Grand Opening

by T. F. Pruden

  With grave sincerity he wished for his old friend to be the one to make a success of it.

  Richie’s optimism continued to build as he inspected more of the excellent painting in both the hallway and lounge. He smiled and allowed himself to consider that perhaps Rene and his young partners might prove to be the men for the job.

  The mix of relief and anticipation grew as he followed Rene into the dining room to meet the strangers who somehow earned his old friends’ trust.

  Part Four:

  Early Losses

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Wayne sat on the bench seat against the east wall of the fresh painted lounge in the closed restaurant.

  A notebook and pen sat next to a pair of empty coffee cups on the small round table in front of him. The second of two interviews scheduled for this evening ended only moments earlier.

  He and Maurice had now met with and sampled the wares of the first two candidates for the sous chef position.

  The identical snacks served by the young chefs were more than less equal in preparation and flavor. Wayne skipped dinner so the flavor of the appetizers would be enhanced by his appetite.

  He also hoped his waistline might be preserved by not forcing himself to overeat.

  Wayne escorted the last of the two cooks to the exit. He thanked him for his time while his partner returned to the kitchen. Maurice prepared fresh coffee to fuel the impending discussion of the applicants.

  They earlier agreed it would be best to hold their thoughts until after completing interviews with both of them.

  He said nothing as Maurice appeared at the kitchen entrance. It was behind the bar a few feet to his right.

  The tall chef entered with a black plastic carafe and refilled both of the cups with steaming hot coffee before placing it onto the table between them. He sat on one of the pair of tall and low-backed swiveling chairs facing the burgundy melamine topped iron table with the black-painted legs.

  Maurice added sugar to his coffee, stirring it slow with a look of detached consideration on his face. He waited for Wayne to review the cooks and their food.

  “I liked the last guy,” Wayne spoke as Maurice finished stirring his coffee, “but his mushroom caps were sloppy and his cheese sticks weren’t cooked through.”

  “Tabernac!” Maurice sighed, “e’ lef’ a mess behin’ ‘im as well!”

  “The first one was a better cook maybe,” Wayne said, looking at his notes, “though I’m not sure he’d interested in cooking the lunch menu.”

  “Dat’ guy could cook for sure!” Maurice replied with a nod, “An’ ‘e cleaned up after ‘imself too.”

  “Would you hire either of them?” Wayne asked.

  “I’m not sure yet,” Maurice answered.

  After taking a sip of his coffee to give himself another moment of consideration he continued.

  “Dey’ seem like nice fellows an’ ‘da firs’ young guy ‘e ‘as talen’ ‘an ‘dats for sure, but ”

  Wayne watched the tall chef with interest. As he waited for him to continue, he gauged his own evaluation of the two candidates.

  In spite of being new graduates from the Red River College culinary program the young chefs were both well experienced cooks. It impressed Wayne when both men arrived prepared to demonstrate their abilities without notice. It surprised him further when his partner took it as a matter of routine.

  Maurice prepared to deliver his verdict.

  “I guess I’m not sure ‘dat I could get along wit’ someone so boisterous,” the thin chef spoke with care while looking at Wayne with concern, “an’ ‘dats pretty importan’ to me ‘dat I can get along wit’ someone ‘oos sharing ma’ kitchen, oui?”

  “Certainly I can understand that,” Wayne replied.

  He wanted to reassure his partner. It came as no surprise when Maurice made a quick decision about the young cooks after the short meeting. The tall chef was secure in his opinions if less willing to share them.

  “We’re looking for someone that you’re going to have to mentor so we need you to at least be comfortable with whoever we choose.”

  His own opinion of the candidates was also less than entirely positive.

  Despite their willingness to provide examples of their culinary skills both cooks arrived dressed in casual attire. Wayne at once decided this was inappropriate to the situation.

