Jorenan comes in, looks around for a moment, takes a bite of a big orange pepper. "Good evening, everyone! WELCOME to the Iron Baker Challenge! Thank you so very much for coming! It's a wonderful night to cook! Tonight we have a High Reachian who wants to challenge the top ranks of the Bakers to a cooking duel. "

Jorenan looks around, grinning. He jogs down to the center of the living cavern and then turns to the crowd again. "I hope you're ready for tonight's event! Our challenger is Matheny, gold Jenryth's rider, Senior Weyrwoman of High Reaches Weyr. Even at an early age, Math's talents in the kitchens of TIllek drew much attention, or so we hear! And take note, Bakers: she loves cookies! I'll bet she'll work that into tonight's cookoff, even with the oddest of special ingredients! So let's give her a big hand, folks! Matheny, of High Reaches Weyr!"

The apprentices and kitchen staff still, each arranged in straight rows. One side for the challenger. The other side for the Iron Baker. The living cavern has been set up with mini-kitchens as a stage.

Kariel steps up and takes a seat next to Master Dendra.

Gannon applauds much more enthusiastically now, standing for the Weyrwoman.

Matheny pumps her arms up over her head in a victory motion and smiles around at the crowd.

Myriana applauds as the challenger is announced. She leans over to murmur something to Keara.

Yenne grins as Master Jorenan enters and speaks. She applauds Matheny, blinking in surprise as the 'Reaches challenger is introduced.

Mallea grins and claps lots as she sees who the challenger is.

Elie smiles at Mallea. "Hi! How are you doing? Did your chores go okay today?"

S'rist moves to get a spot, then finally gives up and stands up on one of the tables in back so he can get a good view.

Vashti rushes to a seat, applauding along with the crowd. "She's baking? Goldriders bake?" she asks someone, anyone.

Kaimi steps up to sit on Dendra's other side.

Kallrina claps and giggles.

Viridis turns her attention to Jorenan as the event begins. She applauds Matheny, a little smile forming at the edge of her lips.

Casmira claps vigorisly, and putting two fingers in her mouth lets out apiercing whistle...

Jorenan applauds for Matheny as well, and then steps over to her to interview her briefly. "So, Matheny. Please, let me be the first to welcome you. This is quite a challenge you're taking on. Are you ready? This is the greatest Baking challenge there is! "

Tebaran joins in the aplause for Matheny.

Mh'al smiles brightly, moving through the crowd to sit at the special table as well. "I almost forgot about I had agreed to help." He sits down easily, not appearing to be on top of things by his slightly unkempt appearance.

Amilin appoudes with her fellow canidiates.

Carianna stands up and cheers for the Weyrwoman.

Mallea smiles and speaks softly to Elie, "Great except I have to wash dishes for this thing when they are done."

Keara adjusts her pink apron, looking out through the large crowd and sizes up the challenger.

Firmin slides in along the back wall, his hair still plastered against his head from his scrubbing. He sidles closer to Carianna and asks, "What'd I miss?"

Myriana smoothes her outfit and fastens her own apron around her slender waist, preparing for whatever may come next.

Matheny grins and Jorenan and nods, "Oh yes. Uhu. I'm ready as I ever will be. Yes."

Melata claps her hands!

Roltan takes a seat over in the corner.

Vorin joins in the clapping as well, grinning as he looks to the Weyrwoman.

Dendra discreetly adjusts her hat again, perching it a little more securely on her head.

Ofira smooths her dress and the particularly fine apron she's got covering it tonight. "The Weyrwoman herself," she murmurs to Myriana, "Appropriate."

S'rist gives a suprisingly loud shout out, "Go Math!" and then looks around when it rings out, glancing around to just see who was so noisy.

Jorenan applauds and then says, "There you have it, folks! She's as ready as sheever will be. Sooooooooo...... I summon the Iron Bakers!"

Melata whoos!

"Very appropriate." Myriana says, nodding as she smiles at Ofira.

Matheny jogs a little in place to keep her blood going and then claps for the Bakers, smiling over at Ofira.

Dendra loses all dignity as she hoots and hollers loudly for the Iron Bakers!

S'rist comments to those around him, "I wonder if she's going to find a way to make her famous klah cookies."

Keara steps forward at Jorenan's summon, stopping in the dead center of the cavern. Iron Baker Telgar has arrived!

Jorenan says "First tonight, folks, we have Keara, Iron Baker Telgar! She's a tough one, folks; look out for her pink froth cakes!"

Vashti continues applauding, licking her lips at mention of cakes.

Yenne cheers loudly as the Iron Bakers arrive, laughing and murmuring comments to P'ile, who stands next to her.

Gannon applauds, too, grinning.

Mallea chuckles and shakes her head, "This is fun.. and worth the extra dishes."

Elie winces a little in sympathy for Mallea, but is distracted by Keara's introduction. She leans around the person in front of her to get a better look.

Ofira smiles back at Matheny, and then schooling her expression to seriousness, she steps forward, coming to one side of Keara, dipping her chin in a difnified nod to the crowd.

Jorenan looks over at his wife, revelling in her appearance for just a moment. "Second, Ofira, Iron Baker Training Center! She is the original Iron Chef, folks! Watch out for that Frying Pan Of Doom! She's a Master of it for more than just one reason." His grin is broader than was before.

Kaimi is applouding for her fellow bakers.

Dendra hollers even louder for the Master of Doom! Well, Pan of Doom.

Kariel laughs a little and applauds.

S'rist hmmms, "Rumor has it that she really crushed her last opponent."

Myriana joins the sisterhood of Iron Bakers, standing to the other side of Master Ofira. The cleaver in her right hand spins in a flourish as she stops, giving the room a nod of greeting.

Roltan smiles, watching...

Viridis continues to applaud as the Bakers are introduced.

Melata ouches as she hears S'rists's comment from a diiiiistant table.

Ofira's expression breaks briefly into laughter, as she catches Jorenan's eye briefly. Then she nods to Myriana as the third baker joins them.

Amilin has continued to apploud politely for the bakers.

Jorenan's grin is still broad as he says, "And finally, folks, Myriana, Iron Baker of all Pern! She is the Baker with the mostest when it comes to desserts!!"

Mh'al rubs at his chin idly, trying to put on his best poker face as he watches the Iron Bakers step out.

Firmin stands quietly, his arms crossed comfortably as he watches the proceedings with twinkling eyes.

Jorenan turns back to Matheny as the last of the Bakers comes in. "So Matheny. Look over these Iron Bakers very closely. They all have different skills and different abilities, and each of them is going to be a real tough challenge to beat! The time has come, though. Which one are you going to cook against? Don't hold us in suspense, now!"

Myriana bites her lip, trying not to laugh at Jorenan's introduction.

P'ile breaks into wild cheering as Myriana is introduced.

Melata calls out, "Ofira!"

Gannon leans over to Amilin, muttering to her. "Is it just...or does...announcer look...lips are moving...from what he's saying?"

Dendra cheers and chants, "Knife Chef, Knife Chef!"

S'rist looks over at the Iron Chef's, not quite sure which one Matheny has the best chances again.

