Chapter 3
"Three Knives are Better than One"
"I know...Yes, I agree.." Lulu answered rolling her eyes, as she cradled the cell phone in her hands.
"I am assertive. No, I don't do everything that Kate tells me to do....I am driven..Well, what's wrong with being a caterer the rest of my life?" Lulu continued.
Dante pretended to go over his notes, while covertly listening in on her conversation. Whoever it was on the other end of the line didn't seem to appreciate, or support her. It surprised him. He never would have pegged her as the type to let someone else control her decisions.
"Yes, I understand that you are only looking out for me. Fine. See you then," Lulu answered, snapping the phone closed. She raised her hand to her brow, as if suffering from an onset of migraines.
"Boyfriend troubles?" Dante inquired, fishing to see if she were available. He did not see a ring, but these days one never knew.
"Is that really any of your business?" Lulu asked, irritated more by her phone conversation, than the fact that he was eavesdropping.
"When it involves my students, yes. If your mind is on other issues, you become distracted, and that can lead to major problems in the kitchen." Dante stated.
Lulu placed her cell phone into her Michael Kors bag, storing the bag carefully below her work station. She turned and faced Chef Falconeri and sized him up from the top of his head down to his toes.
"So, why the sudden interest in my lovelife?" Lulu asked, her eyes flirting dangerously.
"What? I wasn't interested. I mean I was, but.....Oh hell," Dante said. He had been out of the game for so long, he wasn't sure he could handle her as the aggressor.
"Class, time's up, back to your stations," he shouted, making a point not to look in Lulu's direction.
What the hell was he thinking. Well, he knew with what he was thinking, but his brain should have kicked in and reminded him not to mix business with pleasure. He made a rule not to date his students, even if that student came all gift-wrapped from Cousin Connie. As soon as this day was over, he would have to pay his dear cousin a visit.
Taking a deep breath, Dante embraced his professor role, and once again stood in front of his future chefs.
"There are three knives that are key to any great chef and their kitchen." Dante instructed, pulling out a set of chef's knives.
"The chef's knife. The King of all knives. If you can only have one, this would be it. It is the workhorse of the kitchen." Dante said, showcasing it to the students. He looked at Lulu Spencer, who in turn gazed back at him not bothering to hide the boredom that had set in.
Fine, he thought. If she needed some spice to liven up his discussion, she would get it. He just didn't know if she could handle it.
"This blade is from 6- to 12 inches and at least 1 ½ inches at its widest point. It can take all kinds of dicing, chopping and mincing. It can break down and bone large cuts of meat and crush garlic and ginger with its side, proving that size does matter." Chef Falconeri said, placing the knife on the table.
He picked up the second knife, a small paring knife and asked the students to gather around him.
"Now, this is the paring knife. As you can see, it ranges from 3-4 inches long, and about ¾ inch deep. The small size allows it to fit perfectly in your hand, thereby becoming an extension, allowing for easier control. It will peel fruit, vegetables, and score dough."
"Lastly, is the serrated bread knife," Dante said picking up a 9 inch blade from the table. Any true Italian's kitchen would not be missing this. It is large enough to span through a big loaf of bread, and yet gentle enough to cut through the softest fleshy produce."
"Memorize these, and know what each is used for. Learn to control them and not be afraid of them. Who knows there could be a pop-quiz." Dante said placing the knife on the table and looking at Lulu.
He was having a hard time concentrating as his eyes centered on her breasts.
"Gather around, pick them up and become familiar with them. I have placed a variety of vegetables, fruits on the table. I have also included a few chickens. So, get to it." Dante instructed.
"Miss Spencer, I want you to test out the chef's knife." Dante said reaching for her hand.
"Pick it up, feel its weight in your hand and become comfortable with it." He stepped aside, letting her hold the knife in her hand. Her fingers curled around the bolster, reminiscent of a fist. She looked like she was going to bludgeon someone to death.
"No, this way." Dante said coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. He placed her hand on the bolser of the knife slipping her middle finger behind it and wrapping her pinky and ring finger around the handle.
"That's it. Now grab the blade of the knife by pinching it between your thumb and index finger," he said demonstrating by moving her fingers in the correct position.
"Do you notice the control that you have at your fingertips?" he said assisting her in boning the large cut of meat on the table.
"Very nice." he complimented, his thumb grazing the top of her hand and sending shivers up her arm.
Stepping back, he walked casually among the other students and assessing their skills. Something that she hadn't felt in a long time, curled in her belly and it released unfettered when he looked back at her and she felt as if they were the only two in the room. He continued his demonstrations for a few more hours until finally the class neared its end for the day.
"I think that is enough for one day. If you didn't pick up your chef's kit on the way in, now would be the time to do so. Class dismissed." Dante said, looking on as the students rose from their chairs gathering their chef's knife kit, toning rod and uniform.
Lulu walked up to him a bit apprehensively, picking up the chef's knives and assembled kit before her.
"Go out with me!" Dante said, practically demanding a yes.
"I don't date my instructors," Lulu answered, intrigued by his brusque manner and cocky attitude, as goosebumps were erupting on her arms again. It was so refreshing to meet someone who took her shit and threw it right back at her.
"It's just dinner," Dante said quietly.
"We can even turn it into a lesson, and you can bill Cousin Connie for the time."
"Well, I don't know. I am supposed to meet someone.." she said, looking frantically at her phone for any new text messages.
"Come on, a little food, some wine...and me. What more could you ask for?" he said steering her toward the door.
"I promise to be on my best behavior."
"All right. Why not?" she said grabbing her Michael Kors bag and proceeding him from the room.