Compliments To The Chef.

Covid, of course. Loss of taste and smell one of the major symptoms of this terrible virus. Not just the fact that millions of people have died from this but the horror stories I have overheard while I’m cooking in a 5 star restaurant all those millionaires losing money. What am I going to do? I’m in debt up to my eyeballs because of these stupid student loans that put me through culinary school. I’m cooking for people that can afford to lose a million and still live a life that’s fit for the queen.

I live in a dusty apartment in central London, by dusty I mean it’s not lived in because I’m working all of these awful hours just to afford the god damn thing. Who knew that when I made my dream of becoming one of the top chefs in London that I wouldn’t feel any different than when I did as a depressed teenager. All I have now is a little bit more money, which helps but it doesn’t heal. “Shit, I got to get back to work.”

I’m always one to be stuck in my head and I can talk to myself all day long. I’ve been like that since I was young, I mean I didn’t have many friends growing up so I learned to talk back and forth in my head as a way to cope. I would often ask things to myself as if a friend were talking to me. It was always a blessing in disguise, even though I sound crazy - it always put me one step ahead in work. I mean look at the amount of hours I had to pull in order to get this successful. Who would be able to do that if they shared their time with other people I mean c’mon? Times like this though, where I have to lose out on work.. it gets lonely. These last five hours are going to drag I tell you. I’m cooking but all of a sudden I am nervous to be giving my food out to these people, not only because I could possibly be spreading a virus but because I can’t taste a god damn thing!? How do I know if I’m making it perfectly? “1 medium rare steak with a side of salad and potatoe purée” said the waiter, anxiously. This can’t be hard, steak can’t really taste any other way than steak and as for the medium rare I can always tell by looking whether I’ve cooked it perfectly. This will be great. I haven’t cooked a steak in about a month, usually the one person that comes in and orders a steak is.. “oh shit.” I said as I had a realisation. No way it can’t be. Please, god don’t let it be. “Hi there David, compliments to the chef.” I stand there in awe. Fuck. It is. A big sigh escapes from my mouth. My ex. As if this day couldn’t get any worse.