Amilin giggles

Kallrina snickres and looks around

Matheny chews on her thumbnail for a minute as her gaze wanders from cleaver to frying pan, baker to baker, "I pick..I pick..Iron Baker Ofira!"

Melata whees!

Jorenan's eyes widen. "A real challenge! You're going to have one heckuva challenge, you know that? I don't think I'd take that one. This is going to be quite a battle! Let the most Iron win!"

Kariel applauds the selection and smiles.

A large portion of the room gasps as the the name is announced.

Mallea smiles and leans closer to Elie, "That's G'rad's mother.." she nods to Ofira.

S'rist joins in the gasping.

Elie ohhhs. "Really? I've heard Emilly talk about her some, but I never met her." She wiggles a little in her seat, craning her neck to see around a tall person in front of her. "Darn it. I should have picked a better seat."

Ofira look mildly surprised at being chosen, but not particularly concerned. She smiles at the crowd once more and then nods politely in Matheny's direction. "I look forward to it."

Tebaran gasps once along with the rest of the crowd before starting to applaud again.

Kallrina whistes and cheers.

Melata chants, "In-gre-di-ant! In-gre-di-ant!"

Vashti's jaw hangs open. "She's really challenging the best masters on Pern?"

Dendra quiets back down and puts on her best dignified face. She's confident that Master Ofira will win."

Jorenan then turns to a small, covered dish that's sitting on a table near him. "Now, folks, the moment we've all been waiting for! Remember that every dish that's made in the next hour absolutely must contain our theme ingredient! And the theme ingredient tonight is....." He picks up the dish, whips off the cover, and there is, yes, a drum roll

Matheny nods back to Ofira with a smile, perhaps she's a little nervous looking as she wipes her hands repeatedly against her sides, like a candidate on the sands.

"....Fingerroots, including regular, baby, and already juiced!"

Viridis scoots over in her seat to see around some people in front of her. Eyes are wide and shining as she watches.

Gannon oooooooohs.

Melata ughs, and wanted something alive, squirming, and squishy.

Amilin raises her eyebrow.

Quarroul slides in and quietly edges his way towards the front to get a good look-see.

Myriana and Keara applaud, chuckling at the ingredient. "Ooh, excellent ingredient. So much can be done from appetizer to desserts." Myri says to Keara.

Keara grins and nods, already sidling off to sit next to one of the more handsome journeymen.

Jorenan picks up one of the carrots and takes a bite. "Nice and sweet, too! Now, let me introduce tonight's judge's, folks!"

Kaimi waves slightly to Roul from the Judges table.

Kariel ooo's.

Matheny groans, "It would be a vegetable." Her dismay is temporary though as she starts to think of her menu. She looks ready to rush the ingredient table as soon as the word is given.

Ofira nods thoughtfully, clearly already planning as she studies the fingerroots. "Not too difficult," she notes to Myriana and Keara.

Jorenan nods to the first of the judges, Kariel. "First off, folks, is Kariel, a resident of High Reaches Weyr! She spent Turns in the South, folks, so pay attention to how she looks at the tropical fruits and their use! I'll bet she loves those deep-fleshed orange fruits and sweets. And that dark-roast Southern klah? Just the thing to make her happy!

Gannon applauds for Kariel.

Quarroul waves back to Kaimi and smiles before looking around.

Kariel smiles and waves a hand to the crowd.

Miran edges around the mob spilling out of the cavern, and goes to pour herself a mug of klah. She lets her helmet hang over her shoulder and leans against the wall, watching quietly.

Jorenan winks at Matheny. "You'll be fine." Then he turns to the second of the judges. "And our second judge is our own Dendra, currently posted from Igen Weyr! She's a second-generation Baker, the queen of the Dough Dots. She may not be able to carry a tune, but she's a great maker of drunken pigs in her own right!"

Roltan smiles at Miran as she approaches.

Carianna giggles softly and clapps.

Miran raises a hand to Roltan, holding the mug of klah with the other. "Whatever they cook, I hope it's good because I'm sharding hungry."

Casmira looks puzzled..."Drunken pigs?!?"

Jorenan lets the hubbub die down, and then goes on. "And our third judge is Mh'al, bronze Sidonth of Snowstrike Wing at High Reaches Weyr. He was born at High Reaches Weyr, used to be a hired hand, then a man of the sea at Tillek, then he was lost until Sidonth found him! But you know what? Nothing's ever quite been the same as this for him! Give him a big hand, folks!"

Dendra rises and bows to the crowd, before resuming her seat.

Jorenan says "Our final judge tonight is Kaimi has been a Baker apprentice for half a turn now, and is leaning towards specializing in menu creation. She comes from a small cot hold near the Weavercrafthall and is now stationed at the Baker Training Center at Benden Hold. Those are our judges tonight folks, so please give them a hand, and then we'll begin the contest."

Mh'al cheers for himself.

Casmira who hoos for M'hal.

Gannon applauds for Kaimi, too, leaning back and grinning at Amilin.

Mallea cheers for Mh'al as well.

Elie claps madly for Mh'al and screeches loudly. "Woohoo! All right, Mh'al!"

Kaimi shifts a little under all the attention stands and curzys to the crowd.

Amilin blinks, She mutters to Gannon, "... judge is my..."

S'rist applauds for the judges.

Firmin applauds politely with an amused grin.

Redus quietly enters the cavern and finds a place to watch and listen from that won't bother anyone.

Viridis claps as the judges are introduced. She pauses briefly to look at her reddened hands, resumes her applause.

Gannon mutters to Amilin, "Which one? The Baker..."

Jorenan watches all the applause, then points the judges to their seats. "All right, judges, contestants, it's time to begin!"

Amilin nods "Yes thats her."

Ofira tightens her apron ties and rolls up her sleeves, poised to begin.

Matheny ties her hair back into a runner tail and looks towards the fingerroots with determination.

Jorenan puts the fingerroots in the middle of the living cavern, and then steps back. "All right, contestents, your time begins..... NOW!"

Kaimi watches closly from her seat determind not to miss anything.

Ofira is at the table in several long, smooth strides. She gathers up a generous amount of the varieties of fingeroot available, quickly and neatly and is off to cook.

Matheny moves swiftly to the table, grabs a large bowl and starts to fill it with fingerroots, some large, but mostly the baby ones. She takes that back to her table and then runs back for a pitcher of the juice.

Emilly slips in quietly, dusty and tired looking after a day loaded with extra firestone duty, she finds a spot in the back though so she can watch, eyes sparkling just a bit.

Ember puts out a hand to stop Styx just as they enter, trying to see through the commotion.

Quarroul takes up a seat with a handful of bakers and leans forward, looking attentively at the baking about to begin. He turns to say something to one of his fellows when he spots Ember and waves hello.

Styx pulls up and to the one side of Ember looking around.

Carianna begins cheering for the Weyrwoman as the timer is started. "You can do it Miss Matheny. They aren't greens!"

Elie scans the room with a distracted gaze. Suddenly she nudges Mallea and points to where Emilly's standing at the back. She waves furiously to Emilly, trying to attract her fellow candidate's attention.

Ofira lays out the larger fingeroots, their leafy green stems hanging over the edge of her preparation table, then sets down the baby variety. Surveying that briefly, she makes another quick trip to the supply in the center of the cavern and takes another armful of the mature roots, plus a beaker of the juice. REturning, she lays those in a separate pile and then takes up a peeler in another economically smooth motion, beginning to strip the first bunch of its peel.

