PLIGHTS OF A POOR CHEF

A HINT OF WHAT IS COMING

This was the first time he was going to be  working under anyone to get paid. All his life his father had always provided him with the things he needed. He had never lacked anything and so there was no need to go look for a job to do somewhere. 

He arrived at Samanta restaurant at exactly 6:01 AM that morning as the boss had informed him to resume. He went straight to the kitchen and was given the kitchen apron and hat to put on. 

It came at first as a  splash on his face and a hint of what was still coming when Macpherson, the head chef whom he met at the kitchen slicing some vegetables opened the one of the drawers at the top of the kitchen shelve, he pulled out a waste bin nylon and threw it at Mark harshly and straightforwardly said.

“ The waste.”

“You said?” Mark asked in astonishment as he picked up the nylon which fell from his body to the floor.

“ Empty the waste bin alongside the one we used yesterday.” McPherson said pointing to the waste bin basket at the back of the large kitchen door.

At first, Mark wanted to notify him that he did not resume yesterday and that he was new. He was sure Macpherson was not on duty the previous day when he came for the interview because throughout the time he was in the kitchen he didn't see him. And so Mark turned and went to where the waist was. He emptied it and tied the nylon. Mark then asked him.

“Where do I dispose of  this?”

“Please ask one of the attendants outside.” Macpherson answered instantaneously without raising his head up from the table.

This took Mark by surprise. What would it cost him to just direct me to where they dispose of the waste?  Mark thought. 

Mark didn't respond. He just assumed that that was his personality. For him that was too bad. He didn't even show any act of appropriateness at least because he had not seen him before and he was just resuming. With that, Mark stepped out of the kitchen.  He approached one of the attendants who was cleaning the tables and the chairs in the restaurant hall and asked him.

“Please I'm new here, where can I dispose of  this waste?”

“Oh. You are welcome. Take the back door of the kitchen. You would see the gigantic trash can there. Thats where we dispose of everything. By the way, I'm Jason. He said and extended his hand.

“Forgive my manners. I'm Mark. Mark Austin. Thanks a lot for your help.” Mark replied, wearing a smile on his face. He extended his hands back at him. 

“You are welcome onboard.”  Jason replied and continued with what he was engaged in . 

As Mark went back he wondered what kind  of a person that the guy at the kitchen was. He was just close to where they dispose of the dirt in the kitchen and still he could not direct him. Mark entered the kitchen. And walked towards him. He was standing by this side of the kitchen table and was directly blocking the table. Mark got close to him and said.

“Please excuse me, let me go through the back door.” Mark told him as he watched him slashed the vegetables very professionally.

“ Take the front door. I can stop what I'm doing now or you wait till I'm done.” He responded harshly without looking up .

Mark exhaled and turned again towards the kitchen door. As he headed towards the main entrance of the restaurant Jason asked him.

“ Why do you save yourself the stress and go through the back door? It's locked?” Jason asked.

“I don't think it's locked but the guy there won't let me go through. Mark responded, turning his face to the kitchen.

“Oh you mean Macpherson?”

“Is that what he's called?” Mark asked.

“Yeah that's his name. He's the kitchen‘s head chef . You don't want to joke with him. His words are final whenever it comes to any activities pertaining to the kitchen. By his recommendation. The boss can decide to retain or sack you. So just be careful with him. Jason responded. 

“Oh. I see.” Mark let out and nodded his head in fabrication.  

As he went out of the kitchen door and turned to the back of the kitchen, he knew he was in for what he had not expected and would have to go through a lot of enduring circumstances as long as he is under that supervisor as Jason had told him. Mark exhaled and tossed the two waste bin nylon into the large trash can. He thought of taking the back door to the kitchen into the restaurant but changed his mind. The supervisor might still be blocking the way and might not allow him to enter. Mark thought. 

“Why will he just talk to anyone he doesn't know like that? Mark muttered to himself and added. He doesn't even know who I am or my background. I'm not supposed to be here.” Mark enunciated as he headed towards the main door of the restaurant. 

He returned to the kitchen. Not knowing what to do, he just stood there for a while watching the supervisor who was still cutting the vegetables. In his mind he regretted not asking the boss whom he felt was still kind enough about what he was to do today when he came. 

He stood there and watched the head chef for a while thinking, but was jerked out of the world of his thoughts by the assertive tone of the supervisor. 

“Do you just stand there? Won't you make yourself useful?” Macpherson vented.

Mark would have yelled back at him that he was not told what to  do or given the roster of the meals he was to prepare. But he restrained himself.

“ I have not been given the food roster, I don't know what to prepare yet.” Mark replied calmly.

“So you don't have eyes to see what is pasted on the wall before you yeah?” The head chef articulated as thought he was in a quarrel with Mark.

Mark, swallowing the anger that was welling up from

within. He held his breath and didn't say  any word. He looked at the wall and saw the roster of the foods they were to prepare. He looked for the date and saw that they were supposed to Prepare Chicago Barbecue and Jibarito Sandwich that morning. 

He opened the lower cupboard and began searching for all the needed ingredients when he didn't know where they were kept but to avoid any more shouts from the head chef he made attempts to look for them himself.