Sir, the kitchen is restricted during service. Mrs. Bumont opened his billfold, removed a leather card, showed it. Preston Vaughn went the color of bleached linen. He stepped aside. Just then, Tobias came down from his office.
He walked into a kitchen that was humming and a dining room he could hear murmuring through the doorway. He followed the prep trail to the back burner where Grace stood, rinsing her ladle. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Grace didn't move. Chef, the broth burned.
I used my own recipe. A cold smile. Did I order you to do that? But service starts soon. The smile vanished.
He snatched the spoon, lifted the lid of her pot, sniffed. "What kind of swampy mixture is this? Did you put animal feed in it?" Grace's voice stayed low. It's gumbo.
He didn't taste it. He carried the pot, still 3/4 full, to the dish sink at the pass. He stopped under the oak frame that read, "Standards of service." He tilted the pot. Garbage!
Even a dog would need this. Amber broth poured down the drain. 14 hours of work, gone in 11 seconds. Reginald stepped forward. "Sheav, stay out of this, Reggie."
Tobias looked at Grace, the cold smile again. Stick to the dishes, sweetheart. Cooking is for people who've earned it. The kitchen door opened. M.
Bumont walked in. He did not look at Tobias. He walked past him close enough that their sleeves brushed and stopped in front of Grace. Madame, the consume, was that your hand? Grace's hands were wet.
Yes. What is your name? Grace Thornon. He wrote it in the notebook. Tobias laughed thin and false.
Sir, there's been a kitchen miscommunication. And Bowmont did not turn around. I tasted the bowl that came out. Chef Harrove, there was no miscommunication in the bowl. He took a cream colored business card from his pocket, laid it on the steel counter beside Grace's elbow.
He did not hand it to her. He turned to face Tobias for the first time. I will be in touch with your house. The word house sat in the air. Every cook in that brigade understood it had not been spoken to Tobias alone.