Mallea smiles and waves to Emilly as well, "We saved you a seat.."

Casmira doesn't know whether or not to cheer now. She doesn't want to distract Matheny....

Emilly squints through the crowd and Elie's frenetic waving grabs her attention. Her face breaks into a beaming smile and she edges with soft 'excuse mes' through the mass of people to reach her friends and drop into the saved seat. "Hi," she says, still smiling. 'THank you."

Ember spots Roul, gives an acknowledging nod, and keeps looking, tho now distracted by the realization everyone is watching the women with food. She keeps a hand on Styx, "Don't get lost, now."

Matheny quickly sets her ingredients out and then selects some celery which she starts to work it through a simple device that squeezes the juice out of it. She works at this until she has a good cupful and then ignores it and goes back to the other items . Selecting something from the seafood pile she starts to beat on it rather violently with a kitchen hammer.

Melata whees as Matheny attacks the seafood!

Styx smiles up at Ember and nods quietly watching the goings on.

Kariel turns to Dendra, "I wonder what they'll do with the juice."

S'rist peers over at Ofira's work area, "Looks like she's planning on using a bit of all three types of fingerroot. Oh, and look, Matheny is going after something there, what is that she's picked out to beat?"

Casmira oooohhhs..."Matheny's got quite an arm on her..."

Kallrina waves at Styx

T'ris strolls in and takes a seat near the back of the crowd.

Styx waves to Kalli.

Mallea chuckles, "She is too good with that hammer.."

Yenne chuckles. "Glad I'm not that...whatever it is that's getting flattened."

Viridis moves again to get a better view, being careful of the tiny blue lump in her lap.

Elie giggles happily and flashes Emilly a grin. "Hi. This is fun to watch, isn't it?"

Firmin watches Matheny with interest as she works.

Ofira brushes aside a pile of peelings, into Dora's waiting hands. Bearing a strong resemblence to her mother, the 12 turn old quickly clears away the mess, obviously well used to kitchen work. While that's taken care of, Ofira moves onto slicing the fingeroots, diagonal cuts in a medium width.

Dendra says, "She might use it to help stew or make a glaze for the fingerroots. It's flavorful and very nutritous."

Myriana steps into the interviewer role with some nervousness. At hearing Kariel's question, she approaches Matheny. "That looks to be celery juice, Weyrwoman. What are you planning on doing with this?"

Quarroul grunts as he gets nudged by another baker and shifts his attention back to the cooking.

Matheny continues to pound on the eel while she tells Myriana, "I'm going to add it to the fingerroot juice to make a lighter flavor for the summer heat." She turns and takes some of the fingerroot juice and pours it into a large pot.

Elie looks impressed. "She sounds like she really knows what she's doing," she observes to Emilly and Mallea.

Ofira hums softly, nodding to Dora, "Fill that saucepan three quarters full with water, " she instructs, as the last of the bunch of fingeroots falls into even, perfect slices. She studies the spice vials available, selects a few and then measures out some of each into her hand, sprinkling them into the pot as the water begins to come to a boil.

Roltan mutters something about more than enough eel at this Weyr....

Yenne finally catches sight of the object of the pounding and bursts into laughter.

Mh'al doesn't give any cooking advice, simply tapping both of his index fingers against the table's edge to some jig stuck in his head. He watches intently at both contestants at work.

T'ris removes his jacket and stands up, peering over to Matheny with a quizzical look upon his face." Hmmm.

Myriana nods to Matheny then says, "F'ukisan?" At his approval, she replies to the questions. "The celery juice will be added to the fingerroots. I believe it is some type of broth or drink."

S'rist smiles, "I do hope Math gets to make enough dishes and doesn't wear herself out beating that eel."

Quarroul ties on his apron, giving the bow one last fluff before moving forward to assist with fetching an extra pot and lid.

Emilly nods, "This is great ... I can't -wait- to taste it ... if we get to taste it ..."

T'ris watches as Ofira and her assistant start to whip things together then back to Matheny working by herself. He rushes up and grabs a couple of dishes from her table with a big smile. "Let me handle that!"

Mallea grins, "Maybe she won't use the eel and just is planning on beating it lots."

A few assistants approach Matheny, removing the dirty dishes from her side and perform a few tasks that she needs of them.

Ofira adds the pile of sliced fingeroots to the bubbling saucepan and moves it enough off of the heat to achieve a slow simmer. While the fingeroot simmer, she selects a large chunk of butter and places it in a bowl, adding sweetening and pinches of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. "Dora, peel and grate another bunch," she instructs, as she adds flour to the bowl. Once that's in a creamy paste, she returns to the saucepan, stirring the contents and then removing it from the heat. Another pan ends up there, with a pat of butter quickly melting. She adds some flour, and when that bubbles, reaches for the pitcher of cream and pours that in, stirring all the while.

Yenne grins at S'rist and Mallea. "I see her point, though. It /is/ eel, after all."

Matheny hands the mallet over to T'ris as her arm tires from beating the eel and she rushes over to start measuring out some flour. She waves Carianna over and directs her to start peeling some of the fingerroots into long, thin strips.

Emilly wrinkles up her nose as she relizes that's eel Math's got. "Although eel ... I'm not sure about the eel .. it's awfully salty."

Elie wrinkles her nose in union with Emilly. "I don't know if we want to taste it... right."

Kallrina laughs loudly.

T'ris looks down at the eel, then at the hammer which he clenches tightly in his hand. "Ah, revenge for that sevenday of nothing but eel."

A group of apprentices slip into place around Matheny and Ofira, splitting up in orderly fashion. A senior apprentice leads each team, and they work through the preparations and basic things that need to be done for a variety of tasty-looking recipes.

Myriana approaches Ofira, peering at her work. "Your dish is coming along well, Iron Baker Ofira." she says. "I see you have added a few of the sweeter spices. What are you preparing?"

S'rist leans over towards Emilly, "Maybe she intends to use the celery juice to cut the eel's salty flavor."

Melata raises her eyebrows as she sees that it /is/ eel. How does eel and fingerroots go together???

Amilin nodges Gannon and wispers to him.

Carianna jumps up and does as bidded quickly shreading the finger roots.

Ember points Roul out to Styx when he joins the show. "That's Quarroul, he was posted to the Hold. Not until after you were born, tho. Looks like he's been promoted."

Myriana hrmphs over at T'ris and mutters something that sounds like. "I heard that, rider."

Roltan approaches Melata from behind and stands quietly. Watching Matheny.

Kariel ponders, "Stuffed eel, maybe? No, that can't be."

Mh'al's left eyebrow twitch at the sight of Matheny and the eel. His gaze slides back over to Ofira's preparation conveniently.

Roltan grins at T'ris's comment.

Styx watches fascinated. He nods looking at the direction Ember indicates.

Ofira looks up as Myriana approaches with questions, continuing to stir the thickening white sauce, "Actually, I'm preparing two of the dishes I intend to make tonight, simutaneously. This," she nods towards the pan, "Is a cream of fingerroot soup, flavored with ginger and cumin. And -that-, " she gestures towards the bowl with the pastelike misture, "Is the basis for the sweet dish, a carrot cake. It's actually only mildly sweet, flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg."

