Chapter 18: Stagiaire One - Day 2

Reorganising the Ship

Yōshoku no Mitamura

The second day of the internship started much the same as the first. After, an about an hour of staff talks, Sōma and Hisako both relented to the staff's wish to have one more day of service as usual, to see if they could get meals out to all their customers before becoming antsy about time keeping. The front of house staff were slightly better than they had been on day one but that was mainly down to Sōma and Hisako's assistance. Yet, even with two Tōtsuki students helping, the restaurant still couldn't pre-empt any form of customer exasperation about being kept waiting.

Moreover, the staff's attempts at self improvement came up severely wanting and between being completely swamped by orders and mounting time pressures to have them prepared by, Mitamura and Shizuno finally accepted that they were out of their depth. So it was with a heavy heart and steely resolve, that the chef restauranteur agreed to switch from an open house style of service to by reservation only.

"The restaurant has been here for two generations of my family..." Mitamura sighed, gazing wistfully towards a photo hanging over the bar, alongside the health and standards certificate. "My grandfather built this restaurant... then my father took it over from him and as much as I want to continue their legacy. I-I know that chefs Hisako and Sōma are right in their suggestion of changing the format of service".

Comfortingly, two waiting staff approached Mitamura and placed their hands on his shoulders in a show of solidarity as well as acceptance of his decision. A brunette female with striking hazel coloured eyes named Rhea, and a tall blonde haired and moustachioed male named Taiju. Both waiters stood next Mitamura sharing in his stoicism and resolve.

Walking over to the doors the deputy head chef, Shizuno, flipped over the open sign to closed before returning to his bosses side. "So... how do we actually go about changing to by reservation?" Sous chef Kawasaki asked, voicing the rooms shared unspoken nervousness. The question immediately sparked a series of differing answers from the other staff members varying from: telephoning all their regulars in turn and telling them of the new service to printing new flyers and dropping them in the post boxes of all the street houses in the immediate area.

However, as everyone was worrying and overthinking about how to get the word out to the residency of this particular Tokyo district, about the new service regimen, Hisako sighed face palming. Turning around she walked over to the bar area she took out a piece of stiff white card, black ink and wrote, in a simple but stylish calligraphy:

'By Reservation Only'.

She then moved over towards the entrance doors and placed the card on the inside windowsill. "Ahem", she coughed loudly, getting the rooms attention. "I believe that this is all you need", she stated pointing to her sign in the doorway. "This is all you need for now but I would suggest making and mailing out leaflets and menus to homes nearby. As well as updating or creating a website for Mitamura's".

"Hey way to go, Hisako!" Sōma exclaimed grinning and giving his fellow student the thumbs up, before handing mister Mitamura one of the shop menus that was covered in hand written annotations. "I believe that a little whittling down of the cramped menu could help ease confusion, and reinvigorate interest in the restaurant".

Once again the chef owner regarded the menu annotations with a great amount of trepidation and unease before Shizuno spoke up. "We could discontinue the meals that rarely get ordered", he announced. "And it would be nice to see what Tōtsuki students can do", Mira stated.

"I don't know if I can do that", Mitamura uttered despondently. "Some of these recipes have been on the menu since my grandfathers time. They're part of the history and image of the restaurant..." Sitting down on one of the dining chairs, the head chef bemoaned his decision to change to reservation only. "I know this is necessary but.. but it still hurts to turn away from what the original items that made this restaurant know to the district and wider afield".

Walking forwards, Sōma knelt down before Mitamura and looked up into the man's weary eyes. "Mister Mitamura", the redhead spoke plainly. "I understand your wish to preserve sentimental recipes upon the menu, really I do. The restaurant my father and I run have many recipes that mean a great deal to us both".

Pointing to the Yukihira logo on his shirt, which was underneath his Mitamura apron, Sōma showed his understanding of the head chefs quandary. "Many of the recipes my father and I have on our menu are from back when my mother was still alive..." His voice cracked momentarily. "But we knew that we can't have a menu that is either too cramped or too familiar to those who come by. Variety is good, it allows a restaurant to grow and change".

Looking upon the face of the redhead boy, who had spoken so freely about the sentimentality of certain menu items, Mitamura felt himself smile. "You're right chef Yukihira", he stated pushing himself to his feet. "I know that this restaurant is great, I just need to show our customers that too! And it starts with a new menu and a revamped interior makeup!"

Before Hisako could even get a word in edgewise, Sōma bolted towards the kitchen with such a joyful grin on his face that it practically made everyone else chuckle. "I'll be in the kitchen thinking up some new ideas", the boy spoke. "Be prepared for Yukihira style food!"

"Wait for me!" Renzō suddenly piped up. "Can I shadow you in the kitchen... chef Yukihira? You'll probably need assistance?"

Sōma was momentarily surprised by the fellow boys request, as were the amazed looks being worn by the deputy, sous and head chefs. Yet. upon seeing the two boys grinning faces, as they fist-bumped, the three adults realised that Renzō was excited and eager to learn and watch Sōma, a student of Tōtsuki, cook. This was a teaching and learning moment, and Sōma was someone whom Renzō has latched onto as a spring board for sharpening and advancing his own culinary skills off.

"Sure thing Renzō", Sōma grinned. "You can be my apprentice rival". The scowl on Renzō's face as he brushed his purple hair out of his eyes and pointed an accusatory finger at the redhead boy was priceless. However, it was clear that he wasn't annoyed, such an impish petulant grin that was also friendly was funny to behold.

"Oh you're so gonna regret that!" Renzō smirked. "This is a cook off!"

"Honestly", Hisako interjected. "You do realise that we're supposed to be helping the restaurant improve clientele satisfaction and revenue intake". The look on both Sōma and Renzō's faces fell into combined realisation and disappointment. "Fine..." she sighed, realising that at this point she was just talking to herself, if the two boys' returning smiles were anything to go by. "But at least make some appropriate replacements for the new menu!" She yelled as the two energetic boys bolted into the kitchen.

"Well that was strange", Mitamura spoke, as Shizuno nodded along. "Renzō is normally so quiet and well mannered", the chef owner stated tubing his chin. "For him to be this forward", Mira mused, "means that he sees Sōma as a teacher of sorts" she chuckled before nudging Hisako in the side. "You, of course, see him as more than that don't you?"

"I-I-I do not! Sōma is just a friend", Hisako stammered back, trying to rebuke the tease.

Unfortunately, she ended up being outed by the mixture of exasperation and fondness in her voice. "And besides he-he has a girlfriend..."

The sous chef was about to continue her teasing, when suddenly the sound of sizzling oil and the smell of spices and frying meat struck the nostrils of all gathered. "Oh god that smells soo-ooo good", Taiju and Rhea exclaimed, drooling before whisking off for the kitchen to observe the cooking within. They were soon followed by Shizuno and Mira chuckling as they watched their colleagues drooling at the aromas coming from the stove top pans and salamander grills. Left alone, both Mitamura and Hisako sighed in bemused fascination.

Inside the kitchen, the student and the apprentice chef-de-partie were engaged in a quasi cook off and testing new restaurant recipes. "Let them be", Mitamura chuckled. "Renzō has never looked as happy as he does now. And I'm sure they will create some amazing dishes that can be used as new menu items". Making their way toward the service window, to act as judges, Hisako and Mitamura could smell the aroma of grilled spiced lamb and salt baked mutton.

Sighing to herself, Hisako was reminded of Alice and Ryo's frequent cooking battles against one another and how their skills would increase because of them. "I suppose I can let the children play for now", she grinned. "Ha!" Mitamura guffawed, "I can see that".