THE SINFUL HOUR COLLECTION
The cream sauce came next—reduced stock, heavy cream, a whisper of white wine—simmering low to thicken without breaking.
Halfway through, the contestant next to me—a tall guy with a buzz cut and a tattoo of a whisk on his forearm—leaned over, wiping sweat from his brow. “Hey, you got any curry powder? Mine’s gone missing, and this tagine needs a kick.” I glanced up, my knife pausing mid-chop on a bell pepper. “Curry? For tagine—bold move. Yeah, here, take a pinch.” I slid my jar his way, and he grinned, relieved. “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. I’m Marco, by the way. First time here?” I nodded, stirring my ratatouille to let the tomatoes break down into a silky base. “Ava. Yeah, total newbie. Y