  That each of them had been willing to cook and arrived on time he made a point of noting. As he was both fastidious and particular about all things professional, the lack of appropriate dress caused immediate concern. Wayne understood whoever they should hire would hold the reputation of the business and their livelihood in hand. An awareness of and attention to detail was something that must be of paramount importance in the new hire.

  Wayne hoped his partner would feel the same way. The tall chef had yet to mention the casual clothing in which the two candidates presented themselves. It disappointed Wayne that he might overlook it. He was further annoyed to find Maurice concerned about personality in light of such an egregious breach of professional protocol.

  “I was also a little concerned by their presentation,” Wayne spoke in a sincere voice, “and by that I mean their personal deportment, not their plates. I think it’s important to dress professionally for a job interview, and to show up in jeans doesn’t say good things about a man’s work habits if you ask me.”

  “Mos’ cooks will dress casual knowing ‘dey’re going to ‘ave to cook at an interview,” the tall chef replied, “an’ not wanting to wear kitchen whites on ‘da street makes it ‘ard for a cook to dress for an interview, oui?”

  “I’d still like to see a better presentation from someone who’s going to hold our reputation in his hands,” Wayne said with mild annoyance creeping into his voice, “and I don’t think it’s too much to ask a man for slacks and a shirt, even a jacket if you’re not going to wear a tie, when preparing for a job interview. Isn’t that what aprons are for?”

  “Tabernac!” Maurice replied, with a hint of derision in his tone, “a cook ‘es judged on ‘is plates an’ ‘is palate, not ‘is fashion sense!”

  His partner’s response disappointed Wayne. He noted the apparent care Maurice lavished upon his appearance and expected him to hold an opinion similar to his own.

  “So you don’t think it’s worth considering?” he asked the chef.

  “Non!” Maurice replied with a note of finality, “we mus’ focus’ on ‘da skill of ‘is cooking an’ ‘da ability to get along wit’ ‘is personality!”

  “I can see what you mean there,” Wayne spoke with patience.

  He wished, with stubborn pride, to convince his partner of the validity of his point.

  “You can see how I’d be concerned with presentation skills at the interview when we’re talking about someone who’s going to represent our business, right?”

  “Tabernac!” Maurice replied.

  His annoyance with his young partner was now plain in the imperious tone that rose with the level of his voice.

  “A chef ‘es rarely seen an’ ‘den only in ‘is kitchen whites,” he near shouted the response, “so why worry ‘ow ‘e dresses ‘imself for an interview or whenever ‘es not at work?”

  “True enough,” Wayne answered.

  Though aware of his partners’ quick rising frustration, he was now curious to see where it might lead.

  “We own the place and I think it’s appropriate for us to be concerned with all aspects of the conduct of our potential employees as they will represent us and our business no matter where they might find themselves,” he said.

  He searched for reaction on his partner’s face as he spoke.

  “A man’s presentation of himself is revealing after all and if you’ll show up at an interview in less than professional dress what kind of plate might you prepare for a paying customer?”

  “Do you really t’ink ‘dat ‘ow a man dress’ ‘imself is an indication of ‘ow ‘es going to prepare ‘is food?” Maur
ice replied.

  The frustration rose in his voice.

  “Tabernac!” he spat out the curse, “You can’ expec’ a cook, working in an ‘ot kitchen, to be so concern’ by ‘is dress, not even for an interview when ‘e knows ‘es going to ‘ave to stan’ in fron’ of an ‘ot stove an’ cook!”

  “I think we’re going to have to disagree on this point Maurice,” Wayne said.

  His tone was diplomatic. Wayne hid the disappointment at discovering his partners’ feelings. He decided against adding fuel to the disagreement.

  “In any case I think we’re agreed that neither of these two candidates is what we’re looking for in our sous chef, correct?”

  “Dat’s true enough,” Maurice replied.

  Wayne’s response mollified the tall chef. The discovery of his thoughts related to the testing of kitchen candidates had not pleased him.

