Page 96 of Tasty Cherry
Great. I’ve come during a crisis. That might be why orientation doesn’t have drinks.
“Thanks.”
I pass the open door to a huge pantry filled with dry goods. Then several yards of stainless steel that is cold to the touch. Must be the freezer or fridge space.
Finally, I reach a double office with two facing desks, separated by a tall bookshelf. One is neat as a pin with a computer, inbox, and pencil case.
The other is a wild mess, papers scattered, half-opened boxes, and… Is that a rutabaga on the chair?
I don’t want to be stereotypical, but I can’t imagine Monique in the messy space, so I assume it belongs to Filo. He’s not there, though, so I keep going, past the rows of stainless-steel chopping tables, to the corner near the delivery bay.
To the left is clearly the bakery part of the kitchen that leads to the corridor where I came in on the first day. Several workers in short white caps stand around tables covered in flour and chocolate, their plastic-gloved hands clasped in front of their uniforms.
A large man with wild black hair paces in front of them.
“And who did the ratios and prepped the supplies?” he asks.
One diminutive woman raises her hand. “I did, Chef Filo.”
“And did you think you were Jesus?”
She glances left and right. “Um, no, Chef.”
“Did you think you could use two loaves of bread and five fish to feed two hundred executives chocolate cake?”
I’ve found Chef Filo, but I can’t interrupt. I hold very still, not sure if maybe I should back away.
“No, Chef.”
“Did you have anyone double check your figures?”
“No, Chef.”
“And why is that an important step, particularly for banquets?”
“Because I might get it wrong, Chef.”
“And did you get it wrong?”
“Yes, Chef.”
He huffs out a slow breath. “There’s no fixing it. We can’t miraculously generate more cake. Hopefully not everyone will want dessert.”
“Chef?” Another woman near the back raises her hand.
“Yes?”
“We have some frozen cake in the freezer. It’s not the same recipe, but it is chocolate. We could frost it the same.”
“Now, this is what I like. Someone solving a problem, and not causing it.” Filo raises both hands. “Get to it. Now! It will thaw by the time you have it frosted.”
The crew scatters.
I wait by the wall, wishing I had not been sent on this mission.
He turns and sees me.
“Yes, madame? Clearly you are not a kitchen worker with your hair everywhere.”