The Chef and the Server (Closed for pregfet2009)

[Asobininryochan]

“The order for table five is ready!” the chef shouted as he waited for one of the servers to take the dish to the customer. Unfortunately for him, he saw that the one assigned to that area possessed an impediment: a pregnant one!

Recently, her belly started revealing the tell-tale sign of her pregnancy. The buttons of white blouse stood out and the area around her bust fitted snugly around her growing breasts. He hoped that her situation would not cause more problems. Until now, she performed her job excellently and perished the thought of terminating her employment.

Before he barked his dissatisfaction, the smile of her youthful face caused his anger to subside; and he let a sigh in exasperation as he said, “Please hurry up, dear.”

 

[pregfet2009]

She has already had a rough night, starting with the table that didn't even leave a dollar tip, for over 40 dollars worth of a dinner.

"Table 5 will get it's food, okay?" Meg snaps, working her way to the stage, grabbing the food, and heading out into the busy dining room.

 

[Asobininryochan]

He quickly turned his back on her and proceeded to work on the presentation for the next dish. While putting the confit on top of a bowl of soup; he pondered about the sudden change in the server’s attitude.

She seemed more insolent and less friendly – compared to the time he hired three months back – when he knew nothing of her condition. If he knew, the chef might not have employed her… but he needed the entrée before taken and so he yelled to the server: “Soup for table four is ready!”

 

[pregfet2009]

She grabs the soup for table 4 and leaves, getting them both out. When she comes back, she looks around the line. "Where is table 7's appetizer?" She asks, loudly, but not angry.

 

[Asobininryochan]

It’s coming!” he answered while taking the stuffed artichokes from the oven. After salting them and putting olive oil around the plate, he called out to the server, “Seven’s ready!”

Doubtless, the curt manner in which she interacted with him this evening affected the chef. He wondered if the pregnancy caused this sudden change – and if it might worsen with the waxing of her belly. As the sous chef presented him with a filet mignon (cooked medium rare) he started decorating the main course for the next dinner guest: arranging a side of grilled asparagus spears and a wedge of lemon before declaring, “And one is also ready!”

 

[pregfet2009]

After the orders for tables 1 and 7, she comes back with the filet. "One wanted medium well, not medium rare!" She says, shoving the plate behind the rest of the finished plates. She takes the appropriate plates and bowls for her other tables, leaving the incorrectly cooked steak behind.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Holding back his temper, the chef stabbed the tenderloin steak with a temperature probe. Putting the beef in the oven, he attached the other end of the probe to a thermometer and set the alarm for medium well. As he waited, he worked on other dishes and handed them over to more genial servers.

For once, he found difficulty in expressing his disapproval of a worker’s performance. The chef struggled to find a proper approach when the beeping of the alarm returned his attention to the tenderloin. Once he returned the medium well filet mignon to its original plate, the chef informed his petulant server: “The medium well streak is ready now!”

 

[pregfet2009]

Taking the correctly cooked steak, she hangs her head a little, letting out a sigh. She straightens back up, as she walks back into the dining room. After delivering the steak, she walks to the break area for the people that work front and back of house.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Seeing her depart for the break area, the chef told his sous chef, “Can you have someone cover for me?” He immediately rushed to her destination; past the busy staff. Luckily, no one else occupied the room. “Is there something wrong?” he asked as he closed and locked the door – in order to give them some privacy.

 

[pregfet2009]

"Something wrong?" She repeats, after he locks the door.
"There's plenty wrong, but let's start with the most obvious. My pregnancy, has shoved all of my friends away, the father walking away from me and his child. The fact of I need a more stable job, so I can get things taken of for my child." She starts, losing steam as she continues.
"My parents, the two people who I thought wouldn't turn their back on me, have completely disowned me. I have not one single person on this planet, to help me at all. Add the fact of working here, with lousy tips from customers, angry customers not having things correct, so I'm a little stressed." She says.

 

[Asobininryochan]

“I’m sorry to hear that,” the chef said as he pulled a chair and sat next to the server, “Is there anything I can do to help?” Uncharacteristically, the chef put a reassuring hand over the server’s shoulder. The normally abrasive man then offered a box of tissues with his other hand, “Perhaps I can raise your salary and offer you more hours if you want to work here full time.”

