Gourmet George Makes Chicken Cordon Bleu

The cooking show was almost ready to start. The crowd of people were seated in front of the raised cooking area. Carmen spoke to them for ten minutes until it was time to start the actual show. This was called ‘warming up the audience.’ It was good to see that all the seats were filled this afternoon.

She walked over the set to make sure everything that was needed was in order. Looking over the pots and pans and utensils was part of her job. Soon, the chef, Gourmet George, would rush out on stage after she introduced him. As usual, the audience would respond to the applause sign and the famous cooking show would begin. It would be saved on video and televised next week.

On the granite counter top were knife sets ready to perform every possible chore. Today Gourmet George would be slicing chicken breasts in half to make a new chicken cordon bleu recipe he worked on the previous week. He planned to fill it with the expected bacon and cheese plus one secret ingredient. She made sure the two cutting boards were in place. She wondered to herself what that secret ingredient was.

She put another kitchen knife set on the counter behind the place where he would stand. Sometimes he used two of the same size. It was unlikely he would have the time to wash one to reuse it on the show. Neither of them would. It was another employees job to clean up after the show.

Now it was time. Carmen directed the cameramen and crew to take their places. She thanked the people in the studio for joining them. She then announced that Gourmet George was ready. They clapped as he walked on to the stage, waving at them as he walked. He was a friendly, popular guy.

When the applause died down, he kissed Carmen on both cheeks and they greeted each other as if they had not been together an hour ago. He talked about the ingredients in the dish he would prepare. The audience responded enthusiastically. Carmen adjusted her apron and stood ready to hand him knives, ladles and whatever else he needed to use.

As she waited, she moved the wusthof knife set a little bit closer to herself. She wanted to be able to reach the knives without blocking Chef George from the camera man at any time. They already had one dish in the oven and the smell was enticing. They would show the people how the finished chicken l’orange looked since they couldn’t hold up the show while the other one baked. This would be a good show. Carmen could tell from experience.