The appetizing aroma of freshly cooked stew
wafted through the air, drawing her mind closer to the small cozy eatery, right behind her Fine dining restaurant.
She knew she couldn't go there to eat, not after all that she had done to Merlin.
“But it is not my fault, my Cousin shouldn't
have taken the same profession as me, I mean there's a lot of things and businesses to do, but she chooses to be a chef, she is definitely trying to compete with me” Prisca soliloquy.
Then she called to one of her maid “ please go buy me some stew from that local store”. She likes tasty food, it doesn't matter who cooks it, be it enemy or friend.
Both Merlin and Prisca are beautiful, young and passionate chefs, one is dark-skinned and the former is fair in complexion.
They both run a restaurant in the small busy town where they lived.
These Cousin Chefs were quite different from each other, Merlin was kind and soft hearted but was poorly educated, so she served more of simple meals and a little of continental dishes she learned online.
Prisca on the other hand owned a Fine dining restaurant where she display her modern gadgets and continental dishes with pride.
Merlin, despite lacking formal culinary training, possessed an exceptional flair for flavors. Her dishes are a symphony of taste, each bite transporting her patrons to a realm of gastronomic delight.
She had always wanted to be a famous chef, but that dream was paused due to the death of her two parents, she couldn't pay her college fees so she dropped out and decided to venture into a small home-based catering business.
She wanted to delve further but her aunty kicked against it, with the reason that Prisca, her cousin is also going to catering school and there's no money for her fees.
She knew her aunts won't help her, so she started learning from a popular youtube catering tutor.
Prisca being a certified chef, not only mocked Merlin’s self-taught skills but also constantly belittled her during family gatherings.
When news of a prestigious cooking competition spread, the two cousins saw it as their opportunity to prove their culinary prowess.
“Merlin, you know you shouldn't do this, how can both of us compete against each other in public? You should be satisfied with your “local” restaurant” Prisca mocked crossing her both arms.
“Prisca, I don't see anything wrong in both of us registering for that competition, so let me be,” Merlin said and made to leave, already worried that her aunts would ask her not to contest. But Prisca can't let her off that easily so she dragged her back “Where do you think you are heading to, ungrateful bitch. Did my mother make a mistake in adopting you? You have never brought peace to this house but war, I can't even drink water in peace!” She let out fake tears of grief and called to her mother who couldn't bear her little princess cry, rushed to the scene.
“Prisca, I didn't raise you to be a weakling, You shouldn't be scared of competing with an uncertified local cook” She then turned to Merlin, “Merlin dear, you know you shouldn't embarrass yourself with this, There are numerous ways you can become rich” she consoled her sarcastically.
However, Prisca didn't share her mother's sarcasm, she knew that Merlin could cook more than she could ever accomplish. She knows she can only boast of her certificate and not her gastronomy “What if I lost to Merlin? No way, that is not even possible “ she murmured to herself.
On the D-day
Prisca armed with her credentials and modern kitchen gadgets exuded confidence. Meanwhile, Merlin with her passion and innate talent walked steadily into the arena with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, despite the doubts cast upon her by her family.
That competition venue was adorned with banners and decorations, reflecting the spirit of the event. The crowd gathered , their cheers and applause added to the pulsating atmosphere. The tension was palpable as competitors take their turns, displaying their abilities and vying for the top spot. They all showcased their skills and talents, each one striving to outshine the others.
As the competition progressed, Merlin’s lack of certificate and her outdated utensils became apparent.
Despite her outstanding flavors, the judges seemed swayed by Prisca and her likes polished techniques, and modern culinary trends.
Merlin could not meet up with other contestants because she couldn't present her certificate when it was needed, coupled with her inability to use some of the modern kitchen appliances that were given to them.
“In every competition, there must be a winner and a loser. Trust me, all of you did amazingly well, congratulation….” The chief judge went on and on with his speech, and finally, he announced the winner, and it wasn't Merlin nor was it Prisca. Though Prisca was awarded the prize for the 3rd runner-up which she used to mock her Cousin who got nothing.
But fate had a different plan in store for Merlin, a renowned chef, captivated by Merlin's unique palate, witnessed not only her culinary journey but also the challenges she faced within her family determined to uplift her talent and support her through the crises, she took Merlin under her wing, vowing to make her a household name.
With the guidance of her newfound mentor and the strength she found within herself, Merlin not only honed her culinary skills but also navigated the family crises with resilience. She learned to rise above the negativity, using it as fuel to further ignite her passion for cooking.
This amazed both her relatives and friends so much that Prisca and her mother later realized their selfish attitudes and seek for her forgiveness, She forgave them without looking back at her painful past.
Merlin's fame and wealth grew, her newfound success became a beacon of hope for her family.
The crises that once threatened to tear them apart gradually brought them closer together.
And it happened that through shared meals and heartfelt conversations, they found solace in the power of food, they wondered what was that thing that made them enemies before.
And so, Merlin's journey from a self-taught chef to a renowned culinary sensation became a proclamation to the power of taste and finding unity through the love of food.