Optimist or pessimist; undecided.

I went in early this morning for a bit of a re-initiating. The moment I hit the kitchen, it felt like I had never left. I walked back into the baking and prep area and the smells were so familiar. It’s funny how closely the sense of smell and memory are related because I started having flashbacks once the air met my nose. It smelled quite wonderful, don’t get me wrong, though the reflection to a darker time was very off putting.

The same bakery manager is there, plugging away with her pastries, such a comforting sight. I call out, “Hey there!” with a smile on my face and she looks up. She doesn’t seem particularly thrilled at my presence which surprises me because we always got along very well, or so I recall. After prodding her for conversation she seems to loosen up and we carry on a pleasant dialogue exchange. This lady was, and likely is still, super hardcore. She’s pushing seventy years of age and could run circles around most of the co-employees I’ve ever met in my life, at any job. She was a ball of fire, plain and simple and I’ve always admired her work ethic. After a couple of minutes of chit chat I ask her where the KM is. She points to the walk-in cooler and I head over.

I open the door and there is my old buddy from before. We were probably the two cooks who fought through the most horrible shit this place had to offer together. It just blows me away that he’s still here. We shake hands and he’s got this huge grin on his face. He says to me, “No fuckin’ way! I wasn’t actually sure you’d show up.” I laughed and said, “Yeah. I’m still not sure if I will on Thursday.” He got a good chuckle out of that.

We go over some basics and he tells me about how it’s been ever since I left. Not good at all. He’s making me a bit apprehensive but I’m still going to give it a shot and try my best to make it work. He mentioned that over the whole winter up until a couple of weeks ago, he opened, did the prep work, dishes, and cooked all by himself. Fuck that. No way, no how. I don’t care how much money they paid me. It’s like you don’t apply for just being a cook, or prep, or dish anymore. It’s all rolled into one now, which I find unacceptable. I told him that will absolutely not work for me. I have a bad temper these days and a short fuse. I wouldn’t make it long if that was still how the back operated. He told me not to worry as they are staffed with preppers and dishwashers now. Thank God. My glorious return almost ended before it began.

Apparently he’s also been no stranger to quitting. He’s left and came back several times because he said at one point he was ready to start stabbing people. He did construction until a concrete slab crushed his leg and decided to return basically to support his family and he’s been back for roughly sixteen months now.

He’s busy with inventory and a big delivery is due in soon so we keep it short. He gives me my gear and says, “Well, maybe I’ll see you Thursday but I’m sure you won’t show up when you come to your senses.” I reply, “Probably not after all of this sinks in over the next few days.” He bursts out laughing and we part ways. At least we both still have our sense of humors.

What also concerned me was when I walked through, the GM was taking customer orders, cooking all the food, serving the items, and then helping the patrons at the till. He’s doing everything. Jesus, that’s pushing it. I didn’t ask if it was because of lack of employees or just because he wanted to keep labor down. I really didn’t want to know. As far as I was told, I’ll be a lead cook just working my shifts and going home; no extra drama or bullshit, and it better remain true, the no bullshit part at least because the drama is inevitable.

After thinking it over, the stories I was going to write about seem a bit lame. Most likely because it’s been so long and I don’t remember the crisp and specific details as I was able to just a day or two after the happenings with the last restaurant. I’m sure there will be plenty to come, and if not, I’ll try to hammer out a few old tales from memory the best I’m capable.

A note to readers, if there still are any: I’m curious how you would react to anything I have posted thus far over the entirety of the blog? Feel free to comment on any information here or even if some of you have your own personal horror stories. I’d love some more feedback and will reply to any comments, even if you think I’m a douche bag. =) Since I’m unofficially unemployed until Thursday, these next few days will be good ones in another day in the life of a line cook.