#culinary veterans

[jadeannbyrne]

Behind the Cold Door: The Walk-In Cooler as Food Service’s Emotional Sanctuary

Absolutely! In the world of food service, the walk-in cooler is more than just a storage space—it’s an unofficial sanctuary where pressures simmer down and raw emotions often bubble up. It’s the behind-the-scenes confessional where stainless steel walls have absorbed more than just the cold; they’ve witnessed the spectrum of human emotions from exasperation to moments of unexpected…

[diwasims]

Little Learner's Liberty Bowl

Tired of bottles stinking up the place? Say goodbye to musical high chairs and let your little one's culinary independence begin!

something i made for the @gardenofshadowssims march/april theme. it's a conversion and technically a pet bowl 🙈 original mesh and textures are from @littlbowbub!

me yapping:

i love family asp gameplay but toddlers can get too much for even the most veteran of simmers

i didnt try to make it so that pets can't eat from this bowl because realistically, if it's on the ground, any hungry pet would try eating from it. it doesn't have any other states cuz i couldnt figure out how to do that so u just have to check if it's full by clicking on it. i didn't make a dirty state because i want it to just stay cute and pretty in my toddlers' rooms xD

oh, i did edit the hunger rating tho. it's not overpowered but makes dealing with toddlers easier if, like me, u find the bottomless bottle too cheat-y. costs 150 simoleons in the buy mode kids section

[swearingcactus]

only half-watching culinary class wars whenever my sister watches it. but when that one veteran white spoon chef who got eliminated?? and he said something like: "I love food. I used to care so much. This competition reminded me about it." ??? 😔✊

[gothhabiba]

The Golden Arches, internationally recognised symbols of American corporate might and cultural diffusion, became in March 2002 the target of young Egyptians frustrated with what they perceived to be America's complicity in the onslaught of Israel's Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, against the Palestinian Authority. McDonald's was not the only foreign establishment to suffer broken windows; photographs circulated on the web also included images of a similarly vandalised KFC restaurant in Cairo. Still, none can deny the special place held by McDonald's in the global fast-foodscape. In Egypt, the targeting of the Arches is particularly interesting, as it follows on the heels of a controversy that cut to the very heart of intersections between indigenous and imported mass culture, and popular, if somewhat disreputable, music was at the epicentre of the commotion.

A year earlier, the fast-food giant found itself compelled to scrap a remarkable advertising campaign designed to promote a new, indigenous product. [...] [E]fforts to market an Egyptian national dish became enmeshed directly with Middle East diplomacy—and its breakdown—through an ill-fated effort to link an 'authentic Egyptian' product to an 'authentic Egyptian' pop singer. The very attraction of that singer from a marketing standpoint lay in his recent recording of a potent political anthem which had quickly become a smash hit in Egypt's informal popular music sector.

In the spring of 2001, at the height of his career, veteran shbi singer Shaaban Abd al-Rahim suddenly discovered that his television advertisement for the new McFalafel had been cancelled, reportedly following complaints from the New York-based American Jewish Congress over the corporation's use of the singer to promote its product. This cancellation was a response to Shaaban's recent blockbuster hit, 'I hate Israel' (Ana bakrah Isra'il [أنا بكره إسرائيل]), a pulsating rap number that had made him, after some twenty years of steady work at the lower end of the wedding circuit, a figure of national renown, the anointed 'interpreter of the pulse of the Egyptian and Arab street' (Abd al-Hadi 2001, p. 39). Even more incongruously it had made him a figure to be courted, albeit not always with great appetite, by the cultural and artistic intelligentsia that had heretofore scorned him.

The story of Shaaban Abd al-llahim, his smash hit, and the McDonald's fiasco raises a variety of questions about the relationship between popular 'folk' music and official culture in Egypt. It points to the thriving popularity of a quasi-legitimate 'cassette culture' (Manuel 1993) in a broadcast market that is still rigidly controlled by state authorities and, perhaps even more, to potent political expression at the edge of sanctioned propriety (Gordon 2001). In addition, it points to the changing world of corporate sponsorship in an ever more globalised national economy, and the changing relation of art/artist and song/singer to the fast moving world of advertising. The contest over sponsorship of this particular product—McFalafel—points to the persistent power of national symbology, especially culinary and musical tropes, even if the former has, in this case, been constructed by the extra-territorial multi-national fast-food chain, and the latter co-opted to promote the product. Finally, the very deliberate turn to a singer like Shaaban Abd al-Rahim for product sponsorship, especially for a commercial to be broadcast on state-run television, underscores weakening boundaries between what is 'classically' approved and what is still considered to be 'vulgar' or 'low-class' music, however popular it may be among wide sectors of the population.

—Joel Gordan, "Singing the Pulse of the Egyptian-Arab Street: Shaaban Abd Al-Rahim and the Geo-PopPolitics of Fast Food." Popular Music 22.01 (2003), pp. 73-88.

[mellyssageverse]

Noble Hearts - Chapter 1

Prologue can be found HERE

ZoSan Royal AU

I’m still working on the title, but I wanted to start sharing some of what I have written before I post anything on AO3.

Summary: The threat of famine looms over the Kuraigana Kingdom as resources dwindle. Suspicion grips the royal Mihawk family when the prosperous Germa Kingdom offers aid by means of a transactional alliance. As tensions rise, the unforeseen connection between two princes may decide the fate of their kingdoms.

Sanji strode with purpose through the cold stone halls of the castle, the familiar weight of his crimson cloak trailing behind him. Though he had traversed these corridors countless times, each journey to the throne room felt like a daunting pilgrimage through the echoes of his past. The portraits of his father that adorned the walls seemed to loom over him with silent judgment, their painted eyes a constant reminder of the expectations he could never quite meet.

Thirteen years had passed since the tragic loss of his mother, yet the ache of her absence lingered within him like an open wound that refused to heal.

The memory of that fateful day, when the guards returned with Queen Sora's bloodied cloak, still haunted him. King Judge Vinsmoke angrily directed the blame on Sanji for the tragedy that had befallen their kingdom. In his father's eyes, Sanji was the cause of their loss, and by running for help Sanji was the embodiment of failure and disappointment. Judge’s punishment had been swift and merciless. For leaving his mother behind, Sanji was locked away in the dungeons for a full week; an iron mask clamped around his head to prevent him from eating.

In those lonely moments, with only his hunger pangs as company for his grief, Sanji made a vow to never be helpless in protecting his loved ones ever again.

Once he was released from the dungeons, Sanji began to make good on his promise. Day after day, he immersed himself in rigorous training, his commitment unyielding. Alone on the training grounds, he honed his skills with a relentless fervor, pushing himself until his feet blistered and bled.

Then came Zeff, the seasoned veteran of the castle kitchens. Concerned by Sanji's absence from his culinary domain, Zeff sought him out. The old man found Sanji alone and exhausted on the training grounds. Zeff had not only offered Sanji the comfort of his company but also the invaluable wisdom of his experience. Under Zeff's guidance, Sanji's prowess as a fighter flourished, his dedication under Zeff's teachings molded him into a formidable adversary, surpassing even his own siblings in combat.

Despite his newfound strength, Judge remained unmoved, his disdain for Sanji was as strong as ever. Sanji remained a weak link, a fragile shadow threatening to undermine the foundations of the Germa Kingdom. No amount of training, no display of skill or strength could erase the empathy that his mother had instilled within him, a trait that his father viewed as a fatal flaw.

Sanji approached the imposing doors of the throne room, where he was met with the familiar sight of his siblings awaiting entry. Reiju's small smile offered a fleeting moment of warmth amidst the cold indifference of his brothers.

The doors to the throne room swung open and Sanji offered a nod of gratitude to the servants who ushered them inside, a gesture of acknowledgment for their service.

“You don't bow to the help, idiot. They're meant to bow to us.” Yonji jeered, elbowing past Sanji with an air of superiority.

"It wasn't a bow." Sanji retorted through gritted teeth, shooting an irritated glare at his brother's retreating form.

"Pft, any form of acknowledgment to the lower class is beneath us." Niji chimed in, trailing behind Yonji with a disdainful sneer.

Meanwhile, Ichiji, the eldest of the Vinsmoke brothers, frowned disapprovingly at Sanji's modest gesture.

"Your brothers are right. It's disgraceful to stoop to such levels." Ichiji admonished sternly. "Remember your place."

Sanji's hands clenched into tight fists, the pressure of his nails digging into his palms as he fought to contain his rising frustration. In an attempt to distract himself, Sanji let his gaze sweep across the throne room, taking in its familiar imposing grandeur with a sense of disdain. The stone walls loomed above him, adorned with Judge’s gruesome trophies of conquest: the twisted horns of the Dracon.

The Dracons, with their humanoid yet dragon-like forms, were unsettling beasts. They possessed the ability to summon wings and talons at will, had a resilience against fire, and sought to destroy any living thing that crossed their path. These were the monsters Germa was at war with, like many other neighboring kingdoms. They were also the same creatures responsible for Queen Sora’s tragic death.

Despite his hatred for these beasts, Sanji couldn't shake the feeling that it was morally wrong to have their scalped horns displayed as trophies.

Judge stood before his throne, his stern expression radiated an aura of authority that commanded attention. His gaze bore into his children with unwavering intensity as they each took their seats at a polished table located at the foot of the stairs below him.

"I have gathered you all here to discuss our next plan of action in the war against the Dracons." Judge began, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "As you know, Kuraigana is a well-established kingdom. The might of their army has shielded them from the Dracon threat, allowing them to remain isolated from neighboring kingdoms... until now."

