Gemotions

The review had left a hollow ache in Chef Omar’s chest. “Uninspired and derivative,” the words echoed in his mind. He couldn't eat. He couldn’t sleep. He spent the entire day in the kitchen, trying to find a solution. He went to the pantry and looked at the ingredients, but he couldn’t look at them as ingredients.

He inspected all the spices. He smelled them, tried them, mixed them. He felt a constant thrum of anxiety. He closed his eyes and began to re-imagine the dishes. He had to prove himself, but he didn’t know how. Every flavor seemed wrong.