A QUARTER CANDLEMARK HAS PASSED!

Kallrina smiles over watching the show, and L'hans brother

T'ris winks at Myriana as he switches hands with the mallet. He sticks a finger into the bowl of celery juice and sticks it in his mouth. He appears to approve the contents then goes back to beating eels.

Emilly blinks at S'rist as he leans over and she nods. "Ohhhhhh yes, Mum would approve ... though I think she'd probably use whiteroot, but you never can tell what Mum's going to do."

Kaimi switches her gaze back and forth following the two contestents movements.

Matheny goes back to the soup pot that now has a mixture of fingerroot and water and adds some barley to it and then a few minor seasonings. She goes to check on Carianna's progress and then tells her that the thin slices need to go into the bowl on her left when she's done. Math mops at her brow with her sleeve and then tackles a marbled looking herdbeast chunk, slicing it up for stew.

Melata wonders if anything will be left of the eel at the end of the contest.

Carianna scoops up the shredded finger roots and places then into a large bowl on the left of her, then glances towards Matheny for further instructions.

Dendra comments, "I have to admit, I'm very curious to know how fingerroots and eels go together. Not to mention how she'll get them to eat it after a month of eel torture."

Ember shakes her head to Styx, eyes still riveted, and she whispers back, "They don't cook like this at Igen."

Casmira looks worried..."We have to *eat* it? Eeel included?"

Myriana inclines her head to Iron Baker Training Center. "Thank you. " She makes her way over to the judges to answer their questions as they ask them.

F'ukisan nods in agreement to Dendra's statement. "It will be a culinary masterpiece if the Weyrwoman gets the dishes to meld."

Matheny slides in behind Carianna and tells her, "After that, if you could make some fingerroot marks. About this thick." She shows with a demonstration slice and then bustles off to make sure there is enough ground klah and to peel some apples.

Styx points out Kalli to Ember and guestures.

Ofira continues, setting aside the white sauce and returning to the first saucepan. She takes a strainer and places it over a bowl, pouring the fingeroots and liquid into it, mashing down the fingeroots with the back of a spoon until the mixture is pureed . She then pours it carefully into the thin white sauce and blends the two together. Covering the pot, she sets the finished soup on the back of the hearth to stay warm. Dora by now has the other bunch of roots peeled and chopped finely, passing them to Ofira who adds them to the flour, butter and spice mixture. Once blended, she pats this into a ring pan and places it in the oven. T'ris flips the strips of eel over and begins pulverizing their other side. No mercy for these slithery eels. With his left hand, he reaches out and grabs a large skillet and places a generous portion of cooking oil. He finishes prepping the pan and the beating commences.

Kallrina raises an eyebrow at Styx in guestion.

Dendra watches Master Ofira work and wonders out loud, "Is she going to try and make a main dish as well, or stick to soup and fingerroot cake?"

Jorenan steps around and looks carefully at each of the dishes that are currently in process. "We have quite a competition going! It looks like they're neck and neck, and look how good this is going to be!"

Viridis's gaze goes back and forth between the two contestants as she watches quietly.

Ember glances in that direction, and nods, whispering more polite 'Excuse us, please' as she makes her way over, leading Styx by the hand.

F'ukisan leans forward and looks at Kariel and Mh'al. "How do the two of you feel about fingerroots? Have you had any fingerroot dishes that you like the best?"

Matheny takes some of the slices Carianna has made and puts them in a large bowl with a mixture of vinegar and sugar. She slides over and starts to chop up some spicy looking Igen peppers and also what could be redroots. After a minute she races over to peek at Carianna's progress and takes the rest of the fingerroot slices and adds them to the flour mixture.

Styx waves to Kalli as Ember leads him through the crowd towards Kalli.

Carianna glances at the candle mark and ohs then lays the finger roots down in pairs to sstart the slicing, taking care to not cut the fingers of the Goldrider as she takes then from the tray.

Melata blahs....fingerroots and eel will not go together.

Kariel answers F'ukisan, "Fingerroots? Oh, yes. I love them roasted along with a nice bit of herdbeast roasted over a good fire and with some subtle spices."

Quarroul helps with the additional peeling and slicing and chopping and dicing, making quick, neat work of the roots as the Craftmaster needs them.

Ofira laughs as she overhears Dendra, just as she hoists a large breast of baby bovine and takes up a large knife to slice a pocket in it. "Now, Master Dendra, what sort of meal would that be?" She finishes slicing the pocket and then takes the bread cubes, chopped whiteroot and grated fingeroots Dora's prepared, and begins to mix the stuffing, adding more softened butter and beaten eggs. Soon enough the mixture is stuffed into the pocket in the meat and the entire roast placed in a pan, brushed with yet more butter and seasoned with ground black pepper, ground mild red pepper and salt. That too ends up in the oven.

F'ukisan nods to Kariel. "Ah yes, that does sound like a lovely dish. I wonder if either of them will attempt it."

Gannon watches, engrossed. "D-didn't know there were so many different things you could do with fingerroots..."

Amilin nods in agreement, "Me either."

Mh'al peers up at F'ukisan from the cooking in progress. "Dishes? Well, fingerroots are long and pointy... good for, hmm, removing stains?" He starts to chuckle. "They make good projectile weapons too."

Vorin watches quietly, though grins as he does, paying curious attention.

Dendra grins and says, "Maybe the kind that V'sha will eat?"

Casmira smiles..."I used to feed all my fingerroots to the runners. *They* love them."

Elie waves to her friends and slips out of her seat, weaving her way out of the cavern.

T'ris sets down the mallet and grabs up the skillet. With a quick flick of the wrist, the eel strips are airborne. Before they return to table level, the skillet is there catching each piece. He gives a cocky grin to the audience as he reaches into a couple of spice cannisters. A little of this, a couple capers, some basil. And a pinch of spicy pepper. He places the skillet over the fire and begins it cooking.

Myriana approaches Jorenan, giving him an impish grin and asks. "Master Jorenan, how do you think the challenger is doing at this point in time? It does look like she is calm - working smoothly."

Matheny moves back over to her apples and checks to make sure it looks like enough. then she surveys the rest of the ingredients and finds some tubers. She gets one of her helpers to put a pot of water on to boil and instructs them to add the tubers when the water is ready and then to peel and slice them. Then she goes over and measures out portions of butter for two different recipes she's working on. One goes into the flour and sliced roots, the other sits with the apples. Let's hope she didn't get them mixed up.

F'ukisan chuckles at Mh'als answer. "I see." he says. "We should be grateful it is the Weyrwoman out there challenging and not you, I think."

Vashti licks her lips. "It already smells good," she mentions to the person near her. "Do you think they'll share it out, or only the judges will get some?"

A HALF CANDLEMARK HAS PASSED!

Emilly tips her head to the side as she continues to observe Baker and Weyrwoman at work. Her eyes skip here and there to be sure she misses nothing.

Dendra applauds T'ris's skill and and says, "I like the liberal use of peppers and spices by Matheny's team. While I'm not sure how well eel and fingerroots go together, that dish would be popular at Igen for the fire in it."

