Day 15
Having had a fairly bruising week last week – all my wounds (both literal and figurative!) seem to be healing! Today started with another 5.30am chat with Alex before arriving at work at 6am. They’ve moved a few more people onto morning prep and the kitchen actually felt nearly full – great help!
We all cracked on with our various tasks. Someone asked if I was angry and I explained that this was my “it’s 6am and I just woke up” face. As the morning trod on, I was bought not one but two coffees!
Today Dara came up to me and mumbled something about me practicing my Spanish (she always speaks to me in English). I didn’t quite know what she meant but she told me to meet her in the staff room with a pot full of oil. I came up and she told me I was in charge of cooking the staff meal. This was a big highlight of my time so far at The Restaurant. It was like having an afternoon off!
I sat behind the stove and Dara instructed me to make shrimp tempura tacos with various sauces and rice. It was really delicious, fresh and so colourful. The fun cooking reminded me of being at home with the pop up. Serving people up and being cheeky to them. I got to be upstairs with the sun and the fresh air. I even got to check the texts on my phone in the few minutes I had free between serving. And Dara was right – I did get to practice my Spanish!
And best of all, at 6.30pm (!!!!???) my prep crew stumbled into the kitchen – they had finished!!! Earliest finish yet! I knocked out dinner for them and we managed to clean up and leave by 7pm! It was almost daylight when we left.
I don’t even feel tired tonight… except for my poor chopping / lime squeezing arm is a bit sore.
I’m off to get through some more Grace & Frankie episodes. Imagine! Having enough energy to zone out in front of some TV before bed!
Nighty night!