Part 1:
So, this is how I die.

She knocked this cup out of the Sultan’s hand.

She said it smelled of poison.

She smelled the kitchen fire before anyone saw smoke.

She smelled my son’s fever before the doctor did.

I was born with it.

I smell what you can’t.

My lord, six years I’ve cooked for you.

Have I ever lied?

Six years.

And tonight you struck me.

Sweet.

Nothing in it but wine.

The poison was in the cup, not the jug.

It spilled.

Enough.

She struck me in front of my court.

Give her to the sea.

To the sea.

You should have let him drink.

If there is another life, let someone there hear me.

Am I in paradise? [music]
Carts with no horses.

Towers of glass.

People talking to little stones in their hands.

And I smell of the [music] sea and seaweed.

Definitely seaweed.

No palace, no kitchen, [music] not even shoes.

What year is it?
2026, lady.

Even the pigeons know that. [music]

I lived 400 years ago.

Great. [music] A crazy one.

My lucky day.

I’m not crazy.

I’m from 1626.

Wait, you understand me?

Every word.

You ate fish two days ago.

Herring.

And you slept by a bakery.

Okay, [music] that’s creepy. 3 years I’ve been talking.

You’re the first one who answered.

What’s your name?

Biscuit.

Don’t laugh.

I [music] would never laugh at a cat.

Biscuit, what matters most here?

Money.

Nobody here gives you fish for free.

The story continues.

Type “LOVE” if you’d like me to post the rest.

Part 2:
Look, she’s talking to a cat.

Ignore them.

You hungry?

Since 1626.

Food festival.

Two blocks.

Free samples. [music]
This ground is hot as an oven.

Welcome to July.

Free if you walk fast.

Follow the tail.

Then lead the way slowly.

My feet are [music] from 1626.

Cardamom, saffron, burnt butter.

Someone [music] cooks badly, and someone cooks well.

This way.

Lamb.

Too much fire [music] and somebody’s burning it.

That’s Gus’s free samples.

Best lamb in the park.

He says.

Free taste.

Best lamb in the park.

Come on, folks.

Hey, lady.

There’s a line.

I’ve waited 20 minutes.

Then stand in it.
[music] Oh, I like her.

Free taste.

Good.

Take one. [music]
Your cumin is burnt.

You didn’t even taste it.

I never rude.

I don’t need to.

I never do.

Falafel fried in yesterday’s oil.

That oil is fresh.
[music] It was yesterday.

Humis.

All that garlic hides old chickpeas.

Old.

And this isn’t saffron. [music] It’s maragold.

She’s joking.

She’s a comedian.

Who are you?

Health inspector?
[music] Worse.

A cook.

Big nose.

Huh?

See that tent?

Blind taste challenge. 50 grand.

Is 50 grand a lot?
[music] Trust me, in New York, that’s real money.

I pay your entry. [music] You lose, you scrub my pots for a week. [music]
And if I win?

Then a thousand of it is mine.

Why do I trust a barefoot lady?

Because your lamb needs me.

Deal. [music] And what’s with the outfit?

Halloween’s next week.

This is how [music] cooks dress where I’m from.

Where’s that?

Far and long ago.

You wouldn’t believe me.

Back in 10.

Nobody touched my lamb.

You got a name?

Zara. [music]
Zara what?

Just Zara.

I cook.

They’ll want a last name.

I’ll wait outside.

Tents make me sneeze.

Bring me a fish.

Line for the cooks.

Don’t stare.

Costume parties next door, sweetheart.

Fish sauce [music] and cigarettes.

Excuse me.

Say that again.

She’s not wrong, Brent.

You smell like a fish market. [music]
Enjoy the fair, mermaid.

You won’t get a station.

One last year.

Cooks like a tax form. [music]
Then he’ll lose this year.

Don’t start.

Save it for the judges.

She’s with me.

Entry fee.

Sorry.

Six stations, six cooks.

We closed an hour ago.

Then add a seventh.

Rules.

Ask the judge.

The rules say one more thing.

Any cook can challenge for a station.

Then I challenge.

Whom?

Him.

His jacket has never seen a fire.

