Chapter 274

Almost everyone sitting in the front row of the food competition judges' panel was some big shot from a famous restaurant — chefs so legendary they were basically retired and immovable, like Jasper. Or they were renowned food critics, like Old Mr. Blackwell, who'd spent decades eating their way across the country. That's why Claire looked like a total outlier among this group. While the others were either gray-haired gentlemen or elders about her dad's age, she sat there young and striking, her nameplate reading the same legendary three words as always — Lotus Smoke. And no, she wasn't the only young person in the room; there were reporters and food magazine editors too, but none were in the front row. Only Claire, a fresh faced beauty with a calm smile, was sitting here shoulder to shoulder with all these culinary veterans. She didn't flinch under the curious glances. Poised and upbeat, she calmly handled the occasional question tossed her way — "Which restaurant are you from?" — simp