NOVEL NEXT Chapter 714: Thursday Night At The Spark
Chapter 714: Thursday Night At The Spark
Kitchen, The Spark Restaurant, Elffire City
09:50 PM, Thursday, March 18.
The warm hum of the kitchen in the final stretch of service had a rhythm all its own, like a song slowly nearing its last verse. Theo stood at the helm, calmly commanding the team as orders came trickling in, slowing down as the night drew to a close. The bright overhead lights reflected off the stainless steel countertops, where pans sizzled and knives chopped with precision. Theo, the head chef and owner of The Spark Restaurant, moved effortlessly through the kitchen, every gesture purposeful as the remaining orders of the night were prepared.
Kumiko, the sous chef, was by his side, her green hair tied back in a neat bun, her movements fluid and exact as she helped guide the team through the last push of the evening.
Ayia and Shizuka, who usually worked as Theo's sous chef, had their weekly day off that Thursday night.
Her focus never wavered, and she handled the tasks with the same energy and grace as she had at the start of the night. The team around them buzzed with the same steady rhythm, though the quiet anticipation of the final orders hung in the air.
"Last table's ordered the ocean menu," Kumiko noted, glancing at the kitchen tickets lined up neatly by the pass.
Theo nodded, hands moving expertly as he began prepping the final dishes. The ocean menu was a favorite among the regulars, a carefully crafted sequence of dishes celebrating the bounty of the sea. Theo had created it with the intention of evoking the feeling of a journey beneath the waves, each course revealing something new, something unexpected.
Max and Lauren, the couple who worked together in the kitchen, were finishing up the fish prep. Max's black hair was slick with a fine sheen of sweat, his brow furrowed in concentration as he carefully sliced fillets of cod, while Lauren's blonde hair was tied back, her hands quick as she prepared the scallops.
"Max, hand me the squid," Lauren called out over the clatter of the kitchen, her brown eyes focused as she worked on a tray of shrimp.
Max passed her the squid with a nod, their synchronized movements showcasing the comfort that came from years of working side by side. Gwen and Kin, two of the younger cooks in the team, were finishing up the appetizers-a plate of fried shrimp and seaweed drizzled with Theo's signature sauce. Their chatter had quieted since the beginning of the shift, and now only the focused sounds of frying and plating filled the air.
Shoko, the restaurant's butcher, was finishing up some prep for the following day's service. Her small frame moved swiftly around the butcher's block, butchering the last of the meat with expert precision. Though the evening's menu didn't require much from her, she always ensured everything was ready for the next day. She glanced over at Hideko and Tim, two of the more experienced cooks, who were already deep in cleanup mode, wiping down counters and cleaning the cutting boards.
Theo's voice cut through the kitchen, even though it was calm, it carried authority. "Make sure the fish soup is just right. We want the final table to feel like they're diving into the ocean, not drowning in it."
Kumiko gave a small smile at his words, knowing exactly what Theo meant. It wasn't just about feeding people-it was about giving them an experience. She tasted the broth quickly, nodding in approval before moving to garnish the plates with fresh herbs and seaweed, making sure each bowl was a picture of tranquility before sending it out to the dining room.
At the front of the restaurant, Caio, the receptionist, was making small talk with a departing couple. The dining room was gradually emptying out, but the few remaining guests lingered, savoring their meals. Sarah, one of the waitresses, carried out the fish soup to the last table with a smile, her tired eyes betraying the long shift but not her professionalism.
Back in the kitchen, the clock ticked closer to 10 PM, the official end of service. Theo and his team were on their last orders, but their focus never wavered. Even with the end in sight, there was no rush, no cutting corners. The Spark Restaurant had built its reputation on quality and care, and Theo was determined to maintain that, no matter how late it was.
"Lauren, check the soufflés," Kumiko called out, glancing at the oven.
Lauren quickly opened the door, peeking inside to make sure the delicate desserts were rising perfectly. The sweet seaweed soufflé was the final course of the ocean menu, and it had to be just right—a balance of light, airy sweetness with a subtle umami twist.
"They're almost there," Lauren confirmed, closing the oven carefully.
Theo moved to the pass, inspecting the fish soup as it was plated. "Gwen, Kin, you did a good job with this," he remarked, nodding in approval at the presentation.
Both Gwen and Kin shared a small smile, the quiet praise from Theo giving them a boost of energy even as the night wound down.
As the soufflés were placed in the oven for their final moments, the team began cleaning down their stations, wiping away the evidence of a long but successful night. Theo moved through the kitchen, checking on everyone's progress, and ensuring nothing was left undone. "June, how's the floor?" Theo asked, glancing toward the door where the restaurant manager was walking in from the dining room. June Collins, with her short blue hair and sharp eyes, had been managing the floor all night, making sure the guests were well taken care of.
"The last table is just finishing their mains," June replied, "We've got a few regulars left, but they should be done soon."
"Perfect," Theo said, "We'll have the soufflés out in a few minutes."
With the soufflés ready, Theo and Kumiko plated the delicate desserts with practiced ease. The final course was served, and as the kitchen finished its last order, there was a sense of quiet satisfaction that filled the space. The hardest part of the night was over.
Max leaned against the counter, wiping his brow. "Another night down," he said, exchanging a look with Lauren, who nodded in agreement.
Shoko cleaned her knives, her quiet demeanor unchanged, though a small, satisfied smile played at the corners of her mouth. Gwen and Kin, younger but no less skilled, high-fived each other softly in the corner.
As the last plates were sent out, Theo removed his apron, folding it neatly before placing it on the counter. "Good work, everyone," he said, his voice calm but warm. "Let's finish cleaning up, and then you're free to go."
Kumiko gave a tired but content smile. "Another successful night."
Theo nodded, his gaze sweeping the kitchen one last time as his team moved into the final phase of the night—cleaning, organizing, and prepping for the next day. The clatter of pots and pans, the hum of the dishwashers, and the soft chatter of the cooks filled the space, but there was a sense of calm now, a rhythm that spoke of a job well done.
At 10:00 PM, the last dish was delivered, and the team let out a collective sigh of relief. Service was officially over. The Spark Restaurant had once again delivered excellence to its patrons, and the kitchen, now quiet, would soon rest-until tomorrow, when the cycle would begin
again.