Hestia the Invisible by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Author:Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

8

Pizzazz

HESTIA SPENT MOST OF SATURDAY in the cafeteria kitchen. Between helping out with lunch and dinner, she and Ms. Okto brainstormed ideas for a menu for next Saturday’s banquet. Unfortunately— or fortunately, depending on how you looked at it—Chef Soterides came by to offer his opinions too.

“Zeus has already approved my main course,” the chef informed them. “All that’s left to decide are the appetizers and dessert. For appetizers I suggest we serve goat cheese crostini with roasted grapes; shrimp-and-tomato tarts; and a basil-ambrosia yogurt dip with baked pita wedges.”

Ms. Okto folded all eight of her arms into four pairs and glared at him. “And just how are we supposed to find time to do all these fancy-pants appetizers in addition to the rest of the meal?”

The chef raised an eyebrow. “Not up to the challenge?”

Ignoring the obvious jab, Ms. Okto continued to glower at him. “A big platter of hambrosia roll-ups ought to do the trick. Takes a lot less time too.”

Chef Soterides gave a sniff. “Uninspired and boring,” he pronounced.

Ms. Okto pursed her lips. “Oh yeah? Well, I find your suggestions pompous and fussy!”

Caught in the cross fire, Hestia and Ms. Xena stood near the two cooks, looking back and forth between them as they sparred.

Suddenly, the chef snapped his fingers. “We’ll carve turnips into the shape of little anchovy fish. Boil them, dunk them in oil, and then decorate each to look just like the real thing, using salt and poppy seeds.”

“I knew it! I knew you’d suggest those things. Stealing my ideas, just like back in cooking school.”

Chef Soterides did a double take. “Oktopia? Is that you?” His face broke out into a huge smile. “I haven’t seen you since we graduated. What’s it been? Twenty years?”

“Twenty-three,” Ms. Okto corrected him. Then, sounding miffed, she said, “I can’t believe you didn’t remember me till now. How many other eight-handed cooks have you come across all these years?”

“None,” the chef admitted sheepishly. His eyes darted to Hestia and Ms. Xena, who were listening in unabashedly. Quickly, they both got busy doing small kitchen tasks, so as not to appear too nosy.

“Seriously, Oktopia,” Soterides said. “I’ve never known anyone as handy in a kitchen as you.”

To Hestia’s surprise Ms. Okto let out a giggle. “Stop trying to butter me up, Soty. I still haven’t forgiven you for claiming that anchovy idea as your own, you know.”

Hestia grinned at Ms. Xena, whispering, “Soty?” Ms. Xena shrugged and grinned back.

“I was desperate,” the chef said now in a pleading tone. “You’ve got to understand. King Nikomedes was interviewing me for a job. The cost of failure was . . .” He drew a finger across his throat.

“Hmph!” said Ms. Okto. Then, appearing to take pity on him at last, she added, “Fine. The faux anchovies will do for an appetizer. Now, how about Hestia’s chocolate ambrosia bars for dessert?”

Hestia had made another batch of them just before lunch, and now Ms. Okto handed one to the chef. Hestia watched anxiously as he took a bite.

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