Sanji observed his father closely, noting the darkening of his expression and the fervent gleam in his eyes. It was a look he had seen many times before… the telltale sign of Judge's unyielding determination to achieve his objectives at any cost.

"Despite their success in repelling Dracon attacks, the Kuraigana Kingdom faces a new challenge. They struggle to feed their citizens, and their King sees it fit to accept aid from other realms. I will admit that I care little for the plight of their people, but if we can secure an alliance with Kuraigana and absorb their formidable army into our own, we will become an unstoppable force."

Sanji clenched his jaw upon hearing Judge's callous disregard for the suffering of others.

"So we are to be in talks of an alliance with their King.” Reiju spoke up next to Sanji. “What role do you require of us in all of this?”

Judge’s smile twisted into a sneer.

“King Mihawk is an unusual ruler. He never found himself a Queen to rule beside him, yet he has adopted two children of lower status to be his heirs to the throne.” There was a bitter edge to Judge’s words as he spoke.

“Are you sure we want to align ourselves with commoners like them?” Niji smirked, his brow raised in disbelief.

“King Mihawk is of royal blood. That is who I am conducting business with. His brats are of no importance to us.” Judge retorted, his stern gaze settling on Niji, silently chastising him for his impertinence. Niji’s smirk faltered, replaced by a more serious demeanor in the face of their father’s disapproval. With a begrudging sigh, Judge continued, “However, King Mihawk seems to hold his ‘children’ in high regards. He thinks they play vital roles when meeting with real royals. It is for this reason that he intends to bring them to Germa. I may not approve of this, but we can’t do anything that would jeopardize us getting control of their military.”

Sanji blinked in surprise at the sudden turn of events, his thoughts racing as he processed his father’s words. He exchanged a glance with Reiju to find that her eyes mirrored his own disbelief. Judge must really want control of the Kuraigana army if he is inviting those of non-royal lineage to be their guests.

“I expect Reiju and Sanji to be the ones to keep Mihawk’s mutts occupied during their stay.” Judge directed his attention to the two. Sanji’s surprise deepened at the unexpected responsibility thrust upon him. His eyes rose to meet Judge’s piercing gaze. His father’s cold eyes seemed to be gauging his reaction before pressing on. “You both are the most likely to be civil to the low-status royals. We do not want to cause any offense before the alliance is made.”

“Seems a bit pathetic to cater to low-class scum.” Ichiji scoffed at his sibling’s assigned task.

Judge’s eyes narrowed in anger. Sanji tensed, bracing for his father’s reprimand.

“Mind your tongue! We aren’t here to cater to anyone!” Judge’s wild eyes snapped to Ichiji. He descended from his throne, advancing towards the table with a darkening air of authority. “Every move we make serves to strengthen Germa’s standing. With the Kuraigana army at our disposal, we’ll be unstoppable. Mingling with Mihawk’s brood is a minor inconvenience, but I won’t tolerate any missteps. You don’t have to be friendly, but I expect you, Niji, and Yonji to keep your distance. One wrong word could ruin the entire alliance!”

Judge’s fist crashed down onto the table with a resounding thud, leaving a small crater of cracked stone in its wake. His long disheveled hair shrouded over his face, creating a dark shadow from which his eyes blazed with fury.

The tense atmosphere forced a chill silence to fall over the table. It was an oppressive choking feeling that they all knew well. It had only taken them one mistake in the past for them to all learn what would happen if any of them spoke against Judge. It was not one that would be repeated again, even to this day. None of the siblings dared to even draw breath when Judge’s anger turned violent.

After a few moments of tense silence, Reiju, with her characteristic grace and bravery, spoke up again. "How do you expect Sanji and me to handle King Mihawk's heirs?"

With a grunt, Judge removed his fist from the table, opting to run his hand through his hair to straighten the flyaways.

"He has a daughter known for her sorcery skills and a son who leads a pitifully small fraction of knights," Judge began, his pacing around the table emphasizing his words, positioning himself between Sanji and Reiju. “Reiju, you’ll oversee the sorceress’s accommodations, while Sanji will attend to the other. Keep them away from my negotiations with Mihawk. It’s a task so simple and straightforward that not even someone as useless as Sanji could mess it up.”

Sanji angrily curled his tongue behind his teeth, a surge of indignation rising within him, yet he held his composure.

“The Mihawks will be our guests for a week, expected to arrive in two days. Prepare accordingly for their reception. You are all dismissed.” Casting one last sharp look over his children, Judge turned sharply to leave the throne room. His cloak billowed behind him as he exited through the grand entrance.

“Well, that seemed like a waste of time.” Niji remarked as soon as Judge was out of earshot, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet. “I don’t get why I had to be here if Reiju and Sanji were the only ones given tasks.”

“On the contrary; we were given our own task,” Ichiji pointed out, eyeing the crater left in the table by their father's furious strike. “We're supposed to keep out of Reiju and Sanji's way while they entertain those lowlifes.”

“How dull.” Yonji chimed in, propping his chin on his hand. Then, his expression turned mischievous. Looking towards Sanji, the youngest of the Vinsmokes tauntingly spoke out, “Hey, Sanji, why not suggest a trip to the beach for your visitor? Worked wonders for you last time, didn't it?”

Heat instantly surged through Sanji’s skin, causing him to stand so abruptly that his chair toppled over behind him.

Reiju was quick to reach Sanji’s side, her hand gripping his shoulder firmly in an attempt to stop him.

"Just ignore him," Reiju urged quietly. "He's just trying to pick a fight. Don't let him provoke you."

Sanji met his sister's gaze, seeing the concern reflected in her eyes.

With effort, Sanji swallowed back the torrent of curses that threatened to spill from his lips in response to his brother's callous words. Taking a deep breath, Sanji turned to leave.

“What a profound love you had for our mother,” Yonji’s mocking voice echoed after Sanji as he rushed out of the room. “To leave her behind while you saved only yourself.”

Yonji’s words landed through Sanji like an arrow to his heart, his steps faltered for a moment before he quickened his pace, determined to put as much distance between himself and his siblings as possible.

Finally alone, Sanji leaned against the cold wall of the corridor, his body shaking. Tears welled in his eyes, hot and stinging, as he struggled to contain the flood of feelings that threatened to consume him. With a deep, shuddering breath, he let himself surrender to the release of tears, allowing them to fall freely.

————————————-

“Other way, dumbass!”

Zoro felt a surge of frustration as Perona grabbed his shoulders, forcibly turning him in the opposite direction. He shook off her grip, irritated by her overbearing attitude.

"I know where the throne room is! You don’t have to lead me around!" Zoro snapped.

Perona, unfazed by his irritation, flipped her long, curly pink hair over her shoulder with a smirk.

"Of course I do! I swear, even though we’ve lived here most of our lives, you still get lost in your own home," Perona's playful jab hit its mark.

Zoro angrily swatted at his sister, only to miss as she effortlessly glided out of his reach. Her powers allowing her to float gracefully in the air, her long black dress trailing behind her like a dark cloud.

“Last week for dinner, Luffy had to lead you to the dining hall.”

“Luffy didn’t lead me. He was following me so Mihawk would invite him to join us.” Zoro retorted, his glare as sharp as his three swords that always hung at his hip.

Perona chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her brother's growing annoyance.

“Oh? What about yesterday when Nami and Vivi had to lead you? Were they fishing for a dinner invite too?” Her teasing tone danced through the air like a mocking melody. “Because they were on their way toward town when they caught you wandering around lost on the castle grounds. I’m pretty sure you messed up their date night.”

Zoro’s jaw clenched tighter, his stubborn scowl deepening at Perona’s continued teasing. Despite being familiar with the castle's layout, Zoro's tendency to get lost was a well-known fact among its inhabitants, and Perona took every opportunity to playfully rib him about it.

“I wasn’t lost. I was… exploring.” Zoro insisted gruffly. “Now stop your yapping and keep moving! Mihawk wanted to talk to us about something important.”

Perona’s laughter continued to echo through the corridor like the tinkling of wind chimes, her amusement evident in the playful glint of her eyes as she continued to glide ahead. The warm glow of the sun shone brightly through the windows, illuminating the rich gothic tapestries and plush furnishings that adorned the halls.

Though he's lived here for as long as he can remember, Zoro still finds himself marveling at the castle's grandeur with each passing day. It's a testament to the power and prestige of the man who rules over it, and Zoro can't help but feel a swell of pride at being a part of Mihawk's household.

Finally, they reach the throne room, and Zoro's heart swells with a sense of homecoming when he beholds the familiar sight before him: Mihawk's figure sitting upon his throne with a wine glass in hand. As Zoro enters, he knows that, despite his penchant for getting lost, he's found his place within the castle's hallowed halls.

“You both made it on time.” King Mihawk set his glass down and rose from his seat to greet his children. “How have your trainings gone today?”

“I’m getting a lot better at crushing souls,” Perona boasted, proudly puffing up her chest, “At this rate, I’ll be able to bring whole armies to their knees.”

King Mihawk chuckled softly at his daughter’s eagerness.

“That’s excellent to hear,” Mihawk replied warmly. “Our people are sure to benefit from your hard work and protection. Speaking of protection…” Mihawk's gaze shifted to Zoro, his eyes alight with pride and approval. "I heard how you led your band of knights to the southern border of Kuraigana. You stopped a herd of Dracon from attacking our citizens."

Zoro's expression turned serious.

"I cannot take credit for that," Zoro admitted. "Luffy was the one who took charge. Under his direction, we were able to stop the Dracon attacks."

King Mihawk regarded his son with a hint of amusement.