Lady, I went to culinary school.

One spice.

Smell only.

First right answer take station six.

Easy.

All spice.

No.

Black pepper, then.

No. [music]
Long pepper.

Pippoli.

Sweet like honey, hot like ginger.

Nobody here sells it.

My grandmother brought it from Bengal.

Long what?

Next [music] time, burn something.

Station six.

Write her down.

Name?

Zara.

Last name?

Kitchen.

Kitchen?

Kitchen.

Station six.

Five folds at noon.

Kitchen. [music] Classy.

I’d have picked fish.

Station six.

I’ll be right there.

Don’t burn anything.

Remember the deal.

I never burn anything.

Amber the [music] Sultan.

Six cooks, one sauce, 23 spices.

Name them all blindfolded. $50,000.

Let’s go.

Good luck, Marink Mermaid.

Keep it.

You’ll need it.

Blindfolds.

One spoon each.

Go.

Cumin, paprika, garlic, cumin, coriander, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, smoked salt.

Cumin, coriander, [music] my sauce.
30 years, nobody ever got the lime.

Zara Kitchen and Brent go to the final.

Final round.

One mystery basket. 30 minutes.

Go.

Brent’s pan is smoking.

It’s on purpose.

It’s a technique.

Hey.

Hey.

He just—
Did you salt this or pickle it?

I can smell your hand in it.

Clock’s ticking, mermaid.

Hope you like the sea.

Yogurt.

Take the salt.

Dates for sweet.

Lime for sour.

The winner of $50,000: Zara Kitchen.
1,000 of that is mine.
1,00,000.

A deal is a deal.

And you clean your own pots.

Toast my cumin 10 seconds less.
50 grand.

Told you.

Real money.

Now, about my fish.

I’m in shock.

Money’s this easy here?

Then why everybody complaining?

No.

Everyone has a talent, Biscuit.

My talent is my power.

Yeah, this outfit has to go.

Come on, [music] let’s go fix that.

Ma’am, you can’t come in here like that, and [music] no animals.

And like this?

Oh, then we’re especially [music] glad to have you.

Right this way.

See, she caught the smell of money. [music]
This one sat in a box for a year.

Cardboard.

Someone wore this to a party and spilled red wine. [music] Too much perfume.

Someone wash hiding the sweat.

Sun and oranges.

It smells like home.

That’s [music] our most expensive dress.

I smell like the whole contest.

Can I wash up somewhere?

For [music] an extra fee.

Yes.

Take your time.

I’ll sit here and judge.

Back home, a woman never chose her [music] own dress.

Well, here you do.

Okay, now I’ll look like money. [music]
Where do people sleep here?

Back home, we kitchen girls slept [music] on the floor by the ovens.

Guests stay in places like that.

Is that [music] paid, too?
$1,000 a night.

But we’re rich now.

We can afford it. [music]
Then let’s go.

You left your money on the bench. [music]
I was testing you.

Leo, one bite, please.

I’m not hungry.

That’s the third menu today.

He barely [music] eats since his mom died.

The scarf was hers.

Cinnamon and burnt sugar.

Mommy’s [music] toast.

Your kitchen. 5 minutes.

Excuse me.

Who are you?

She [music] just won 50 grand.

Move.

Ma’am, he’s allergic to shrimp.

No shrimp. [music] I’d smell it.

Butter now?

Not yet.

Now.

He hasn’t eaten like this since his mother died.

You smell like old coffee and no sleep.

Daddy, let her cook for us.

Three chefs [music] couldn’t.

You did it in 5 minutes.

Tomorrow, I’m choosing a family chef.

A week [music] of trials, a million-doll contract. [music] Where are you staying?

Here, I think.

Give her a room on me.

A million and a free [music] room.

Now we’re talking.

Zara, you came.

Mia, this is her.

She makes the best toast ever. [music]
Nobody cooked better than our mom.

I believe you.

I’m not here to cook like her. [music] I’m here to learn what she cooked.

Only you two remember.

She didn’t say no.

That means yes.

There she is.

You owe me thousand.

Kids.

Counted [music] twice.

