‘Then tell me. I’m not here to see things from a management perspective. I want to hear from the people who do the job, day in, day out. You’re the ones who know what you’re talking about, certainly more than someone who sits at a desk.’
Adejo looked surprised for a moment and then searched Emma’s face, as if deciding whether or not she could trust her. Eventually she spoke. ‘I’m a single mum with four kids. A daydoesn’t go by when I don’t have a problem to sort out with one or other of them. I come here not just to earn money, but to get some peace. I like working on my own, I like the solitude and the routine. I like the fact that while I’m here I have something I can control. I wouldn’t have that if I worked with someone else.’
‘I see.’ Emma suddenly felt deflated.
‘It wouldn’t be so bad if I worked with someone like you,’ Adejo said as though sensing her disappointment. ‘You get on with the job and work hard. But others are lazy and I know I’d end up doing their job for them or having to say something. That’s why it wouldn’t work for me.’
‘Yes, I can see your point,’ Emma said. ‘Thank you for sharing that with me.’
‘It’s good that you listen. It’s not very often that someone does. Now, if you’ve finished your coffee, it’s time to get back.’
* * *
Early on Wednesday morning, Jay was in the kitchen beneath his flat, preparing for a dinner party for ten people that evening. He planned to serve dishes he had prepared often, so he was allowing his mind to wander as he worked. On Monday, after they had put their orders in for the mass-catering challenge, the judges had called them all together.
‘You’ve all done really well to get to this stage of the competition. But now we as judges would like to get to know you better, to find out how you tick and what your goals are.’
‘We also think that it’s good for you to get to know each other better too,’ Philip added. ‘If you get through to the banquet, it will help you work as a team.’
They all nodded but no one spoke.
‘Rav, would you like to go first?’
Rav looked stunned at being the first to speak, and began slowly. ‘As you know, I have Bangladeshi origins. My familycame to England in the early 1970s as a response to the Bangladesh Liberation War. At first they were met with a lot of prejudice, but they knew they had to make a success of their lives here because they had left everything behind in India. My grandfather was willing to work at anything he could, but many English people wouldn’t give the Bangladeshi people a chance, so they kept together and formed their own community. My grandfather became friendly with a local shopkeeper. He was getting on in years and needed the strength of a young man to do the heavy lifting. He did it to help at first, but soon the man rewarded him with paid employment.’ Rav paused. ‘Forgive me if I’m talking too much.’
‘No, no,’ Angela said. ‘Please continue, I’m fascinated.’ They all murmured their agreement.
‘Most of the women clung together, stuck to their traditions and their language. But my grandmother had spirit and an inquisitive nature, and, as my grandfather learned to speak English, she asked him to teach her everything he knew. She soaked it all up and even went to night school so she could read and write in English, as well as speak it. My grandmother was an excellent cook. Soon she started selling some of her food in the shop and it was a great success. Even English people, cautious at first, started to buy it.
‘When the owner of the shop died, he left it to my grandparents as he had no family of his own. Eventually they concentrated more on the food side, developing a takeaway and then opening up their first restaurant. Our family now have four restaurants in total and I run one of them. My inspiration is Attar Islam from Birmingham, who has brought fine dining to our Indian heritage. I entered this competition because I hoped it might develop my skills, and already I’ve learned so much from the people around me.’
Philip nodded. ‘That’s an amazing story, Rav. And I have no doubt you’ll achieve your ambitions.’
‘Thank you,’ Rav replied. He bowed his head, a gesture, Jay realised, he made whenever he was embarrassed.
Angela filled the silence. ‘And Chloe? What about you? What’s your background?’
‘Well, originally I’m from Manchester. Unlike you, Rav, I don’t have family heritage driving my food influences. I come from a working-class background and, while bringing up three children, my mother had to work as many hours as she could to make ends meet. For us, food was fuel, something she’d get out of the freezer and bung in the oven or the microwave. But when I first started food-tech classes at school, something inside me changed and I realised food could be a magical thing, not just something to be shoved in your mouth while watching television.’
Everyone laughed at that and Chloe continued. ‘My food-tech teacher was my inspiration and she encouraged me all the way. She even let me stay behind after school and taught me more than I ever could have learned in a class full of pupils, most of whom didn’t even want to be there. I left school at sixteen and went on to catering college. I was fascinated by French cookery and Raymond Blanc in particular. I decided I wanted to learn French cookery in its country of origin, so I taught myself French and got a job in a restaurant in Paris.’ She pulled a face. ‘God, it was dire! The other chefs hated me being in their kitchen. They gave me all the rubbish jobs and constantly made fun of me, not just behind my back but to my face. They thought I didn’t understand the language, but I understood perfectly. While they didn’t want me in their kitchen, they weren’t opposed to me in other areas. That’s where I learned my skills in self-defence.’ She laughed nervously.
Angela put a hand on her arm. ‘Kitchens can be deeply misogynistic workplaces and I know where you’re coming from on that. But I’m glad you didn’t let your experience put you off. We need women in the kitchen as there are still more male chefs than female, as you have seen by the entrants to this competition. Don’t get me wrong though, I wouldn’t promote a woman over a man if they didn’t have the skills, but I firmly believe that nothing should be a barrier to advancement if you have the talent and the work ethic. None of the chefs in my kitchen would ever get away with any form of misogynistic — or racist, for that matter — behaviour.’
Chloe smiled. ‘I like the sound of that.’
‘So where do you see your future?’ Angela asked.
Chloe paused. ‘I’m not sure, to be honest. I’m excited about the next stage of the competition and to cater for large numbers of people.’ She looked shyly towards Jay. ‘And we’re lucky to have someone in the group who has experience in that kind of catering. I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot.’
‘I’m sure you are,’ Angela said. Jay recalled his conversation with Liz when they were discussing the need to hire a new chef. Chloe would fit in perfectly for the duration of Liz’s maternity leave, especially if she was interested in catering for large numbers.
‘And what about you, Jay? What are your goals?’ The sound of Angela’s voice brought Jay back to the conversation.
‘I’d like to own my own restaurant one day,’ he said simply.
‘With Michelin stars, I presume?’
He grinned. ‘That would be lovely, of course, but I’d settle for it being successful and profitable.’
