Copyright Dale Rogerson
Today was bound to be all go, but it’s more like impetigo, a sore rash of a day, seemingly without end.
I’m all for perfectionism, but hospital corners on table cloths for heaven’s sake? It’s snowed, so suddenly they’re not white enough. I had to reorder the centrepieces because a couple wilted overnight and poor chef has binned all he’d prepared. The soup’s over seasoned, the vegetables are cut too small, the spinach and ricotta ravioli not uniform enough.
Still, it’s her opening night, everything must be right.
But please, please stop snowing; God preserve us, if no one turns up.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
Gosh, yes – after all that perfectionism, no guests would be the real disaster.
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Oh yes, it’s be a catastrophe of the highest order. I wouldn’t like to be around at the time. Thanks for your comment
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The best laid plans…
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Indeed, thanks Iain
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I loved the hospital corners on table cloths
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Thnaks, Neil
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Oh my, what a potential disappointment is in store.
I’m trying to imagine hospital corners on a tablecloth 🙂
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Yes, hospital corners is a bit over the top, isn’t it. 🙂
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Things can only be so perfect! Too much expectation will bring way too much stress. Love this, Michael.
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Thanks, Dale. I left roadkill behind after your comment last week and went for haute cuisine. 🙂
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Haha! 🙂
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I love this — I can feel his/her agitation after all that.
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Thank you for a lovely comment
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Dear MIchael,
I could feel her stress level rising with each snowflake mounting. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle
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Who is telling this story, Chef Gordon Ramsay??? I really like the tone you set with the first sentence.
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Thanks, it’s a member of staff at his wits’ end. Glad you liked it
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You are welcome. BTW I adore Chef Gordon Ramsay 🙂
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We’re slaves to the elements. The stress!
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We certainly are, thanks Tannille
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This level of perfectionist sounds like a version of torture. I sure hope it goes well.
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It is over the top, isn’t it. thanks Laurie
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Some things we just cannot plan for. Every businessman’s nightmare. Nice one.
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Thnaks Anthony
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You can control the soup, veggies and table cloths but you can’t control the weather.
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She’ll try her best though, cheers Plaridel
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“It’s snowed, so suddenly they’re not white enough.” Aargh! Her frustration is palpable. Good story.
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Great line!
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Thanks
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Thank you, pleased you thought so
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most of our worries never happen. to paraphrase emerson, ‘build a better restaurant, and the world will beath a path to your door. 🙂
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As long as the snow’s not too deep. thanks Plaridel
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Thanks for the memories, I have been snowed up in several different pubs. O for those days to come back
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They will be great when they do, that’s for sure
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Droll story, Michael. Hospital corners; napkins not white enough; vegetables cut too small. Oh dear! And to cap it all, she hasn’t done her marketing well enough to have a guest list that will fill every table. I foresee a short life for this restaurant – and possibly its proprietor, due to the excessive stress!
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Yes, Penny. I think she’ll have to lower her demands if the rstaurant is to succeed. Thnaks for the comment
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Wow! The stresses of Grand Opening Night jitters. So true, isn’t it? I like the hospital corners on the napkins, nice touch, Mike!
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Thank you very much
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The line about the tablecloth not being white enough compared to the snow – that was a cracker!
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Thnaks Sandra, I was just trying to show the ridiculous level of perfectionism she’d worked herself up to.
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I felt drawn into all the disasters – love the details – all that could go wrong did do. Pre-ordereing the weather is a step too far ! Good story.
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Yes, well if you set the bar so high there’s bound to be problems. Thanks for your comment
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Perfectionism has no value without guests… but it sounds exactly how a successful restaurant might start.
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Thanks, Bjorn. She’s a bundle of nerves.
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The nerves of opening day! That’s tomorrow in Florida. Lets hope everything goes well!
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Let’s hope so. Thnaks for the comment
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Well told. I can feel the tension and her nerves.
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Thank you.
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Sounds like she needs a new chef! I hope her next re-reopening will be better! Nice story!
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I think it’s her being over fussy, but something will need to change if they are to move forward. Thanks for your comment
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