Now we’re rivals.

Gus, rivals.

God help me.

The mermaid again.

Lucky one, sweetheart.

You salted my pot.

I remember [music] your hands.

Celeste Bain.

You’ve seen me on TV.
$1,000 [music] perfume and fear under it.

Careful.

This house doesn’t [music] need a witch.

Then it’s lucky I’m only a cook.

One week, three [music] trials, one chef stays.

Leo is severely allergic to shrimp. [music] Not a crumb.

Shrimp’s out.

Got it.

What about peanuts?

Peanuts are fine.

And you, [music] honey, what century are you from?

The 17th.

I like her.

This hallway smells of lilies.

Fresh ones. [music]
Mrs.

Thornber’s flowers.

Mia changes them every morning.

So, the [music] girl isn’t cruel.

She’s guarding her.

Kitchen’s this way.

Don’t touch the lilies.

Welcome to the lab, honey.

A chest with winter inside.

That’s a fridge, kid.

Who keeps [music] cinnamon over the stove?

It’s half dead.

The last chef.

He got fired. [music]
What’s burning in that box?

Popcorn, honey. 3 minutes. [music] No fire.
400 years, and she’s scared of popcorn.

Butter [music] and salt.

I like this century.

Rosemary.

Mint.

Wild time.

Great.

She found the only room without a roof.

Mia, want to help me pick?

Trial one.

Breakfast for Leo.

He eats it, [music] you stay.

I brought truffles and gold leaf.

Gold for a 5-year-old.

Good luck.

Kids want cheese.

Trust me.

What did his mother cook on Sundays?

Pancakes.

Nobody ever made them the same.

Wrong shelf.

Snacks are [music] lower.

G.

Cardamom, orange peel, and burnt sugar on the edge.

Put it back.

That’s mom’s pan.

I won’t [music] cook in it.

I only needed her recipe.

Why do you care?

Because your brother cares, [music] and so do you.

Put it down.

Don’t touch her things.

Pancakes.

That’s it.

Her pancakes.

Cardamom, ghee, orange.

Gold photographs.

Well, the kid won’t eat a photo.

Smells like [music] somebody’s grandmother.

Not a grandmother.

A young mother.

Four cooks, [music] one kid.

My money’s on the nose.

Truffle pasta with real gold, sweetheart.

It smells like perfume.

Mac and cheese, [music] buddy.

It’s okay.

Sunday pancakes.

Try one.

Mommy’s pancakes.

These are mommy’s.

Pam, I’m sorry for that home. [music]
Worth it for that con.

Honey, he hasn’t cried since the funeral.

Tonight he did.

I’m sorry [music] about the pan.

I only needed it.

Smell.

I know.

Mia told me [music] you never cooked in it.

Thank you.

Tomorrow, I’ll make them again. [music] Bring Mia.

Her mother’s scarf [music] and tears.

Leave it.

Kids eat at night.

So [music] do cats.

Trial two.

Lunch for these [music] 12. $100 each chef.
100?

That’s one truffle.

That’s a lot of beans.

Mia, you go with Zara.

Watch everything.

Why me? [music]
Because you don’t trust her.

Then see for yourself.

Bring your nose.

You’ll need it. [music]
Salmon, lady.

Prettiest fish on the street.

Pretty and 3 days old.

Two days. [music]
That one caught this morning.

How much?

You keep the head for your soup.

And I tell everyone your fish is the [music] freshest.

Deal. [laughter]
Who taught you that?

The market in Cairo.

Smell [music] this.

Did your mother’s hands smell like this when she baked?

Every Sunday, she let [music] me crack them.

Nobody else.

Tomorrow, you crack them for me. [music]
Okay.

That’s Callum’s card. [music]

He’ll never check.

Rich men don’t.

And the $100 rule?

Rules are for cooks.

I’m a star.

Best lunch we’ve had in this house. [music]
$31 back.

And the receipt.

Celeste, your receipt says 640.

I added my own money.

Quality costs. [music]
The task was 100.

Not noted.

Her own money.

You believe that?

No, but I can’t prove it yet. [music]
Staff says it’s the best lunch in 5 years.

