Gemotions

“One more push, everyone!” Chef Sofia called out, her voice overflowing with pep. The air in the kitchen crackled with energy, the staff moving in a well-rehearsed dance. Tonight was the night: the famous food critic was coming. Months of planning had gone into this, and she had every confidence in her ability to impress. She beamed as the servers carried out the first course.

The review’s opening paragraph felt like a physical slap across the face. "Overcooked," the critic wrote of her signature dish, the roasted duck. Sofia's shoulders slumped. She wanted to disappear. The buoyancy she felt before instantly deflated.