Chapter 54 Taste Test.
CHAPTER 54
Taste Test.
The kitchen felt different that morning it was alive in a quiet and more focused way. Instead of the usual rush of chopping and sizzling, there was a deliberate stillness in the air, like everyone was waiting for something important to begin. Sunlight streamed in through the high windows, reflecting off polished steel counters and neatly arranged plates.
Ruby stepped in, tying her apron slowly, her fingers moving out of habit rather than attention.
Her mind wasn’t fully there, she thought of her self on Leo’s arms. The softness in his voice. The way he had said I missed you like it actually meant something.
“Ruby.”
Jane’s voice broke through her thoughts.
Ruby turned, blinking slightly as if pulled out of a dream. Jane stood in front of her, already ready, her expression sharp and observant.
“Are you here,” she said, studying her closely.
“I’ve always been here,” Ruby replied, though her tone carried a faint distraction.
Jane tilted her head. “No… physically, yes. Mentally? Not so much.”
Ruby exhaled softly, a small smile forming. “Is it that obvious?”
Jane crossed her arms, amused. “You look like someone replaying a memory over and over again.”
Ruby was speechless, she opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
Jane’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh my! something definitely happened.”
Before Ruby could respond, a firm voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.
“Everyone. Gather.” The Chef Master stood at the front, his presence instantly pulling the room into order. Conversations died down. Movements slowed. Students gathered around him, forming a neat semicircle.
On the long counter before him were several dishes each plated with precision, colors balanced carefully, textures layered intentionally. Even from a distance, they looked… perfect.
The Chef clasped his hands behind his back.
“Today,” he began, his voice steady and deliberate, “you will learn something more important than cooking.” A ripple of curiosity moved through the class.
“You will learn how to taste.”
Ruby’s tried to leave every thought behind and focus. “Focus” she whispered to herself.
The Chef picked up one of the plates, holding it just high enough for them all to see. “Before the food touches your tongue,” he said, “it speaks to your eyes.” He turned the plate slightly, letting the light catch the glossy surface of the sauce, the careful arrangement of ingredients.
“What do you see?”
A student answered, “Balance.”
“Color,” another added.
“Precision.”
The Chef nodded. “When a dish is beautiful, your mind prepares itself. It anticipates pleasure. That anticipation shapes the experience.”
Ruby leaned slightly toward Jane, her voice barely above a whisper. “So basically… if it looks good, your brain decides it tastes good before you even try it.”
Jane smirked. “Exactly. We’ve been fooled our whole lives.” Ruby let out a soft laugh under her breath.
From the other side, Victor leaned closer, his tone dry. “Some of us are trying to understand the philosophy behind it.”
Ruby turned her head slowly. “And some of us talk like we’re already chefs.”
Jane covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Victor placed a hand over his chest, feeling hurt. “I was contributing.”
“You’re distracting me,” Ruby shot back.
“Focus,” he said, nodding toward the front.
Ruby raised an eyebrow. “You first.”
Their quiet exchange ended abruptly when the Chef’s voice cut through again.
“Silence.” The word landed like a command.
All three straightened instantly. The Chef began walking slowly along the table, his gaze sharp, observant. “You will each taste test these dishes,” he said, “and describe not just flavor, but experience.
“Food is not just eaten. It is felt.”
Jane leaned in again, whispering quickly, “Felt? What if I just feel hungry?”
Ruby bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. “I already do,” she whispered back.
Victor shook his head slightly. “This is exactly why you both need discipline.”
Ruby didn’t look at him this time. Instead, she whispered, “After class… shopping?”
Jane’s eyes lit up instantly. “Say less.”
“I need help picking something.”
“For Leo?” Jane asked, barely containing her excitement.
Ruby nodded subtly.
Jane grinned. “Oh, we are doing this properly.”
Victor let out a quiet sigh. “I give up.”
The Chef turned suddenly, his eyes landing directly on Victor. “You seem eager.”
Victor stiffened slightly. “Yes, Chef.”
“Good. You go first.”
Jane immediately looked down, hiding her smile.
Ruby pressed her lips together not wanting to laugh so she won't feel noticed, she watched Victor walked to the front quietly.
Victor stepped forward with controlled confidence, picking up a fork. He paused briefly, studying the dish just like the Chef had instructed. Then he took a bite.
The room went silent, all students were eager to see his expression and hear his confession.
He chewed slowly, thoughtfully, letting the flavors settle.
“Well?” the Chef prompted.
Victor nodded. “It’s refined,” he said. “The seasoning is balanced, not too strong. The texture is smooth, almost… comforting. The presentation feels calm, like it’s meant to relax you before you even taste it.”
The Chef gave a short nod. “Good.”
Victor stepped back, casting a quick glance at Ruby and Jane. “Pay attention,” he murmured.
Ruby mouthed silently, “Show-off.”
Jane nearly laughed out loud.
“Next.”
Jane stepped forward. She didn’t overthink it. She took a bite, her expression immediately softening. “It’s light,” she said. “Fresh. It reminds me of something you’d eat outside… like on a warm afternoon. It’s simple, but it makes you feel… happy.”
The Chef studied her for a second. “Better.”
Jane walked back, a proud grin on her face.
Ruby looked at her. “You actually meant that.”
“I did.”
Ruby smiled.
Then—
“Ruby.”
She froze slightly.
The Chef was looking directly at her. “Your turn.”
Ruby stepped forward slowly.
She looked down at the dish. The colors, arrangement. The way the sauce caught the light. Then she took a small bite, as she closed her eyes slowly.
And for a second—
She didn’t think about technique or balance. She thought about something else entirely. Warmth, comfort and Leo.
Her eyes opened slowly.
“Well?” the Chef asked.
Ruby spoke softly. “It feels… warm,” she said. “Not just in taste… but in feeling. Like something familiar. Like something that makes you feel safe.”
The room was quiet.
The Chef didn’t interrupt.
“It’s not just about how it tastes,” she continued. “It’s about how it stays with you… even after you stop eating.”
Then the Chef nodded. “Good.”
Ruby stepped back.
Jane immediately leaned in. “That was deep.”
Ruby smiled faintly. “I didn’t plan it.”
Victor looked at her, slightly impressed. “Not bad.”
Ruby shrugged. “I was focused.”
Victor smirked. “For once.”
She nudged him lightly. “Don’t push it.”
The tasting continued, one student after another stepping forward, describing flavors, textures, emotions.
But even as Ruby stood there listening, her mind kept drifting back to him as a small smile played on her lips.
And the thought lingered quietly—
What would he like for his birthday?