Chapter 2 LEXIE
LEXIE
“Chef Lexie, the mashed potatoes were fantastic today!”
I smiled at Ms. Jenkins, the former mayor of Atlantic Shores and overall boss of residents at the senior living home. “Don’t tell Doug, but I used real butter and actual garlic.”
Ms. Jenkins huffed. “That hack wouldn’t know good food if it leaped up and bit him in the rear. You keep doing what you’re doing, and maybe some of these residents will finally gain weight. Am I right, ladies?” She glanced around at the women at her table.
“What she said.” Ms. Dottie nodded as she slurped on a vitamin-packed smoothie.
“Ms. Sandy, what did you think about the chicken alfredo?” I asked. “I added nutmeg this time.”
“Oh, is that what that was? I knew something was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. That was the best alfredo I’ve ever had here, so I’d say keep it!”
“Lexie! Stop talking and get back in here!” Doug’s loud voice echoed from the kitchen.
“Sounds like I’ve been missed.” I forced a smile as I headed back to the kitchen. “But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to prep dinner before I leave.”
The ladies cheered, knowing they wouldn’t be stuck with another bland meal. While some of the residents did have specific dietary requirements that I followed to a tee, there were many more who could have a healthy diet that included flavor. I saw no reason why we couldn’t cater to both.
After interning for the past six months, I’d implemented a coding system to let residents know which meals followed their diet plan.
Residents who could eat salt were finally able to eat salt.
And those who needed a light sodium diet found their meals enhanced with other seasonings that kept them healthy and engaged.
As a result, more residents were choosing to eat in the dining room instead of in their rooms.
Doug wasn’t happy, but the residents were, and I felt like I’d made a difference.
And I was gaining valuable experience that I would eventually transfer to my future catering business.
If nothing else, suffering under Doug was motivation to become my own boss.
I only had another month to go, but I was hopeful my changes would stick.
I returned to my station in the kitchen and reached for my binder.
Brushing the flour from the cover, I traced the letters on the front: Limitless Catering by Lexie.
I flipped through the pages marked with pink flags and found the recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo.
After adding a check and a star next to nutmeg, I closed the book and began prepping for the evening meal.