Page 16 of Baking Battles

“This week we are introducing a little twist of delicious drama into our regular format, just something to make this competition heat up a few notches. Adding a little fuel to the competitive Christmas log-fire that we are stoking here in the studio. You see, last week, our Pablo here, was crowned “Battle Baker”, and thus, this week, Pablo gets to decide on an episode-long ban for one rival competitor. It can be the use of a utensil, or a complete removal of a random ingredient, all in the name of throwing some hurdles in the way of the competition. So, Pablo, what have you decided? Who will get their name on Santa’s naughty list this week, and what will their punishment be?”

They are all laughing, and Mattias’s stomach twists a little. Not only is Pablo good, but he knows exactly what Mattias intends to create today, and could irreversibly damage his plans. Because Mattias hasn’t been smart, sharing everything with Pablo. Well he makes a mental note to sharpen up. No more oversharing. Nope.

“Well Christopher, as you know, it has been a hard decision, and I can tell you I hardly slept last night trying to figure out what to have removed, and mostly who to inflict this evil deed on. You see, everyone in this room is fabulous, and by that a serious threat to myself as the current reigning Battle Baker.” Pablo takes a little bow. “But, Christopher, I have made my decision.”

Then Pablo smiles and looks truly devious, something the cameraman is quick to catch, Pablo’s almost evil grin is captured on the monitors mounted in front of them.

Danijel is grinning like a man possessed as Pablo’s gaze sweeps the room, and Mattias almost laughs out loud at Caroline’s attempts at holding back her own laughter as she mumbles something into her headset.

“Magnus. You are truly the man who could tip me off my throne, and not only are you a skilled and dangerous contestant, you are also a menace with that whisk of yours.”

The “Silence” rule is swiftly ignored as everyone bursts into laughter and Danijel shouts, “Cut!” Then, has to walk out of sight for a moment to stop laughing.

They shoot it again, and again. Mostly focusing on Magnus grimacing with annoyance as every single whisk is removed from his workstation, including the attachment to the blender. He tries to hide a tiny one in his back pocket, which is swiftly removed by Herman, giving him a little wink as he passes by with the offending object dangling in front of the camera. Which of course leads to another cut, and a series of different angles of Magnus’s back pocket, and Herman is trying to look like he is throwing the rulebook at them all.

Then “Silence” rings out again, followed by, “Action”, followed by everyone’s eyes on Christopher as Mattias nervously rattles through his ingredients in his head. Grind the saffron, mix with three quarters of a teaspoon of the cheap cooking brandy he stupidly has insisted on. Soak. Add to 150 grams of melted butter, and mix with 500 ml temperate milk. Thirty-seven degrees. Pour over...”

He stops and takes a deep breath. Stands his feet in the designated markings on the floor and bends his body slightly, before settling his gaze on the markings in front of them. He can do this. He can. Because, sometimes it’s nice to realise there is something you can do. Something he can do for himself. Something that kind of makes him happy. Because standing here sweating under the studio lights like a man doomed to the gallows, Mattias is oddly happy.

He takes a breath and closes his eyes. He should have agreed to Danijel’s request for branded alcohol. He should have sought out sponsorships, and agreed to all those things the promotions team had asked for. He should have smuggled in some of his own French cognac from home. Cheated. Just a little. But he didn’t. Instead, he stands here letting his body flame with a heat he cannot control. His heart is beating out of his chest, as a man’s voice, a voice that makes his skin prickle with goosebumps, rings out through the studio.

“I’m Christopher Pedersen, andthis, is Baking Battles.”

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