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Rising to the Challenge

As the 17th annual Browington baking contest gets underway, a hopeful baker eyes the winners trophy.

By Scott BradbrookPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
1
Rising to the Challenge
Photo by Elena Sambros on Unsplash

Anticipated by the townspeople for months, the 17th annual Browington baking contest was well underway. Bakers frantically piped frosting and prepared presentation plates as the clock ticked closer to the end.

Daniel’s mind raced. He waited anxiously for his culinary masterpiece to emerge from the glowing food-furnace. In his 12 years of competing, he had never taken out first place, coming second to his archrival Andrea. As the owner of the only other bakery in town, she flaunted her eight-year winning streak over him at every opportunity. But this year was going to be different. This year, he would take home the coveted golden whisk and proudly place it in his store window.

“Feeling the heat?” Andrea said, pressing small flowers from pearl white fondant. Daniel ignored her taunts as the sweet scent of his baking poured from the oven.

The theme for this year’s competition was sweet deserts, inspired by the mayor’s desire to find something as sweet as his new wife. Naturally, Daniel chose manteconchas and traditional Mexican hot chocolate, an ode to his family heritage and a simpler life before adulthood.

Scooping a teaspoon of mixture from the stainless-steel saucepan, he tasted the sweetness of his bubbling concoction. It wasn’t quite what he remembered from spending time with his Abuela.

“Ah,” he exclaimed, “that’s what I’m missing.” Whisking in a dash of freshly ground cinnamon, he let the decadent scent fill his nostrils and lightly fog his glasses. “Perfect.”

“You know, talking to yourself is the first sign of craziness,” Andrea said. “And you must be crazy to think you can beat me this year Dan.” She turned her nose up at him, straightening her utensils and cleaning her workspace yet again.

“It’s Daniel, Andrea,” he replied, beginning to prepare the serving dishes. “And that’s rich coming from you.”

“Why yes, my chocolate and caramel banoffee pies will be rich.” Her fake laugh made Daniel roll his eyes and shake his head. She continued, “the judges will be so delighted with—"

“Attention contestants,” a judge announced, cutting off Andrea’s petty insult. “You have just under 5 minutes remaining”.

Stumbling for the oven mitts, Daniel heaved open the oven door, wafting the smell of freshly baked sweet bread into the air. Some of the gathered townsfolk began to look over, drawn in by the same sugary scent. Testing one of the concha cupcakes with a skewer, the patterned desserts were baked perfectly. After removing the muffin tins from the oven, he began to plate up his desserts for judging.

The sound of clanging bowls, crunching wrappers and heavy breathing emanated from Andrea’s tabletop as she shifted every item in range.

“No! Damn it!” Sending bowls flying off the tabletop, the reigning champion panicked. Where is it?”

“You alright there?” Daniel called, placing a cinnamon stick in each mug, and straightening the desserts on their plates.

The judges began to count down, “Ten, nine, eight…”

“I forgot the damn whipped cream!” she yelled.

“Just serve it witho—”

In a flurry of rage, Andrea slammed her arms on the bench and flung her serving dishes into the air. She stormed off in a huff as her incomplete desserts crumbled to pieces across the floor.

A moment of awkward silence hung in the air as the judges, contestants and onlooking audience exchanged puzzled and shocked glances.

“Time’s up!” A judge broke in.

A small part of Daniel felt bad for Andrea, but it was far overshadowed by his hope that this would truly be his winning year. He gleamed with pride at his immaculate creations. As the baking queen had lost her head, he had graciously risen to the challenge.

Short Story
1

About the Creator

Scott Bradbrook

Hi! My name is Scott and I'm an author, editor and copywriter. When I'm not adding to my never-ending TBR pile, I'm either salsa dancing, forgetting a great story idea, or writing my next book. I hope you like my short stories and poems! :)

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