Katerina is first through the door, just after seven.
She checks the HVAC, the smoker, the thermometer – all the vitals, before anything else. Then she builds the fire. Checks the prep sheet. Drafts her cooking plan for the day. The meat comes next: trimmed, seasoned, ready for the pit.
By the time the sun’s properly up, the smoker’s loaded and the coffee’s on. Another day, underway.
By nine, Vasia, George and Nikos have joined Katerina, and the morning shift is in full swing.
Vasia gets started on the day’s pickles – shallots for the Brisket Pie, this week’s batch of everything else. George is elbow-deep in dough for the Beignet. Nikos runs through the walk-in, checking what’s ready and what’s not. Cheeky one-liners fly across the pass.
Prep with company moves faster than prep alone.
By five, the evening shift takes over.
Christos runs the prep sheet with Katerina line by line – what’s done, what’s left, what needs watching. The rest of the brigade is deep in mise en place, squaring away every station before doors open.
Out front, the first guests are already arriving. Emma and the floor team are ready for them, warm and unhurried, like they’ve been expecting old friends.
Elena is rushing in, carrying her shopping from the farmer’s market (always a good excuse for a late arrival).
She hands over some peaches to Christos – these need to be prepped immediately to be included in the day’s special. She suits up and joins her brigade. The expediting begins. The next few hours, everyone’s eyes must be right on the money.
It’s game on.
Dinner service is over, time for our staff meal.
Elena likes to keep things interesting, so tonight it’s KFC – her version of it, anyway. It’s the small things in life.
The brigade and front of house teams gather in their corners, share a beer, food and a debrief. They all know this needs to be over quick, though it too frequently ends up being a social event. The night draws to a close.
Off to rest and do it all again tomorrow.
