“That’s not, because other hotels aren’t struggling like this one,” Angelica interjected. “I’ve run the comps, and you’re not the only one struggling, but you certainly are the one who’s struggling the most. And I think that’s for several reasons, but it doesn’t solve the bigger issue of how we attract people to come here as guests.”
“Normally I’d suggest offering a different kind of cuisine altogether, but with the theme of Helen…” Hope put her hands out around her as if to encompass the entire town, “I’m not sure that’d really be accepted either.”
“It probably wouldn’t,” Daph mumbled. “We’ve tried to add other things to our menu before, and it just hasn’t worked.”
Angelica hummed. She’d leave that conversation to Hope since that was her area of expertise. But she had the same questions for the rest of the hotel, and it seemed as if no one had any ideas for potential solutions.
“This is the main problem that we’re going to have to solve throughout this week.” Angelica shifted the topic of conversation because they weren’t getting anywhere. “Because we have to find a way to make Mondial niche within the niche that already exists here. All right? But for now, let’s focus on the things that we know we can adjust for improvement.”
“Okay,” Daph said, her lips curling upward in a smile. She seemed eager to get to work. Which was a good thing, becauseit was a massive change from Theo, who just seemed apathetic about work in general. Angelica really had very little hope for his continued success.
“Let’s start with reception…” Angelica pulled up her iPad and started to run through everything that she knew and ask questions about the things she didn’t. They still had some time to resolve the problems. At least for now.
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
“How wouldyou rate the food here?” Hope leaned over the clean prep counter as she stared the head chef down. She felt what Angelica had said in her bones. She was exhausted with the way the first three seasons had been filmed, and while working onChia Italiahad been insane with her work schedule, it had been such a good reminder of what a good crew could actually do for a show. And they just didn’t have it here. Not yet anyway.
“I think it’s not bad.” Chef Jenesis eyed Hope over, their cheeks pulling tight so Hope could see their high cheekbones and pursed lips.
“On a rating of zero to ten. Humor me.” Hope folded her hands together.
“Six.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that.” Hope straightened up her back and looked around the kitchen. She enjoyed kitchens when they were quiet like this, right before the entire place broke out in rambunctious noise as prep began and slid into service when the shouts could be heard and the tone moved from joyful and teasing to serious and working.
“But I don’t think we can get it any higher, Chef.” Jenesis tangled their hands tightly together with a towel.
“Why’s that?” Hope furrowed her brow, now intrigued. Had Jenesis picked up on something wrong in the kitchen that she had missed? She had felt out of sorts since Angelica had thrown her to the wolves with the comment about Eva, and all of the emotional ups and downs the last few weeks had handed them.
“Because we don’t have a world-renowned chef.” Jenesis pointed at Hope. “And because we don’t have the funds to hire one. And because we’re not any different from the place down the block. I used to work there, and the recipes are the same. And I didn’t create them, but I can’t change them either.”
“Why can’t you change them?” Hope canted her head to the side, trying to soften her question to get an actual answer. It was rare that someone they worked with was actually forthcoming and helpful during filming.
“Because it’s the town. It’s what we do here and how we survive. We’re here for the tourists.”
“That doesn’t mean the food has to be subpar.” Hope stood up straight and squared her shoulders looking around. “If the highest goal is mediocrity, then no one will ever thrive into whatever could potentially be.”
Jenesis rolled their eyes and laughed lightly. “You don’t have to tell me that twice.”
“So why haven’t you done it, then?” Hope stared at them, keeping her eyes glued to the chef in front of her, someone who was fully capable of raising standards and following through on those steps.
“Daph and Frannie.” Jenesis winced. “Partly.” They rolled their eyes as if realizing just forcing the blame on someone else wasn’t going to cut it right now. “The other part is me. I haven’t had the motivation to do it. I don’t see the point.”
“Why not?” Hope wanted a genuine answer. It was important to her. Because this could be the key to figuring out the issues under the surface. They could fix branding and finances all they wanted, but they couldn’t set up a hotel or restaurant for success until they figured out the problems that weren’t so easily seen.
Jenesis shook their head, braids flying out to the sides. “I’m not sure on that one.”
“Think about it, would you?” Hope gave them a small smile. “Until then, show me what you’ve got. You prepare what you think are your best dishes, and I’ll prepare some and we can taste test and compare.”
“Deal.” Jenesis smiled broadly.
Hope was fairly certain she was about to eat some good food. They stood together at the prep table, chattering randomly about the hotel and other things, spending an hour preparing the meals they were planning on making. Once they had the dishes done, they laid them out on the prep table and stared at them in awe.
“Ready to dive in?” Hope asked.
“Yes, Chef!” Jenesis answered.
