The Waiter and The Chef

Chapter 6: Culinary Mastery

Riley sliced through vegetables, the rhythmic chopping blending with the sizzle of pans and the clatter of dishes. The kitchen hummed with activity, a well-oiled machine under her watchful eye.

"Jack, how's that risotto coming?" she called out, not pausing in her own work.

"Almost there, Chef," came the reply from across the kitchen.

She turned her attention to a new ticket that had just come in. "Table seven, two steaks, one medium-rare, one well-done. Let's get on it, people!"

As her staff scrambled to fulfill the order, Riley moved to check on the sauces simmering on the stove. She gave each a quick stir, adjusting the heat where necessary.

"Lily, I need those appetizers for table three. Where are we at?"

"Plating now, Chef," she responded, focusing entirely on the delicate arrangement of food before her.

Riley approved of the presentation with a quick glance. "Good. Get those out ASAP."

The kitchen doors swung open, and Martha walked in, clipboard in hand. Riley acknowledged her presence with a nod but didn't break stride as she continued to oversee the kitchen operations.

"Any luck with the waiter situation?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron as she moved to check on the progress of a complicated dessert.

Martha leaned against a clean countertop, staying out of the way of the kitchen staff. "I've got a few candidates in mind. They're promising, but I want to conduct a few more interviews before making a final decision."

Riley frowned, pausing momentarily in her inspection of a chocolate ganache. "What's the holdup? It's just a waiter position. We need someone who can carry plates and take orders, not perform brain surgery."

"I know, I know," Martha said, holding up her hands. "But remember, we're not just hiring for any restaurant. We're aiming for that Michelin star. Every staff member counts, from the dishwasher to the maître d'. We need someone who fits our vision and can provide the level of service we're aiming for."

Riley sighed, returning to her work, piping a rosette of cream onto a plate. "I get it, but we also need to fill the position. We're stretched thin as it is."

"Trust me. A little extra time now will save us headaches later. I'd rather not have to fire someone in a month because they're not up to par."

"Fair enough. Just don't drag it out too long, okay?"

"Will do. Now, speaking of the future, have you given any more thought to the expansion? I've been crunching numbers, and I really think we could make it work with a loan from the bank."

"Martha, I've told you, I need more time to think about it. It's a big decision."

"I know, but—"

"Look," Riley cut her off. "I promise I'll give it serious consideration. But right now, I need to focus on what's in front of me. We've got a full house tonight, and I can't afford any distractions."

Martha opened her mouth as if to argue, then thought better of it. She nodded, tucking her clipboard under her arm. "Alright, I'll let you get back to it. But we'll need to discuss this soon. We can't put it off forever."

"I know," Riley said, already turning back to her staff. "We'll talk. Just... not now."

As Martha left to manage the front of the house, Riley threw herself back into her work. She called out orders, tasted sauces, and adjusted seasonings, her mind solely focused on the task at hand.

"Table nine, where's that salmon?" Riley asked. "Jack, I need that risotto now!"

A new ticket came in, and she called out the order to her team.