 

[pregfet2009]

"I want to work in the kitchen. My morning sickness has passed." She says. "My name is Meg, remember?" She teases, slightly.

 

[Asobininryochan]

“Okay, Meg,” he paused to consider her suggestion. Since the last line cook left due to (in his opinion) the head chef’s lack of geniality, the remaining and overworked cooks expressed their growing dissatisfaction in increasingly less subtle ways, “there might be an opening for you.”

While hypothetically rearranging the kitchen - which possibly meant promoting a number of candidates - the executive chef added, “As you know, we’re short-staffed at the moment. So, until I figure out your strengths and weaknesses, would you like to start out as a swing cook?”

 

[pregfet2009]

"Certainly, I took a couple of cooking classes, while on summer break, during college. I worked with Chef Cora, in her restaurant, for my final project." Meg says, standing up. "If you'll please excuse me, I have customers to serve." She makes her way to the door.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Leaving the employee lounge and returning to work; the chef urged those under his charge to hasten, which produced an audible reaction from the staff. Looking toward the server, the head chef made his decision while waiting for the grill chef to cook the venison: “Meg, go and change your uniform. I want you to start tonight!”

 

[pregfet2009]

There was a couple of grumbles from a couple of the staff.

"Yes, chef." She says, heading for the employee break area and grabbing a larger chef's jacket. Jamming her arms into the canvas sleeves, she makes her way to the line. "What do you need, chef?" She says, with an assured edge to her voice.

 

[Asobininryochan]

“You can help the fry chef,” the head chef said as he opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a cookie sheet of polenta. Handing the tray to Meg, he gestured to the fry chef and continued, “Cut them into triangles, then help him sauté the polenta.”

 

[pregfet2009]

Meg grabs a paring knife and slices the polenta, efficiently, and it gets laid into a pan of heated olive oil. After a couple minutes, the polenta gets flipped, and after turning golden brown, it's put on a clean sheet tray and ready for assembly in the other dish.

 

[Asobininryochan]

While arranging one of the triangles of polenta with a steak and salad; the head chef noticed the absence of the rib roast that he need for another dish. A quick glance in Meg’s direction told him that the fry chef no longer required her assistance. Thus, he stopped her from going when she handed him a baking sheet full of fried polenta.

“Good job, Meg,” he blushed after making the unusual compliment about her work – which seemed less bizarre when asked, “Could you go to the rotisserie and check on the beef?”

 

[pregfet2009]

She makes her way to the rotisserie. "It's medium rare, chef. Pull or leave?" She says, slightly yelling to the chef, over the din of clanging pans and knives hitting chopping boards.

 

[Asobininryochan]

“The meat is ready!” he retorted through the din of the kitchen. Cupping his hands to better carry the sound of his voice, the head chef added, “Take the ribs off the spit and let them rest. Afterwards, I want you to check on the leg of lamb!”

 

[pregfet2009]

She pulls the rib roast, putting it on a board, tenting it with foil. She turns back around, checking the lamb. "4 minutes on the lamb, chef!" She says, bringing tge rib roast.

 

[Asobininryochan]

The chef immediately separated the rib bones from the rest of the roast. As he sliced and fanned portions onto several plates, he next garnished the dishes with rosemary before saying, “Wait there until it’s done.”

 

[pregfet2009]

She resumes her station, waiting as the meat finally finishes, and grabs two sets of tongs pulling it out, and setting it on a board, tenting it. "Behind!" She yells, while walking behind someone, about to turn around and collide with her. She gives the head chef the lamb. "I'm going to go help the prep boards." She says, noticing that they are falling a little behind.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Nodding as Meg departed; the chef sharpened his carving knife while waiting for her return. “Chef, can you taste the beef burgundy?”

Hearing the vegetable chef’s request, he left the utensils on the table and sampled the stew with a spoon. “Needs a bit more salt,” he commented as he spotted Meg come back with the boards. A wanting suddenly sped his feet toward her direction. Closing the distance between them caused him unexplained joy and he expressed that ecstasy when he said, “Can you cut while I plate the dishes?”