The next event: I had to drive several miles. The event was happening in a private home. Where I was to be the CHEF!! I arrived on time. Dressed in my checked black and white pants. And white Chef coat. I was thrilled to think I would get $15.00 and hour!!
However, I was incredibly sad. That their were going to be 25 people sitting in the backyard for a Funeral.
I was brought into the kitchen. Since it was August there, was a lot of fruit to prep, dips to make, salads, drinks, etc. Another Chef showed up. But she seemed to be lost in what to do. And it surprised me. But I took charge! I begin to direct her precisely what to do and what to make. We made platters that we filled with finger sandwiches, crudites, charcuterie boards and fruit platters
I couldn’t stop smiling. I had been cooking for my family for decades. There wasn’t a dish I didn’t know how to make. We set the food up in the tiny backyard on tables against a fence.
The guest’s and the Preacher had arrived. They began to sit on the gray, opened folding chairs on the lawn. And the Preacher sat up front in rows of gray opened folding chairs
The host just asked us to wait inside their home until the ceremony was over.
We both went inside their living room. An older gentleman was sitting on the couch and asked us to sit with him. He preceded to tell us about the deceased.
He said, ”That it was his nephew. He had gotten into his car in the morning.” He stopped and pointed to the living room windown. ”Do you see the driveway and the carport?”
”Yes,” I said. That morning, and for some reason, no one knows, his car was parked under the carport. And caught on fire. They could not get him out of his car. He died in the car.”
I was stunned and horrified for the family. We did not know it was a Funeral. We spendt the whole morning cleaning and preparing food. We both sat quietly and then the host came in and asked us two Chef’s to go outside and enjoy the food that we had prepared.
He also handed a $50.00 tip to each of us for such a great meal. Fifty dollars!!! I was heavy-hearted for the family. And proud that I was able to give them my all to make the day amicable.
As soon as my banquet boss called, I took every banquet job they had to offer! However, I was going back to school in September and would only be able to pick up weekend shifts.