“Modesty suits you,” Mihawk remarked, his tone carrying a note of approval. “But remember, accepting praise when deserved is just as important. You and Luffy make a formidable team, but your bravery and dedication to our people haven’t gone unnoticed.”

Although Zoro tried his best to remain stoic, he could still feel the faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I'm sure you didn't ask us to come here just so you could butter us up with compliments." Perona remarked, her arms crossed expectantly. "So what's so important that it couldn't wait to be discussed over dinner?”

Mihawk's expression grew solemn.

"As you both know, the constant attacks from the Dracons have interfered with the lives of our people for the last decade," Mihawk began, his tone grave. "Their numbers continue to grow, and despite our efforts to fend them off, our crops have suffered. I fear it won't be long before food becomes scarce."

Zoro and Perona exchanged a concerned glance, their worries mirrored in each other's eyes.

"The King of Germa has offered us aid through the formation of an alliance. They are known for their powerful armies and abundance of wealth, and they have reached out to extend their assistance to us in this time of need."

Zoro's brow furrowed in confusion as he processed his father's words.

"The Dracon attacks have been occurring for well over a decade, so why do they feel the need to form an alliance with us now?" Perona's skepticism mirrored Zoro's own thoughts.

"The King has expressed interest in our military might," Mihawk explained, his voice tinged with a hint of suspicion. "I have no doubt that he sees the alliance as a way to enhance his own military strength."

Zoro's frown deepened at his father's reply, his mind racing with questions and doubts about this alliance with the Germa Kingdom. But Mihawk pressed on, undeterred.

"Whatever their motives may be, I think we owe it to our people to see what comes from these negotiations," Mihawk continued firmly. "This war against the Dracons has not affected them as it has other neighboring kingdoms. They have the means to ensure our people do not go hungry."

“When are these negotiations meant to take place?” Zoro inquired.

“King Vinsmoke has invited our family to stay in his castle while we negotiate the terms of our alliance. We will leave tomorrow,” Mihawk’s calm reply was met with an exaggerated gasp from Perona.

“Tomorrow?! That’s such short notice! We barely have enough time to pack for the trip!” Perona exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration. “I’m not sure I have enough time to coordinate outfits. How long will we be staying there for?”

“All your dresses look the same. It shouldn’t take you long to throw a few in a trunk.” Zoro rolled his eyes.

Perona shot him a wide eyed glare. Lips pursed in anger.

“We are going to be around other royals. They give us enough grief for not being of royal descent. You want them to make fun of us for being poorly dressed too?!” Perona punctuated her point by elbowing Zoro in the ribs. In return, Zoro elbowed her back, casting a glare of his own.

“If they are just like all the other snobbish royals out there, then why should we care what they think of us?!” Zoro argued.

“Will you both please stop your bickering?” Their father's voice cut through their argument, and Zoro and Perona turned to see him pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“This is precisely why I wanted to meet with the two of you. We will be staying with the Vinsmoke family for a week, perhaps longer if negotiations drag on, and I expect you both to be on your best behavior.”

Zoro guiltily bit his tongue to stop himself from arguing further with Perona. He eyed his sister carefully and noticed that she, too, was attempting to stay civil.

“Now, go make any arrangements you need to before our departure.” Mihawk ushered the two out of the throne room. He gave them one last warning look, sternly expressing his desire for them to get along, then shut the doors behind them.

“You were the one who started that argument,” Perona hissed quietly to avoid being heard by Mihawk. She turned her nose in the air and set off down the hall, Zoro following closely behind.

“You should be more concerned about our people going hungry rather than how you look to other royals.” Zoro scolded.

Perona abruptly turned to face Zoro, her floating form bringing her angry face inches from his own.

“I care because we are representing our Kingdom, and I want to be taken seriously!” Perona snapped. “You should be a bit more concerned about your appearance. If we look slovenly and uncaring, then they will see that as a reflection of our leadership skills. Doesn’t that worry you at all?”

Zoro's brows furrowed as he contemplated Perona's words. He knew she had a point, but his concerns ran deeper than mere appearances.

“Appearance is the least of my worries. Most royals don’t see me as being a worthy heir to Mihawk’s throne and never will.” Zoro averted his gaze from Perona. In his mind he sometimes wondered if other royals were right… he still had a long way to go before he could call himself Mihawk’s equal.

Perona's expression softened as she regarded her brother. Despite their frequent disagreements, she understood the weight of the expectations Zoro placed on himself. She reached out and gently placed a hand on his arm.

“Zoro, you may not see it, but Father believes in you. He sees your potential, even if you don't,” Perona reassured him, her voice softening. “You're stronger than you realize, and one day, you'll prove all those doubters wrong.”

Zoro couldn’t bring himself to meet Perona’s gaze. Despite her reassurances, he still felt weighed down by his own insecurities. He knew that earning the respect of his people was just the beginning; he needed to prove himself worthy of his father's faith and the responsibility that came with it.

Perona sensed her brother's sadness and decided to lighten the mood. With a small smile, she changed the subject, diverting Zoro's attention away from his doubts.

“You know that jacket I made for you on your last birthday? The deep midnight blue one with the gold trimmings? You should wear that when we meet the Vinsmokes. It makes you look exceptionally regal.” Perona suggested, hoping to boost Zoro's confidence.

Zoro tried to suppress his amusement but failed miserably.

“Thanks.” he muttered gratefully. Despite their differences, he couldn't help but appreciate having Perona as his sister.

(Next chapter is on my new blog here)

[easternmind]

A compendium of references to Portugal in Japanese video games

The beginning of the historical relations between Portugal and Japan dates to the year 1541, when a Portuguese ship washed ashore at Jingujiura. Nearly sixty Japanese words are of Portuguese origin. A variety of Japanese traditions and culinary delights were introduced by Portuguese traders, sailors and missionaries. But in what way has this cultural exchange extended to the more recent phenomenon of Japanese digital games? As a portuguese devotee of Japanese culture, the topic seemed relevant enough to merit some additional exploration.

To my knowledge, the first significant reference to Portugal in Japanese video game is found in Koei's The Age of Discovery from 1990, a game published in the west under the title Uncharted Waters. The main character is a disgraced Portuguese nobleman named Leon Ferrero who resorts to maritime exploration, trade and naval warfare to restore his family's good name and prestige.

Its 1993 sequel, known in the west as New Horizons, diversifies the base game structure of the original by including multiple characters to select from, each with their own story and mission. Among them is the tale of João Franco, the son of the original episode's protagonist Leon, who sets out to discover the mysterious location of the fabled Atlantis, no less.

Another meaningful reference can be found a year later in ArtDink's 1991 strategy game The Atlas, in which the player takes on the role of a 15th century explorer with a five year contract with the King of Portugal to discover and chart lands around the Iberian Peninsula.

In 1998, ArtDink recreated the game for contemporary systems and published as Neo Atlas. The protagonist is a Portuguese trading company owner seeking business expansion opportunities in remote territories, as well as discover and chart hitherto unknown parts of the globe. A similar premise is found in a later sequel, Neo Atlas III.

Apart from nautical strategy games, a few other titles exist where mentions to the Portuguese territory, language and culture can be traced.

Galvanized by the success of Cyan's world-renowned point and click adventure CD-ROMs, Sony Computer Entertainment helped to publish The Book of Watermarks, a game designed by a miniscule Tokyo-based studio named Watermarks that is brimming with interesting first and second-hand references to Shakespeare's The Tempest. The objective of this visually impressive pre-rendered journey is to aid in the recovery of a series of ancient tomes, each including the nuclear bases of knowledge for mankind.

The very first lost volume is named the Book of Navigators, said to be owned by the historical Infante Dom Henrique from the 15th century, condensing information on shipbuilding, oceanography, geography and astronomy. While a purely fictitious book, the reference to Prince Henry is historically accurate, him being a pivotal figure in the early age of Portuguese maritime discoveries, the governor of the Order of Christ who at once built and ruined his reputation through his various campaigns in the African continent.

Atlus' futuristic vision of Earth in Maken X includes a most unexpected tour of Europe, with a mandatory stop in Lisbon. Inexplicably, the developers got its geographic location wrong and moved to all the way to the northern Spanish region of Léon. The level, itself, boasts a reasonably accurate depiction of one of the city's oldest quarters, Alfama, and the architectural styles found therein.

Although I could not discern any actual references in the game itself, the Grandia II soundtrack by the veteran composer Noriyuki Iwadare contains two themes whose lyrics are written in Portuguese: A Deus, a double-entendre that can be translated to both farewell and to God; and Canção do Povo, meaning People's Song. Also, the name of the official soundtrack is named Melodia, which translates to Melody as you'd expect. Both themes were performed by guest singer Kaori Kawasumi, who took on the composer's challenge to sing them despite her not knowing the language.

She was coached and assisted by José Álvarez and Motoi Sato from the Portuguese Arts and Culture Center in Japan, whom she thanks in the acknowledgement section. The Grandia II Special Package edition booklet contains a page with two photos of Portugal, one for the Jéronimos Monastery in Lisbon and the other, seemingly, for the Moorish Castle in the nearby town of Sintra.

The last Pomping World (a.ka. Buster Bros/Pang) that Mitchell Corporation ever produced before shutting down was the 2010 DS European exclusive Magical Michael. It includes two levels set in Portugal, one in Lisbon by the Belém tower, a nautical landmark, and the other in the Sintra National Palace. Their representation is at once pleasingly stylized and true to life.