Ember makes it near to Kallrina's side without stepping on any toes, and nods her head toward the man catching eel in the pan as she asks her brother, "Who is that Rider, there?"

Ofira takes a moment to rinse her hands and straighten her cooking area, "Now the side dish and the salad," she tells Dora quietly, continually in motion, reaching for ingredients and utensil, but with no real sense of being hurried. She pours some of the fingeroot juice into a large, deep skillet and adds some dried plums, letting them come to a low simmer, the liquid slowly thickening. "Dora, get me the babyfingeroots...yes, that bunch there. Rinse them and then add them to this pan while I'm stirring...that's right." She tosses in a few more pinches of spice, "Now mix this while it simmers." Leaving her daughter in chafge of that pan, she opens the oven door, checking both the fingerroot ring and the stuffed roast breast of baby bovine. Tantalizing aro mas slip out into the cavern.

Mh'al smiles up to F'ukisan. "There's a reason why there are lots of healers here. I make good gumbo.. well, you can put anything in gumbo."

Carianna pours water into the pot and sets it to boil then takes up her small knife and begins peeling the tubers in neat ringlets. Brushing the peels aside she quickly slices and scoops them into the water hoping it's come to a boil.

Roltan says "Very slick, T'ris... Very slick"

Styx whispers Ember, "That's T'ris."

Casmira sniffles appreciatively....

Kallrina smiles down. "Hello ther Styx

T'ris loosens the collar of his tunic a bit as the heat starts to flare up. With a quick stir of wooden spatula here and there, the eel is beginning to cook up nicely, its scented aroma wafting out into the crowd.

F'ukisan laughs before looking at the cooking. "Yes, Matheny's use of spices is unprecidented. Ofira is creating a rather colorful dish with the use of fingeroots and plums. Perhaps it is a dessert?"

Styx smiles at Kalli and whispers to her and Ember so as not to disturbe the cooks.

Kaimi watches everything quietly keeping her thoughts to herself.

Emilly bounces a bit on her chair. "Mmmm ... something smells nice over there ... "

Matheny doesn't have time to even wonder what sort of dishes she's going to be up against from the baker craft. She quickly works out portions of ground klah and takes the first of it to add to the flour mixture. As the wet ingrediants are added it starts to look like a cookie dough. Math moves over and puts the rest of the klah in with a portion of butter she set aside earlier, a few other spices are added and she heats them all up briefly.

Mh'al raises his eyebrows, staring over at the bustling contestants curiously. "Fingerroot and plum? Sounds like an appetizer, but who knows?"

Kallrina smiles to Ember, "Nice to meet you

Myriana approaches Ofira, motioning to the plum and 'root liquid. "Excuse me, Ofira. What is this liquid going to be?"

Kaimi nods in agreement with Mh'al.

Kallrina mutters to Styx, "is... sister..."

Ofira prods the roast with a fork, watching the color of the juices. She slides the heavy pan back into the oven, and then pulls out the ring pan, touching a fingertip lightly to the cake. She shakes her head, and sends it back into the oven, then goes over to take the spoon from Dora, stirring the vegetable dish and then placing a lid firmly atop it. Satisfied with the dishes in progress, she studies the fresh vegetables available and selects a large head of brocolli, another of cauliflower, some red peppers, white root and of course more fingeroots. These she begins to chop, using a heavy cleaver. Dendra sees Matheny making cookies and comments, "I hope they can simply make the cookies tonight. The last time they made cookies more dough wound up on the people than in the ovens."

Carianna can't resist a quick finger scoop of the dough and wrinkles her nose slightly as she searches for some sweetener and hands it to Matheny silently.

Kariel perks up, "Klah flavored cookies? Oh, yum!"

S'rist looks over at what looks to be two desserts in the making, one at each cooks, and begins to hope for that there is enough to go around. But a glance around at the crowd for some reason reminds him of a swarm of hungry VTOL bugs.

Jorenan watches the Iron Baker, nodding in approval at her success. His solemn expression takes in the challengers side and he hmms, nodding as well.

Just when it smells like Math is burning her butter she takes it off and moves over to a pan. Taking the apples slices, the round fingerroot marks and the thin tuber slices she starts to layer ingrediants back and forth, forming a sort of casserole. Once the layering is done she pours the buttery klah over it all and adds some walnuts and a surprising sprinkling of prunes. She takes the whole thing and slides it into the oven and goes to see how Carianna is making with the cookies. Being offered the sweet ner she grins and shakes some more in, "If it needs more, add it in, then make them into little balls and put them on that sheet for baking."

Ofira places the chopped vegetables into a large bowl, and then leaves it, taking another saucepan and adding some vinegar, salt, pepper and oil to it, bringing it to a boil on the hearth. She then pours it over the chopped vegetables, quickly mixing it.

Ember looks between Kallrina and Styx, dark eyes bemused, "The Weyrwoman doesn't cook often, does she?"

Kallrina smiles warmer. "Have ye seen yer other brother yet ?" she asks the woman.

T'ris stokes the fire, getting it good and hot. He grabs up the bowl of celery juice and tosses it into the skillet. With a hardy downward plunge and a flick of the handle, he tosses the strips of eel out of the skillet, they flip in mid air, and land back in the skillet. He sets the pan down and wipes his brow.

Kallrina shakes her head. "Nay...I dinn even know she did.

Vashti's stomach rumbles. "Think there'll be leftovers?" A word from the person nearest her, however, assures that there certainly won't be.

Firmin quietly walks over to stand near Kallrina, straining his neck just a bit for a better view. "Evenin' Kalli," he says quietly.

Mallea slips out quietly.

Kallrina smiles over at Firmin. "Evening

Styx looks up at Ember and smiles keeping his voice low, "I don't know."

Quarroul hms softly, "maybe we should do something like this for promotions next time." To an apprentice he passes with a fresh pot for Ofira's dishes.

Carianna's eye light up as she takes another taste test and adds more sweetener then stirs it in. Wiping her hands on a nearby towel she then grabs the dough and begins to tear and ball small bits to lay on a tray.

Matheny has to clap for T'ris and then go to admire how the eel is looking. She nods in delight and then moves to see how her soaking root and pepper slices are doing. Taking a bite out of one she considers a flicker of a moment and then pours a splash of tart Tillek white into the mix.

Ember nods to both, "Aye. If I had not had to visit him in the infirmary, I would not have known a difference. I only came to see Uncle Mandew." Her eyes light on Roul again, then the Master, and back to Matheny's team.

F'ukisan comments now and then about the techniques and ingredients used on both sides. His tone and demeaner are complimentary, seeming to be surprised at the Reaches contingent but confident in the Baker side.

Ofira steps back, wiping her hands on her apron, studying the various dishes. She lifts the lid of the soup pot, stirring the contents lightly and then replaces the lid. Then she checks the oven once more. She removes the ring pan, taking a broom straw and inserting it into the center of the cake. She pulls it out, lifts it, squinting slight. Finding it clean, she sets the cake pan on a rack to cool. She bends to insert a fork into the roast, once again checking the color of the juices.

Quarroul grins all happily as he trades off pans with another baker and spins to carry it to the counter so another of the apprentices can add some things to it. He spots Ember again and as his hands are full can only grin in that direction.

