Jim squeezed himself between Sage and Yoel and patiently waited for Sage’s review of
his pasta.
Yoel turned slightly, and his eyes met Jim’s bottom. Where did that kid come from? Where were his
manners? Sage put some pasta in her mouth and chewed slowly. Her expressions were unfazed. Jim
was slightly nervous and asked in a small voice, “How was it?”
Sage did not comment further. Instead, she took a sip of water and asked him, “The heat control was
better than the previous dish. Why was that?” She was actually giving him a test. Jim replied, “I guess I
put in the salt way too early previously.” “Why didn’t you put it in earlier this time?” Jim added, “There’s
ham in this dish, and I added beef broth. It would be too salty if I added salt earlier. I added some
brown butter for the color.” Yoel could not help himself and interrupted, “That’s right! No wonder the
dish looked a little darker than before.”
Yoel felt smart after pointing that out. He leaned back against the chair as he waited for Sage’s
approval. “Sage, am I right about that?” How annoying of him. Jim took a step backward and blocked
Yoel from Sage again. Yoel was speechless. Did he do it on purpose? Sage ignored Yoel and tried
another bite. As she swallowed, she responded, “It tastes just right this time. There’s an improvement.”
Jim smiled. “Thanks for your guidance.”
Sage grinned in return and immediately pursed her lips. “Don’t get too happy now. Did you blanch the
shrimps?”
Jim nervously replied, “Yes, yes, I did.” Sage added, “Remember, you mustn’t stir the shrimps as you
blanch them. It will disintegrate.
Sage’s lectures were stern and serious. Even a national banquet chef like Myles would be afraid of her,
not to mention Jim.
He replied, “Yes, Miss Sage. I’ll remember that.” Sage really liked Jim. He was obedient. Sage
continued, “You have to watch the pasta boil. Then, once it’s done, you have to be careful not to let the
noodles stick together.”
Jim nodded vigorously.
“Italian dishes are hard to nail because they are heavy on the taste, but this dish is quite good and
tasty. You have to be more generous with the spices.”
Sage placed the dish in front of everyone to taste and said to Jim, “I’ll come over again tomorrow. You
have to make it again for me to taste.”
Everyone was stunned. How could the dish be any better than it already was?
The first version was already delicious, and the second one was even better. No one could figure out
what was
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