Catering to Love (16 page)

“Really? That is going to make this event even more special. I can’t imagine business not picking up a lot more afterward.” Leslie turned off the noisy mixer to finish her sentence. “You might even have to hire more people.”

“I like the sounds of that.” Gabi nodded. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

Joey and Steven entered, each walking to their respective stations. Gabi was hardly able to voice a greeting before Leslie pulled Steven into the corner and told him about her idea.

“What did you decide to make, Joseph?”

“I have an amazing rib recipe. It’s baked and then grilled using brandy-soaked applewood chips.”

“Mmm, and when do I get to taste this recipe?”

“How many reservations do we have coming in today?”

“We have a fair amount of guests coming.”

“Maybe tomorrow then. Or maybe I can come in on my day off and try it out.”

“Let’s wait and see how the day plays out.”

“All right. But I want to start soaking my wood chips so the flavor just melds into the pork ribs while it’s on the grill.”

“Good idea.” Gabi walked to her office and pulled out her reference material. All this excitement was getting her juices flowing for some new dishes to run as specials. She worked nonstop for a few hours until she was distracted by a knock on her office door.

She motioned for Corey to come into the room.

“Good afternoon,” he said. “Have you been in here since this morning?”

“Yes. Why? Did you need me for something?”

“No. I just wondered where you were. Not that it was any of my business. I was just curious.”

“I’m working on some specials that I’m hoping to eventually add to the new menu.”

“I thought we were going to work on that together,” he said with disappointment.

“I just started. As soon as we have a break in the action, let me know and we can work in the dining room.”

“Well, the dinner crowd is beginning to descend upon us. Are you coming back out to help us?” he asked her.

“Yes,” she grinned, “I’ll be right there.”

When his face cracked into a toothy grin, she noticed her heart was racing. She cleared her throat. “Go ahead, I’ll be right out.”

With his hand on the doorknob, he stopped and turned to face her. “By the way, thank you for letting me run the kitchen this morning.”

“You’re welcome. But don’t get too used to it. I’m not ready to relinquish my role just yet.” He made a face that told her he wasn’t happy with her comment, but she laid it on a bit more. “So do we still have a full staff? Or did they all leave?” she said with a grin.

He mocked her by making a face and walked out the door.

When she tied her apron back on and headed out to her station, she noticed Corey following her with his eyes. He had an appreciative smile on his face. She stared back at him wondering what he was doing, but his now sexy smile had her heart turning over. He was making her nervous. Not because she didn’t like it, but because she did. She averted her eyes and prayed she wouldn’t trip and make
a fool of herself before she reached her workstation. She glanced his way again, and this time his smile broadened, and she thought she’d die on the spot. This jerk was making her heart thud like a conga drum. She told herself he was on to her, and he was just playing with her emotions to get her reaction. Well, dammit, she
was
feeling it. And if this was his way of changing, well, she liked it. A lot.

Best not to totally lose control at this party, so instead of taking a shot, let’s soak the raisins in the brandy and toss, making sure to coat them all. Cover the container with plastic wrap while the raisins are macerating, a fancy word for softening and absorbing the alcohol.

Using your food processor, insert the shredding blade. Yeah, keep that in mind in case that softening business doesn’t work out as planned. Run the apples through the food processor first. Maybe you should be thinking of running in the opposite direction if Corey gives you the sexy eyes again. Place the apples in a separate bowl and squeeze lemon juice over the top to retain color; toss to coat. Separating the two of you is probably a good idea. Well, only until you’re sure he’s changed. Then
, run
as quickly as you can, but only after you finish shredding the carrots.

In a medium-size bowl, combine the carrots, apples, and raisins, and the brandy too. Mix the mayonnaise and apple juice together in a measuring cup and whisk until creamy, like love, and let’s get this party started. Pour over the salad and toss. Serves 8–12.

The kitchen was buzzing with chatter when Gabi entered. The roar of the equipment played in harmony with the conversations, blocking out what was being said. Judging from their expressive faces, she knew it had to be good.

Dan entered the kitchen with Brian hot on his trail. Together they made their way over to Corey. “Six pasta dishes, two with vodka sauce, one with cheese sauce, and three with tomato sauce, table ten.” He clipped the chit on the carousel and prepared house salads for the table.

Brian stepped up to the counter. “I need a terrine, an order of croquettes, and an order of Brie, table five.” He, too, clipped his chit, then turned to fill glasses with water, grabbed three red-wine glasses off the shelf, and headed back out to the dining room. Dan returned.

“Do you need any help, Dan?” Gabi asked, seeing the frustration on his face.

“No. But we’re really hopping tonight,” he said, making a face. “I think I’ll be okay, but I can’t wait for more candidates to apply. We definitely need more waiters. Even after
all the training we’ve done, Brian and I just can’t handle this load on our own.”

Gabi nodded. “Got it. Let’s keep it moving for now, and we’ll pick from what we’ve got later tonight.”

Brian returned. “I need a Caesar salad, sans anchovy, table two.” Gabi rushed to the salad station and grabbed a bowl from under the worktable and filled it with romaine lettuce, poured the dressing over the top, mixed and plated it on a cold dish. She added the croutons and placed it on the pick-up table.

