Chapter 3: Round Three
“This year’s Gingerbread Extravaganza skills test,” Marcus told the room serenely, “is deceptively simple. In fact, you’re going back to some very classic roots. As it were.”
At least one contestant and one of his fellow judges seemed confused. Beside him, Eric audibly snorted; so refined, Marcus thought, and did not sigh.
Both Evan and Nate laughed, at least a little, which was really all a ginger root pun deserved. Good.
“Speaking of ginger,” he went on, “the recipe we’ve given you, in fact, considers ginger optional, which you might find unusual in a gingerbread challenge—”
“You might,” Eric put in, perfectly straight-faced.
Marcus was tempted to step on his youngest co-judge’s foot. Refrained, with heroic effort. “In any case, you know the rules. You will h
