Title: Instinct & Taste
Author name: kelleigh
Artist name: secretlytodream
Genre: RPS AU
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki
Rating: NC17
Word count: 45,400
Warnings: Sexual Harassment. Explicit Language.
Summary: As a young chef trying to break into the sizzling hot world of Charleston cuisine, Jensen Ackles spent more time in the kitchen than he did sleeping, eating, or socializing; he was absolutely dedicated to his craft and to the mentor who’d given him a chance. When all of that work paid off in a big way, Jensen was thrilled, but from the moment he accepted his dream job, other aspects of his life began to sour, quickly.

Now, shouldered with the extra burdens of caring for his brother’s house and keeping his job safe from a brown-nosing new sous chef, Jensen tries everything, up to and including therapy, to keep his life from boiling over. It’s not until he hires college senior Jared Padalecki that things start to turn around, and Jensen learns that if he can stand the heat, fate might cook up something even better.

Written for the 2012 spn_j2_bigbang.




Prologue | Part One | Part Two | Part Three
Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Epilogue

ART POST & FANMIX by secretlytodream.
PDF with graphics
Other formats available on AO3.
A lot of effort goes in to making PDFs and other e-reader formats available, so kudos on AO3 or a quick comment here that you’re using one of these formats is very much appreciated ♥

secretlytodream made an amazing movie trailer for this fic, so please please please watch that first! She even added a few glorious shots of Charleston and actual Charleston restaurants :)

notes.
This story began as an adaptation of No Reservations for the spn_cinema challenge, but when the story began taking on a plot of its own, I decided to write it for spn_j2_bigbang instead. secretlytodream was there from the very beginning, encouraging me to turn what would have been a short story into an epic tale of a hassled chef and his kind-hearted dog-sitter. When Loki suggested a collaboration, I was totally on board!

I’m glad I didn’t stick to the plot of the original movie, because this story became so much more than a re-write. There are shout-outs to No Reservations in the form of well-known lines and a scene here and there, but I think these characters can stand on their own.

Research was the best part ♥ I got to watch a lot of ‘Chopped,’ had an excuse to eat at some of my favorite Charleston restaurant and jot down little tidbits I learned from cooks and waiters along the way, and read more than a few culinary magazines.

If you’re asking why I didn’t set this story in a ‘major’ city like New York, or even somewhere in Texas, I would encourage you to look up Charleston’s reputation. Not only is my city one of the top-rated travel destinations in the entire world, but we’re pretty snobby about our local food culture, too! And for good reason *wink* The magazine Jensen ends up working for is a real thing, called The Local Palate, though I created the character of Reid Canton. Other real Charleston settings include: The Macintosh. The Blind Tiger Pub. Fuel. Basil. Goat/Sheep/Cow. The Bull Street Market. Cru Cafe. Magnolias. Cypress. Blossom. And of course, Tristan (though it obviously has nothing to do with Jared).

people I could not have done this without.
First and foremost, I could not have finished this without secretlytodream! Loki was ready with ideas and encouragement at day one, and she put up with A LOT of whining from me. I have always wanted to work with Loki, and now that this project is finished, I can't wait to work with her again! Her art and trailer are amazing - do yourself a favor and please check out everything she's made for this story. She also put together the entire soundtrack, which was quite a feat as well ♥

Speaking of whining, I'm so glad I had someone like dugindeep (also known as my LIFE COACH) around. I went through every kind of emotion while I was writing this story, from euphoria to depression, and when I was at my worst, instead of telling me to give up, Amy encouraged me in her own ~special way ;) and made sure I never quit. There was probably a bit of reverse psychology in there, too! But I'm so grateful for her help. She also beta'ed this entire thing at the last minute, so she ROCKS, obviously.

Thank you to my friends' list and Twitter followers for getting excited every time I fed y'all a scene or a morsel of dialogue. I can only hope you enjoy this story ♥

Thanks to the mods for once again running this wonderful challenge!