Culinary chaos at MacGregor Manor
THIRD PERSON
After their site visit, Zheng, Anton, and Max headed back to the MacGregor estate. They hadn't found a venue that worked for the upcoming competition, so Max humbly suggested using their place instead. With enough space to fit over a thousand guests, their estate was like its own little world.
The MacGregor estate is so vast that it felt like a community in itself, covering approximately 500 acres of land. It even has a ranch, a pond that's way bigger than a typical swimming pool, and though only three fishes live there who are Mrs. MacGregor's pets, it feels massive. Max insisted on naming the fish beautifully, hoping it would make Mrs. MacGregor happy. So, he chose the names Peter, Simon, and Lazaro. He thought the names sounded cool and holy, hoping they 'd bring some extra blessing, even if he was just calling them.
The estate is packed with awesome features: a golf course, a place for horseback riding, an archery range, and courts for volleyball, badminton, and basketball. There's also an infinity pool with cabanas, a botanical garden that Mrs. MacGregor loves to stroll through every morning and tall trees that keep things breezy.
Plus, there are three hectares of veggie gardens as well as fruit crops, a two-story storage room, and a big greenhouse. With all that space and those features, it's the perfect spot for the competition, saving everyone time and money.
The MacGregor estate was so expansive that newcomers could easily get lost, especially since its layout was like a maze. The employees' quarters all looked similar, except for the family's mansion, which stood out with its giant size and bright colors—a striking mix of real gold, silver, and white color. The combination gave off a sense of purity and elegance, making the place feel truly royal.
Applicants for the competition were amazed when they entered the estate. It felt like they had won the lottery because the beauty and vastness of the place were never shown on TV. It felt like paradise, and some of them even wished they could live there forever. Even during a global crisis, the estate seemed untouchable, as the MacGregor's had solid backup plans to ensure their success and survival.
The estate was fully prepped for the contest, with long tables, cooking stations, and large boxes of ingredients neatly set up. They clearly had everything ready to go.
While waiting for the heir to arrive, the applicants relaxed in the outdoor dining area, where they were served snacks and a variety of food to keep their hunger at bay. Some even played basketball, volleyball, or badminton to pass the time, as the courts were close enough to the waiting area that they'd be able to spot the heir's arrival.
"Wow, the MacGregor estate is really huge. I mean, this place is like a palace!" one applicant said, still in disbelief.
"Yeah, I don't get why their son chooses to live in a penthouse when this is way better," another chimed in.
The explanation was simple: the young master was trying to follow Western traditions, wanting to experience independence. But, to be completely real—he was still mostly dependent on his butler, Anton. Sure, he had made some progress, but it was mainly in skincare and personal grooming. Anton pretty much handled everything else.
Zane, the chef, was the first to arrive, picked up from his condo by one of the MacGregor drivers. He was already in his chef uniform, ready to serve as a judge for the applicants' dishes alongside Mr. Zheng and Maximus. As soon as he stepped out, he waved, shook hands with a few people, and posed for pictures with fans, though some missed their chance because of the growing crowd.
Just then, Maximus mother, May MacGregor, made her entrance. She looked stunning in a luxurious, dark red dress that matched her shiny red heels and gold accessories. Her wavy hair flowed perfectly in the breeze, and her wide, genuine smile lit up the scene. Her smile was like Max's, but without the mischief—just pure sincerity.
As she approached the crowd, her eyes landed on Zane. "You're Zane Josh, right? I've watched all your cooking shows on YouTube," she said warmly.
Awkwardly, the chef replied, "Yes." He wasn't quite sure what to say, realizing he was talking to Mrs. MacGregor herself.
"Why did you stop appearing on that show? I only watched it because you were on it, and when you left, I stopped watching," she said, her tone clearly disappointed. She really missed her favorite cooking show on Saturdays, the one that had featured Chef Zane.
"I got swamped with work, so I had to stop," Zane explained quickly, careful not to mention the real reason—the poor management at Luminous Aroma Kitchen, the company behind the show. He didn't want to throw shade, especially when they were still a powerful name in the industry.
"That's too bad," she sighed. "I really loved your recipes. They were so easy to make, and your quotes at the end always hit home. They were relatable, you know?"
Zane gave a polite smile, not sure how to respond, feeling the pressure of having to impress someone like Mrs. MacGregor.
Thankfully, at that moment, Max arrived with Zheng and Anton in tow, finally giving Zane a way out. Talking to Mrs. MacGregor had been more nerve-wracking than he expected, and the fact that she turned out to be a fan of his only made it worse. He found it hard to breathe, overwhelmed by the pressure of being so close to the MacGregor.
"WHAT'S UP, GUYS! HERE'S YOUR BOSS!" Max shouted as he entered, his energetic voice instantly grabbing everyone's attention. The applicants quickly stopped their games and returned to their spots, a wave of nervousness settling in because that means the contest is about to begin.
Max, standing beside Anton and Zheng, cleared his throat and said, "Don't be confused by the staff carrying cameras." He smiled, observing the crowds reaction.
"They're actually our maids and gardeners. I asked them to act as cameramen to record everything."
The applicants, Zane, and even Max's mother exchanged confused glances, thinking why their maids and gardeners holding expensive cameras.
"Yeah, it was actually the young master's idea," Zheng said, removing his glasses to wipe a smudge from the lens. He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully. "On our way back, he suggested that we should post the contest on his YouTube channel several months before the hotel officially launches, which is likely to happen in about fifteen to eighteen months. It's a clever strategy, as it not only creates buzz around the hotel but also engages potential customers early on.
Plus, the winners of the contest will have the opportunity to secure jobs as cooks at the hotel. This arrangement will undoubtedly attract a lot of eager diners, all curious to taste the creations of these talented people. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved, really. We get to showcase our commitment to culinary excellence, and the contestants gain valuable exposure and employment opportunities."
The anxiety among the applicants skyrocketed as the reality of the situation set in. Many had initially applied out of sheer desperation for work, sending out resumes left and right in hopes of landing any job that would pay the bills. But now, standing in the grandeur of the MacGregor estate, they suddenly understood the gravity of what lay ahead. They weren't just vying for a regular job; they were about to compete in a high-stakes cooking contest organized by none other than Maximus MacGregor himself, the heir to a powerful dynasty.
The weight of expectation hung heavy in the air. Some contestants exchanged nervous glances, their minds racing with thoughts of both the opportunity and the potential pitfalls. This wasn't just a chance to showcase their culinary skills; it was an audition for a coveted position in a prestigious establishment. For many, this could mean the difference between financial stability and continued struggle. The pressure to impress the judges, especially Max, was palpable, adding a layer of intensity to an already challenging situation.
Without wasting time, the gardeners/maids-turned-cameramen started setting up GoPro cameras at each cooking station table, making sure every angle was covered. Within minutes, everything was ready. Maximus, ever the showman, jumped right into action, kicking off his mini cooking contest show like a true host.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? LET THE FOOD WAR... BEGIN!" Max bellowed into the microphone, bringing the camera uncomfortably close to his face for that dramatic flair.
With that, chaos erupted. The applicants dashed off in every direction—some sprinted toward the vegetable garden to snag the freshest produce, while others raced to the front where beef, pork, chicken, and an impressive array of condiments awaited. They were determined to gather the best ingredients before their competitors got to them.
Meanwhile, a gorgeous selection of plates sat gleaming nearby, just waiting to showcase their culinary masterpieces once the cooking frenzy was over.