My Lady Chef
Chapter 66.1: Soft Opening - Part 1

Neo's POV:

Lady Alaina is simply the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on in my life.

But it was not her physical beauty that I took notice of. It was her heart and how she was willing to help people.

A few days ago, I told her about my Mana Spirit awakening within me after some deliberation with myself.

She looked pleased and told me that she had seen the mana spirit in me just waiting to be awakened but that was not what impressed her. Apparently, my speed and efficiency in the kitchen were also why she had her eye on me.

I was sorry I doubted her and nearly knelt on my knees crying at how kind she was even when I was harboring dark thoughts about her.

I made a vow to work hard for the cafe and even assisted in training the staff who would be joining me.

To my surprise, Beatrice and Lisa were assigned to be my cooking assistants. They had voiced their interest in working in the cafe instead of being maids so the duchess gave them permission to work half the day here and the other half maintaining the culinary house which suited them just fine.

Since they have witnessed their duchess cooking, they were easier to train. I learned that each of them has their strength and weakness so I was aware of what to avoid when giving them orders.

Four days before the opening, the duchess suddenly ushered us to her carriage and we drove to the cafe location so that we can take out first look at it.

I chose to ride with the driver since I was the only male while the duchess, Linda, and the two girls rode the carriage.

Soon enough, we came upon a cafe that was not too big but not to small either. It was a rustic style sort of eating establishment with green and earth-toned colors as a motif. The curving signage hanging beside it says "Cafe Terra"

Inside the building, the wall was a shade of cream and the tables were made of redwood and oak. Small potted plants and red checkered napkins were eyes catching against the tables.

The front counter was simple but the cloth and small potted plants soften the simple look as the display case was well lit using luminescent stones and an ice crystal.

A few potted plants and decors were behind the clean coffee counter area where coffee can be made and inside the main kitchen.

My jaw almost dropped at how clean everything is and that there were a few pieces of equipment inside it that will make it easy for me to make bread and cakes even baking meat. This place is where I will start dreaming again.

"What do you think?" The duchess looked at me expectantly as if gauging my response to the place.

It was different from the sterile perfection of the royal kitchen but the rustic comfort of the place suits me better.

"It's perfect chef."

"Great! We will be having a soft opening the day after tomorrow. The guests are the senior port masters and their family plus a few trusted sailors and workers that have been with my husband's company for years." She told me. "We will be making all five set meals and I will observe how you handle managing Lisa and Beatrice as assistant cooks but I will help out if we are struggling. But for now...We will train here for the next 2 days."

She led us into the kitchen and gave is a tour of where everything is kept and where everything is. Her strictness in maintaining her standards on hygiene and cleanliness was unheard of in a cafe setting but I felt myself gaining respect because I agree that a hand touching your customer's food should be clean always.

She made us memorize where each utensil and cooking equipment is placed and then throughout the afternoon, she ordered a set meal and taught me how to read the order through the ticket system she devised.

The first set meal was late by more than 10 minutes and my lady chef pointed out the flaws of why it came too late and told me to work on it as she ordered a different set.

"She is much more strict than at the house," grumbled Lisa as she played the dish exactly how I was taught.

"But...you have to admit...Milady's eyes when she taught us these things we're really shining and so captivating. She really loves what she does and I find that she really wants us to be the same." Beatrice said as she cleans the plates she just washed.

"Let's work even harder ladies. For our lady chef." I encouraged them and they nodded as I took the second set meal and handed it to Linda who was waiting by the counter.

"On time. You learn fast." The stoic maid cracked a smile as she took the plate from me and nodded her head in thanks.

I watched as the duchess ate every component and nodded her head while picking through the food.

She then called me over to discuss the problems of the dish. She repeated this for the last 3 set meals as well without mincing words.

I thought I did it well but she even noticed the way the meat dries out by a here few minutes or how an arrangement of a dish can ruin the appeal.

After being the food critic; Lady Alaina rolled up her sleeves and demonstrated how to correct my mistakes on cooking each ingredient with patience as she demonstrated her cookery skills that had me and the girls gaping in shock.

The expert way her dainty wrist flips a pan as she mixes the ingredients and the way she moved while frying the burger patty. They were all hallmarks of an experienced chef.

My blood tingled at seeing her in action. I was right in leaving my job to follow and train under her tutelage. The rush and excitement I feel was an indescribable feeling that stayed with me till she ended our training session for today and promises that we can pick it up again tomorrow.

I could not sleep that night as my mind recounted my master's advice and the way she moved in the kitchen.

My hands moved through the air as if visualizing and mimicking her worst movements and the way she flips the meat.

No chef has ever excited me as much as the Lady Aisenburg.

I am a lucky guy. She is someone I really want to learn from even if I do not get paid as well as in the Palace.

Her knowledge is three times more valuable than all the drachmas in the world.

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