Chef's Like it Hot! Read online

  Chefs Like it Hot!

  by

  Alexandria Infantè

  PpC

  Poisonedpin Creations

  Chefs Like it Hot!

  by Alexandria Infantè

  Digital ISBN-13: 978-1508834199

  Print: ISBN-10: 1508834199

  Cover Art by Denise Talus

  Edited by Carin Gotlib

  © Copyright 2015

  Alexandria Infantè

  Printed in the United States of America Worldwide Electronic & Digital Rights 1st North American, Australian and UK Print Rights

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any form, including digital and electric or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written consent of the author, except for brief quotes for use in reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance or likeness to actual living or dead persons is entirely coincidental.

  Dedications…

  To my amazing Kidlets.

  You Know what you mean to me…

  Sabes que me encanta usted mucho

  To Carin: my gurl who works tirelessly and for free to make sure we have something great; you’re the best sweets even if Reviewers give you crap for missed typos.

  To my mom Virgie; Thanks Mom for always being you.

  To my Fans all around the world; you make me proud to say that I am an author…

  Acknowledgement Page…

  First I’d like to say awesome job, and hella thanks to all the Female Chefs out there.

  Whether you’re a Line Cook, Pastry Chef, Prep Cook, or straight up Short Order Cook; who put up with some of the most misogynist ass***es in the world, who think they run the kitchen.

  To female chefs who kick ass and take names, despite the fact that this is a male dominated profession, dealing with sexiest, racist and egotistical behaviors; when most of the men out there who cook learned to do so by looking over their mother’s or abuelita’s shoulder.

  To my female Chefs for Always Putting it Down, much love!

  Much props ladies, keep doing you!

  Chefs Like it Hot!

  by

  Alexandria Infantè

  Other Books by Alexandria Infantè

  Historical:

  A Lad’s Trousers

  A Slow Time to Love

  Fire & Ice

  Napoleon’s Gift

  A Queen Among Thieves

  Coming Soon…

  Caprice

  Shards of Grey

  Native Love

  Contemporary:

  Mendacity

  Grave Reviews: Hannah

  Grave Reviews; Meghan

  I Don’t Need You…But I Want You…

  I Don’t Want You…But I Need You

  Grave Reviews; Coco

  Coming Soon…

  One Foot in the Grave

  Sands & Spirits

  Contagious Love

  Paranormal

  Teaching Between Midnight & Dawn Series:

  Book 1: T.BM.D; Arieanná’s Legend

  Book 2: T.M.T.N; Kissing Cousins

  Book 3: T.C.B.M; the Arvantes

  Book 4: Dark Premonitions; the Seeker

  Book 5: A Kiss Between Midnight & Dawn; Sephoroth’s Return

  Book 6: The Gargoyle Keeper: Best Mates Forever

  Book 7: Red Ryzin; Okuzo

  Book 8: Blackwind’s Song; Love at First Sight

  Book 10: Loose Connections; Making Choices

  Book 11: Carousel; Legacy

  Book 12: Hidden Shadows

  Coming Soon…

  Book 13: Renewal

  Paranormal

  A Lite Farie Tale Series:

  Book 1: Midna’s Farie Tale

  Book 2: To Teach is Divine; Halleren’s Prophecy

  Book 3: Precede with Caution; Bekan’s Quest

  Coming soon…

  Book 4: Nuadha’s Revenge

  Book 5: Gata; Daughters of Light

  Paranormal

  Finnegan Witch series:

  Book 1: Three to Tell

  Chapter One

  Hollywood California…

  Melrose & Poinsettia…

  Culinary Staffing

  I sighed as I filled out the paperwork for a position.

  It had been a while since I’d been back in the game, and as I filled out the application; I was so not feeling it.

  I’d left the business five years ago; however my current financial crisis seemed to be drawing me back into it. I’d worked for Culinary Staffing years ago, and they were the shiza back then. However, as I noticed the huge staff changes, and the people around me, I realized that a lot had changed in this business since I’d last been in it.

  “Aah, Sarie, right?” The redhead called, and I looked up.

  “Yes?” I questioned, and something about her just rubbed me the wrong way.

  “Durk will see you now.” She said, I nodded as I got up, then handed her the clipboard with all of my information on it.

  “Do you have a food handler’s license?” She asked, and I drew it from my briefcase, frowning at bit.

  It just seemed so asinine to me that I would have to pay $15.99 for this stupid ass card when I had a culinary degree, not to mention worked for some of the most famous chefs in the world. Nonetheless, the way it worked now, if I didn’t sit through some lame ass 1 hour video, with some moron telling me all the things I learned in the first month of culinary school I couldn’t work.

  I sighed for what seemed like the 100th time, she made a photo copy of it, then handed it back to me.

  I frowned again, because there was just something I did not like about her, and the smile seemed so fake. So much so, that I imagined her face would crack any minute now.

  I was ushered into the back offices, and the guy Durk extended his hand, I shook it, then he motioned me to a chair.

