Gemotions

The weight of the review settled in Chef Priya’s gut. The critic had savaged her food, and she felt the sting of it. The words seemed to echo in the now-empty dining room.

She wanted to call her sister, and cry. Instead, she put on her coat and walked to the staff room. She saw the kitchen crew, the wait staff, looking at her with a mix of apprehension and concern. She knew they were worried about their jobs.

She forced a smile. “Okay, team,” she said, her voice a little shaky, “Let’s talk strategy. What can we do to make this better?” The faces in the room softened a little. She went over to the stove and began to cook.