Le Cordon Bleu - Practical #20

Béarnaise was a slam dunk. I hit it out of the park. It looks like the Hollandaise practical did teach me something!

For the first time we had Chef Lesourd – a.k.a. Napoleon. Actually, it’s only the students that have dubbed him with this nickname.

He’s short – head to my shoulders. Rounded with dark brows. And a personality of a slightly egotistical dictator.

“Who’s the chef?” “Who’s in charge?” “Who knows what he’s talking about?”

Questions like these are not uncommon to come flying out of his mouth. And if we don’t respond with a militaristic, “OUI CHEF!!!” then we’re left standing in his capture, repeating ourselves until he’s satisfied. Napoleon.

I say it was the first time having Chef Frédéric– that’s his first name – in practical that is. We’ve had him a time or two for demonstrations. It was here that my fear for this short, overfed badger came from. Needless to say, I was less than thrilled when I connected the Béarnaise-angst-dot and the Chef-Lesourd-dot in my head.

He is the type of chef – person – that is best dealt with head on. If you hint to a sense of timid/worry/tender-ness then he’ll eat you alive. So I dove head first. Joking. Asking questions. And poking fun. He’s now my bud.

While having the loudest mouth of all the chefs, he’s also the wisest. Having worked for the president of France – and subsequently many heads of states – this man has seen a lot. And he’s good – real good.

I learned more in this one practical than in all the other 19 combined. That’s because he cares. He cares about us uneducated, Basic-cuisine students. Another admiral characteristic of what now looks like a little less of an egotistical badger, and more of a strong handed loving father.

He took each of us under his loudmouth and short limbs during our practical when we struggled. He showed us - taught us - how to do things correctly. Not with a tender voice. Nor a gentle gesture. But, we got it! We learned from him.

Now my favorite chef of them all. Chef Lesourd.