by jessica yoon
A lot has changed in the past month and a half I’ve been absent. I went from trimming vegetables in the basement kitchen to working service and making desserts. It was sort of by chance that I was switched from cuisine to patisserie, but the realization that I belonged in pastry began to arise soon after I started my stage. In my gut I just felt like I was more interested and suited for patisserie. A random side comment about that to the chef, and a few days later I was making desserts.
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…and he just smiled. I was so startled when he walked in, the photo didn’t focus correctly. I half expected him to yell at be afterwards, but he just passed by me. All the photos I’ve taken so far have been in secret when I’m alone. It’s not a crime and I’m definitely not taking pictures of super “important” things, but some chefs don’t like it. At my last stage, we were never given the space to take or even ask to take photos. One time, one of the stagiaires asked the chef de partie if she could snap a photo of the display case that we had worked on during the day and he said to take it quickly before the chef came back. I just assumed that most establishments were that way and that this restaurant was no exception, but I guess I was wrong. Because I was so scarred once, it’s hard to believe that this stage is going to be so much better and that the people are going to continue to treat me with decency, but it’s slowly getting there. However, I’m still going to refrain from taking pictures out in the open…for now.
After being so anxious and stressed about starting my new stage, my first week passed by without too many glitches. It was a bit crazy and there was some yelling, but so far I get a vibe about this place.
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It’s been a roller coaster of an experience, but I’m glad to say that I (successfully) completed my two month stage, especially because at one point I thought I wouldn’t make it. After working for one week I wrote that although the kitchen was harsh, I was still eager to go back the next week. I ended with, “Talk to me again in eight weeks and my answer may differ.” My answer sure as hell differs, so let’s talk.
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Although there are number of hardships and challenges about my stage, there are also a lot of things that are great about my internship. Although the chefs (the two owners) are tough, the other people I work with are nice. There are five other interns/apprentices who are both friendly and helpful. I work mainly with one other intern, who has the same afternoon shift as me. She is my life saver and steady mast! Without her, I probably would be lost and 100x more stressed out. We work for one of the two chef de parties…luckily the nicer one. Although he can get annoyed or frustrated, he never directs it towards us with anger or loud emotions. Unlike the other “upper management” people, he doesn’t have crazy mood swings or outbursts. He’s a good boss.
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