A/N: THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED! All of your comments were read and appreciated, more than ghiradelli chocolate brownies!
I hope you all tried/liked the waffle recipe! Let me know if you did.
Just so's y'all know, my Eric Yorkie IS NOT of Asian decent, like in the movie. And trust me all your questions will be answered in due time.
I love hearing your theories, and, no offense, but I love it when they're wrong, because that tells me that I'm not too predictable!
Thanks to my Beta, Sweetthunder. She's awesome.
Tapas at Twilight
Ch. 2: Hell's Kitchen
After a quick shower, I changed into my work clothes and headed downstairs. Renesmee was wrapped up in a book on the couch and my mom was working on some kind of needlepoint.
"I'm headed out now, Ness, I expect a good report from Amma when I get home okay?"
"K mom, and you'll be home early tonight right?"
"Yes, I promise!" I leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on top of her head.
I made the familiar drive to Le Provençale and pulled into my parking spot. It was still fairly early, so I would have plenty of time to do my prep work and get my mise en place set up.
As I walked in to the kitchen, I could hear arguing from Chef Beaufort's office. I spared a quick glance and saw that he was currently yelling at Victoria, the sous chef. She was only one step higher than I was on the culinary totem pole, but I was still her subordinate. And that was only because I had refused his bed.
I shook my head and resigned myself to the fact that this would be another fun day in the kitchen. The walk-in was at least stocked properly, so I grabbed a bin and began filling it with vegetables and other ingredients from the large refrigerator.
Jasper, one of the line cooks came in shortly after I did and began helping me prep.
"How's it goin' Bells?" He kept his eyes focused on the food in front of him.
"Not bad, how are you Jasper?"
"Can't complain," he flashed his brilliant smile and I knew something had to be up.
"And how are things?" I nudged his elbow lightly, not wanting to cause a hospital trip.
"Things? What things?" I rolled my eyes, because he knew exactly what things I was talking about.
"With Alice? You know those things?"
"Ahhh yes, those things, are perfect. I'm glad I finally got up the nerve to finally ask her out."
"Good, it's about time. You know she's been waiting for you since like the first day you started working here."
"I know, it just took me a while to get my head out of my rear."
"Well I hope you washed your hair."
"Hush, woman, chop your veggies."
I loved the playful banter we always shared. He was one of the most easy going cooks I'd ever been around. And it always made me smile when he would call me woman, the hint of his southern roots showing through his more polished exterior.
We worked in silence quickly prepping all of the food on tonight's menu. I was looking forward to serving my special dish. It still wasn't on the menu, but the wait staff was talking it up to the customers.
I heard the door slam on Chef James' office and cringed a bit when Victoria roared. I just kept my head down and tried to look busy. She took every opportunity to lord her position over me, especially when she thought I wasn't working hard enough.
She blew through the doors to the dining area just as Alice was coming into the kitchen. Alice had been a hostess almost as long as I had been at Le Provençale. She was tiny, only 4'11", and so full of energy it was contagious. It drove the Maitre d' crazy.
"Hey Bella, hey Jazzy," she twiddled her fingers at him in a little wave, my eyebrow shot up in question.
"Jazzy?"
"Hush woman," I just began snickering. "Hey Ali, how are you today?"
"I'm fine, but you should be careful Bella, I have a funny feeling about today."
"You sure about that Alice?" She nodded. Crap. She's only had a few feelings in regards to me, but every time, something has gone horribly wrong.
"I'll be on the look out. Thanks Alice."
"I got your back too Bells," Jasper added.
"Doors open in 30, are you making that salmon dish again Bella?"
"Yeah, everything is all set."
"Oh good, I'll let the wait staff know about it. Good luck guys," she pecked Jasper on the cheek and glided back out to the main dining room.
The kitchen was starting to buzz with activity as other line chefs and prep cooks began some of the more complicated appetizers and other items we'd need.
About 15 minutes before service was to start the Maitre d' pushed through the swinging double door making a grand entrance into the kitchen. He was so pompous.
"Bon Après Midi tout le monde, we 'ave a very busy afternoon, so do not mess up zee food. I do not want to 'ear any more complaints from zee customers because of you people back 'ere. C'est tout." He then turned on his heel and marched back out to his stand at the front door.
I had to roll my eyes. He just thinks he's so much better than us. If we didn't cook the food, he'd be out of a job. How is it that the French can produce such a splendid culinary repertoire and at the same time such a stupid snotty jerk?
The beginning of the lunch service started out fine, but as Laurent had predicted, things started getting crazy around 1 o'clock. Orders were pouring in left and right, many for my special salmon dish. I was heading back to the walk-in to get some more salmon when Victoria crashed into me.
"Stay outta my way Swan," she pushed me up against the wall and kept on walking. I took a deep breath trying to stay composed. She was always baiting me, trying to get me to start an argument or something.
Chef James had stayed holed up in his office for a while but he'd just gone out to shmooze the diners.
