Page 39 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“Apparently, last night.I’ll have more information later.Right now, we have a crisis on our hands.The wedding breakfast is going on now and we have a fully booked dining room for dinner tonight.”
Chet pulled on a pair of shorts over his bathing suit, grabbed his shirt and sandals and gave Philippa a hug.“I’ll check in with you later, Phil.”
“Is there any way I can help?”she asked me.
“Possibly,” I said.“I’ll let you know.Harper is going to come talk to Rhonda and me after she gets settled here at the house.Why don’t you come with her?”
“Okay.I’d be happy to help in whatever way I can,” she replied with eagerness.
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Chet and I walked to the hotel and went directly to the kitchen.Rhonda and Bernie were with the kitchen staff.
“Fortunately,” Bernie was saying.“You all have been well-trained by Jean-Luc to do your jobs.”He looked at us.“And we have a new chef on board who will be able to help oversee the kitchen during this period of recovery for Jean-Luc.I want you all to respect his authority.He, with Ricardo’s help, will take on Jean-Luc’s role until he’s able to return.”
Rhonda and I glanced at one another with approval.Ricardo Perez was a sous chef who’d been with us a number of years and was loyal to the hotel.He would understand the need for him to continue in his role while helping Chet.
“For this last minute change in menu, we’ll need to come up with an idea for dinner this evening,” said Ricardo.“Going forward, we’ll take it one day at a time.Jean-Luc has his special dishes which I don’t think we should mess with.”
“I agree,” I said.“Why don’t we do something entirely different?We could offer a special prix fixe Italian menu along with our usual menu.”
“Chet can handle that, can’t you?”Rhonda asked him.
“Yes,” said Chet straightening.“Ricardo and I will work on the selections and give you a menu to approve.”
“Right,” agreed Ricardo.
“Great,” said Bernie.“Bring it to me ASAP and we’ll see if we can get some publicity for it.”
“Terri Thomas at Sabal Daily News owes us a favor,” I said.“It’s too late for tonight, but maybe we’ll be able to offer it tomorrow, too.”
“A different way to add to our business,” said Rhonda.
“Okay.Looks like we have a plan.I must get back to overseeing the departure of our wedding guests, especially the parents of the bride,” said Bernie.
After he left, I turned to the kitchen crew.“Let’s make Jean-Luc proud.”
“Yes,” said Rhonda.“You can do it.”
As Chet and Ricardo headed for Jean-Luc’s office, the rest of the staff scattered in the kitchen.Jean-Luc had insisted that everyone know their job and at least one other in case of an emergency like this.
Rhonda and I went to our office and sat down facing one another.
“This is going to be a true test not only for Chet and Ricardo, but for the entire staff,” said Rhonda.“I didn’t want to mention it in front of the others, but do you think it’s wise for us to offer a special Italian meal?”
“Do you mean in light of our disagreement with Jonny Arno?”I asked.
Rhonda shrugged.“What if our Italian menu becomes something our guests want us to continue?”
I could feel my temper rising.I’d been so careful in my first marriage not to annoy my ex.It had kept me from doing what I wanted.I couldn’t let that happen again.Rhonda and I had the right to do what was necessary with our business.
Rhonda chuckled and waggled a finger at me.“You don’t have to say a word.I see the expression on your face and have your answer.You’re right.We shouldn’t be worried about it.”
A knock on the door diverted our attention.
“Come in,” said Rhonda.
Harper and Philippa walked in.