This final reference is found in Spike Chunsoft's third installment of their successful visual novel series, Nyūdanganronpa V3 Minna No Koroshiai Shin Gakki. Among the dozens of MonoMono machine items that can be acquired, one is a weathercock styled after a traditional Portuguese folktale hero, the Galo de Barcelos, meaning the rooster of Barcelos, a town in Northern Portugal.

As per the description, this animal became famous through an age-old tale involving a man wrongly sentenced to death who seconds before his execution remarked he was as certain to be innocent as it was certain that a nearby rooster would sing. Because the bird did crow, much to everyone's amazement, he was exonerated. Thus, the black rooster became a symbol for truth.

I would like to thank @diogojira and @DanielOlimac for their assistance in making this article possible.

[aacetrainer]

I want to see what everyone would want to be if you could actually live in the Pokemon world and be anything!! Including, but not limited to, the classic trainer. Please feel encouraged to tag and go into specifics about what you would do.

If you can, please also reblog to share I want to see everyone's answers ❤️🖤❤️

[crackshipoftheweek]

Crack Ship of the Week back again with another post! (After nearly an entire month) Lately I've been working a lot of 10+ hour shifts at my current job, along with helping out at my family's restaurant, updating my résumé, and searching for other jobs to advance my culinary career, so I've been really busy, sorry for not posting in quite a while. On the plus side, I've managed to network with some industry professionals higher up the ladder, and I was recently contracted by a personal chef agency!

Without further ado, let's bring out

This Week's Crackship:

Party Poison (Danger Days) × Johnny Silverhand (Cyberpunk)

Ship Name(s):

Poison Hand, Dim Mak (see notes below for explanation), Rockerboys, Ronin (see notes below for explanation)

Why It's Crack:

No interactions (separate canons)

Why It's Cracked:

Canons share many similarities. Both are cyberpunk series set in an alternate universe California in the near future (now partially set in the near past, as well), following a war or series of wars that negatively impacted the United States' geopolitical power, costing it territory that would be filled in by an independent city-state (Battery City in Danger Days, and Night City in Cyberpunk) and the resultant power vacuum being filled in by megacorporations (Better Living Industries in Danger Days and Arasaka in Cyberpunk. Like Arasaka, Better Living also seems to be a multinational corporation with at least some notable amount of presence in Japan, hence Better Living having had a .jp domain during the Danger Days album's promotional period, as well as using both English and Japanese writing in much of its content). Crossover potential abounds

Both fill very similar niches in their respective stories (renegade rockers who rebel against corporate overreach with the power of punk rock, and occasionally this gun they found. They both became the exemplar of their respective series' spin on the "rebel with a cause" archetype [Killjoys in Danger Days, and Rockerboys in Cyberpunk])

Both lived and operated in similar timeframes, not taking into account Johnny's engram whom stars in Cyberpunk 2077. Party was active in the 2010s up until his death in 2019, and Johnny was active throughout the 2000s up until his death in 2023)

Both may also be war veterans (Johnny is a confirmed war veteran who deserted the US Military in protest of the government's corruption and purposeful destabilization of Central and South America. Party Poison may have been one of the many Killjoys to take part in the Analog Wars, though this isn't confirmed iirc)

Both died a similar death, to somewhat similar people, for similar reasons. Both raided the main HQ of their respective antagonistic megacorps in order to rescue an abducted loved one (surrogate little sister "The Girl" in Party's case, and former lover Alt Cunningham in Johnny's case), during which they were brutally gunned down by their corporate foes' bald and sociopathic enforcer (Korse and Adam Smasher, respectively)

Both dye their hair. Party Poison's hair is dyed red (natural color unknown afaik), and Johnny Silverhand dyes his hair black, with it being naturally blond.

Notes

"Dim Mak", also known as "Poison Hand" or "Touch of Death" is a purported system of acupressure-based martial arts said to have originated in ancient China and been culturally imported to Japan. Count Juan Raphael Dante, an eccentric martial arts practitioner who taught karate in the 60s and 70s, also claimed to be able to teach Dim Mak to prospective students, infamously advertising this alleged service in the back page ad spaces in Marvel comic books of the time. This likely was seen at times by Gerard Way, an avid comic fan, as he titled one of the songs in the wider Danger Days multimedia project as Black Dragon Fighting Society, which shares an identical name with the martial arts organization founded by Count Dante. "Dim Mak" is also the name of a record label founded by Steve Aoki, who made a remix of the famous My Chemical Romance song "Welcome to the Black Parade". This fact is also relevant to the ship as Dim Mak distributes punk rock music, with punk rock being the primary genre performed by both Party Poison and Johnny Silverhand.

"Ronin" was chosen a ship name due to their shared status as outlaw warriors, similar to (but generally less shitty towards bystanders than) the ronin of Sengoku and early Edo-period Japan. Party is an outlaw vigilante who fights against BLI, whereas Johnny is a former US soldier who deserted and fled prosecution by moving to Night City. In addition, this name was chosen in reference to Johnny's band, Samurai. Keanu Reeves, who portrays Johnny in Cyberpunk 2077, also starred in the 2013 American remake of The 47 Ronin (unfortunately)

[mellyssageversee]

Noble Hearts - Chapter 1

ZoSan Royal AU (Repost from old blog)

AO3 Link

Summary: The threat of famine looms over the Kuraigana Kingdom as resources dwindle. Suspicion grips the royal Mihawk family when the prosperous Germa Kingdom offers aid by means of a transactional alliance. As tensions rise, the unforeseen connection between two princes may decide the fate of their kingdoms.

Prologue

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Sanji strode with purpose through the cold stone halls of the castle, the familiar weight of his crimson cloak trailing behind him. Though he had traversed these corridors countless times, each journey to the throne room felt like a daunting pilgrimage through the echoes of his past. The portraits of his father that adorned the walls seemed to loom over him with silent judgment, their painted eyes a constant reminder of the expectations he could never quite meet.

Thirteen years had passed since the tragic loss of his mother, yet the ache of her absence lingered within him like an open wound that refused to heal. The memory of that fateful day, when the guards returned with Queen Sora's bloodied cloak, still haunted him. King Judge Vinsmoke angrily directed the blame on Sanji for the tragedy that had befallen their kingdom. In his father's eyes, Sanji was the cause of their loss, and by running for help Sanji was the embodiment of failure and disappointment. Judge’s punishment had been swift and merciless. For leaving his mother behind, Sanji was locked away in the dungeons for a full week; an iron mask clamped around his head to prevent him from eating.

In those lonely moments, with only his hunger pangs as company for his grief, Sanji made a vow to never be helpless in protecting his loved ones ever again.

Once he was released from the dungeons, Sanji began to make good on his promise. Day after day, he immersed himself in rigorous training, his commitment unyielding. Alone on the training grounds, he honed his skills with a relentless fervor, pushing himself until his feet blistered and bled.

Then came Zeff, the seasoned veteran who used to work in the castle kitchens. Concerned by Sanji's absence from his culinary domain, Zeff sought him out. The old man found Sanji alone and exhausted on the training grounds. Zeff had not only offered Sanji the comfort of his company but also the invaluable wisdom of his experience. Under Zeff's guidance, Sanji's prowess as a fighter flourished, his dedication under Zeff's teachings molded him into a formidable adversary, surpassing even his own siblings in combat.

Despite his newfound strength, Judge remained unmoved, his disdain for Sanji was as strong as ever. Sanji remained a weak link, a fragile shadow threatening to undermine the foundations of the Germa Kingdom. No amount of training, no display of skill or strength could erase the empathy that his mother had instilled within him, a trait that his father viewed as a fatal flaw.

Sanji approached the imposing doors of the throne room, where he was met with the familiar sight of his siblings awaiting entry. Reiju's small smile offered a fleeting moment of warmth amidst the cold indifference of his brothers.

The doors to the throne room swung open and Sanji offered a nod of gratitude to the servants who ushered them inside, a gesture of acknowledgment for their service.

“You don't bow to the help, idiot. They're meant to bow to us.” Yonji jeered, elbowing past Sanji with an air of superiority.

"It wasn't a bow." Sanji retorted through gritted teeth, shooting an irritated glare at his brother's retreating form.

"Pft, any form of acknowledgment to the lower class is beneath us." Niji chimed in, trailing behind Yonji with a disdainful sneer.

Meanwhile, Ichiji, the eldest of the Vinsmoke brothers, frowned disapprovingly at Sanji's modest gesture.

"Your brothers are right. It's disgraceful to stoop to such levels." Ichiji admonished sternly. "Remember your place."

Sanji's hands clenched into tight fists, the pressure of his nails digging into his palms as he fought to contain his rising frustration. In an attempt to distract himself, Sanji let his gaze sweep across the throne room, taking in its familiar imposing grandeur with a sense of disdain. The stone walls loomed above him, adorned with Judge’s gruesome trophies of conquest: the twisted horns of the Dracon.

The Dracons, with their humanoid yet dragon-like forms, were unsettling beasts. They possessed the ability to summon wings and talons at will, had a resilience against fire, and sought to destroy any living thing that crossed their path. These were the monsters Germa was at war with, like many other neighboring kingdoms. They were also the same creatures responsible for Queen Sora’s tragic death.

Despite his hatred for these beasts, Sanji couldn't shake the feeling that it was morally wrong to have their scalped horns displayed as trophies.

Judge stood before his throne, his stern expression radiated an aura of authority that commanded attention. His gaze bore into his children with unwavering intensity as they each took their seats at a polished table located at the foot of the stairs below him.

"I have gathered you all here to discuss our next plan of action in the war against the Dracons." Judge began, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "As you know, Kuraigana is a well-established kingdom. The might of their army has shielded them from the Dracon threat, allowing them to remain isolated from neighboring kingdoms... until now."

