Chapter 19: Stagiaire One - Day 3
Successfully Managed
Yōshoku no Mitamura
Frenzied but determined.
That was how Hisako could describe the atmosphere within Mitamura's. As soon as the the staff had arrived for work, they had all gone into mass preparation for the day ahead. Tables were set and labelled for their newly reserved customers, it had taken no time at all for word to get out about Mitamura's new customer arrangement. And judging by the number of booking calls they were receiving, the news was incredible popular with loyal customers who felt wanted to eat a meal in peace. Without the large numbers of commuters and other train users clogging up restaurant at all hours.
Around the room, in the four corners of the restaurant, were placed large vases filled with colourful flowers and decorative foliage. Also, the tables were rearranged so that a run of four person tables could be placed in the middle of the room, to accommodate more customers. Atop each table were western cutlery and chopsticks, if a customers wanted to use them instead, also were the new revamped Menu's. On which were several new items created by Sōma and Renzō.
Just inside the entrance way were five painted wooden screens partitioning the main dining area from the doorway. The purpose of the screens was to offer up a sense of privacy between the customers already eating, and those arriving and leaving, with the added benefit of protecting against draughts.
Upon the wooden screens were reproductions of western art: Still lives by Paul Cézanne, portraits and pastel drawings by Edgar Degas, pop art by Roy Lichtenstein, abstracta by Gerhart Richter and Anselm Kiefer and some modern iPad landscapes by David Hockney. And finally, to ground the restaurant as Japanese, were two woodblock prints: one of Samurai warriors by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and the other was a print of two carp with a flowering waterlily by Ohara Koson.
Immediately, within hours of open hours they were inundated with booked customers, that the staff of Mitamura's hadn't seen or catered for in ages. Proving that the new reservation only service was a big hit with regular customers and those long time favourites. "Wow! This is amazingly unexpected", Mitamura stammered, staring at full house restaurant at the moment, all tables full with beaming and very satisfied customers.
"It's simple", Sōma responded, "by reservation only will help you regulate and control the number of customers that you want to serve at any given time. Also, as you have already seen, you'll probably see a marked increase in many old and loyal faces returning to you because they now find they are guaranteed a table".
With a huge teary-eyed beaming smile on his face, Mister Mitamura held a portrait of his father and grandfather close to his chest, hugging it protectively. Whilst murmuring, to no one in particular. "I will continue our family restaurant, and my precious staff; my friends, shall be with me every step of the way".
Sōma simply patted the man's shoulder before he was called back to the kitchen serving window, to deliver another complete meal to waiting customers. "Hey, Renzō", he called back towards the young chef-de-partie. "Can you put some more of the jus aux poivre into a small bowl for table 12 please? They're asking for more".
The smaller boy nodded his head, grinning. "My dish is beating yours Sōma!" He spoke victoriously before turning back into the kitchen to fulfil table 12's wish. When he returned he saw Sōma frowning at him, "you just wait and see Renzō! My dish will out order yours". Walking off carrying two plates of poached Haddock and with curried potatoes and cauliflower, Sōma didn't see the grin of the younger boys face. And neither Renzō see Sōma's joyful expression for him being recognised by paying customers.
Mentally stashing Renzō's food idea away inside his mind for further experimentation when he returned to Tōtsuki, he smiled as he presented the food with added sauce back to the three people sat at table twelve. He was just passing Hisako, on his way back to the kitchen, when he saw the other female waiter; Rhea, helping an elderly couple over towards a window table. Watching Rhea's broad smile towards them made him realise that the elderly man and woman must be regulars to restaurant, and seeing Mitamura hurry over to them confirmed that theory.
"It's good to see you again, Toruń and Maya", Mitamura smiled, bowing to the man and woman before placing some menus before them. "It's been so long since we've seen you. As usual it will be a pleasure to cook for you two". It didn't retake the couple long for them order food, they ordered Spaghetti Napolitan. "I see you have new staff, Mitamura", Toruń spoke gesturing towards Sōma and Hisako. Beaming wildly, the head chef barrelled head long into a conversation about playing host to two Tōtsuki students.
"They've been absolutely brilliant!" The chef owner gushed proudly. "If it weren't for them, Mitamura's would still be severely struggling..."
He was cut off from speaking by Maya who exclaimed, "you have Tōtsuki students here? Oh could we try something they cook for us?"
