Novel Cuisine

Trudi Jones scuttled backwards and forwards to the oven on the large
screen. Roast partridge with stuffed thyme and white wine sauce. Such a
boring cook, Tony scoffed as he lay back on his leather recliner
sipping Bordeaux red.

Trudi was turfed out now and again on Channel Three to fill the gaps of
the top Chefs. She had even filled on his show on Premier Star Channel
when he had been taken down with the flu bug. Her style of cooking
would probably have been seen as boring in the fifties and suited
housewives of a certain age and class with nothing better to do.

Then their was Pierce Hanlon on rival Channel Chef's Choice who cooked
the most stodgiest food known to man. Food that may seem 'naughty but
nice' but that did the general public no good at all. Pierces' dishes
were always criticised in the press one journalist described them as
'Fat-filled Feasts.' Regardless of this everyone loved him and he was
one rival Chef Tony just could not shake off.

His own show : 'Tony's Choice: Nouvelle Cuisine for All' had top
ratings for the last year. There was nothing like a bit of glamour and
people believed they were part of it. He provided classy meals that
were quick and easy to prepare.

Next week he was off to the South of France to do a seafood special for
the Daily Neptune on of the better papers. Today, however there was a
couple of hours to kill before his meeting with top Premier Star
Channel man, Assistant Director Tom Peel. He had sounded quite excited
on the phone he was the man with all the top ideas and would probably
be the one to send his show into top rating history.

'This is a rare ingredient used in the Far East to flavour fish and
poultry.'

'I must admit it does smell lovely.' Tony replied as Tom Peel presented
him with the delicate variety of spices.

'This is just what we need to send those ratings soaring Tony a secret
ingredient everyone wants to get their hands on. At this rate you've
got the highest chance of securing that Gowan Save supermarket deal as
well.'

Tom raised his cut glass crystal with Tony in a toast.

'Well here's to the next five years.' He smiled.

Pierce Hanlon did the countdown in his head as his show 'Pierce's piece
du resistance' was about to air?5,4 ,3,2,1?

'Hello Good morning everyone! I'm Pierce Hanlon and thanks for joining
me on today's show?..'

It was a good show with the audience thoroughly enjoying themselves as
usual..

'So there we have it Flash Fried Sticky Chicken with spicy sauce and
toffee triple-choc tarts. With extra cream of course!' That is all for
today, I'm afraid. But next week I will be cooking with a special spicy
ingredient with which I will be preparing a top secret dish, so tune in
for that?.'

Tony was exhausted as he returned from his two-week assignment in
Cannes. As he let himself in the front door he spotted the logo on one
of the numerous envelopes littering the hall. He felt his heartbeat
quicken as he ripped open the envelope with Pete Gowan Chain
enterprises printed in the corner. The supermarket deal was his he was
sure of it?

The following week Trudi Jones beamed as she signed dozens of copies of
her latest cook book 'How to with Trudi.' At the Gowan Save Celebrity
cook launch.

Pete Gowan gave along speech about the benefits of simple but healthy
cooking.

'We had our pick of the top Chefs some with larger than life
personalities, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Trudi has
proved that simple cooking styles with healthy easy to prepare dishes
is what the public is after. She more than fits our profile for our
top- class supermarket. Which offers value and quality over
hype?'

Tom Peel looked over to Trudi who had a minute spare and raised his
glass she waved back. This was definitely her day and what a proud man
he was. The lucrative supermarket deal was hers and it would do wonders
to raise her profile on TV and of course her ratings.

It was a shame that Tony and Pierce were helping police with their
enquiries concerning the illegal poppy flower substance they had been
using in their dishes. They had innocently thought it was 'Flower Seed
Powder.'

There was nothing to link his name to the 'Flower Seed' incident he had
made sure of that. Those two top Chefs were history he had been
plotting this downfall for months?but now, today it was his fianc?e's
day and nothing was going to spoil it he was sure of that?.