  “But I’m concern’ ‘dat we’ll fin’ anyone ‘oo lives up to your standard,” with his momentary anger easing he now spoke with a softened voice, “if you’re going to be more concern’ wit’ ‘da way ‘dat ‘dey dress ‘demselves radder’ ‘dan ‘ow ‘dey cook, eh? Tabernac!”

  Though offended by the remark Wayne made no reply to it. He forced himself in spite of his own rising frustration to ignore the bait and focus on the task at hand.

  They had another pair of interviews scheduled the following evening. Further argument with his partner might affect them and it concerned him.

  Wayne decided he would rather subjugate his temper than impact a plan made with care.

  “Tomorrow we’ll have another pair of grads coming in,” he said in an even tone, “they’re scheduled for the same time as these two tonight and I trust that’ll be ok for you?”

  “Dat’s good oui,” the thin chef replied.

  His temper was still evident but its’ temperature fell as his partner ceased to antagonize him.

  “Wit’ luck we’ll fin’ ‘da nex’ one’s able to cook an’ to dress, eh? Tabernac!”

  Wayne chuckled, relieved by his partners’ remark.

  He at once appreciated the chef letting go of his temper. That he was less concerned by the minor issue than Wayne might have liked he chalked up to the difference in their respective areas of expertise.

  Maurice spent his career in the kitchen while Wayne spent his at the front of the house.

  That it might prove cause for concern when it came time to hire a candidate to work beside him in the kitchen he would continue to monitor. He should keep it in mind as they continued to review candidates.

  Wayne had no interest in hiring anyone who might reflect poorly on the business.

  Despite their differences in evaluating talent he remained sure the tall chef shared his concern for the best interests of the restaurant. He trusted they would eventually agree to hire a top candidate to assist him in the role of sous chef.

  “What do you say we close this place up and I give you a lift home?” he asked the tall man with a grin, “it’s getting late and we’ve both got an early start tomorrow.”

  “Dat’ would be perfec’ mon frere,” Maurice answered him, frustration absent from his voice and a smile creasing his lips, “let me tend to ‘da kitchen an’ you get ‘da lights, eh?”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Wayne replied.

  He slid from the burgundy vinyl of the upholstered bench and stood.

  “Thanks for locking that back door so I can set the alarm before we leave.”

  “Certainly!” the tall chef answered as he collected the cups and the carafe from the table to return them to the kitchen, “Give me jus’ a minute to load ‘dese cups into ‘dat washer.”

  “No probs,” Wayne said, “you want me to grab your jacket from the closet?”

  “T’ank you mon frere!” Maurice called over his shoulder as he turned for the kitchen.

  Wayne crossed the hallway to the open closet behind the counter to retrieve his leather jacket. He removed his partner’s wool coat from another of the hangers there and placed it on the counter beside the cash register.

  He noticed for the first time he neared exhaustion.

  Tomorrow he would roll two coats of paint onto the walls of the dining room he finished ‘cutting in’ earlier that day. Aside from touch ups the meticulous job would then be complete. In spite of the long work days he invested in preparing for it the grand opening now bore down on him.

  Despite the fatigue claiming him he resolved again to maintain a good relationship with his partner the chef. He could rely on his experience in spite of the few differences apparent between them. Maurice’s talent and his commitment would be absolute necessities if they were to be successful with the new venture.

  Wayne must do his best to limit their disagreements to those unavoidable in future so he and Rene should benefit from both.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Rene sat in the booth nearest to the kitchen entrance and surveyed the fresh painted dining room in front of him with satisfaction.

  He congratulated himself again on his choice of partner. The dramatic improvement already made to the restaurant surprised him.

  A light grey covering the walls suited the burgundy carpet well. The upholstered booths now lent an air of casual sophistication. It transformed what had once been a dark and claustrophobic pseudo-cafeteria trying too hard to be something it was not.

  The restaurant to bear his name in no time changed into something of which he could be proud.

  The thought of the world seeing him in a new light filled him with pleasure.