Mitamura smilled as he waved towards Sōma, bringing him over. Moreover, as it turned out due to Maya's ask, all the other customers in dining room were now aware, and shocked to hear that two students of such a legendary culinary school were present in the room. And so Sōma and Hisako were requested to cook for the remaining tables that hadn't received food yet. Sōma would cook for Maya and Toruń and Hisako would cook for a smartly dressed man sitting at a centre table.
Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, peering in through the window was a black suited and sunglasses wearing woman scribbling notes down on a clipboard, whilst engaged in a hands free phone call.
"That's right Director... Sōma Yukihira and Hisako Arato have successfully made an impact on their assigned restaurant, and are about to partake in cooking daily service".
After ten minutes of outside observation, the woman then moved forwards and pushed open the restaurant doors. "Keep well back and remain unnoticed", the voice of Senzaemon Nakiri spoke in her ear. Nodding her head at Mitamura, so he was aware of her position and role, the woman began to take notes about the two students roles.
Inside the kitchen, Hisako was busy. Between pan frying octopus tentacles in butter and rosemary, checking her dauphinoise potatoes and white miso sauce, she really did have her work cut out for her. She had help of course, in the form of Renzō; who was a huge help to her. Whenever she didn't catch him subtly staring at her with his big round brown eyes, filled with adoration.
On the other hand, Sōma was busy making the Naporitan. Heating some oil in a wide frying pan, the red haired boy began by frying onions and garlic until they become aromatic, before adding the mushrooms and chopped tomatoes. "You sure know what you're doing", Shizuno uttered. "It looks like second nature to you Sōma", Mira murmured, absentmindedly. To which Sōma grinned, "Toruń and Maya will love it".
A sudden sizzling was heard, followed by the smell of salty rich pancetta, as Sōma added such to the tomato and mushroom sauce. Then, to everyone's surprise the boy reached over to his side and grabbed a small bottle of Tabasco. "For additional flavour", he smiled before pouring a few drops of sauce into the pan.
Looking as if he wanted to object, Shizuno was stopped from doing so by Hisako's words. "Sōma may be an unorthodox chef... but his culinary skills and flavour profiles are incredible. So if he has decided to use Tabasco sauce then trust in his judgment".
With nerves allayed, Shizuno; and Mira, returned to watching Sōma plate up the cooked spaghetti and then spoon the hot and spicy tomato, mushroom and bacon sauce on. Finally, he chopped a few basil leaves and sprinkled them over the top of the food before carrying the food over to the two waiting customers. Hisako couldn't help but smile as she too moved from the kitchen carrying plates of octopus, dauphinois potatoes and white miso sauce to another table, where a suited orange haired man sat awaiting his meal, reading a newspaper.
Placing the plates down in front of their respective customers, Sōma and Hisako beamed with happiness as the aroma of their prepared food reached the diners olfactory receptors. Which soon turned those expressions into transcendent joy as soon as taste was thrown into the mix.
"Soo delicious..." the Maya cooed. Whilst Toruń shook Sōma's hand and began wolfing down his food in sheer ecstasy. Meanwhile, the spectacled ginger haired man, who was a writer and served by Hisako, had a huge grin adoring his face. "I've got it... my 'Proust' moment of inspiration! I know what my next book is too be about". Looking up at Hisako, the man took her hand in his and asked; "do you think I could use you as inspiration for my next book. My adorable Sweet Osmanthus".
Blushing, Hisako had no idea what to say or do in the moment. All she could do was absentmindedly nod her head and pray that Sōma would keep this to himself, the last thing she wanted was for Erina to find out about her inadvertently being an inspiration to a book.
From over by her secluded spot, the female Tōtsuki observer began frantically scribbling down descriptions of aroma, work ethic, positive attitudes with other staff and the overall relationship with staff and clientele. Then putting down her pen, she strode past the partition screens and approached Sōma and Hisako, who paled upon seeing the Tōtsuki school emblem on her blazer.
"Well done mister Yukihira, you too Miss Arato, you have both passed the first stagiaire. Tomorrow you shall be split up and taken over to the second, individual, internships. The overall objective their remains the same as is was here: to leave an indelible mark on the establishment".
With her piece said, the women turned around and left the Yōshoku no Mitamura, leaving the boy and girl to high-five each other in joyous celebration.
"Congratulations Hisako! We've done it", Sōma grinned joyfully. "Yeah... we have", the rose haired girl grinned, pulling the boy into a hug, and trying to ignore the fluttering of her heart.