First Day of Skills 3

Today was my first day in a production kitchen- to work service. My nerves were insane but the excitement was incomparable. Mainly today I was running around concerned about time. I was convinced that we were going to be horribly late and fail for today. If you can't tell, my last chef didn't exactly inspire confidence.

However, it was actually a very simplistic day. Tomorrow it will ramp up. Today we were broke into 4-5 teams. The reason I give an estimate is because stoves separated the class room, hindering my view of the other side. It was like two separate kitchens; I couldn't see what was happening on the other side at all. Each team was responsible for making 20 portions of chicken (10 chickens), 20 portions of mashed potatoes, 20 portions of broccoli, and 20 portions of glazed carrots. Four items: four people per team- its easy math. We were a little late getting to family meal (every one in the class eats a shared combination of the two plates prepared) but were right on time for service- which flowed beautifully.

Tomorrow we will be responsible for making 20 portions of roast beef, 20 portions of "twice-baked potatoes", 20 portions of jardinere vegetables, 1 quart of vinaigrette, a salad, and 1 gallon of french onion soup. Also each team gets a specific task. My team will cover making croutons for the french onion soup (an entire baguette). Nerve racking.

I considerably respect this chef more. He, within 2 hours of watching us run around the kitchen, was able to know all our names (with our names covered on our coats) and distinguish between both Marks and both KateLynns (Katelyn). The entire class was impressed until he added, "Just as well as I have remembered your names, I will remember what you do." I panicked. Now everything I did following lecture I double checked; please God don't let Chef remember me for something stupid.

He probably did. When a friend of mine pulled our chickens out minutes after I just checked them I apparently had a little too much snap in my voice (I'm very bossy in the kitchen I discovered). Chef, out of no where mind you, pats me on the shoulder telling me to calm down. I am sure my face was bright red as I said "yes chef". Possibly tomorrow I could be remembered for something better.