Sanji observed his father closely, noting the darkening of his expression and the fervent gleam in his eyes. It was a look he had seen many times before… the telltale sign of Judge's unyielding determination to achieve his objectives at any cost.

"Despite their success in repelling Dracon attacks, the Kuraigana Kingdom faces a new challenge. They struggle to feed their citizens, and their King sees it fit to accept aid from other realms. I will admit that I care little for the plight of their people, but if we can secure an alliance with Kuraigana and absorb their formidable army into our own, we will become an unstoppable force."

Sanji clenched his jaw upon hearing Judge's callous disregard for the suffering of others.

"So we are to be in talks of an alliance with their King.” Reiju spoke up next to Sanji. “What role do you require of us in all of this?”

Judge’s smile twisted into a sneer.

“King Mihawk is an unusual ruler. He never found himself a Queen to rule beside him, yet he has adopted two children of lower status to be his heirs to the throne.” There was a bitter edge to Judge’s words as he spoke.

“Are you sure we want to align ourselves with commoners like them?” Niji smirked, his brow raised in disbelief.

“King Mihawk is of royal blood. That is who I am conducting business with. His brats are of no importance to us.” Judge retorted, his stern gaze settling on Niji, silently chastising him for his impertinence. Niji’s smirk faltered, replaced by a more serious demeanor in the face of their father’s disapproval. With a begrudging sigh, Judge continued, “However, King Mihawk seems to hold his ‘children’ in high regards. He thinks they play vital roles when meeting with real royals. It is for this reason that he intends to bring them to Germa. I may not approve of this, but we can’t do anything that would jeopardize us getting control of their military.”

Sanji blinked in surprise at the sudden turn of events, his thoughts racing as he processed his father’s words. He exchanged a glance with Reiju to find that her eyes mirrored his own disbelief. Judge must really want control of the Kuraigana army if he is inviting those of non-royal lineage to be their guests.

“I expect Reiju and Sanji to be the ones to keep Mihawk’s mutts occupied during their stay.” Judge directed his attention to the two. Sanji’s surprise deepened at the unexpected responsibility thrust upon him. His eyes rose to meet Judge’s piercing gaze. His father’s cold eyes seemed to be gauging his reaction before pressing on. “You both are the most likely to be civil to the low-status royals. We do not want to cause any offense before the alliance is made.”

“Seems a bit pathetic to cater to low-class scum.” Ichiji scoffed at his sibling’s assigned task.

Judge’s eyes narrowed in anger. Sanji tensed, bracing for his father’s reprimand.

“Mind your tongue! We aren’t here to cater to anyone!” Judge’s wild eyes snapped to Ichiji. He descended from his throne, advancing towards the table with a darkening air of authority. “Every move we make serves to strengthen Germa’s standing. With the Kuraigana army at our disposal, we’ll be unstoppable. Mingling with Mihawk’s brood is a minor inconvenience, but I won’t tolerate any missteps. You don’t have to be friendly, but I expect you, Niji, and Yonji to keep your distance. One wrong word could ruin the entire alliance!”

Judge’s fist crashed down onto the table with a resounding thud, leaving a small crater of cracked stone in its wake. His long disheveled hair shrouded over his face, creating a dark shadow from which his eyes blazed with fury.

The tense atmosphere forced a chill silence to fall over the table. It was an oppressive choking feeling that they all knew well. It had only taken them one mistake in the past for them to all learn what would happen if any of them spoke against Judge. It was not one that would be repeated again, even to this day. None of the siblings dared to even draw breath when Judge’s anger turned violent.

After a few moments of tense silence, Reiju, with her characteristic grace and bravery, spoke up again. "How do you expect Sanji and me to handle King Mihawk's heirs?"

With a grunt, Judge removed his fist from the table, opting to run his hand through his hair to straighten the flyaways.

"He has a daughter known for her sorcery skills and a son who leads a pitifully small fraction of knights," Judge began, his pacing around the table emphasizing his words, positioning himself between Sanji and Reiju. “Reiju, you’ll oversee the sorceress’s accommodations, while Sanji will attend to the other. Keep them away from my negotiations with Mihawk. It’s a task so simple and straightforward that not even someone as useless as Sanji could mess it up.”

Sanji angrily curled his tongue behind his teeth, a surge of indignation rising within him, yet he held his composure.

“The Mihawks will be our guests for a week, expected to arrive in two days. Prepare accordingly for their reception. You are all dismissed.” Casting one last sharp look over his children, Judge turned sharply to leave the throne room. His cloak billowed behind him as he exited through the grand entrance.

“Well, that seemed like a waste of time.” Niji remarked as soon as Judge was out of earshot, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet. “I don’t get why I had to be here if Reiju and Sanji were the only ones given tasks.”

“On the contrary; we were given our own task,” Ichiji pointed out, eyeing the crater left in the table by their father's furious strike. “We're supposed to keep out of Reiju and Sanji's way while they entertain those lowlifes.”

“How dull.” Yonji chimed in, propping his chin on his hand. Then, his expression turned mischievous. Looking towards Sanji, the youngest of the Vinsmokes tauntingly spoke out, “Hey, Sanji, why not suggest a trip to the beach for your visitor? Worked wonders for you last time, didn't it?”

Heat instantly surged through Sanji’s skin, causing him to stand so abruptly that his chair toppled over behind him.

Reiju was quick to reach Sanji’s side, her hand gripping his shoulder firmly in an attempt to stop him.

"Just ignore him," Reiju urged quietly. "He's just trying to pick a fight. Don't let him provoke you."

Sanji met his sister's gaze, seeing the concern reflected in her eyes.

With effort, Sanji swallowed back the torrent of curses that threatened to spill from his lips in response to his brother's callous words. Taking a deep breath, Sanji turned to leave.

“What a profound love you had for our mother,” Yonji’s mocking voice echoed after Sanji as he rushed out of the room. “To leave her behind while you saved only yourself.”

Yonji’s words landed through Sanji like an arrow to his heart, his steps faltered for a moment before he quickened his pace, determined to put as much distance between himself and his siblings as possible.

Finally alone, Sanji leaned against the cold wall of the corridor, his body shaking. Tears welled in his eyes, hot and stinging, as he struggled to contain the flood of feelings that threatened to consume him. With a deep, shuddering breath, he let himself surrender to the release of tears, allowing them to fall freely.

——————-

“Other way, dumbass!”

Zoro felt a surge of frustration as Perona grabbed his shoulders, forcibly turning him in the opposite direction. He shook off her grip, irritated by her overbearing attitude.

"I know where the throne room is! You don’t have to lead me around!" Zoro snapped.

Perona, unfazed by his irritation, flipped her long, curly pink hair over her shoulder with a smirk.

"Of course I do! I swear, even though we’ve lived here most of our lives, you still get lost in your own home," Perona's playful jab hit its mark.

Zoro angrily swatted at his sister, only to miss as she effortlessly glided out of his reach. Her powers allowing her to float gracefully in the air, her long black dress trailing behind her like a dark cloud.

“Last week for dinner, Luffy had to lead you to the dining hall.”

“Luffy didn’t lead me. He was following me so Mihawk would invite him to join us.” Zoro retorted, his glare as sharp as his three swords that always hung at his hip.

Perona chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her brother's growing annoyance.

“Oh? What about yesterday when Nami and Vivi had to lead you? Were they fishing for a dinner invite too?” Her teasing tone danced through the air like a mocking melody. “Because they were on their way toward town when they caught you wandering around lost on the castle grounds. I’m pretty sure you messed up their date night.”

Zoro’s jaw clenched tighter, his stubborn scowl deepening at Perona’s continued teasing. Despite being familiar with the castle's layout, Zoro's tendency to get lost was a well-known fact among its inhabitants, and Perona took every opportunity to playfully rib him about it.

“I wasn’t lost. I was… exploring.” Zoro insisted gruffly. “Now stop your yapping and keep moving! Mihawk wanted to talk to us about something important.”

Perona’s laughter continued to echo through the corridor like the tinkling of wind chimes, her amusement evident in the playful glint of her eyes as she continued to glide ahead. The warm glow of the sun shone brightly through the windows, illuminating the rich gothic tapestries and plush furnishings that adorned the halls.

Though he's lived here for as long as he can remember, Zoro still finds himself marveling at the castle's grandeur with each passing day. It's a testament to the power and prestige of the man who rules over it, and Zoro can't help but feel a swell of pride at being a part of Mihawk's household.

Finally, they reach the throne room, and Zoro's heart swells with a sense of homecoming when he beholds the familiar sight before him: Mihawk's figure sitting upon his throne with a wine glass in hand. As Zoro enters, he knows that, despite his penchant for getting lost, he's found his place within the castle's hallowed halls.

“You both made it on time.” King Mihawk set his glass down and rose from his seat to greet his children. “How have your trainings gone today?”

“I’m getting a lot better at crushing souls,” Perona boasted, proudly puffing up her chest, “At this rate, I’ll be able to bring whole armies to their knees.”

King Mihawk chuckled softly at his daughter’s eagerness.

“That’s excellent to hear,” Mihawk replied warmly. “Our people are sure to benefit from your hard work and protection. Speaking of protection…” Mihawk's gaze shifted to Zoro, his eyes alight with pride and approval. "I heard how you led your band of knights to the southern border of Kuraigana. You stopped a herd of Dracon from attacking our citizens."

Zoro's expression turned serious.

"I cannot take credit for that," Zoro admitted. "Luffy was the one who took charge. Under his direction, we were able to stop the Dracon attacks."

