Free Chef Charming by Lyn Ellerbe Page A

worth
it?
    Although the paintings were
complete, she had framing, descriptions,
and printmaking preparations to do for the ones that would be available for
sale. Thankfully, the school’s art department was one of the best facilities in
the state and had the equipment to scan her pieces, even the oversized ones, in
order to make prints in the future. Those paintings that she didn't scan could be priced as one-of-a- kind originals. There were six
of her twenty works like that, although she was not confident in their selling.
She had watched the other four artists that were participating and their work
was so different from her abstract nature pieces that she was not confident in
hers.
    Jessica, John, and Calvin
all showed up at the studio to make sure she was coming . They waited patiently for her to change out of her
overalls and into the same peasant skirt she had worn
on the first day of class, this time matched with a peach t-shirt with one of
her favorite art sayings: Art is Man's
nature. Nature is God's art. ~James Bailey.
    The y were running down the hallway, the trio tugging Rori
along just as Marcus stepped out to check on the racket. They all skidded to a
stop and sheepishly made their way into class. How does he manage to make me
feel like a child? He needs to loosen up! Her thoughts were a mixture of guilt
and stubbornness.
    As they entered the room through the door Marcus held
open, she remembered that they were doing pastries tonight.
    “Oh, this was the night I
was most looking forward to!” she excitedly exclaimed.
    “Glad I could be of
service,” Marcus’s deep voice resounded in her ear. She jumped. She hadn’t
realized he was right behind her. He watched in fascination as her lightly
tanned face colored with embarrassment. They stared at each other until she
finally looked away. Score one for
Chef Charming, she thought as she
moved to join Jessica.
    “Tonight, class, we will be learning about pastries.” The chef turned his
attention to the rest of his class. Unable to resist a dig, he added, “And I
have it on very good authority that there are some of you who were greatly
looking forward to this particular topic.”
    Rori groaned, but quietly
enough that only Jess heard. Of course, her faithful roommate thought his
comment was extremely humorous.
    Class began with a boring
basic vocabulary lesson, Jessica making notes in the margins of the handout
Chef had provided as Rori just doodled on hers.
    “Finally,” she breathed to
her roommate as the chef called them to the demonstration table. “I’m starving.
I didn’t get dinner.”
    “Again?” Jess chided her quietly. “You’re going to get sick before your show if you
don’t take better care of yourself.”
    “I’ll be fine,” Rori said,
“If he’d hurry up and make me some dinner!” The two friends laughed at her
mockingly demanding tone.
    Of course, their laughter
aroused a raised eyebrow from Chef. How does he do that? Rori thought, watching
the scornful brow arch over his eye. Amazing. She
grinned mischievously at him.
    “We will start with croissants
this evening,” Chef continued. “These take several steps with overnight
chilling time in-between . I started
several batches earlier today so you will be able to observe each one. You will
all have a chance to roll out the dough so you can get a feel for the process.”
The class divided into three groups and proceeded to follow the easy
instructions. The pastries were not difficult to make, just time-consuming.
    Tonight Jessica and Rori
joined forces with the older couple and two young moms from the community . It was a delightful evening. After the croissants,
Chef demonstrated several other techniques and the groups each chose a
different delicious pastry to attempt.
    As the nine o’clock hour
approached, Marcus pulled out the coffee urn and the room filled with the smell of freshly brewing delightfulness. Rori
was bordering on lightheadedness, due to skipping dinner and