Viridis sniffs the air appreciatively.

THREE-QUARTERS CANDLEMARK HAS PASSED!

Carianna finishes covering one tray with tiny balls of dough then looks back to the Weyrwoman questioningly as she starts a second tray.

Matheny helps Carianna for a minute and then tells her to put it in the oven as soon as possible so that the cookies will be done in time, piping hot and fragrant. She check on the casserole in the oven and nodding in approval pulls it out and then selects the plate and portion size she wants so that one of her helpers can serve it up. She goes over to T'ris and holds up a set of bowls for the eel soup for him to dish up.

Ofira closes the oven door and then goes back to the skillet, lifting the lid and stirring the thickened mixture, tasting a bit, and then adding more salt. "Dora, toss that salad again, please." she tells her daughter.

Firmin leans a little closer. "Wha'd'y think?" he asks Kallrina, nodding towards Matheny.

Kallrina smiles at Firmin, "I didn't expect te see her up there tonight.

S'rist hmmms, watching Math cook, "She's doing mighty well for someone that was banned from the kitchens as a candidate."

Ember looks down at Styx, amusement in her eyes, if not on her lips. "I do not care for eel, but it seems my stomach does not care, at the moment."

Carianna carrys the two trays to the oven and places them inside. She gaudges the heat and adds some more wood just to be sure.

T'ris stirs up the eel, adding some more water here and there. When the consistency is just right, he tilts the pan up and pours the soup into the little bowls. As an additional touch, he adds a few sprigs of decorative greens which float lightly upon the surface.

Firmin nods with a chuckle, "ne'er knew she cooked. Like what she's doin' t'th'eel, tho'," he says thoughtfully.

Yenne grins at S'rist. "Brave of her to use eel too."

Ofira covers the skillet and then goes to chop up some greenroots. These remain on a small plate, waiting to garnish the soup.

S'rist gives a nod towards Yenne, "Very, but I think she felt she had to be inventive to compete with Ofira."

Kallrina shakes her head, and shrugs her shoulders "No idea.

Emilly cranes her neck a bit to see what Math is up to now.

Roltan says "But why eel of all things?"

Kallrina smiles at Ember "Are ye hungrey?

Yenne chuckles. "I definitely think she's come up wiht something good."

ONE-TWELFTH OF A CANDLEMARK LEFT TO GO!

Dendra watches the Iron Bakers hard at work and comments, "Master Ofira's smooth, economical movements are a testimony to her turns of skill and practice in kitchens all over Pern. The astounding fact is that Weyrwoman Matheny is nearly as good. I wonder where she learned the trade so well?"

Matheny has to help one of the assistants shovel the casserole out, the bottom layers are lost as Math overcooks it a little. When she's satisified that nothing burned will be going to the judges she helps arrange the summer salad onto plates, a riot of red, green and orange coloring.

Kallrina mutters to Ember, "... man?... about"

Ember nods, "Yes, ma'am, I find that I am. Something definitely smell intriguing."

Kallrina laughs. "No relative of Styx and L'han need te ma'am me, especailly right now while I'm a candidate.

T'ris reaches over and grabs up a bunch of rolls. He slices a piece out of each, enough to fit it snug onto the small saucers the bowls are sitting on, wrapped around the bowl. He places a spoon inside the gap between bowl and roll on each one.

Kallrina mutters to Ember, "... hope... he's..."

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN STARTS AS THE LAST OF THE FULL CANDLEMARK DISAPPEARS!

Kariel points over toward the Weyrwoman's soaking roots and peppers, "I can't quite figure out what that's going to be. Is she going to put a sauce on them?"

Carianna sniffs around the oven and checks the cookies. She pulls the trays out and carrys then to the table

Ofira takes one more look around her area. She uncovers the soup and pours it into a decorative tureen, sprinkling the top with the chopped greenroot. This goes onto the table. Joining it next are the roast breast of baby bovine, sizzling and fragrant, the crunchy, tangy raw vegetable salad, and the fingeroot prune mix. She unmolds the cake from the pan, setting it on a platter, and then steps back, wiping her hands on her apron.

Firmin waits expectantly as he watches the final preparations.

Ember mms softly, "If it makes you uncomfortable, I will not do so. Kallrina."

Vashti groans appreciatively, her stomach joining in the duet.

Styx smiles at Ember and Kalli offering meatrolls to nibble on while they watch.

Matheny quickly moves to help Carianna with the cookies, selecting plates to slide two or three of the steaming and at this point, still soft cookies onto. As the final count comes she finally steps away and brushes her burned fingertips over her shirt.

T'ris runs his fingers through his hair and stands back looking at the bowls of simmering eel soup.

Kallrina smiles at Firmin. "Firmin. This is Styx and Ember, L'han's brother and sister.

Quarroul rushes forward to help with some last moment garnishing.

Emilly smiles as she sees the beginnings of platings. "Ohhhh wow ..."

Ember furrows at Styx a brief moment, not wanting to miss the end, "Where did that come from?"

Jorenan stands up and, with a flourish, announces. "That's it! The cooking has been completed. A round of applause for our cooks." With a sweep, he turns and takes a seat at the head of the judges table. "Now the judging begins. Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to judge based on presentation and taste?"

Kallrina mutters to Ember, "... uncomfortable...but L'han... rather... his family needs... blushes*"

Mh'al appears rather pensive now, nodding to Jorenan in slow agreement.

Amilin leans over to Gannon, "Looks like they are almost done."

Kariel applauds vigorously.

Amilin begains applouding loudly

Viridis has her chin resting upon the palm of one hand. At Jorenan's announcement, she applauds, glancing towards Matheny and Ofira.

A gaggle of apprentices appear at Matheny's side to assist her with serving her dishes. Jorenan looks over and nods his head. "Weyrwoman Matheny. What have you prepared for us?"

Yenne applauds with the rest of the crowd as the cooks finish their meals. She looks between one set of plates and the others, curious.

Carianna quietly slips back over to the candidates talble and takes a seat to watch the judging.

Vorin claps as the others do, grinning as he looks around the cavvern a moment, then looks back to the front.

Ember manages a faint smile which leave the impression of being altogether wrong on her young face. "I understand. I am always formal, Miss Kalli."

Dendra nods once solemnly and says, "We are more than ready! Even for the eel!"

Kallrina mutters to Styx, "did ye... me... L'han?"

Ember takes a better look, now that there is a break on the stage, "Congratulations on being Searched."

Kaimi sits up straiter and waits for the dishes to be offered.

Kallrina smiles warmly. "Thank ye.

Matheny takes a towel and mops at her brow, looking tired, but excited to see what the judges will think of her dishes. She smiles to Carianna and T'ris and gives them a little thumbs up for all the work before turning to Jorenan and clearing her throat and describing her dishes. "First I have a soup. Spiced and pan seared eel and barley in a celery and fingerroot broth. The splash of celery juice is meant to lighten the flavor of the fingerroot for the hot summer months. The taste of the eel is well spiced but not over powering, the texture of the eel holds it's consistancy in the soup but then melts readily in the mouth." Servers place a bowl of the soup before each judge and Math holds her breath, knowing this is likely the most daring dish she tried.

