(Here's to getting back into the groove)
Chapter 4.
BPOV.
I had seen professional kitchens a number of times on TV, but it is completely different when you are standing in one in real life. The shiny, steel work tops, the various different machines and the giant ovens that all help to create something spectacular. A few chefs worked away in their assigned places, but Edward didn't introduce me to them. We stopped next to a work top where Edward placed his leather file and pen from the interview.
"So, you will tell me what you need to make your eggs, and I will get them for you."
He hadn't laid out a single thing - not even the eggs. I needed to think carefully before I listed off my items. If I missed out anything, it could cost me the job.
"Okay… so I will need a shallow pan, a spatula, a whisk, a spoon, a small bowl, a plate, eggs, salt and pepper and parsley - curly leaf if possible." As I listed off my items, Edward collected them for me. "And do you have any tomatoes on vine and rustic bread?"
He didn't say a word and his face was unreadable; I couldn't tell whether he was impressed with my choices or not. I had never felt more scared during a job interview before.
With everything I had asked for on the table in front, I got to work. I cracked a couple eggs into a bowl, added a pinch of salt and pepper and whisked them together as the pan was heating with a knob of butter melting slowly.
"You don't add milk to your eggs?" Edward asked, watching me intently.
"Generally I don't - I feel like the butter adds enough flavoring for me."
Shit, should I be adding milk? Is that a vital ingredient? Am I going to ruin my chances because I didn't add in a healthy amount of cow juice?
"I see. And what are you doing now?"
"I'm waiting until the pan is hot enough that the eggs will cook straight away. I've put it on a low heat so to not burn the butter. As I'm waiting for the pan to heat, I'm going to roast the tomatoes underneath the grill, and toast the bread. If I have it all timed out perfectly, everything will be ready at exactly the same time."
I placed my hand over the base of the pan to feel the heat. It felt hot enough for me. I poured the eggs into the middle and instantly started to mix them with the head of the spatula.
"I'm turning the heat off between ten and twenty seconds after the eggs went in. There will still be enough heat for them to cook, but not too much." I pulled the plate from out under the grill, along with the roasted tomatoes and bread. Before I plated it all up, I took a tiny taste of the eggs to make sure they were seasoned properly.
I put the eggs in the centre of the plate, with the toast in a V formation below it and the vine of tomatoes resting off one of the two slices. I ripped off some parsley and placed it delicately upon the eggs and then finished off the plate with some rock salt sprinkled onto the tomatoes.
Edward took a fork and used it to break apart my eggs, presumably to check the consistency. He took a delicate bite, still with an unreadable expression on his face, before checking the bread and tomatoes for their color and the way they felt.
After a long, nerve-wracking minute, Edward dropped his fork and turned to rest his back upon the table. "I like the way you work - you work in a very clean style. Your eggs were good and I appreciated what you did with the presentation, and the addition of salt onto the tomatoes. The only thing I would have changed was adding some olive oil onto the bread, along with more salt, but apart from that I think you did well."
'The only thing I would have changed' that's a good sign, right?
"Thank you, Edward. I'm glad you liked it."
It was clear to me that Edward was in deep, deep thought. I suppose he did have a lot to think about.
"I can't deny that you can cook, Bella, because it is clear from your work just then that you do know what you're doing, and that you have a keen eye for presentation. My only concern is whether you are ready for a kitchen of this professional level…"
"I completely understand, which is why I wouldn't be disheartened if you decided not to give me the job."
"It has taken me almost ten years to get to where I'm at now, and let me tell you it was not an easy run. When the heat is on - no pun intended - blood starts to boil, and I have lost count of the number of times people have put me down for my work because the pressure and stress has gotten to them. However, everybody must start somewhere, and everybody needs to be given their chance… so this is what I have decided to do."
Oh Lord, I feel sick.
"I am going to offer you a job in my kitchen, but I will start you off small. You will assist with the pot wash and the general preparation of vegetables and other food items. I know it doesn't sound exciting, but I have an idea…"
He was right, the pot wash did not sound exciting but I knew that everyone has an important role to play in the kitchen, you don't need to be the head chef.
Edward stood away from the table and started to pace back and forth, "here is my idea. I will get my sous chef, Alec, to train you up in his spare time. He will teach you the basics and we can see where we go from there. How do you feel about that?"
I couldn't stop the beaming smile that flashed upon my face. "Thank you so much. I can't believe you have given me this opportunity and I promise I will not let you down."
I felt like jumping and hugging him. Can I jump? Can I hug? No, that is incredibly unprofessional.
Damnit, he looks so huggable. Y'know when someone looks huggable? Yeah, that's him.
A smile, so small yet noticeable, also crossed his face. "I'm glad I could be the bearer of good news. I assume you will need to give your current job some notice before you leave them?"
"Yes, I can hand in my notice this afternoon. The shop closes at five, so I could always come in and help with the dinner service if you need my assistance before I leave completely?"
"In that case how about you come in tomorrow evening? I can get you suited up in some chef whites and introduce you to the Volturi family? Here in Volterra, we are a family."
That was probably the funniest thing I had ever heard Edward say, but I had a feeling he was being deadly serious.
"I'm looking forward to it. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity."
"You're very welcome, Bella. I'll see you tomorrow."
I left Il Volturi feeling like a giddy little school girl.
Finally, after all these years, I felt like it was my time to shine.
0-0
How do you think she did? Let me know!