Oddly enough, the only cook who suffers no reverses at all in the first round is the hapless, clueless, dimwitted Pusamus...who seems as surprised at his good fortune as everybody else.  If anything, this beginner's luck seems to make him even more nervous!<br/><br/>Gnar the Repeater is allowed to present first.  His Poached Pelgrane Eggs With Bacon Fat And A Kumquat Reduction seem to go over well, but his Crab And Leek Croissant seems to contain psychotropic mushrooms instead of the more usual variety, and his Live Rat-Spiders In A Pastry Nest With Sharp Cheese And Figs proves far too daring and avant-garde.  The kindest thing the Duke has to say about these entries?<br/><br/>"This shall make the Eating Contest somewhat more interesting, what?"<br/><br/>Erzal Droze is next, but his Cream-stuffed Ilvothant Steaks are a touch rancid and that, combined with Ducal disapproval of both the Risotto Laden With Parsnips And Sprinkled With The Eyeballs Of A Fetal Giant and only faint praise for Fire-Hot Green Beans In Ruscamel Sauce With Caramel Drizzle make it only too clear that His Excellency won't be serving any of these at his own banquets any time soon.<br/><br/>Poor Lipfina only has two dishes to present: her Eel Souffle failed to rise.  Red Rice With Roast Peppered Gloom-Root likewise is not to his appreciation, but he does praise her Braised Oysters In Honey-Lemon Tartar Coulis (even joking asking whether or not the shellfish are from Kaiin, which of course they are not!  Only fools and madmen would dare use Kaiin shellfish...).<br/><br/>Gariland's dishes meet Ducal approval, and he gets a nod or two of pleasure.  The arrangement of pickled acorns in particular seems to amuse His Excellency.<br/><br/>Last but not least, the only other front-runner is poor Pusamus.  He surprises the Ducal palate with Liqueur-Soaked Potato Pancakes and also Smoked Bottomfish Soup.  Candied Peanuts On Sour Flatbread also clearly amuse the nobleman.<br/><br/>After reviewing the dishes, the Duke announces the current score: Pusamus is in the lead, followed by Gariland, and the lovely Lipfina is in distant third.  The various culinary delights are stored in racks and the Duke departs.  Everybody gets to go have a light lunch and trade wagers on the Eating Contest, which starts in the afternoon...<br/><br/>(OOC Gariland's current Tally is 4)<br/><br/>