I got what I needed and headed back to my station. Jasper and I worked quietly, passing things back and forth as needed. I glanced up as the door to the kitchen opened. That's when all hell literally broke loose. Chef James surveyed the kitchen and zeroed in on Tyler.
I followed his gazed and quickly realized what was going to happen. "Idiot," I cursed under my breath. Tyler was chopping vegetables on a red cutting board. Red was for meat only, green for vegetables, and blue for fish. This was basic kitchen operations any kindergartner could understand and this was his second screw up in as many days. Judging by the shade of purple on Beaufort's face, this was not going to be pretty.
"Put zee knife down," hissed Chef James, in a heavy french acccent.
Tyler looked up stupidly and said, "huh?"
I almost smacked my forehead. How thick could he get? Didn't he realize how coveted his job was?
"Put zee damn knife down you fool."
Tyler placed the knife down to the side of his cutting board and as soon as it was out of his hand, James flung the cutting board off the counter, scattering the diced vegetables everywhere.
"WHAT IN ZEE 'ELL DO YOU SINK YOU ARE DOING? ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ZEE GUESTS FOOD POISONING?" Chef James' had thrust his face right into Tyler's so that they were nose to nose. Spit was flying everywhere and James looked like he had just run a marathon, he was huffing and puffing so hard.
You see, what made James Beaufort so successful wasn't necessarily his cooking skills. He was an expert at surrounding himself with better chefs and the best staff. He knew that one slip in the kitchen, one case of food poisoning with the wrong customer and the whole restaurant could collapse in days.
He was an expert at organizing and marketing a restaurant. And right now, Tyler was the gravy stain on Chef Beaufort's white linen table cloth. I knew that would not be tolerated. I felt bad for Tyler. He was about to be stripped bare, metaphorically speaking, by Chef James Beaufort in front of everyone.
"Isabella?" My head snapped up in surprise. What did he want me for?
"Viens ici, tout de suite!" I hurried over and stood facing the two men.
"What color board is to be used for vegetables Isabella?" He never took his condescending glare away from Tyler's face. I chanced a glance in between the two men and quietly said, "green".
"And what color is to be used for Meat?"
"Red."
He repeated this same process with 3 other chefs, further humiliating Tyler. I could see the rage bubbling just under the surface of Ty's skin. This was his breaking point.
"Clean up zis mess and start over. And zis time use zee correct cutting board, cretin." James began to retreat to his office and that's when Tyler snapped.
"Who do you think you are Beaufort? God's gift to the kitchen? I know for a fact that Bella can out cook you any day and twice on Sundays."
No no no no no, don't drag me in to this mess. Stupid Tyler, just shut up.
James spun around and was seething, "iz zat so?"
"Yeah, zat iz so," Tyler retorted, heavily exaggerating the french accent. "You know what, I don't have to take this garbage anymore. Keep your damn cutting boards and shove em'". Tyler then whipped off his apron gathered his knives and stormed out of the kitchen screaming, "I quit! Sayonara psychopath. I'm free!!" Just as the back door shut we could all hear a maniacal laugh and then it was dead silent.
Suddenly everyone was looking at me. Chef James turned to me and with ice dripping in his tone he said the words I was afraid of.
"Isabella, since you are so abundantly qualified, you will take up Tyler's responsabilitées in addition to your own."
Okay, so maybe they weren't the words I was afraid of, I could handle Tyler's stuff.
"And you will stay and work zee dinner shift as well, since we are short staffed, and it's Sunday," he sneered.
And there they were, those were the words. Nessie was going to be so disappointed. And I was pissed as a cat thrown into a bathtub full of water. But I wasn't about to pull a Tyler and lose my job. I needed this gig, I couldn't afford to not work.
Once lunch was over, I took a break and grabbed a bite to eat. I pulled out my cell phone and called home.
"Hello?"
"Hey mom," I said, the depression completely evident in my voice.
"What's up hon? I can tell something's not right."
"Beaufort went nuts on Tyler again and he quit, making stupid comments about how much better I was than James, which then got me stuck with all of his crap to do, plus I have to cover the dinner shift now."
"Oh Bella, Nessie is going to be so disappointed."
"I know, I know," I groaned. This was not the first time I'd had to stand her up because of this job. "Can I talk to her?"
"Yeah, here she is."
"Mom?" I could hear the uncertainty in her voice and it broke my heart.
"Hey baby, how are you? Did you and Amma go to the movies?"
"Yes, we saw the Hannah Montana movie and it was so cool!"
"I'm glad you had fun sweetie. Listen Ness, I know I promised I'd be home, but some crazy stuff has happened here and I have to stay for the next shift. I'm so sorry I can't be there to help you with your project."
I could hear her shallow breaths on the other end of the line and I cursed Chef Beaufort to the fiery pits of Hades.
"I understand mom." She was so sad and it killed me to have to do this to her.
"I'm really sorry Ness, I'll be there tomorrow, I mean that!"
