Ocean Prime

I just did a stage today at Ocean Prime.  I was pretty comfortable with what was going on, but I was partnered with a nice African dude, who did not have his English refined to the point that he should train people.  He was very fast, but it was very confusing.  I just watched for the most part, because that is what I though he told me to do.  The reason that the chef told me I wasn't getting the broiler position (which is not the one he said I'd be checking out...) was that he didn't see a whole lot of movement from me.  I don't need to run around to watch something, unless it's a person trying to get away from me!  He also said he could see, in my eyes, that I was a little intimidated.  I was told that it is not normal for them to crank out 100 covers in an hour, but, I said that it was intimidating, because I try not to bullshit people that I want to work with.  The confusion of not being able to understand the person training you, having no real explanation of what is happening, and trying to stay out of people's way was not quite what I expected.  I did like seeing the way that they operate, but there are some serious issues with cross-contact, and cross-contamination at the place, which surprised me.  I'm pretty sure that the chef is impressed with himself, and I'm sure it's with good reason, but if it clouds your judgement, pride can be a very bad thing.  He said that if his prep guy can handle a spot on the line, he would need another prep guy, and would give me a call.  That would probably be pretty easy money, and I could still tell people I work at a place that sells forty dollar steaks smeared with butter, but this isn't really the kind of food I'm interested in.  What I tasted was pretty good, but it seems very heavy.  Par for the course at a steakhouse, I s'pose.  If I could afford to, I would probably eat there, but not often.

OH!  Also, stupid-ass me declined the payment of a free meal!  I wasn't feeling very hungry, and didn't realize that I would be by the time I got home!  That mistake will never be made by me again.