Styx smiles at Firmin and nods a greeting. He grins at Ember handing her the meatroll, "My spare pouch."

Casmira cheers for Matheny!

Firmin nods back to Styx, but seems preocuupied with the forthcoming decisions between the contestants.

Alaisha flutters her lashes and giggles softly. "Oh, I am sure I would float in the clouds if I was able to have but one taste." She shyly lowers her head.

Styx quietly listens.

Emilly leans forward to see the dishes

S'rist chews on one of the now rather stale sandwiches which is all the crowd has to eat while they watch the food being served to the judges.

Yenne whistles, impressed, as she hears Matheny's description of her soup.

Vashti leans forward, again licking her lips. She may be drooling. "But is that a fingerroot dish, or an eel dish with fingerroot in it?"

Mh'al stares down at the bowl placed in front of him, seeming relieved that nothing is staring back at him. He spoons a sample of the soup into his mouth, his face not revealing what his tastebuds think. Although, he does take a second sampling.

Kariel takes a sip of the soup with a bite of eel, "Mmm. The taste is ... unusual. It has a nice even flavor in the broth and the eel isn't too chewy. Yes, I like this soup."

Dendra picks up a spoon and carefully tastes the eel soup. She winks to Alaisha and says, "If you become a baker, you might be the one up here judging next time." After three more tastes she places the spoon down and pronounces the dish, "Excellent."

Kaimi dips her spoon in and tastes rolling the flavors around in her mouth considering the dishes merits with a strait face. Then she nods.

Quarroul lingers nearby the craftmaster and rubs his hands together after drying them on his apron.

Matheny smiles in a relieved fashion and then proudly introduces her second, simpler course, "Next I have a summer salad of crisp fingerroot slices that are lightly pickled with sharp redroot and spicy, yet crisp Igen peppers. A splash of tart Tillek white has been added to this cool and brightly hued summer dish to give it an extra zing."

Kariel picks up a fork and tries the salad, "Oh, I was expecting something completely different. The peppers are just a bit strong, but they contrast nicely with the cool fingerroots."

Mh'al prods at the salad somewhat cautiously, as if expecting some kind of surprise to pop out at him. He scoops a portion of his salad into his mouth, biting down on one of the peppers. As his eyes start to water, he nods his approval.

Kaimi samples the salad, raiseing an eyebrow at the mix of flavors, again nodding at the result.

Dendra picks up her fork and takes a small bite of salad. She takes two more bites and says, "I like this dish very much. The peppers kick back when you eat them, and the wine sauce keeps the dressing from being too plain. The sweet fingerroots are an excellent contrast."

Jorenan samples the dishes, taking his time to savor the flavours and textures.

Vashti sways from side to side to see around the tallish person in the seat in front of her.

Matheny chews her lip a little and nods her head nervously, seeing mixed reactions and worried that the peppers were too hot. Still she smiles as she presents her next dish, "This is very simple, yet I hope refreshing for the palate after the spicer dish. This is fingerroot and celery juices, combined to make a lighter flavor again as with the eel soup a more summery flavor than just fingerroot juice alone. This time of course it is served chilled." Tall glasses of the bright juice are placed before each judge.

S'rist watches the judges faces, concerned that the second dish didn't go over very well.

T'ris shifts from side to side, trying to get a look around Matheny at the judges.

Kariel picks up the glass, takes a small sip of the juice, then a larger drink. "Oh! This is so cool and refreshing on a warm day like today. Maybe a little plain, though." She takes another drink and nods.

Carianna finds herself holding her breath for Reaches Weyrwoman as she watches the judges.

Mh'al picks up the glass, examining the color against the light of the glowbasket nearby. Warily, he takes a deep sip of the juice. A smile spreads on his face, relaying his approval.

Dendra sips the vegetable juice blend and says, "I like this. It's more refreshing than plain berry juice, and quite unique."

Kaimi sips the juices and like with the soup seems to roll it around in her mouth a bit savering the favors. Then she takes a second swallow before setting it down.

Servers bring in the next course as Matheny describes it, "A casserole made of layers of apples, fingerroot marks and thinly sliced tubers is made comforting by a sauce of buttery klah, walnuts and prunes. The dish is soft and warm, soothing in texture and hopefully in taste as well." After the judges are able to taste this they find a small plate for each of them with a couple of cookies Math addresses as, "Klah and Fingerroot cookies. Spicy and fragrant as well as sweet, these sturdy and yet soft cookies are a toothsome treat for a child of any age. The added klah gives you energy to make it through a busy day while the fingerroot is a great way to get in those veggies.

Vashti dabs at her forehead. "That juice would feel really good," she sighs, but her attention is drawn next to the casserole. "Ooohhhh."

Viridis watches as the dishes are sampled. Her head tilts to the side thoughtfully as she hears the descriptions.

Dendra samples the casserole, and gobbles down the cookies as decorum flees for the moment. "An excellent meal. I'll be consulting with Matheny to get the recipe for that casserole tomorrow. I've never had anything like that before and want to try to make it myself."

Kariel takes a forkful of the casserole and goes, "Mmmm, nice smooth texture. The apples make it nice and sweet." Turning to the cookies, she bites into one and a smile appears, "Nice rich klah taste. I can barely make out the fingerroots."

Casmira jumps up..."Oh, I almost forgot!"...what she almost forgot is unknown, as she runs....

Kaimi tastes the casserole and smiles ever so faintly as she tries it, then she samples one of the cookies, nodding a bit as she polishes it off.

Mh'al samples a little of both dishes, his face remaining passive on this one as he looks from cookies to casserole in thought.

Matheny chews on her thumbnail and then smiles nervously, watching every flicker of eyebrow or curl of lip from the judges. As they finish sampling her wares she bows, smiles and then bows again and moves aside to see what the Iron Baker has worked up.

Jorenan, dressed to the nines, steeples in fingers, places them against his chin and inclines his head to the Weyrwoman. "A fine presentation, Weyrwoman Matheny. Our thanks." He waits a moment as assistants surround the Iron Baker Ofira to provide her with their services. "Next is Master Ofira. What have you created for us today?"

Ofira first takes a moment to congratulate Matheny, "Excellent choices, Weyrwoman, and well executed." She smiles and then steps forward to present her dishes. "I begin my menu with a cream of fingerroot soup. As you can see," she says, as it's ladled into bowls for the judges, "It's a smooth puree, made rich with the addition of cream, a bit of heat added by the cumin, while the ginger and greenroot garnish brighten the flavors. Next we have the roast breast of baby bovine stuffed with bread and fingeroot stuffing. Baby bovine is a mildly flavored meat, though rich and fatty. This is cut by the spiciness of the stuffing, and the texture of it, crunchy at the edges, smooth within, presents a nice contrast."

Matheny smiles and bows to Ofira as she speaks and then bounces forward a little on her toes to listen and look at the wonderful dishes.

Dendra tastes the soup until half the bowl is gone, then samples the baby bovine just as lavishly. "I like the soup very much, and it bears a striking resemblance to Fingerroot Soup Variant #37. But this one is made with a richer cream base." She pauses to sneak another spoonful before nodding and says, "The baby bovine is delicious as well. While it is not the healthiest of meats, the marbeling insures tender texture and rich flavor. The stuffing is an excellent compliment to its flvor."

