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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Salt and Pepper (07/24/14)
The bell rang with finality!
All culinary activity
Immediately ceased.
Contestants with a nervous grin
Untying knotty apron string
A nervous sigh released.

Delectable appealing fare
Displayed on gleaming chinaware
Revealed each waiting feast,
Tempting aromas filled the air
Vying position premier -
The crown, the masterpiece.

Contenders anxiously displayed
Piece de resistance on parade,
Then with intensity
Each held their breath a little while
Each waited for the judge’s smile
Upon their recipe.

Ingredients of highest class,
Chosen prepared to out-surpass
All others on the stand.
But sadly for competor one,
The judge’s praise could not be won:
‘Too bland’, he said, ‘too bland’.

He shook his head, ‘It would appear
That you’ve forgotten something here
Your dish has one main fault.
The natural flavours need to be
Lifted, enhanced, seasoned - simply
Remember pepper, salt.

Contestant two flamboyantly
Revealed a dish exquisitely
Prepared with flair, panache.
Variety, colour, style and zing,
The appearance was quite staggering,
But then there came the crash.

Th’ astounded judge could make no sound -
He gasped, he choked, he quickly downed
A jug of water- iced!
The dish’s beauty hid a sting:
The over-use of seasoning
And all excessive spice.

Reluctantly the judge resumed
The task that still before him loomed,
He called out number three.
He viewed the quiet graceful plate
Held by the nervous candidate
And tasted cautiously…

The flavours complementary
Sang with a joyful harmony
The taster could rejoice!
A perfect seas’ning, tasty style,
The master chef released his smile,
His verdict and his choice.




So, with great care I need to choose
The condiments I choose to use,
Not just at dinner-time,
But with a daily frequency
There’s seasoning that needs to be
Just right in its design.

God’s Word of wisdom lays in place
The need for quiet gentle grace
In all the words I say.
May conversation be sincere,
Salt-seasoned, fresh, preserving, dear,
The Master Chef’s own way.




Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
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This article has been read 1398 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Verna Cole Mitchell 
07/31/14
With just the right word choices and style, you've created a wonderful poem and crowned it with beautiful meaning.
Carolyn Ancell
08/01/14
Fantastic! Fun. Great use of words, with just the right twists.
C D Swanson 
08/02/14
Spectacular job with this!

God bless~
Ellen Carr 
08/03/14
Delightful! I enjoyed the humor and the allusion to the TV show (I assume you have the same show that we have - Master Chef, and many similar). Nicely tied off with the ending message too.
Sheldon Bass 
08/08/14
Congratulations!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
08/08/14
How very delighted I was to see this poem at the very top--well deservedly!
Beth LaBuff 
08/08/14
I love your meter and each carefully chosen word. You've created a masterpiece to tempt the palate of the reader. Your application is perfect. Many congrats on top honors, Margaret.
Danielle King 
08/08/14
Delightful and fun poem and a worthy message too. Congratulations Margaret.
C D Swanson 
08/08/14
Congrats!
GOd bless~
Ellen Carr 
08/09/14
Congratulations, Margaret, on your win. It's very much deserved for this wonderful poem. Your poetic ability has shone out again!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/09/14
This is outstanding. As I read I pictured Gordon Ramsey saying those exact words. I love his shows and your poem reminded me of them. Then you added the last 2 stanzas and the message pushed it to the top. Congratulations. Happy Dance!
Helen Dowd
08/09/14
Very cleverly written, Margaret. You deserved to win! It takes a clear mind, a clear heart, and great writing ability to put together a poem about SALT and PEPPER, such as you did, and then to bring out a spiritual lesson at the end. CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR WIN. Helen
Bea Edwards 
08/10/14
Perfect in every way.

Congratulations on your well deserved 1st place win.

I sure wish my mind could work with a even small measure of your creative genius!
Mike Clark
11/04/14
This is an excellent piece, great payoff at the end.

"Th’ astounded judge could make no sound -
He gasped, he choked, he quickly downed
A jug of water- iced!
The dish’s beauty hid a sting:
The over-use of seasoning
And all excessive spice."

This was the best part in my opinion. I do have critique suggestions, but I'll only discuss if author desires.