In the illustrious culinary city of Paak, male chefs garnered popularity and received recognition compared to females. They said women were mainly to serve and feed their husbands and children, while men basked in glory as skilled chefs.Men filled the kitchens in the renowned restaurant, while women waited in their households for their men to come home with their pay.

Asha arrived at a diner at the corner of a busy street where small, close-packed office buildings were situated. She walked in a small kitchen and stepped sideways, passing her busy co-workers in their workstations."Asha, why are you late today? This is not you," Charbi, the head chef, said. He is a tall man of six feet in his thirties. He glanced at Asha while kneadi

Asha cooked the last batch of Chicken Torkari. She began the batch of her Baba's special Bapa Pitha. This sweet rice cake was a traditional delicacy cooked in winter. However, her father's recipe was special compared to the common one and was a hit in their restaurant.The common recipe was ground rice combined with shredded coconut and steamed with molasses fillings.

It was the cooking festival week. Every year, the surrounding villages of Paak City would hold such an occasion to uphold its reputed standing as a Culinary City.Here, every corner in every street had stalls and small diners in makeshift tents to serve the visitors and the local's palates experience of the city's unique spicy dishes.

Asha was indignant to herself and ashamed for deceiving a judge where she was an entrant. Her thoughts led that way with no inkling on what was in Ronjon's mind.As for Ronjon, his excitement and interest jumped a notch after tasting her dish. Yet, it never occurred to him she was the cook of the elusive Bapa Pitha and chicken torkari he craved. Neither did he connect