King Mihawk regarded his son with a hint of amusement.

“Modesty suits you,” Mihawk remarked, his tone carrying a note of approval. “But remember, accepting praise when deserved is just as important. You and Luffy make a formidable team, but your bravery and dedication to our people haven’t gone unnoticed.”

Although Zoro tried his best to remain stoic, he could still feel the faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I'm sure you didn't ask us to come here just so you could butter us up with compliments." Perona remarked, her arms crossed expectantly. "So what's so important that it couldn't wait to be discussed over dinner?"

Mihawk's expression grew solemn.

"As you both know, the constant attacks from the Dracons have interfered with the lives of our people for the last decade," Mihawk began, his tone grave. "Their numbers continue to grow, and despite our efforts to fend them off, our crops have suffered. I fear it won't be long before food becomes scarce."

Zoro and Perona exchanged a concerned glance, their worries mirrored in each other's eyes.

"The King of Germa has offered us aid through the formation of an alliance. They are known for their powerful armies and abundance of wealth, and they have reached out to extend their assistance to us in this time of need."

Zoro's brow furrowed in confusion as he processed his father's words.

"The Dracon attacks have been occurring for well over a decade, so why do they feel the need to form an alliance with us now?" Perona's skepticism mirrored Zoro's own thoughts.

"The King has expressed interest in our military might," Mihawk explained, his voice tinged with a hint of suspicion. "I have no doubt that he sees the alliance as a way to enhance his own military strength."

Zoro's frown deepened at his father's reply, his mind racing with questions and doubts about this alliance with the Germa Kingdom. But Mihawk pressed on, undeterred.

"Whatever their motives may be, I think we owe it to our people to see what comes from these negotiations," Mihawk continued firmly. "This war against the Dracons has not affected them as it has other neighboring kingdoms. They have the means to ensure our people do not go hungry."

“When are these negotiations meant to take place?” Zoro inquired.

“King Vinsmoke has invited our family to stay in his castle while we negotiate the terms of our alliance. We will leave tomorrow,” Mihawk’s calm reply was met with an exaggerated gasp from Perona.

“Tomorrow?! That’s such short notice! We barely have enough time to pack for the trip!” Perona exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration. “I’m not sure I have enough time to coordinate outfits. How long will we be staying there for?”

“All your dresses look the same. It shouldn’t take you long to throw a few in a trunk.” Zoro rolled his eyes.

Perona shot him a wide eyed glare. Lips pursed in anger.

“We are going to be around other royals. They give us enough grief for not being of royal descent. You want them to make fun of us for being poorly dressed too?!” Perona punctuated her point by elbowing Zoro in the ribs. In return, Zoro elbowed her back, casting a glare of his own.

“If they are just like all the other snobbish royals out there, then why should we care what they think of us?!” Zoro argued.

“Will you both please stop your bickering?” Their father's voice cut through their argument, and Zoro and Perona turned to see him pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“This is precisely why I wanted to meet with the two of you. We will be staying with the Vinsmoke family for a week, perhaps longer if negotiations drag on, and I expect you both to be on your best behavior.”

Zoro guiltily bit his tongue to stop himself from arguing further with Perona. He eyed his sister carefully and noticed that she, too, was attempting to stay civil.

“Now, go make any arrangements you need to before our departure.” Mihawk ushered the two out of the throne room. He gave them one last warning look, sternly expressing his desire for them to get along, then shut the doors behind them.

“You were the one who started that argument,” Perona hissed quietly to avoid being heard by Mihawk. She turned her nose in the air and set off down the hall, Zoro following closely behind.

“You should be more concerned about our people going hungry rather than how you look to other royals.” Zoro scolded.

Perona abruptly turned to face Zoro, her floating form bringing her angry face inches from his own.

“I care because we are representing our Kingdom, and I want to be taken seriously!” Perona snapped. “You should be a bit more concerned about your appearance. If we look slovenly and uncaring, then they will see that as a reflection of our leadership skills. Doesn’t that worry you at all?”

Zoro's brows furrowed as he contemplated Perona's words. He knew she had a point, but his concerns ran deeper than mere appearances.

“Appearance is the least of my worries. Most royals don’t see me as being a worthy heir to Mihawk’s throne and never will.” Zoro averted his gaze from Perona. In his mind he sometimes wondered if other royals were right… he still had a long way to go before he could call himself Mihawk’s equal.

Perona's expression softened as she regarded her brother. Despite their frequent disagreements, she understood the weight of the expectations Zoro placed on himself. She reached out and gently placed a hand on his arm.

“Zoro, you may not see it, but Father believes in you. He sees your potential, even if you don't,” Perona reassured him, her voice softening. “You're stronger than you realize, and one day, you'll prove all those doubters wrong.”

Zoro couldn’t bring himself to meet Perona’s gaze. Despite her reassurances, he still felt weighed down by his own insecurities. He knew that earning the respect of his people was just the beginning; he needed to prove himself worthy of his father's faith and the responsibility that came with it.

Perona sensed her brother's sadness and decided to lighten the mood. With a small smile, she changed the subject, diverting Zoro's attention away from his doubts.

“You know that jacket I made for you on your last birthday? The deep midnight blue one with the gold trimmings? You should wear that when we meet the Vinsmokes. It makes you look exceptionally regal.” Perona suggested, hoping to boost Zoro's confidence.

Zoro tried to suppress his amusement but failed miserably.

“Thanks.” he muttered gratefully. Despite their differences, he couldn't help but appreciate having Perona as his sister.

(Next Chapter)

[brookston]

Holidays 10.21

Holidays

Abby Cadabby Day

American Frog Day

Antillean Day (Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius)

Armed Forces Day (Honduras)

Babbling Day

Back to the Future Day

Barrel Day (French Republic)

Boiler Switch On Awareness Day (UK)

Can-Can Day

Celebration of the Mind Day

Check Your Meds Day

Count Your Buttons Day

Egyptian Naval Day (Egypt)

Everyone Writes Day (UK)

Funafuti (Tuvalu)

Global Clinical Engineering Day

Global Encryption Day

Global Iodine Deficiency Day

GTA Day

Heroes and Foreparents Day (British Virgin Islands)

Humble Yourself By Having Your Picture Made Wearing A Bicycle Helmet Day

International Day of Action on Big Biomass

Jailhouse Rock Day

Light Bulb Day

Loud Shirt Day

Mashujaa Day (Kenya)

National Alexander Day

National Annual Tree Loving Day (Thailand)

National Archives Day (Philippines)s

National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day

National Check Your Meds Day

National Check Your Transmission Day

National Dental Hygiene Day (Thailand)

National Heroes’ Day (Jamaica)

National Jameson Day

National Nurses’ Day (Thailand)

National Pets for Veterans Day

National Raymond Day

National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

National Shut-In Day

National Social Welfare Day (Thailand)

National Throw Short People Day

National Witch Hazel Day

Ndadaye Day (Burundi)

Overseas Chinese Day (Taiwan)

Police Commemoration Day (India)

President Ndadaye Melchior (Burundi)

Reptile Awareness Day

Take Time and Watch the Sunset Day

Trafalgar Day (UK)

USS Constitution Day

Uzbek Language Day

Wonder Woman Day

World Earthworm Day

World Energy Saving Day

World Esports Day

World Feminist Radio Day

World Gaming Day

World Iodine Deficiency Day

World War II Victims Remembrance Day (Serbia)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Apple Day (UK)

Caramel Apple Day

Garbanzo Bean Day

Great British Cheese Day

International Day of the Nacho (Mexico, US)

National Honey Day (UK)

National Mezcal Day

National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

Pop Rocks Day

World Apple Day

Independence & Related Days

Narsiryn (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

3rd Monday in October

Boss's Day [10.16 or nearest work day]

Circular Economy Monday (Canada) [3rd Monday]

Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day [3rd Monday]

Day of Races (Colombia) [3rd Monday]

Hurricane Thanksgiving Day (Virgin Islands) [3rd Monday]

International Adjust Your Chair Day [3rd Monday]

Manic Monday [3rd Monday of Each Month]

Meatball Monday [3rd Monday of Each Month]

Meditation Monday [Every Monday]

Monday Musings [Every Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Multicultural Diversity Day [3rd Monday]

National Heroes Day (Jamaica) [3rd Monday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 21 (3rd Full Week of October)

Bone and Joint Health Action Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

Disarmament Week [Week of 10.24]

Fairfield Restaurant Week (Fairfield, Connecticut) [thru 11.3]

Hepatitis Awareness Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

International Infection Prevention Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

National Baking Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

National Culinary Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

National Food Bank Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

National Health Education Week (thru 10.25) [3rd Mon-Fri]

National Kraut Sandwich Week (thru 10.27) [3rd Week]

National Nuclear Science Week (thru 10.25) [3rd Mon-Fri]

YMCA Week without Violence Week (thru 10.25) [3rd Week]

Festivals Beginning October 21, 2024

CHC GALA (New York, New York)

NC Yam Festival (Tabor City, North Carolina) [thru 10.26]

Ohio Bar Owners Bar Expo (Columbus, Ohio)

Philly Music Fest (Ardmore, Pennsylvania) [thru 10.27]

Feast Days

Abby Cadabby (Muppetism)

Asterius of Ostia (Christian; Saint)

Berthold of Parma (Christian; Saint)

The Birdman (Muppetism)

Bruno Hauptmann Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Charles of Austria, Blessed (Roman Catholic Church)

Domenichino (Artology)

Festival of Parlor Shamanism

Fintán of Taghmon (Christian; Saint)

Great Horn Fair (Pagan)

