Page 19 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“Buon Appetito!”I said, raising my water glass from the sideboard in a salute.
“Grazie mille!This looks fabulous,” said Enrico, lifting his glass of red wine.
I was happy we were off to a pleasing start, notwithstanding a look of concern on Jonny Arno’s face.
The next course was penne Bolognese.I spoke quietly to Enrico as it was being served, “This is made especially for you, as requested, and is from old family recipes.Enjoy.”
I watched as Enrico took his first bite, closed his eyes, and let out an audible sigh of pleasure.“Delizioso.”
Jonny Arno squirmed in his chair.
More wine was poured as each guest took their time savoring the meal.
By the time the next course arrived, conversation was flowing easily between the diners.
“Another family specialty to remind you of home,” I told Enrico.“Veal marsala just as you requested.”
After all the veal dishes were served, Enrico lifted his fork.“My favorite.”He took a bite of the tender veal topped with a wine, garlic, and mushroom sauce and lifted his napkin to one eye.“Like Mama’s.”
Catarina smiled at him from across the table.“Si.Like your mother’s dish.”
When Tiramisu was served with coffee and tea, the quiet in the room attested to its deliciousness.
Enrico signaled for me to come closer.“I want to thank the chef for this fabulous meal.”
“Actually, three people and other staff made this meal possible.”
“Bring them out, please.I want to thank them personally.”
“I’ll let them know,” I said, and left the room to go to the kitchen.
“How’s it going?”Rhonda asked wearing an apron and standing by a stove.
“Very, very well.I think Enrico even cried over the veal marsala.Now he wants to thank the three chefs who created the meal.”
“Okay,” said Rhonda.“Chet, Jean-Luc, and me?”
“Yes, but I must warn you that Jonny Arno and Brock Goodwin were the two last-minute guests added to the dinner party.”
“You’ve got to be shittin’ me,” said Rhonda.“Just what we need.”
“Let’s pretend they aren’t there.Just get the other two and come with me.We’ll make this awkward situation become to our benefit.”
Rhonda took off her apron and went to find Chet and Jean-Luc.
Tossing dirty aprons aside, Chet and Jean-Luc followed Rhonda and me to the private dining room.
As we entered the room, everyone clapped.
“Eccellente,” shouted Enrico.“I don’t know how you did it, but this meal tasted exactly how my mother and grandmother used to make it.”
“Thank you,” I said.“It’s thanks to my business partner, Rhonda Grayson, our chef, Jean-Luc Rodin, and our new sous chef, Chet Waring.”
“It was a pleasure to present this meal to you, Mr.Ambassador,” said Rhonda.
While people clapped and commented, I noticed a look of shock cross Philippa’s face as she gazed at Chet.Then it quickly disappeared.I turned to Chet.His cheeks were pink, and he looked as surprised as Philippa, unaware that Jonny Arno was glaring at him.
Then, with a last little bow, Rhonda, Chet, and Jean-Luc left.