Where did you [music] learn?

In the Sultan’s kitchen in 1626. [laughter] Everyone laughs at that part.

Mia, daddy’s laughing.

I haven’t done that in year and a half.

You smell different tonight. [music] Less coffee.

Like this.

Harder.

Your mother had strong hands.

I can tell.

How can you tell?

The pan handle is worn on one side.

Her left [music] hand.

She was left-handed.

Look at that.

The small one smiles. [music]
The dinner tomorrow decides it.

Mother is coming.

Have you chosen, sir? [music]
I think I know who Leo will choose.

And maybe not only Leo.

Mia cracked cardamom with her tonight. [music] Mia.

Then it’s her.

He’s choosing her.

I heard it myself.

Tomorrow, at dinner, she poisons the boy.

What?

Shrimp powder [music] in her sauce.

One spoon.

Everyone sees a witch.

Celeste.

The kid could end up in the hospital.

He’ll get a rash.

She’ll get the door. [music] Do it.

Fish powder from a lady’s purse.

This house [music] is getting interesting.

From Paris, sweetheart.

Open it later.

Thanks.

I lost my mother at [music] 92.

I know.

She wants your mother’s place.

Her kitchen, her pan, your father.

She said she only wants the recipe. [music]
That’s what they all say, honey.

Maybe.

Gus, keep an eye on my pot. 1 minute.

Go.

Nobody touches it.

Oh, come on. [music] Hey.

Hey, cook.

Nobody ever listens to the cat.

Saffron, lemon, and something else.

Zara, dinner is served now.

So, this is the cook from the 17th century.

Huh?

She still haggles like it.

Mother, she got Leo eating.

That’s all I care about.

Then let’s see what she made.

Lamb with saffron sauce, lemon and dates.

It smells like the market.

Leo, stop.

Hand.

The poison was in the—
Don’t touch my brother.

She attacked the child.

I warned you, Callum.

A stranger street.

Get her out.

Wait, Zara.

Why?

There’s shrimp in the sauce. [music]
So, she put it there herself.

Well, answer her.

Shrimp is not in my recipe and not on my receipt.

Fish, dates, lemons, saffron.

No shrimp.

This is dried shrimp powder.

It smells of fish sauce. [music] Only one cook here uses it.

Lots of cooks use it.

Then show me your hands.

Here.

I saw him at her pot when my oven was smoking.

Dad, this was in her bag.

That’s not mine.

It’s yours.

You gave it to me.

You told me to do it.

Told you.

Nobody listens to the cat.

Get out, both of you.

My lawyer will call.

You’ll regret this.

I regret one thing. [music] Not asking sooner.

I’m sorry.

I thought you wanted mom’s place.

Nobody takes her place.

I’ll just cook her pancakes.

I’m not looking for a chef anymore.

Zara, stay for Leo and for me. [music]
The lamb was very good, by the way.

Mia fell asleep holding the cardaman bag.

She hasn’t slept like that since the funeral. [music]
My wife used to stand right here.

She could smell when the bread was done before the timer.

Like you. [music]
In 1626, I stood by a wall like this one.

Guards on both sides. [music] Nobody asked me why I did it.

What [music] did you say at the end?

I said, “If there is another life, let [music] someone there hear me.”
That’s a long time to wait.

I heard you in the dining room with that plate.

I almost didn’t.

You lost your [music] wife.

I lost everyone I knew.

Maybe we [music] can both start again.

Then start here with us.

What do I smell like now?
[music] Like home.

Table six wants the lamb again.

Then give them the lamb, Gus.

This was mom’s.

Dad kept it in a box.

I think it should hang in your kitchen.

Mia, it’s the last thing of hers you have.

Are you [music] sure?

You gave them back to us.

We have her pancakes again.

Will you teach me your pancakes?

Every Sunday.

I called [music] her a stranger off the street.

I was wrong.

I won’t say it twice.

You just did, mother.

Zara, are you staying with us forever?

As long as you keep eating your vegetables.

Sit with us.

Tonight, somebody else cooks.
400 years to find a family.

Worth it. [music]

Now, where’s my fish?