Chop. Thump. Chop. Thump. Chop. Thump.
I love the sound my knife makes as I dice up the vegetables laid in front of me. There is no better place than the kitchen.
Cooking is life for me. Something my soul craves on a daily bases. No two days are ever the same and that is what I enjoy.
Most would say my business was handed to me, but that is not true at all. No, I have worked hard to get where I am in the catering world with just myself, brother, and best friends. Money can't help get a caterer up to the top, only good food can because money doesn't taste good. At twenty-five I am here with my friends and brother running the business, but we do it together.
Well, Kelvin helps when I have an event otherwise he is in his own world of music. That is my brother though and I am grateful for all the help he gives, plus I make sure to pay him even if he doesn't need money. Kelvin is the oldest out of the two of us at thirty, and owns a music store in town plus teaches guitar lessons to anyone that will sign up and other musical instruments.
Neither do I really on the money front. I have more than enough to literally not have to work a day for my entire life.
Our parents are to thank for that really, since they hit some major lotteries when I was just a baby. So they call me their lucky baby because they won once I was born. The small winnings they got were invested and by time I reached adulthood there is more zeros in all of our accounts by my parents splitting it between them, my brother, and I.
Both of my parents still work to though, dad is an accountant and mom works in a daycare. We are a family of workaholics honestly. Plus, I am not that snotty stuck up type and prefer to act as if I don't have the money that is sitting in my bank account. My clothes are not the expensive brands and my purse well, it is a cute one I found at the mom and pop store in town.
My house is paid for, which is a small two bedroom house. I don't need much room and the most important part is the kitchen honestly. This is one area where I have truly spent any amount of money for something I want. It pays off though for all the things I cook for catering and the food I have to eat myself daily.
Now my best friends, are Valan and Naida.
Naida is Kelvin's wife, she is the sweetest person ever. When her and Kelvin were serious, he had told her about his money. Poor Naida, was all about signing a prenup before she would marry Kevlin, just to prove she isn't after it. They have been married for three years now and happy as ever.
Valan, now we can be thick as theives together. I truly wish that I had known her longer than I have. We met in culinary school, both us being some of the youngest of the class. We were picked on but we were the ones that got the laugh when our dishes would turn out and the others didn't.
Our motto in school a few years back was, 'Don't make a woman who holds a knife mad, when she knows how to chop it.' Valan and I still laugh over that, but I am so happy that she works with me. I didn't want to be stuck following a diners or fancy resturants rules day in and day out, so I came up with catering.
I made my business Cater To You. With Valan's and Naida's help on advertising the company and then with Kelvin helping during an event. Together the four of us got my catering company up and running. I make more then enough to pay them a heavy lump per event and still put in for the company account, which pays the insurance I need for it along with the supplies used and needed. Still all for the lowest prices you can find in our area.
One thing I love about the weather here in Tapples, I can have my windows open and enjoy the sunshine while cooking.
"I smell something good." Valan hums walking in the back door.
I laugh and add some seasonings into the dish, after placing the chopped peppers in.
"You say that all the time and you cook just as good."
"Nah uh, girl you got the gifts I swear it. You don't even measure out your seasonings but get them spot on every single time. Where I have to measure absoutely everything just to get things to taste nice." Valan smiles and sits on the stool opposite of where I stand.
"Want some dinner? It is fajitas tonight."
"You know I am game! Laken is working late again tonight." She sighs.
Valan has been married since before I knew her. She married right when she turned twenty and we met when we were twenty-one, since we are the same age. Her and Laken have been married for five years. Laken is a nice guy though when he has been with Valan and I am around.
"What is he working on this time?" I look at her while chopping the cooked chicken.
"Some winter outfits." Valan smiles.
Laken is a designer. Who apparents works for a major womens clothing line. More power to him for that, I guess. I honestly don't know much about clothes other than nice dresses for elegant but classy during catering events otherwise it is simple clothes for me.
"When is the next event?" Valan gets up and walks to the calendar rather quickly, aftering asking in a squeaky tone.
"We have one next week, towards the end. Why? I know that sound." I set the pan to the side, even though the food is officially done.
"Oh nothing." Valan hums again.
"Spill Val." I smile and look at her.
"I just know of a company that is needing a catering service."
"I am game, better to fill in the extra time the middle of next week. When are they needing the service and what is type of service they are wanting?"
"That is the thing. It is for this weekend and they want top of the line elegance. I am talking the whole course works." Valan shys back some as she talks.
"They want what in literally just a day and a halfs time?"