  He spent the early days of the week focused on Lemieux Trucking. He left his partners to continue work on the renovations and interview candidates for the job of sous chef. The few days away meant the now completed paint job impressed him further.

  He waited with stretching patience in the dining room for his partners to conclude a loud and animated discussion in the lounge.

  Rene decided against interrupting them when he let himself in via the kitchen entrance.

  The partners’ conversation surrounded the interviews conducted earlier. He delayed his entrance as he listened to the excited conversation of the two men.

  Rene planned to unveil his latest idea for the business when they finished. Though unsure of the response his latest plan would receive it added to the pleasure he could enjoy when he convinced the younger men of its necessity.

  That he would sell them his new idea was, for him, a forgone conclusion.

  Rene looked forward with the joy of a bulldog to the unplanned meeting.

  “Allo’ mon freres!” he called out as Wayne and Maurice walked into the dining room.

  The two men entered, locked in conversation.

  “Sorry to interrup’ your meet’ang, ‘ave you foun’ your new chef yet?”

  “Tabernac!” Maurice cursed, “apparen’ly not yet Rene and ‘allo mon frere. ‘Dis man Wayne ‘e is demanding I tell you! E’ would’n give me a job if I came looking for eet’ ‘ere!”

  Wayne laughed at his side, pleased to see Rene.

  “Hello Rene,” he said, “we heard you come in but were in the middle of our latest argument about chef candidates. Good to see you!”

  “So can I get a burger or some’ting to eat in ‘ere or are you two still fighting?” the senior partner asked with a smile on his face.

  “Avec fromage, Rene?” Maurice answered him, also relaxed and smiling, “Da’ grill will only take a minute to ‘eat up, mon ami.”

  “Dat’ would be perfec’ mon frere,” Rene replied, “an’ ‘den we can chat, oui? A reques’ ‘as been made of us by our landlord an’ I need your ‘elp to make it ‘appen.”

  The idea to couch his latest scheme behind the protection of a landlords request came to him as he watched his partners walk bickering into the dining room. It was an outright falsehood. That it was also a lie unlikely to be discovered by either of his partners lent an air of security to it. Should it become known at a later date he would chalk it up to
a misunderstanding due to poor English.

  It was too late to stop. He put it out there without thinking it through and now it was unrecoverable. If forced to secure Richie’s agreement with the plan to keep from being found out, he would deal with it then. For now he must proceed with the story despite not knowing its end.

  He was sure a request made by their landlord would be an easier sell than an idea off the top of his head.

  “What’s going on with Richie?” Wayne asked.

  He slid into the booth to sit across from his partner.

  “What kind of request has he made before we’re even ready to open?”

  “Les’ wait ‘til Maurice ‘as finish’ ma’ burger,” Rene replied, “I’m ‘ungry an’ ‘e needs to ‘ear about it too an’ ‘dat will save me repeating ma’self, oui?”

  “Sounds good,” Wayne said, “and I actually think that we’ve found our sous chef. I was giving Maurice the gears about the guy he likes but I think we’re good with either of the young fellas’ we interviewed tonight.”

  “Dats’ great!” Rene answered with relief in his voice, “I wondered if you two would be able to agree on a chef, Tabernac!”

  Wayne laughed, nodding to his partner and appreciating his understanding of the particular nature of both himself and the tall chef.

  “We’re working through our differences,” he said, “and I appreciate his experience that’s for sure.”

  “Good.” Rene answered, “I don’ need to be looking for new partners an’ bot’ of you are professionals ‘dat I trus’ will get along an’ get t’ings done right.”

  “Count on it,” Wayne replied.

  A smile spread across his face.

  “I like the guy more the better I get to know him in fact, his temper might be quick but it’s only because he wants the best and that’s a comfort.”

  “The place looks great Wayne,” Rene said with a smile to his young partner, “a great choice of color for ‘dat paint an’ what an improvement it makes to ‘dis ol’ place for sure!”