In this business, it usually pours when it rains (to paraphrase our general manager).
It seems there is so much going on at the moment on so many different levels. Chef K and I just spent the bulk of an entire day just organizing, revisiting, re-organizing, planning, analysing all aspects of the upcoming week or two.
We are in the midst of hosting a TNT reality show (not even sure of the name of it yet as it will be brand new next season, and TNT's first reality show... like the world really needs another one). The show is focused on a surprise dream wedding, and Chef K along with our catering coordinator, Sandra, were selected as part of the 'Dream Team' that will put out the ultimate wedding hoe-down. I did just say hoe-down, didn't I... it's actually more like a fancy reception and dinner. So what's our role in this exactly... from the kitchen perspective, it means that we are feeding the crew of about 70 two meals everyday (with their last minute planning and adjustments), and preparing for the main event this Friday. The producers applauded Chef K's menu, and I can say that it is very well deserved. He has an amazing ability to analyse a dinner or group and create a meal from their expectations. That's not so easy since most chefs find it hard to escape their own ideas and concepts (I know I do). We'll see what happens on Friday evening and hopefully we pull it off. If not, then that's what reality TV is all about right?
Also on Friday, the hotel contractors (the guys who sign our paychecks) are hosting their annual holiday party and we are also booked solid for a Paradigm dinner that night (this is the night of the TV wedding). Considering the amount of time and effort that goes into the prepping of such dinners on top of our other business, it will be a definite crunch. So how do you balance experimentation with playing it safe under the gun? That's a great question, and one that has billions of different answers depending on your situation. I just watched an online google video of Ferran Adria, and he appropriately spoke of the constant battle between creativity vs. production. It's very interesting hearing it from his point of view.
Following Friday's events, it seems we will not be able to slow down. More weddings, events, and our Team Member Holiday Party this Sunday. Like everyone else in these changing economic times, we've had to nix a few internal events but once again, I have to hand it to Chef K for penning a great menu on a low budget that caters to the tastes of our diverse team while still maintaining an international theme. It's something that young cooks usually have no grasp of, but the talent and foresight to organize menus like this usually takes years and years of experience and learning how to lower the ego. To witness the process take place and learn from it is a true blessing.
Finally, with our minds scattered about, we are still focused mainly on our executive sous chef, Mike, who is fighting a very serious battle. Although I've never posted about it, Mike has been fighting cancer for about a year now and today undergoes what we hope will be his last surgery. He's much more than a chef on our team. Chef K, Mike, and I have been cooking together in some form or another and bonding a super friendship for over 10 years now. We are brothers in the truest form and Mike is also a spiritual leader for us in a way. He is prophetic and a preacher at heart, and always has to message to convey. In the beginning days of this blog, I took the idea of disclosure very seriously... not revealing too much information about who we were are where we were. The sincerity of so many people out there has relaxed that apprehension. I'm very fortunate to be in a position now where my employers are not only aware of what I write, but are supportive of it. Although it has gotten me into trouble a couple of times, the entire thing has been a learning experience. So, think about your real buds... those guys who you spend more time with than your own family, the ones by your side in this crazy kitchen life. We can't wait to have Mike back here in the grind with us. Through Mike's words and trials, we have learned how much of a mf cancer can be, and today is the day that he kicks its ass for good.