Translation: Will I work for "The(French)Man"?
Maybe. The Italians haven't been so good to me. Now I have a large French based international company interested. All the trimmings after 90 days such as insurance, the 401k , etc., everything The Man has to offer.
"We love your resume", the district manager says in his flowing French accent. (Hmmm, I think I heard this same song just a couple of months ago) We find that we both think of Danny Meyer's book, "Setting the Table" as our bible. We speak of the importance of customer service, of hospitality. We seem to connect and spend an hour interviewing. At one point he says, "What kind of a bus would you say you are?" and I think, um, a Mercedes mini-bus? An electric powered fuel bus? And then he clarifies and says, "no, no, what kind of 'boss". Ah, okay, this I can answer.
I am taking a new direction in my career. It's time for me to step out from behind the stove. Although I love it behind the stove and my fondness and talent for cooking is what got me into this whole adventure in the first place, it may be time to change my path.
I said it before, there are no old-lady chefs. The work is way too physical. I knew that the last job I had in NY would be my last real on-my-feet chef job. I did it, I ran, I moved, I lifted but for how much longer? I'm not a 25 year old Mexican dude. I'm a, gulp, 50 year old Jewish lady.
Having been an owner of two businesses I have worked all the areas. I basically was the manager for my cafe. I hired, fired and trained my staff. I worked the front of the house just as much as I did the back of the house. And, I was good.
L'homme francais could possibly be the roof over my head now. Unlike the little charming Italian place in the city, the Frenchies are a big company that's growing. Hence, I have room to grow with them. There's even a very good possibility that I can work my way up the corporate ladder, get a transfer to the city, then maybe I really could move to Greenwich Village after all. Perhaps I could make some big bucks too. Frenchie seemed to think so.
Only thing is, I have to start fairly low on the Le totem pole. An assistant manager in one of their new stores in New Canaan. That's about 15 minutes from my house and parking is free or cheap. Unlike going to NY daily that cost me about $800 a month. That's the good news. The other side is I guess I feel a little funny, like I'll be "Skippy the Assistant Manager". A mature woman in a job that I'd be overqualified for. The starting salary is pretty dang low, although I may have talked him into a bit more, considering my experience.
Here are the facts- I'm out of work and I'm scared. Frenchie seems to see the spark in me and that I have much potential for their company. He respects what I bring to the party. He wants me to go to one of their stores in the city on Monday and do what they call "a day in the life", which in America we call "trailing". If the day in the life is a good one, then I will be put through their training program in New York for 4 weeks, paid. So far, there is nothing wrong with this, right? If the world's greatest job comes along in the meantime- I can take it. At least a paycheck will be coming in again. I will be learning something new, from people who do it well and I like that. So other than low starting pay and being "Skippy", it's all good. It's sensible. If my last job was the rebound, whirlwind romance that turned out to be another lying married-man then maybe this one is one where we date, slowly and develop into a lasting,stable and dare I say, happy marriage.
Unlike the other jobs I looked at for The Man, Frenchie's product is excellent. It's all organic, all made from scratch. Beautiful breads, pastries and lovely food that I can sell and feel good about. It's still representative of what I believe in.
Of course when it rains, it pours. I had a phone call last night from the Italian place in the city, they have a party coming up next week that I would be perfect for, could I work it for them? (I also just received an extra check in the mail from them. Guilt? Bribery? Whatever- it's in the bank now.)
I left a sweet as honey message for them. Thank you for the check. I would love to do the party but do not know if I'll be available then. I may be training for a new position. I am so sorry, I will have to let you know.
Arrivederci Italiani! Bonjour à mes amis francais, vive L'homme!
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