STATION)
I couldn't keep calm cause I couldn't believe that I pulled this off; no, PHOENIX CORP. pulled this off. I am always proud of my company and staffs. I spoke to Miss Debby for a while and then to Chef Felipe and thanked him for coming all the way from Mexico and finally, I grabbed Olivia's arm and whispered in her ears
"Drinks?" I whispered slowly as I looked around the station that was still buzzing with people.
"Hell yeah, let's go do that," Wiggled and found our way to Club X.
At Club X, some people kept staring at us and I wondered why that was not until someone walked up to us and said
"Great show ladies. Olivia, I didn't know you worked at STERLING INC. now; hoe job not getting you enough money?"
"I quit living that life a while ago thanks to a certain someone and I also realized that it wasn't worth it, Selene,"
"Well, I guess luck just tends to shine on some people; anyway, great show, you're slowing climbing the ladder of success,"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Selene but I guess I someone up there answered my prayers,"
Phoenix watched from the side at what was going on but what she didn't know was that she was also being watched by Allen at the VIP section and Allen didn't know that he was being watched by Sterling at another corner in the VIP section. It was like a twisted love triangle. Allen stood up from his spot and was making his way to Phoenix but apparently he wasn't fast enough as he was blocked by someone.
"Baby, congratulations; you were magnificent,"
Baby, what baby? Allen was slapped shock…