Just My Luck...

Since I arrived at Maruia Springs, Chef Peter has had only a single day off. And that was only because his car broke down on a day trip to Christchurch. That day we simpy closed the European side of the menu. In serious need of a break (and in order to pick up his car) Pete took the entire day off and headed for Christchurch, leaving me in charge. I felt like a child being left home alone for the first time. Though I’ve plated every dish many times, I’d never actually cooked anything on the European menu. Pete however was confident I could manage, and after doing all the necessary prep work, left me to it.

Wednesdays are pretty slow nights, but regardless, I was nervous. I readied by mise-en-place like I’d seen Pete do countless times and fired up the burners, oven, salamander, and fryer. As everything fell into place my confidence levels gradually rose.

Last order came in and I’d managed to stay afloat. Lamb, salmon, steak, I got it all out on time.  Cleaning up and thinking back on the night’s service, I had a surprising revelation. I’d never cooked lamb before!  Those couple lambs that went out were trial chops. It was then the waitress came back to tell me the last order just happened to be one of the wealthiest people in NZ. My second attempt at cooking lamb was just served to the founder of the NZ equivalent to Craigslist / Ebay… My heart sank. Why tonight? Why did he have to come in tonight of all nights?! During my panic attack the plates came back… empty. What a relieving sight. I can sleep now…