Chapter 81:The Culinary Showdown

The morning sun filtered through the windows of their hotel room as the group prepared for the much-anticipated cooking competition. Subham, Ananya, and the others arrived at the venue, a large hall buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

The contestants were busy setting up their stations, and the air was filled with the aromatic scent of spices and fresh ingredients. Subham and Ananya took their places, casting glances at the other participants. The arrogant woman, now introduced as Natasha, stood at her station with a smug smile, clearly confident in her abilities.

"Welcome to the semi-finals of our cooking competition!" the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers. "Today, we have three outstanding cooks who have made it this far: Natasha, Ananya, and Subham. Let's see who will make it to the finals!"

The crowd cheered as the announcer continued, "Contestants, you have one hour to prepare your dishes. The clock starts now!"

Subham rolled up his sleeves and got to work, his movements deliberate and precise. He had chosen to make Chicken Tikka Masala, a classic dish that required careful attention to detail and a perfect balance of spices. He marinated the chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, and a blend of spices, allowing it to soak up the flavors.

As Subham worked, he couldn't help but notice how fluid and graceful Ananya's movements were. She had chosen to make an ancient and famous sweet dish called Puran Poli, a traditional Indian flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil filling. Ananya's hands moved swiftly, mixing the ingredients with practiced ease. Despite her typically reserved demeanor, her focus and dedication to her craft shone through.

On the other side, Natasha was preparing an elaborate dish with exotic ingredients, her confidence evident in every move. She worked quickly, her hands moving with practiced efficiency as she assembled a stunning array of components. The audience watched in awe, captivated by her skill.

Subham, meanwhile, took his time, ensuring that every step of his process was executed perfectly. He grilled the marinated chicken until it was tender and juicy, then prepared a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with spices. The aroma was tantalizing, drawing appreciative murmurs from the spectators.

Ananya, with her usual silent determination, rolled out the dough for her Puran Poli, carefully spreading the sweet lentil filling before folding and sealing the flatbreads. She cooked them on a hot griddle, the golden-brown bread puffing up beautifully.

Natasha's dish began to take shape, a complex presentation of flavors and textures. She plated her creation with artistic flair, confident that her culinary masterpiece would impress the judges.

As the clock ticked down, Subham plated his Chicken Tikka Masala, arranging it with a side of fragrant basmati rice. The dish looked as beautiful as it smelled, the vibrant colors and aromatic spices promising a delicious meal.

The judges approached the stations, tasting each dish with thoughtful consideration. They sampled Ananya's Puran Poli, nodding in appreciation at the delicate balance of sweetness and texture. Natasha's dish received similar nods of approval, her intricate flavors and presentation clearly impressing the judges.

Finally, they reached Subham's station. The judges took a bite, their eyes widening in surprise at the explosion of flavors. "This is excellent," one of them remarked, impressed by the depth and complexity of the dish.

Subham beamed with pride. "Thank you!"

However, as the judges moved on, Subham's stomach rumbled loudly. He glanced at his beautifully plated Chicken Tikka Masala, unable to resist the delicious aroma. "I can't help it," he muttered to himself, picking up a fork.

In a matter of moments, Subham began devouring his own dish, savoring each bite with gusto. The crowd watched in amusement, and even the judges couldn't hide their smiles.

"Uh, Subham, you do realize this is a competition, right?" Saheli called out, trying to stifle her laughter.

Subham looked up, his mouth full of food. "I was hungry," he said, shrugging nonchalantly.

The announcer's voice rang out, "It appears that Subham has disqualified himself by eating his own entry!"

The audience erupted in laughter, and Subham's friends couldn't help but join in. Ananya shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Well, that was...unexpected," Ankan said, still chuckling.

With Subham disqualified, the final round was set: it would be between Ananya and Natasha. The tension in the air was palpable as the two finalists prepared for the ultimate showdown.

As Subham licked his fingers, thoroughly enjoying his meal, he gave Ananya a thumbs-up. "You got this, Ananya! Show them what you're made of!"

Ananya nodded, her expression resolute. "I will."

The crowd cheered for the finalists, eagerly anticipating the final round of the competition. As the preparations for the next day began, the group gathered around Subham, still chuckling over his unexpected disqualification.

"Only you, Subham," Saheli said, shaking her head with amusement. "Only you could manage to get disqualified by eating your own food."

Subham grinned sheepishly. "Well, at least it was delicious!"