“I smell the rolls in the oven,” someone shouted out.

“Which oven are you using today?” Gabi asked.

“Number two,” Steven said. Gabi pulled the rolls out and put them in a basket.

Noticing the plates waiting to be picked up, Gabi checked the chit, then grabbed the three plates and headed out to the dining room.

“Thanks,” Dan said. “Table six.”

Brian was on his way back into the kitchen. “Brian, please get that salad served and drop the bread off, too!”

“Will do, Chef.”

Sighs of relief could be heard throughout the kitchen when the rush slowed down.

“Holy Hannah,” Steven said, as he released a groan. “That was crazy. You know, Gabi, I’ll just bet after the open house, we’re going to be swamped with customers.”

“From your mouth to God’s ears, my friend.” She washed her hands and dried them on a towel. “Dan?” He turned her way. “No response from the ad I ran?”

“Yes, we had three applicants that I screened, but you wouldn’t have wanted any of them in the dining room. One guy was just looking for some way to make fast money. One woman wanted to know if she could bring her baby to work with her because she couldn’t afford a babysitter, and the last guy who applied was… well, let’s just say, ‘I don’t think so.’”

Gabi winced. “Okay, guys, then we need your help. Do you know of anyone looking for a job as a waiter? I really need to give Brian and Dan some relief.”

“My brother is looking for a job, Chef,” Steven offered. “I can call him right now, if you want and see if he’s available for tomorrow and…”

“Please do. Will he just be helping us out temporarily, or will he be looking for permanent work as a waiter?”

“I hope long-term, but I’ll ask to be sure,” he said, keying in the phone number.

“Okay, guys, in the meantime, if you hear of anyone looking for work, have them call Dan. He’s the one in charge of the waitstaff. Thanks, everyone. If tomorrow is slower, I’d like to do a taste test on the recipes. Corey and I will decide.” She threw that comment in for good measure, thinking it might make him feel better, but she could see he wasn’t having any of it.

Corey winced as he untied his apron and tossed it into the laundry basket, then did an about-face and left the kitchen in a huff. “See you in the morning.”

Leslie was front and center when she saw Gabi walk into the room. With spoon in hand, she approached. “Open your mouth,” she said.

“What am I tasting here?”

“Taste it first and then we’ll talk about it.” Gabi opened her mouth and Leslie shoved the spoonful in.

Gabi swirled the chocolate in her mouth. “Ohmigod, this is decadent,” she moaned for emphasis. “But I’m not sure if this is a soufflé or…”

“It’s a chocolate soufflé bread pudding,” Leslie said, giggling like a schoolgirl. “I told you it was wonderful.”

“The consistency is light but slightly heavier than a soufflé, but not heavy enough to be recognized as a bread pudding. You used whipped egg whites in this recipe, didn’t you?”

Leslie was beaming with excitement.

“Do you have any more of that?” Gabi asked, making her way over to the pan. “This is my breakfast. What time did you get here this morning?”

“Six o’clock.” Leslie’s excitement propelled her in a nonstop conversation. “I do have a sauce for the topping, but this is so rich, I’m wondering if it’s necessary. What do you think?”

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven, that’s what I think. Personally, I don’t think it needs a sauce, but for plating purposes…” Gabi stopped, waiting for Leslie’s reaction.

Leslie didn’t say anything right away, until she realized what Gabi was telling her. “Ohmigod,” she squealed, “you’re going to add it to the permanent menu?”

Gabi chuckled. “Absolutely. This is a winner.”

Leslie beamed.

Gabi waved her fork toward the dish. “So, although this doesn’t really need a sauce, I think for presentation purposes we should set it in a pool of crème anglaise with designed chocolate dots.” Leslie frowned. Gabi smiled, forgetting she
was new to the culinary world. “Okay, a tiny dot of chocolate squeezed into the white crème anglaise sauce. Then you poke the tip of a sharp knife into the center of the dot and draw a design.

“Oh, I know what you mean. Thanks for the clarification.”

“Then a slight dab of whipped cream with chocolate shavings, and voilà, you’re done! Even if the customer doesn’t eat it, the presentation will be impressive.”

“What’s being served at the buffet?” Corey asked, removing his coat and startling the two women. “Ooh, sorry. It smells awfully good in here,” he said. “What are you making?”

“Want some chocolate soufflé bread pudding?” Leslie asked with excitement. He no sooner nodded in agreement than she’d handed him a bowl and spoon. He tilted his head to the side, nodding toward Leslie. “I think she’s excited.”

“And she should be. It’s darned good.”

Corey brought a spoonful to his mouth.

“Leslie,” he said, nodding with his eyes closed, “this is incredible.”

“What are you making for the buffet?” Leslie asked Corey.

“Oh, I have it all figured out, but I’m not sharing it at the moment.” He turned back to Gabi. “Whenever you want to get started on the changes to the menu items, I’m ready. I can also come in on Sunday when we’re closed, if you’d like.

Gabi gave him a side-glance. “You know you drive me nuts, don’t you?”

“Moi?” he said with a toothy grin.