"Sure, sure."
"Love you hon." I tried to make my voice sound a little happier than I was feeling.
"You too. Bye," I heard the click before I had a chance to say my own good bye.
Dinner was in full swing and orders were coming in left and right, most of them for the salmon dish. People couldn't get enough of it.
Jasper was doing his best to help with some of the load left by Tyler and I was hanging on by a thread. I could feel strings of hair getting stuck around my forehead, my feet were aching, and my back was so sore it felt like it would snap in two. In the past few days I'd had a total of 12 hours of sleep and I had been on my feet for almost 40 hours, in 3 DAYS!
One of the waiters came in and stood in front of my station. "Table 36 would like to meet you, they had the Salmon and can't stop talking about it."
"Thanks Brad, I'll be out there in just a moment, I've got one dish to finish plating."
"Okay, I'll let them know."
I quickly finished with the plate of food and set it under the warmer. I washed my hands and took a glance in the mirror. Ugh, I looked like drowned rat. I smoothed my hair and did my best to look presentable. This was the reason I had become a chef. I loved to see people's reactions to the food that I prepared for them. I loved to see how happy it made them. This would carry me to the end of my shift tonight.
As I pushed through the kitchen doors I saw Chef James at table 36. I moved closer in to hear what they were saying. I blanched and saw red.
"Is this one of your creations Chef Beaufort?"
"Why yes, are you enjoying it?"
"This is the most delicious salmon I have ever eaten, kudos to you. It is marvelous!"
"Why sank you so much, Madame...?
"Mrs. Reed."
"Well, Madame Reed, Monsieur Reed, I 'ope you continue to enjoy your meal. Sank you for zee compliments."
I ran back into the kitchen, tears pricking at my eyes, but I would not show that emotion right now. I wanted to tear that pompous jerk to pieces. This was my breaking point. How dare he take credit for my work!
Jasper could tell something was wrong just by looking at my face.
"Bells, what is it?"
"That, that...that stupid frog took credit for my dish."
"Oh no he didn't," Jasper was ready to fight.
Chef James strolled into the kitchen and looked smugly at me. I glared at him, slowly took off my apron, and walked over to where Beaufort was standing. I had no more respect for him. That stupid smug look was about to be wiped right off of his face. I reached the counter next to him and picked up the first thing I could get my hands on. It just so happened to be a large pot of chilled tomato soup.
Alice opened the kitchen door just as I dumped the whole pot over his head. The entire dining room got a good view of the red liquid splashing everywhere. There was about 2 seconds of stunned silence in the busy kitchen, but it felt like an eternity. I turned on my heel, grabbed my knives, and saw Jasper start to move. He too had his knives in hand and when he got to the dessert station, he took a huge handful of whipped cream and smeared that all over James' face and followed me out. Alice was wide eyed and speechless for once.
I marched through the dining room and straight over to table 36. "Mrs. Reed, hello I'm Isabella Swan, and I'm afraid you've been misinformed. I am the chef responsible for the delicious salmon you had tonight. If you'd like to have that and many other dishes just as palate pleasing, keep an ear to the ground. I'll be opening a restaurant of my own soon. I'm so glad you enjoyed the dish."
With that I rose up and tried to put on the most dignified air I could. The entire dining room had grown silent listening carefully to our exchange. When I got to the Maitre d' stand, Laurent was livid mumbling something in French.
I turned back toward the kitchen and James was still spluttering in the doorway being held open by Alice. "Oh and James? I QUIT!" I shouted.
"I second that," echoed Jasper.
"Me three!" said Alice as she let the door slam shut in his face.
A/N: Let me just say right now. I LOVE FRANCE, and I love the French people. I lived there for a year and a half, so don't yell at me for dissing on the French.
This was a really fun chapter to write. I hope you enjoy it too. Leave me a REVIEW and let me know. I love em'!
Here's the recipe that I envisioned when I wrote this chapter.
Johnny Garlic's Cedar Plank Salmon
Recipe courtesy Guy Fieri
4 servings
Ingredients
* 2 tablespoons oil
* 2 jalapenos, cut into rings
* 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup white wine
* 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
* 1 cup apricot preserves
Directions
4 (4 by 4-inch) pieces parchment paper
* 4 cedar plank pieces, food service quality
* 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skinned and boned
* 2 teaspoons sea salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 4 (3-inch) fresh rosemary sprigs
* 1 lemon, zested
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a small saute pan over medium heat, heat oil. When hot, add jalapenos and saute until caramelized. Add garlic, and before it begins to brown, deglaze with white wine. Next add mustard and apricot preserves and bring to a simmer. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes and let completely cool.
Place parchment paper on planks, add salmon, lightly salt and pepper, place a rosemary sprig on each fillet, and liberally apply cooled apricot mixture.
Place cedar plank on gas burner. When plank has begun to smoke, place into preheated oven.
Cook salmon until medium-rare; remove from oven and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes until serving. Garnish with lemon zest.