I Am Cathelyn Hart, simple, workaholic lady that dreamt of being the most successful Chef in America.
Though I am a Michelin Star Chef and a very promising one... am still in high hopes for achieving the status rank of the great Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsey and Alain Ducasse.
Over the years I have worked for several chain of restaurants and hotels around New York, New Jersey and even in Canada.
Quite successful! Yes, but every career has it's lag phase This had brought me to shift my working environment.
Flash back a year ago....
It was Friday afternoon, lunch peak was over
And I am dead tired of the lunch crowd that we had. The hotel bistro was full packed. I called my assistant to check some details.
Patricia I called, "Hey chef what's up?" she replied. "Can you check our reservations for tonight so we could prepare early today?"
"Alright Chef!" She replied cheerfully.
After a few minutes she returned, "Chef! we have a reservation for 50 pax at 7pm pre ordered menu and another 30 pax at 8pm also pre ordered".
"Is that all?" I asked.
"UHmmmm... I saw another one for 2 pax but there is a note here that says the guest likes whatever the Chef likes the reservation is under Mr.Robert Stevenson" Patricia stated.
"Is he the son of the owner of Queens Hotel?" I inquired.
"Am not quite sure chef. But if he is really that one maybe he is with his new chic!"
"You know how hot Mr. Stevenson is that every single ladies drooling just to date him."
"Oh Patricia please!" rolling my eyes on her not everybody likes him.
I don't personally know Mr. Stevenson but gossips are everywhere and he was engaged with different ladies everytime.
He was tagged as one of the billionaire playboy in New York.
"Alright then, I will just take an hour break then I will prepare the mise n place for the reservations for tonight. Thanks Patty!" I told her.
After my break I start planning the menu for Mr. Stevenson's reservation while my crew started prepping for the other reservations.
I will be preparing crab cakes with sharp and sweet green salad paired with an oft-dry Riesling; I love the mineral, pineapple and tangerine flavors.
Coq au Vin (french braised chicken) for main course paired with Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir(medium bodied red wine) and lastly for dessert Salted Peanut Tiramisu. Simple yet refreshing.
I have two hours to prepare everything before service. My team is also ready for the dinner service.
All huge reservations started already and we are just waiting for Mr. Stevenson's arrival for us to finish tonights job.
After 30 minutes... A young long haired brunette arrived asking for the reservation from Mr. Stevenson. The waiter Charles assisted her in the table reserved and was offered some refreshments while waiting. Not long after a guy wearing a black Armani suit arrives leading his way to the lady sat on the table.
My crew started gushing around asking if he is the famous Robert Stevenson. Patricia leads the gushing...
Everyone in the Bistro staring at the two of them since the lady clungs to him as if nobody sees them. He then called Charles and told him to start serving the food.
I now started plating their meals. Serving first their appetizer and salad which Charles had brought them.
"Good Evening Mr. Stevenson here is your starters our Chef prepared for you tonight Crab Cakes with sharp and sweet green salad best paired with our Riesling".
They both smiled and said thank you and start eating. On Charles' cue I plated their Main Course Coq au Vin and was served to them in an instant.
I saw from the dispatching window Mr. Stevenson whispering to the lady and called Charles' attention. He immediately ran to attend them as he went back. He goes straight to my kitchen and told me that My presence was requested by their table.
As the Chef I didn't bother to grant his request. I tucked my jacket properly as I went to meet them.
I smiled greeting them. "Good Evening Sir /Mam how was the food? Is it your liking?"
The lady smiles but I noticed Mr. Stevenson has a poker face.
The lady with a brunette hair greeted me and praised my cooking and was told that she will recommend our bistro to her socialite friends.
"It always our pleasure to serve you a sumptuous meal mam." I replied to her courteously.
"Is this all you've got?" I was astound hearing Mr. Stevenson's comment.
"Am sorry?" I said looking clueless of what he said.
"You've heard me" he replied.
"My apologies if the food I prepared was not in your liking I could still prepare another dish that you prefer."
He smirked, I felt insulted. But I still stood proud despising him at the back od my head.
"Can you just prepare me a simple steak?" he asked.
I then went back to the kitchen and prepared the steak.
After several minutes Charles served the steak to him. not long after the dessert.
I was no longer called back in the table.
But I felt down. It was my first time to encounter that kind of situation.
I was a michelin star chef and had won prestigious awards all over the state.
I rest in the back door and took one cigarette to release my tension. Patricia followed to check on me. "Cathelyn I mean Chef! Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yeah am fine!" I replied sliding my finger in my temples.
"I know you're not Ok you are smoking!" Patty said worriedly.
"Maybe yes, I just felt bad for what happened in the dining minutes ago did my food really suck? I know am not the greatest chef in the world but fuck! Am not just a chef! I didn't make myself competing for nothing." I said in a frustrating tone.
Calm down Cath, maybe it was just, he has a bad taste remember taste is always subjective. You should not feel bad for just a mere comment you know.....
"He even asked for the bill of all the courses served to them. He even gave us huge tip."Her giving me calming speech.
"Thanks Patty am ok It'll pass just let me be."I said.
It's time to go home. Let's wrap this up. Everyone was tired and had their own way home. I also headed in my car and drive. I still feel sad.
End of flash back....