  “So, I see from your resume you have extensive training, and a pretty prestigious background.” He questioned, and I simply nodded.

  “Well, we no longer hire simply chefs, we do a bit of it all now; from simple cooks, to house men and women, to busers, to dishwashers.” he stated proudly, and I tried my best not to roll my eyes.

  He was as bad as the redheaded chick in the front.

  They seemed to just ooze pretentiousness, however, with my current situation; I needed to check my disdain.

  “This is the pay rate, and because this is a very lucrative business since you were in the game; we hire extensively. Equally, the turnover rate is astronomical.” He stated as he pushed the paper towards me.

  I frowned, then looked up at him.

  “Is that something you’d be interested in?” he asked, I looked at the $15.00 mark, then cursed him out in my head.

  In my day the going rate for a chef with my qualifications was $35.00 an hour, twice what he was paying.

  I plastered a smile on my face anyway, because as of last week, I needed a job like yesterday.

  “That’s fine.” I smiled bitter sweetly, shook his hand, then rose.

  “Alesia will have all the necessary documents in the front.” he stated, I nodded, then walked out of his office.

  As I walked out, she pointed to the chair in front of her, and I frowned slightly.

  “So he made you aware of the pay rate right?” She asked, and I nodded.

  “Here are your tax forms, and a list of current jobs. As well, we no longer do in calls, we have a website set up now for you to view and click on the jobs that you would like. However, I have an upcoming job this weeken
d on Catalina Island; the pay rate is the same. You’ll be put up for two days at the Hotel Catalina, and the shifts are from 7am to 9pm. You’ll be picked up at Long Beach Harbor, dropped off on the island Friday, and the boat will return for you on Sunday. Is that something you’d be interested in?” She asked with that fake smile again, and I sent one right back.

  “Why sure, I’m not busy this weekend.” I said in the same syrupy sweet voice, she gave me a weird look, then nodded, and that fake ass smile returned.

  “Okay, so I’ll confirm you for this, and email you your boat passes, key codes and the like. And thank you for choosing Culinary Staffing.” She said, basically signaling that the meeting was over.”

  “Thank you.” I said, grabbed my briefcase, then headed towards the door.

  “Oh Sarie?” She called, I sighed, then turned.

  “There is an orientation for this Wednesday. Please be there, or you won’t be able to work the Catalina gig.” She said extending the card, I nodded, accepted it, then walked out.

  As I walked to my car, I wanted to scream as I snatched the ticket off my windshield, then hatefully looked around for the meter-maid to clock her.

  He or she was already halfway up the street, and as I looked down at the ticket and saw $78 fucken dollars, I thought, can this day really get any more fucked up!

  As I got into the car, my phone buzzed as I tossed the offensive state screw with no lube on the passenger’s seat, then reached into my purse to retrieve my phone.

  I smiled as I saw it was Kendra.

  Did you get it…

  She texted and I sighed again.

  Yeah…

  I texted back, then dialed her number.

  “What up bitch?” She laughed into the phone, and I smiled slightly, as I clicked on my Bluetooth, then pulled out of the parking spot.

  “Pissed, I got a fucken $78 dollar ticket on fricken Melrose.” I moaned, and she gasped.

  “Damn, I hate that shit. Like the Governor needs more money lining his pockets. Because you know it ain’t going to the city, if it was they’d fix those fucken potholes all along Melrose.” She bitched, and I agreed.

  “Yea I know.”

  “So was it like you thought?” She asked, and I sighed.

  “No, worse, not to mention; the going rate now is $15 bucks. Can you believe that shit? As I sat there listening to his prattle, I remember why I got out of this shit. But, I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Plus, after Kellen, I needed the break. I just had no idea I would fall off the market.” I sighed, and she did too then.

  “Yeah, have you heard from him?”

  “No, he’s doing his thing, and I’m letting him. After I moved out, I’m just like, whatever. I actually haven’t heard from him in eight months now, and I couldn’t be happier. And I guess maybe I was fooling myself all this time, maybe he was right when he said I didn’t really love him; but more the idea of not being alone.” I sighed, suddenly blinking, and not understanding why.

  “If you have no intoxicated crazed unreal need, nor that heart sickness that says you just can’t do without him, then unfortunately, and this might hurt a bit; he may be right Sariekiko.” Kendra stated, and I sighed again.

  “Yea, and that’s what worries me. I have never been in love with anyone Kenny, have never had any of those, except but for one person; Colin, so what does that say about me? Am I that heartless? Do I not bleed just like everyone else? Then it reminds me of that shit Kelsey said to me, that I was a cold hearted ice queen bitch? Maybe he was right?” I wailed, as I turned onto my block.

  “That is so not true! First off Colin and you were just friends. Obviously, neither of you wanted it to go any further, or it would have. I used to see the way he looked at you, and I would have bet my last dollar that he was just as in love with you, as you were with him. But hey, life has its challenges. And 2nd, look who said that shit, the world’s biggest hoe! Kelsey was just in his emotions, because he got twisted, and couldn’t play the game as well as you did. He might be ass spanking hot, but let’s face it; Kelsey was a fuck, and nothing more. All Laguna beach hotie, with no fucken brain. Gurl, he was eye candy, and nothing more. You shouldn’t even be trippin off shit he said.” Kendra stated, I chuckled, then got out of the car heading up to my apartment.

