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I slide the signed contract across the mahogany conference table, my heart soaring as I watch Oscar Greenfield from Smithtown Distribution countersign the final page. The licensing deal is everything I dreamed of—Grandpa’s chili recipe will be in stores from here to Dallas, but it’s still exactly his recipe. No compromises, no cheap substitutes, no corporate trying to change the recipe. Just authentic Cooper family chili, made the right way.

“Congratulations, Ms. Cooper,” Oscar says, standing to shake my hand. “We’re honored to be working with you.”