Hilarion (Christian; Saint)

John of Bridlington (Christian; Saint)

Katsushika Hokusai (Artology)

Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena (Christian; Saint)

Leticia (Christian; Saint)

Lord Bacon (Positivist; Saint)

Maha Saptama Great Ceremony; Hinduism) [7th Day of 9th Moon]

Malchus of Syria (Christian; Saint)

Mary Blair (Artology)

Nikos Engonopoulos (Artology)

Patrick Kavanagh (Writerism)

Peter Yu Tae-chol (Christian; Saint)

Phulpati [7th Day of Dashain]

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Writerism)

Seek the King Week (Shamanism)

Severinus of Bordeaux (Christian; Saint)

Try Thinking Day (Pastafarian)

Tuda of Lindisfarne (Christian; Saint)

Ursula (Christian; Saint)

Ursula K. Le Guin (Writerism)

Viator of Lyons (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [43 of 53]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 49 of 60)

Premieres

All the Right Stuff (Film; 1983)

The Awful Truth (Film; 1937)

Bad as Me, by Tom Waits (Album; 2011)

The Banshees of Inisherin (Film; 2022)

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (WB Animated Film; 2003)

Bat Out of Hell, by Meatloaf (Album; 1977)

Big Heel-Watha, a.k.a. Buck of the Month (Tex Avery Screwy Squirrel MGM Cartoon; 1944)

Black Adam (Film; 2022)

The Boys from Brazil, by Ira Levin (Novel; 1976)

Bullets Over Broadway (Film; 1994)

Chase Me (WB Cartoon; 2003)

Comes a Time, by Neil Young (Album; 1978)

The Dead Zone (Film; 1983)

Doctor Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Dopey Dick the Pink Whale (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1957)

Down Beat Bear (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1956)

Dune Messiah, by Frank Herbert (Novel; 1969) [Dune #2]

Everything to Everyone, by Barenaked Ladies (Album; 2003)

Footlight Parade (Film; 1933)

For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway (Novel; 1940)

The Framed Cat (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1950)

The Geezer (Super Chicken Cartoon; 1967) [#7]

The Good Egg (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Goonland (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1938)

It Can't Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis (Novel; 1935)

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Film; 2016)

The Mandarins, by Simone de Beauvoir (Novel; 1954)

Moonlight (Film; 2015)

My Fair Lady (Film; 1964)

Mystic Pizza (Film; 1988)

The Newcomer (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Next Time, Take the Train (George of the Jungle Cartoon; 1967) [#7]

Oliver and the Artful Dodger (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Movie; 1972)

One Horse Town (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1968)

Orpheus in the Underworld, by Jacques Offenbach (Operetta; 1858)

The Peripheral (TV Series; 2022)

Pink Pictures (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Plague Dogs (Animated Film; 1982)

Polka Party, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 1986)

Romantic Melodies (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

Rumble Fish (Film; 1983)

The Sheik (Silent Film; 1921)

Sex, by Madonna and photographer Steven Meisel (Book; 1992)

Speed Racer (Film; 2008)

Stooge for a Mouse (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

Tapeheads (Film; 1988)

What’s My Lion (WB LT Cartoon; 1961)

You Don’t Know What You’re Doin’ (WB MM Cartoon; 1931)

You Want It Darker, by Leonard Cohen (Album; 2016)

Today’s Name Days

Karl, Ulla, Ursula (Austria)

Hilarion, Kajo, Uršula, Zvjezdan (Croatia)

Brigita (Czech Republic)

Ursula (Denmark)

Ulla, Ulrika, Ursula (Estonia)

Ursula (Finland)

Céline, Ursule (France)

Celina, Holger, Ulla, Ursula (Germany)

Christodoulos, Efkratis, Orsalia, Socrates, Sokrates, Sokratis, Ursula (Greece)

Orsolya (Hungary)

Orsola (Italy)

Garlibs, Ginta, Gints, Severins, Urzula (Latvia)

Hiliaras, Raitvilas, Uršulė (Lithuania)

Bergljot, Birger (Norway)

Bernard, Celina, Dobromił, Elżbieta, Hilary, Klemencja, Pelagia, Pelagiusz, Urszula, Wszebora (Poland)

Taisia (Russia)

Uršuľa (Slovakia)

Úrsula (Spain)

Ursula, Yrsa (Sweden)

Ada, Ilarion, Larry (Ukraine)

Celina, Celine, Nobel, Selena, Selina, Ursula, Wanda, Wendall, Wendell, Wendy (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 295 of 2024; 71 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 8 of Week 43 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 23 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 19 (Wu-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 19 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 17 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 25 Orange; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 8 October 2024

Moon: 76%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Descartes (11th Month) [Cujas / Grotius]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 30 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Libra (Day 29 of 30)

[female-malice]

I'm objectively good at cooking and cleaning.

I love kitchens.

It's so tempting to work at a kitchen again. But if I do that, the pendulum might swing back to hating kitchens.

Also I'm just not cut out to be a cook at a restaurant. I tried it. I can do kitchen prep and cleaning just fine. But keeping all the orders straight as a cook is brutal.

I'm great at cooking for big family gatherings. I could cook for a catering company. That's different from cooking to order. Another option is cafeteria-style cooking. That means cooking for institutions, old people, and young people. That's fine. As long as I don't have to cook orders.

No one should have to cook orders unless that is their true calling and it brings them pure joy. Those rare few who take great pride and joy in cooking orders should be the ones running all restaurants. There should be exactly enough restaurants to fit every joyful cook and joyful chef. And then there should be no additional restaurants.

My dream kitchen job is something that doesn't really exist yet. Post-climate change community kitchen.

I worked with an amazing chef who was an 18 year veteran in the trade. And she was an expert at getting value out of every piece of food that came through the kitchen. Nothing spoiled. Nothing went to waste. The walk-in was beautiful. I would help her prep. Then the customers would come in. The line cooks did their magic. The food left the kitchen in massive Italian portions. The customers would eat half. And then they'd leave. The rest of the food on their plates would come back to me. And I'd throw it in the compost bin. And I'd take it out to the dumpster. Every day there was 50 pounds of food waste. The kitchen never wasted food. The customers wasted 50 pounds of food every night.

Consumers are never efficient. But skilled chefs are extremely efficient. A professional kitchen can be more efficient than the average private personal kitchen. My private personal kitchen has a 100% efficiency rate. But I worked in a professional kitchen and I was raised on sustainability and I'm a very hungry person. Many people in the developed world do waste food. And it's not because they're bad people. It's because managing an efficient kitchen is not easy at all. People are paid to do that because it's not simple. Even for professionals there are constant challenges to overcome. But they have experience to rely on. The average person does not. We can't expect to turn every human into a professional chef and kitchen efficiency problem solver. So how can we be a sustainable society?

Community kitchen. Cafeteria style. One kitchen would serve the 500 people living closest to that kitchen. So there would need to be a lot of these. The point is to put the people who are good at food in charge of most food. Anyone who enjoys working in kitchens in any capacity would work there and help solve food problems. And everyone else could eat there. Each community kitchen would need one of those brilliant shrewd chefs like my old boss.

Chefs are an important key to sustainability. But chefs are usually associated with the nightmarish restaurant industry with its impractical culinary trends and wasteful customers. So climate thinkers have overlooked the fact that great chefs are experts at sustainable efficient food planning.

[advntrdad]

Yesterday we walked a trail that follows up the Sesia River into the narrow Gula gorge; full-on rain shower the whole way but we were prepared and nobody on the trail except 2 local foragers. On the plane I had seen a culinary show about the abundance of wild mushrooms found throughout these moist, evergreen Alps and how there is a whole culture of foraging here that is part of tradition that goes way back.

They were both older gentleman, well equipped, dressed like veteran outdoorsmen and both of them had a specific backpack that looked like it had a bucket inside. Well after hiking I visited the local hardware store and they have these backpacks and they are specific to hunt and gather mushrooms; its like a hard bucket inside so you can place them inside and continue walking and they don’t get smooshed and the bottom is a mesh lining so the moisture drains as you walk.

Just to add “wow factor” to this depiction, the encounter with the first forager was just as we crossed over the Sesia River on a bridge that was built by the Romans and down below, a class 5 rapid running underneath and up top, an alpine village surrounded by tall, lush mountains with rocky outcrops at the top. Simply spectacular. The water in the river is so clean you could see the bottom of the river everywhere!

Some pics from walk in the rain attached…

[reallybigvampire]

culinary school slaps cause you'll meet the most bearded, grizzled dudes with missing fingers and they'll be like. 22. and your teachers are veterans of the idgaf war so you walk home with a kilo of prawns for free after they accidentally throw a sink plug at your head

[saellefanwork]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖

Reminder: This fic is rated Mature (adults only) for canon-typical violence and eventual suggestive or explicit sexual content

Return to Chapters List

Chapter 1: There is this woman I like...

In the Ubuyashiki Estate, the Hashira had gathered to judge the controversial case of Tanjiro and his little sister, Nezuko, and had ultimately decided to let them live despite their transgression of the code. This was followed by their biannual meeting with their master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, to discuss the alarming increase in attacks by Kibutsuji Muzan's underlings, their sworn enemy, and the losses suffered by the Corps.

Despite the discouraging outcome, the master's conviction that they were the generation of Pillars who would bring an end to the demon era was encouraging for his "children," even though they were already committed to their mission no matter what. The final word was that they had to train successors (tsugukos) as soon as possible. When Oyakata-sama retired, most of the veterans decided to spend the night in the Estate before resuming their journey at dawn. This was especially the case for Mitsuri, Giyuu, Tengen, Shinobu, and Kyojuro, who lingered together to enjoy a light tea.

