Why 24?… All I need is another hour in the day PART 2 (file under trying to catch up)

Why 24?… All I need is another hour in the day PART 2 (file under trying to catch up)

So as my loyal readers are now aware from yesterdays post I had quite an extraordinary Saturday.

On top of the day I had I also have to set up my station every time it is open. This includes moving multiple propane tanks approximately 150 yards, all the food, utensils, etc. It is quite a difficult way to start and end your day but it is the nature of the beast.

As I was saying yesterday, I did approximately 600 orders all by my lonesome. I was so ridiculously tired that after work (I was finished at approximately 1:30 am) we all went for a drink on the very same patio I was working. To say that I was tired would be a complete understatement. My body was worn out, my mind was racing and I felt the rush of adrenaline that is usually reserved for heroin junkies. But I too am a junkie, a junkie for my life, a junkie for my love, a junkie for my passion which all has led me to this very exciting point in my life. So tired was I that after a couple of drinks I knew that it would take me a couple of hours to get home as the subway was not running and I would have had to take the bus. Being of the mind that I needed sleep more than getting on a bus and going home to return the next morning for 9 am I found a long linen and pulled up a corner of the electrical room floor.

Note to self; WE HAVE PATIO FURNITURE next time USE IT! When I awoke the next morning around 8 am I had an incredible pain in my neck but with a good solid sleep and an even better attitude I awoke and started my day. Some of the Front of House staff had also spent the night and gave me the 411 on the patio furniture and said that next time I should just let them know and they will make me a king size bed of luxury.

I set out to work right away. Par cooking burgers, getting my Mise en Place, propane, utensils, etc. The Director of Operations was there as it was Fathers day and we were going to be very busy with Luminato and Brunch in two of our three restaurants. I had no cigarettes and asked if we could procure some for me that I would be only too happy to pay for. A short time later Executive Chef showed up and gave me my prescribed cigarettes. I let him know I would pay for them when I got to my locker at which point he told me that I needn’t worry about it. I also spoke with both the Director of Operations and Executive Chef about some of my concerns for the day and noticed that they were having a Proseco. I asked if I could have a sip at which point P (DOO) asked the bartender to pour me one.

As I almost had my station set up and I was moving over the last of my propane tanks the owner of the restaurants was there and speaking with Executive Chef. Again he regaled me with applause and let me know how great he felt I did the previous day. It was nice to be recognized for my efforts the day before and made me feel really good. He said that I have an amazing ability with the customers and that I am very good at establishing rapport and keeping customers busy rather than thinking about their order. We spoke about it for a couple of minutes and then I was off to the races again.

C’s parents were in town for the weekend. I had gotten to spend very little time with them since their arrival. That day they were going to see the ball game (Jays lost) but were going to come by the Distillery later. Unfortunately (or fortunately for me) the weather did not cooperate and both Executive and Head Chef came and closed me down. As such I shut everything down and moved what I could while it was raining and then returned to Reservation and started prepping for a party we had that night. C and her family came by the restaurant before going to our friend C & L’s new home. I introduced them to Executive Chef and walked them through the restaurants and then showed them the grill. After a brief tour they decided that they would go to C & L’s and perhaps pick me up on the way back. I asked Executive and Head Chefs if that would be possible and they were amenable. So I spent then next two hours shutting down my station and cleaning it. I was so excited not to be there until midnight that I told the family I would cook when they picked me up.

I moved everything back that I could which included almost everything I had brought that day. Probably about six or seven hundred pounds in total. I THREW (we’ll get back to this later) all my condiments, etc into the fridge after I was done and asked if I could go. I was in such a hurry that I didn’t really put everything away properly (again we’ll get to this two posts from now). When I was finished I had punched out on paid time at 75 hours and change. Unpaid was about another 15 or 20. Making it a 100 hour work week without even including travel time.

C and the family came and picked me up and we set off to home. First stop was the grocery store so I could get some ingredients. I decided upon beef, confit tomato mash, purple asparagus and French beans. It was truly delicious. C’s Mom had said that we could go out to dinner and I let her know that it would be my absolute pleasure and delight to cook. She felt I may be too tired, which I was, but I see them so rarely that I wanted them to see how far I had come.

It took about an hour and a half to cook the meal. But I presented each plate with the same care and love that I would in the restaurant. I cooked the meat to a perfect medium rare and served it with an incredible jus. Everyone marveled at the presentation and the flavour. Everyone had seconds and we all reveled in the love that we all share with each other. It was wonderful having them here and I only wish I got to spend more time with them. I love you guys and can hardly wait until the next time I get to see you.

C’s brother and I sat down and had a drink or two and then everyone set about doing what they needed to as they were leaving the next morning. I let them know before I went to bed that I would not be getting up with them as I had to work and the extra hour of sleep was much needed. Nobody minded and understood.

So now we have gotten to Sunday. Everyday this week has its own set of stories, challenges, ups and downs and I plan to get them out over the course of the weekend. I’m going to a friends wedding this weekend and I am about to enjoy my first three days off in a row since I started back in January and two days since the beginning of march.

I LOVE WHAT I DO. I love my soon to be wife. I love my passion and the life I have chosen for myself. CAN YOU SAY THE SAME.

An old Indian Proverb states; “Life is not a continuum of pleasant choices, but of inevitable problems that call for strength, determination, and hard work”

Remember that when you dream big and inspired today!

A la prochaine

SDM