(By Penny A. Proctor. Paramount owns Star Trek: Voyager and its characters. God only knows who owns Iron Chef, but if you haven't seen that truly unique television show, this won't mean much to you.)

1. The Challenge

"No," Chakotay said. "We can't possibly do it."

"We don't we have a choice," Kathryn said. "The Tanimurali were unequivocal. To demonstrate our worthiness for negotiations with them, we have to participate in this contest. And Voyager is going to win it."

"Kathryn, think about it. This is a cooking contest. Two words: pot roast."

"I'm determined but I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to cook, Chakotay. Neelix is."

He stared at her silently.

"He can do it."

He still said nothing.

"Chakotay, this is a challenge for the most creative use of leola root."

The Commander acknowledged surrender.

2. The Arena

Neelix walked into the arena, head high, and looked over the implements and ingredients provided to him. The kitchen was fully provided, with ingredients he had only dreamed of for the past six years.

One hour to create a complete a four-course dinner, with leola root featured in each. A challenge, indeed. After six years of cooking to please Alpha quadrant palates, which apparently prized blandness, he got to cook for Delta quadrant natives again.

He looked to his shipmates in the gallery and smiled confidently. This was going to be fun.

A gong sounded. The leola challenge was beginning.

3. The Commentary

"I must say, Nesha, the challenger seems confident."

"You're right, Hylie. Did you see him chop that root? He's mashing it now, but what's that he's mixing in?"

"Pardon, Hylie, Nesha. The challenger is preparing a variation on an Earth recipe – matzoh ball soup."

"Earth? What's that?"

"I think that's Voyager's home."

"What's he doing now?"

"He's tossing dough into the air."

"Pardon. The challenger says he's making a 'pizza.'"

"Sounds… different."

"Look! He's lining the dough with slices of pickled leola, vegetables and cheese. You know, Nesha, that looks good."

"Hylie, this could be a real contest after all."

4. The Tasting

"Ah," said the first judge, a young actress. "The soup is delicious. The broth really absorbs the flavor of the leola."

"This 'pizza' is incredible." The second judge, a photographer, took another bite. "It's completely unique."

"Wait until you try the stew. The sweetness of the pleeka rind complements the strength of the leola," said the fourth judge, a member of Parliament.

"The leola soufflé dessert is remarkable," opined the last judge, a fortune-teller. "So light, so tasty."

In the gallery, Janeway whispered to Chakotay, "What are their qualifications to judge food?"

"I think they're sleeping with the organizer."

5. The Announcement

"Two contestants: one, the pride of the Tanimurali, champion of chef of the sector; the other a stranger, a vagabond of the quadrant, bringing recipes from all parts of the galaxy."

"Vagabond?" Chakotay whispered to Kathryn. "That sounds bad."

"And the chosen ingredient," the Chairman continued, "tests the creativity of any chef – the versatile leola."

"Come on," Kathryn muttered.

"Eight dishes, eight chances to prove who deserves the title of Chef Supreme. And now," the chairman paused, waiting for the tension to build.

Then he took one hand of each cook. Tossing back his ink-black hair, he grinned. "A tie!"

6. The Reward

"Well done, Neelix." Kathryn nodded. "We're about to begin negotiations."

"Thank you, Captain. It was heart-stopping, wasn't it? The choices - traditional or nouveau, sweet or spicy - "

"I want to hear about this, Neelix, really, but the negotiations …" Kathryn thought frantically. Chakotay? Tuvok? There must be someone who had annoyed her recently.

Then she smiled, almost nastily. "I'm going to ask the Doctor to interview you for 'Breakfast with Neelix.' That way, you can share the entire experience with him. Don't omit a single detail; he can edit later. He'll love it."

Understanding, Neelix returned her smile.