Giyuu was not the most sociable Slayer in the organization and tended to keep to himself, but Shinobu's sharp remarks about his lack of friends had prompted him to stay. However, his unwavering silence during this meeting was evidence that his plan to prove her wrong was somewhat ambitious for the Water Pillar.

The most talkative and boisterous were undoubtedly Tengen, Kyojuro, and Mitsuri, who together filled the conversation with their radiant enthusiasm. Far from dwelling on the controversial topics of the evening, they debated their general preferences, particularly in culinary matters. Shinobu occasionally chimed in with one or two relevant remarks, which reignited the discussion.

The conversation took a different turn when Tengen and Mitsuri began discussing their ideal partners. Without hesitation, Tengen mentioned his three wives, not without adding that he loved voluptuous, devoted, and competent women in general. Mitsuri joined in, saying she was looking for a strong man capable of protecting her.

"Well, that significantly narrows down the possibilities, Kanroji!" exclaimed Kyojuro with his unwavering smile, arms crossed in his signature pose. "Apart from the Hashira, there can't be many options!"

"And what about you, Tomioka-san?" Shinobu asked with her gentle demeanour, which poorly concealed her venom. "Do you have someone in your life, huh? Are you even capable of loving someone?"

"I like someone, but she doesn't know it," Giyu stoically replied.

It was rare for him to respond to the jabs thrown his way. Perhaps he wanted to provoke his colleague with that answer.

"Oh...? That's curious. Who is this mysterious woman? Is she a Demon Slayer?"

"No, she's not," he replied curtly. Shinobu visibly grimaced at the statement, but her expression was quickly masked by her empty smile.

"Ha! That gives us something in common, Tomioka!" Kyojuro exclaimed in his loud voice. "I, too, am smitten with a woman who is not part of the Demon Slayer Corps, but she doesn't know it!"

His brothers and sisters in arms stared at him in surprise. While it was shocking for Giyuu to admit having feelings for someone, what was odd about Kyojuro was that the person he was smitten with was unaware. He was an expressive, direct, and honest man.

"Oh!" Mitsuri exclaimed, her eyes shining, hands clasped together, looking dreamy. "I really want to know more! It'll be a change from our stories of hardened single ladies, right Shinobu-chan?"

"Don't lump me in with you," her colleague replied with a strained smile. "I can easily imagine why Tomioka-san would have a one-sided relationship, but you, Rengoku-san, I find it hard to understand. Why haven't you confessed your love to her yet?"

"It's hard to say!" replied the interested party, maintaining his cheerful demeanor. "Perhaps because she is a precious childhood friend! I don't want to rush things between us!" That was not the whole truth, but his friends couldn't know about it.

"We could die at any moment, you should not wait too long either," Shinobu reminded him while sipping her tea.

"Who are these women, huh, Tomioka-san, Rengoku-san? Tell us more! You first, Tomioka-san!" asked Mitsuri excitedly.

She nudged the Water Pillar with her elbow, causing him to lose his bite as he tried to bring a pastry to his mouth. Looking somewhat annoyed, Giyuu set down his chopsticks.

A long silence followed, during which everyone watched him expectantly. Feeling trapped and finally obliged to speak, he answered:

"She's a demon hunter who works independently. I met her during a mission in Kyoto, where I had heard that a demon devoured people and sadistically served their remains in bento boxes. We briefly collaborated to track it down."

"Oh yes! The bento demon case, I remember it! That was a horrifying story; I stopped eating prepared dishes for a while," Mitsuri reminisced.

"I didn't know there were demon hunters outside the Corps. What is this woman like, exactly?" Shinobu asked, not wanting to stray from the subject.

Giyuu gave a brief description of your facial features.

"Does she have flashy curves and style, especially?" Tengen inquired. "That's one of the priorities for a good match."

The Water Pillar didn't answer that question, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, as he poured himself more tea to indicate his intention not to dwell on the discussion. Among the present Hashira, Kyojuro was oddly silent. His smile had disappeared, and he fixed Giyuu with a serious gaze.

"Could this woman be Nagase Kanoko?"

Surprise was clearly displayed on the fellow warrior's face, who froze in his motion. Their comrades stared at them with intrigue.

"How...," Giyuu began to articulate.

"Hmm. She is also the woman I love," Kyojuro responded, anticipating his question, his arms still crossed.

"Eeeeh?!" exclaimed Tengen, Mitsuri, and Shinobu in unison.

Questions flew, but the Water and Flame Hashira remained silent for the rest of the evening, facing each other with defiance.

Taisho secret: There is a rumor saying that during a mission, Shinobu and Giyuu found themselves in an intimate situation after consuming a considerable amount of alcohol. However, the following day, Giyuu seemed to brush off the incident as if it never occurred. This particular event might be one of the reasons why the head of the Butterfly Estate harbors resentment towards him.

"Author-san, please refrain from spreading baseless rumors," Shinobu sighs, her temple throbbing with frustration.

Next chapter: "Our First Encounter"!

[gavinkaysen5555]

On Saturday, June 15th, chef Jamal James Kent passed away unexpectedly.

Jamal was a generational talent. A veteran of some of the top fine dining institutions in New York City, where Jamal earned the respect of his peers for his formal skill in the kitchen. In the days following his death, it has quickly become clear that his greater distinction was that he was a uniquely supportive member of the restaurant community. He was dedicated to mentoring younger cooks and lifting their careers, and sharing resources with people, including those who are overlooked by others. We, his family and friends, are committed to building the legacy that he started.

This fund will support The James Kent Family Legacy Trust, a vehicle created exclusively for Jamal's family–his wife, Kelly, and children, Gavin and Avery–to ensure that they’re financially stable and well cared for.

Jamal James Kent

Chef and Managing Partner, Saga Hospitality Group

A Greenwich Village native, Jamal Kent started his culinary career as a summer apprentice at Bouley when he was fifteen years old. After taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu in London and Paris then graduating from Johnson and Wales, Kent moved back to New York where he spent time in the kitchens of some of New York’s most storied restaurants including Babbo and Jean-Georges. In the spring of 2007, Kent joined the team at Eleven Madison Park as a line cook and was quickly promoted to sous chef. In 2010, Kent placed first in the Bocuse d’Or USA Competition; he then represented the United States at the international finals of the Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, France the following year where he placed 10th in the world. When he returned to New York, Kent was named chef de cuisine of Eleven Madison Park. Under his leadership, EMP received nearly every accolade bestowed on a restaurant including four stars from the New York Times, three Michelin stars, and a coveted spot on the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Kent was promoted to Executive Chef of the NoMad in the fall of 2013, the same year that it received one Michelin Star.

In late 2017, Kent set out to open a pair of restaurants and a cocktail bar in the landmark Art Deco building at 70 Pine Street in Manhattan’s Financial District. Crown Shy–an ambitious neighborhood restaurant on the ground floor of the building–exceeded expectations, collecting a Michelin star within a year of opening and raves from the New York Times and The Infatuation. Kent and his team followed up their success with Saga on the building’s 63rd floor, and Overstory, one floor up. They were rewarded with two Michelin stars and the #17 spot on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars, respectively. With the restaurants at 70 Pine as their calling card, Kent and his partners at SC Holdings set their sights on other New York landmarks.

In Fall 2024, Saga Hospitality Group will open a restaurant in the ground floor space at 360 Park Avenue South on the corner of 26th Street. Later in the year, SHG will become the first retail tenant at Refinery at Domino–the former Domino Sugar Factory on the Williamsburg waterfront.

Kent was an active supporter of a number of charities working to eradicate childhood hunger in New York City including No Kid Hungry and Rethink Food, for which he sat on the Chef’s Council. Kent twice co-chaired the annual Chef’s Benefit dinner for Cookies for Kids Cancer, a nationally-recognized organization that provides funding for pediatric cancer research. And he was a mentor for the Mentors BKB foundation, an organization devoted to inspiring culinary excellence in young professionals and preserving the traditions and quality of cuisine in America.

[phantomdoofer]

Peppino Antonio Spaghetti

Age: 46

Birthday: October 24

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 210 lbs

The main protagonist of the game and the story, Peppino resolved the Pizza Tower Incident (alongside Gustavo) to save his pizzeria. Born to Sergio and Margherita Spaghetti in the city of La Crosta. Or so he thought, until he received a visit from Giuseppe, who informed Peppino that he was, in fact, a clone - of him, the original Peppino, calling his entire existence into question for a time. Peppino eventually accepted his status and life returned to normal. A veteran of the Great War, he and Gustavo were the only survivors of their unit - as the unit's medic, he holds himself personally responsible and harbors immense survivor's guilt. After returning home, he fell into severe alcoholism in an attempt to stop his PTSD and hallucinations. His constant inebriation, depression, and hallucinations prevented him from holding a job for long, and his mother eventually suffered a stress heart attack from attempting to keep them afloat. A chance meeting at the hospital with Alphonso Tagliatelle, his father's old friend, resulted in an opportunity to go to culinary school, after which he interned for a few years before taking out a loan to start his pizzeria. Due to the growth of Tower Town around him, and his own fame gained from the Pizza Tower, he is much more stable financially and, as such, much less stressed. He is, still, however, extremely emotional and twitchy. He suffers night terrors regularly and occasionally enters a fugue state if exposed to certain stimuli, though this has not been seen in some time. While he is not as natively strong or fast as Giuseppe, he has finer control, resulting in a wider variety of evasive abilities, as well as the ability to alter his direction in direct defiance of kinetics.