The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Vérant

Author:Samantha Vérant [Vérant, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

chapter fifteen

Double Trouble

We’re back in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, when a cough comes from the doorway. “Chef, sorry to disturb you,” says Albert, the only staff member of mine who didn’t quit and was lucky to have weeks of paid vacation. “I’m here for my check and wanted to know when you’re reopening.”

“Right, right, right,” I say, looking at Charles. I have no clue. “What’s the plan?”

“In a week,” says Charles.

“Génial,” says Albert. “Have you hired a new staff, or are the others coming back?”

My face pales. “I . . . no, they’re not.”

Albert shuffles his feet. “I was wondering if I could be a server instead of a busboy and dishwasher. I don’t have much experience, but I’m a quick learner. And I know the ordering and reservations systems.”

“Sure, sure, sure,” I say, rubbing my temples with my fingertips.

“Thanks, Chef,” says Albert. “Just let me know when the reopening is scheduled and I’ll be here.”

He bounds out of the kitchen, leaving me to face Charles, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Kate, you don’t have a full staff?” he asks, and I shake my head. “No hostess? No bartender? No servers? No line cooks?”

I want to crawl into the walk-in cooler and lock myself in it. “Everybody but Albert quit.”

He clicks his tongue, a tsk, tsk, tsk. “This is serious, Kate.”

“I know,” I say, shuddering because he’s right. “I thought Oded and I could handle everything for the time being. What with no customers.”

“We’re in a new situation now. And we have to be prepared for it.”

I catch my breath. He said we. And damn. An idea comes to mind. Why didn’t I think of this before? I prop my elbows on the prep table, raise a brow.

“I’ll see if Le Cordon Bleu has any recent graduates who want to come into the kitchen, maybe a few of them wouldn’t mind starting out as servers or roustabouts. All the people we’ll call in will be stagiaires. They’ll practically work for free.”

He eyes me warily. “Good idea,” he says, and by the nod of his head, I think he’s more impressed with me. I’m not the lackey he initially thought I was with a mishmash menu and no staff.

“Can we postpone the opening?”

“No,” he says. “My mother has already sent out the invitations. With this list of hers, there’s no backing down now.”

“That’s right,” says Garrance.

“We’ll help,” says my mom.

Charles and I shoot each other shocked looks, our eyes darting back and forth.

Both of our mothers stand in the doorway, and I have no idea for how long. Or why they’ve been spending so much time together. And why they have such large shopping bags set at their feet.

“I’ll be an interim hostess until you find somebody more suitable,” says Garrance. “I only have to attend a few board meetings for Tenang, and I’m not one to look down on hard work.”

“And I’ll tend the bar,” says my mom. “I had so much fun with our experiments.” She points, her gaze darting between Charles and me.

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