Gemotions

"Undercooked! Bland! Overpriced!" The critic’s words slammed into Chef Kenji like a physical blow. He stood in the walk-in refrigerator, the cold air doing nothing to soothe his burning face. He felt a deep ache in his gut, a kind of hollowness. He hated the thought that his team would be hurt by this too.

He watched them from the doorway, his sous chef, Mateo, joking, the prep cooks humming to the radio. He sighed and went to the back room and grabbed a basket of oranges. He began peeling them and slicing them. He knew Mateo loved the oranges, and he knew he was starting to feel the pressure of the kitchen.

He walked over and offered Mateo a plate of the fruit, a silent gesture. He didn't speak, but he looked Mateo in the eye. Mateo got the message. After the rush, Kenji took his chefs out to the local ramen shop.