  “Alright gurl, I’m going to get changed, then go get my tools upgraded. It’s been a while.”

  “Okay, are we going to “Funky Fresh Tuesdays,” tonight?” She asked laughing, and I laughed too.

  “Yea, I already got my 80s gear ready and poppin. Plus, I could use a drink.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you at 8.” She said, then hung up.

  I sighed again as I unlocked my door, hung my briefcase up, then threw my purse on the sofa, and plopped down next to it.

  I relished in the quite for several moments.

  Colin…

  I’d thought about him at least once every day for the last eight years. I just couldn’t make that love go away, no matter what I tried. I mean, I had even started dating assholes, just so I wouldn’t think about love in any way, shape, or form. With them, I knew where I stood, didn’t have to involve myself with them; most were just sex.

  Colin, was one of those guys, no matter what you did in life, you would never forget them; because they made that much of an impression on you. I had always felt there was something there, especially with the way he would often gaze into my eyes, as if I was his life-line, as though he was drowning; and I was his only salvation.

  Or maybe, that was just my own wishful thinking. I didn’t think I had ever, or would ever love another man like I did Colin; even if it was only one kiss in the entire ten years.

  I sighed again, then got up and went into the kitchen.

  As I pulled out my chef’s kit, I frowned.

  I never imagined myself stepping one toe, not to mention an entire foot back into this business!

  At 23, I had imagined that I would be this awesome smoking hot chef, even though I was straight out of culinary school. I pretty much lived and breathed cooking and creating, and had schooled with the best of them.

  Just the simple fact that WolfGang Puck used to tour my school, then give lessons and lecture; made my school one of the big ones.

  I did rotations with WolfGang, Culinary Foundations I with Rachel, Cuisine across Cultures with Ming Tsai, Culinary Foundations III with Emeril; just to name a few, so my school was the coveted jewel.

  I loved what I did, and knew I would go far!

  And I should have with the backing I had.

  I did just that.

  I pretty much lived, to wake each day and see what I could create.

  What fusions would I awaken, interfuse, and burst onto the pallet.

  I loved it, and for six years I did just that; working for some of the best in the business.

  However, what the culinary academy didn’t teach you was that the average classmate would stab you in the eye; let alone the back just to get ahead of you. They will wreck your shit, just because they can, tattle, destroy, and mangle; all just to get that coveted spot as this week’s chef in waiting.

  And what’s more, the actual business will chew you up and spit you out; if you aren’t careful. Now take everything above, and magnify that to the tenth, and you get what it’s like being a woman in this field.

  Everything I worked so hard for, I had to fight for.

  Most people would not believe it, but the Hospitality industry has no fucken hospitality to its indoctrinated, especially it’s females.

  I have been sabotaged, sexually harassed, asked to resign because the chef had a hard on for me, and supposedly, I, was making his job hard. Asked not to come back to work, because I heard a group of male employees conversing about, “I’d fuck this one…look at the tits on that one,” because they had no clue I was Chinese, Puerto Rican and African American.

  So not only can I speak Chinese, but I speak Spanish as well.

  I’ve heard African-Ame
rican people referred to as Chongos, Chinese people referred to as Chinks, all of it; right here in America’s kitchens.

  So, when I was offered a position to teach Culinary four and a half years ago, instead of actually participating in it anymore, I accepted it as a no brainer.

  Now here I was at 33, five years later, and I had to delve right back into it.

  The college I worked for basically went belly up in my department.

  With state budget cuts, relocated professors (this is laid off speech, or adjuncts), and the student ratio; they let us under fivers go. Basically if you hadn’t taught at the school for more than five years, you were the ones laid off.

  I sighed again as I took out the tool kit, brushed off the dust, then rolled it out.

  Everything I needed was there, but as I removed one of the chef’s knives from the case and brought my thumb across it sideways, I realized just how dull they truly were.

  First rule of culinary school.

  A dull knife causes you to work harder.

  More effort is exerted in the force, which can cause blisters, hand cramping, and a slip of the knife.

  And there is nothing worse than a dull knife cut.

  The worst, believe me.

  I sighed again, rolled the kit back up, then went to my bedroom to change.

  Once I was freshly attired in a pair of sweats, a, the Cure tee, and some converse I was gravy. I grabbed the case, my purse, then the hoodie on the hook.

  Not that I would actually need it.

  It was the beginning of February and 80 degrees today. I locked up, then ran down the stairs.

  As I did, I saw my neighbor Ollie.

  Oliver Servantes.

  Hot in every way Latin!

  Sexy rock hard body, dark looks, amazing deep brown almost black eyes.

  But I had surmised long ago, his soul was black as well.

  The sex had been off the chain though!