Kariel sips the Iron Baker's soup and considers it carefully, "It's vary smooth. The spices really liven it up from just plain fingerroots." She then considers the bovine and takes a bite. She pauses, then chews carefully, and swallows, "Oh, yes. This is delightful. Very tender."

Mh'al breaks out his spoon again, dipping it into the cream of finger gingerly. Ladling some into his mouth, he bobs his head once. His eyes turn on the bovine as well as his fork, taking a generous portion of stuffing and meat to savor for a moment. Another bob of the head, neither approving or disapproving.

Kaimi samples the soup first thoughtfully examings the flavors and then moving on to th roast she takes a couple of bites to consider the dishes stuffing and meat both seperatly and together. She nods as she finishes tasting them both.

Ofira continues as the assistants bring in and serve the remaining dishes, "Now, to accompany the baby bovine, we have a good, crunchy salad of lightly blanched vegetables - brocolli, cauliflower, red pepper and fingerroots in bite sized pieces, nice and colorful, whiteroot for additional flavor. They've been blanched and marinated in an oil vinegar dressing, so that they're crunchy, but tender. Another side dish is this sautee of baby fingeroots and dried plums. This is rather sweet for a side dish but goes well with the tanginess of the salad and the spiciness of the roast. As you can see the sauce is lightly thickened, glazing the fingeroots and dried plums. And finally, for dessert, a dense fingeroot cake baked in a ring shape. It's spiced with cinamon, nutmeg and clove and has plenty of chopped walnuts. Not overly sweet, it's a nice cake to linger with over a mug of klah." With that, she concludes her presentation and steps back to await judgement.

Vashti groans appreciatively, and her stomach joins in on the chorus.

Emilly bites down on her lip listening to all the yummy descriptions

Ember looks to Kallrina, "I change my mind. It all sounds good. Even the eel soup."

Kallrina grins and nods.

Styx makes a face at the mention of eel anything...

Kallrina says "I canna eat eel, it ws all they served her for a while... In everything"

Mh'al tries to give each dish the benefit of the doubt, spending ample time on the vegetables, the fingerroots and plums, and the cake at the very end. Taking an extra bite of the cake, he tilts his head in thought as his eyes look over all the dishes set out.

Firmin raises his eyebrows curiously, "don't like eel?" he asks.

Kariel tastes the side dish of vegetables, "Very nice. Too many times vegetables are over cooked. These are very nicely done." She bites into the plum/fingerroot concotion, "This is good. Perhaps just a bit too sweet, though. It would make a nice balance against some of the other dishes, though." Turning finally to the cake, she bites into a piece and smiles, "Ooo, very tasty"

Ember is horrified, "Whatever for?"

Kallrina sighs. "The bakers are twisted.

Dendra samples the blanched salad, the sauteed fingerroots/plums and finally the fingerroot ring. She sips a little water to clear her throat and says, "The sald is good, especially if a spoon of the sautee is added to it. The ring is excellent, and would go over very well at Igen with our residents that do not care for overly sweet desserts. The cinnamon gives it a bit of fire and the nuts offer crunchy constrast to the soft cake."

Kaimi trys the salad first of theis batch her expession scolled to give nothing away thought she nods and moves on to the fingerroots and plums raising her eyebrow at the different tastes noding again. Then on to the cake again the slightes of smiles finds it's was to her face as she samlpes the dessert.

Styx shakes his head at Firmin's question.

Jorenan finishes sampling these dishes, nodding his approval as the textures, colors, and tastes meld together in a delightful harmony. He looks at Ofira and gives her a grin. "Well done, Iron Baker." He looks at the judges and says. "The choices are not going to be easy. Both sides have presented a splendid array of ingredients that accentuated our theme of fingerroots. Please begin your judging."

Dendra bends down and makes several notes on a piece of hide, crossing some numbers out as soon as she writes them. At long last, her final answers are recorded, folded over for secrecy and passed down.

Kariel scribbles a bit on the Official Iron Baker Judge Vote Tally hide, closes it,then passes it to Jorenan.

Carianna bites her bottom lip as she waits to hear the outcome of the judging.

Mh'al rubs at the scar on his cheek in thought, his eyes roaming over the dishes spread from both contestants. Scribbling on a piece of hide, he takes a few moments to make his decision and slides it over to Jorenan.

T'ris steps up behind Matheny to peer over her shoulder.

Jorenan takes each judges score and looks them over thoughtfully, looking down at the last judge still deciding.

Matheny shifts from foot to foot and then grins nervously over her shoulder at T'ris.

Myriana chews on her lower lip, watches the judging. She gives Ofira a positive, reassuring grin.

Kallrina holds her breath waiting for the winner

Emilly waits eagerly for the score, by the look on her face. She's also sitting on the edge of her seat.

Firmin leans forward, waiting to hear...

Ofira waits quietly, her eyes travelling frequently to Jorenan.

Viridis leans forward slightly, one ear turned so she can hear clearly.

Gannon watches quietly, as curious as everyone else as to what the decision will be.

T'ris gives Matheny a reassuring smile and a pat on the back.

Redus coughs at the back of the room. No reason. Just a lung thing.

Jorenan smiles to both the challenger Matheny and to Iron Chef Ofira. "The judges have made their decisions and the points are tabulated." He pauses dramatically, "And the winner is..." Again another pause, "Iron Chef Ofira by a score of three to one." He turns a smile to Matheny, "You were a worthy challenger, but not up to the challenge of the Iron Chef."

Kallrina awws sotfly.

Myriana applauds!, getting to her feet to give a standing ovation to both competitors! She is, however, pleased that her Craft has survived yet another Challenge!

Kariel stands and applauds both the Challenger and the Iron Baker.

Matheny smiles to Ofira and offers her hand in congratulations, "Well done, Master Ofira!"

Yenne stands as well, applauding both competitors.

S'rist applauds as well, suprised that Matheny took a vote, he'll have to get her to cook for him now.

Carianna's brow knits but she remembers her upbringing and stands to applaud the winning bakercraft.

From the back of the room, a wave of stomping and cheering begins. "O-fi-ra! Ma-the-ny! O-fi-ra! Ma-the-ny!"

Ofira smiles, taking Matheny's hand, "You were a formidable challenger. I did my best."

Kallrina claps

Vorin bites his lip, but claps along with everybody else, not as enthusiastically this time though.

Firmin nods and claps.

Ofira turns to those applauding, nodding her thanks modestly.

Redus slaps his hands together repeatedly.

Styx claps.

Dendra cheers and applauds for the Iron Chef of Doom.

Viridis applauds and starts to stand up, but remembers that little blue thing on her lap. She remains sitting, but straightens up.

Jorenan lifts his hand and exclaims. "We thank you for your attendance! I hope everyone had a wonderful time. Please feel free to sample each of the dishes at your leisure."

Emilly joins the applause for Master Ofira, waving to the master in between claps.

Myriana makes her way to Ofira and offers her congratulations. "Well done." she says to her peer. "Very well done!" She makes her way toward the Weyrwoman next and offers words of congratulations. "Well done, Weyrwoman. You missed your calling!"