The Healthy Gourmet Experience was in full swing.
The early afternoon sun bathed the rolling lawn in a soft glow, the long communal tables gleaming with handmade wooden signage and color-coded place settings. Banners fluttered. Goats stayed, miraculously, in their designated area. The scent of garlic, roasted squash, and freshly chopped herbs wafted through the air like an edible song.
Charlotte stood by the entrance tent, clipboard in hand, her apron splattered with a mosaic of sauces and herbs. She looked every bit the chef-host hybrid—confident, poised, maybe a little sweaty. The crowd was larger than expected, with foodies, fitness influencers, curious locals, and even a few reporters, all ready to eat, learn, and maybe post a flattering story or two.
"We're going live in five!" Olivia called out from behind the camera rig, her headset slightly askew. "Remember—charm, sass, and smile like your love life depends on it."
