The interview was being held at an exclusive London hotel resort where the culinary fair judges were staying.
Everything felt expensive.
The carpets.
The lights.
Even the flowers looked expensive.
Alankrita adjusted her notebook nervously.
She wore a beautiful traditional churidhar.
Elegant.
Simple.
Cream coloured with delicate embroidery.
Her hair was braided neatly as always.
No dramatic fashion.
No attempt to impress.
Simply herself.
Soft.
Calm.
Professional.
She sat quietly in the waiting lounge reviewing her questions.
Around her assistants hurried back and forth carrying schedules and phones.
Security personnel moved through corridors.
The atmosphere felt more like preparing for royalty than interviewing a chef.
Perhaps it was both.