The Caterer

Chapter 52

A LICE PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES on the platter before the server could steal it. She looked around her kitchen, double the size of the one at the bakery. A butcher block prep table just after the main doors enabled her to double-check orders and add finishing touches. A lower wall and a shelf beyond the table let those at the stoves and friers pass plates up. Fridges and other prep stations lined the edge of the main room, Alice wanting to be able to invite a station chef over to help with a dish or add their unique twist. The dishwasher was tucked into its own alcove, with the freezer at the far end.

The Cora opened in a few days, the event tonight for friends and family. On the desk in her office was the latest issue of The Washingtonian with Alice standing before The Cora— D.C.’s Top Chef Gets New Home. The story talked about Alice’s plans for ‘Rassasy’, meaning to be satisfied by a great meal. Rassasy promised to be a home for the multifaceted history of D.C. cuisine with a foraged twist. The best of what the local area produced, including edibles, infused with the multicultural fare Alice, and those she met with Comida, were becoming known for.

Alice ran her hands over her apron, another tray on its way out. Carver came to see if she needed anything. They renovated a space next to the restaurant for a second location of his bakery with an entrance to the street. His flagship store in Chinatown would continue to oversee his wedding business, but this location let him play and be creative.

“I have something for you,” he said. Alice took the bag from his hands lifting out the purple chef’s coat, Alice Gibson Executive Chef embroidered on the left chest. She ran her fingers over the lettering, speechless.

“Cornelia knew you’d get here. He told me once he was afraid you’d figure out you were bigger than what he could teach you. I wish he was here to see this.”

“Thank you.” She could barely get the words out. She handed Carver the coat and took off her apron. He held the coat open and slipped it over her shoulders. Alice buttoned it and turned to face him.

“Looks good on you.” He laughed when Alice hugged him.

“Thank you for believing in me.” She let go. “I couldn’t see that chef for a while.”

She told the staff she’d be back, going to check on things in the main room. Servers in jumpsuits moved through the crowd offering a selection of samples from Alice’s spring menu. The space itself opened to the skylights ten stories above. Muted-turquoise half-walls held planters filled with local edibles. Seating centered around a series of long farmhouse tables in the middle, booth seating along the perimeter. Art on the wall highlighted heroes of D.C.’s culinary past silenced because of their race or gender.

Across the room, Valencia spoke with Alice’s parents. She had taken over the day-to-day operations at Hasty Pudding, whose menu tied into what they served at Rassasy, enabling Valencia to cover when Alice went out with Comida. She brought back a host of ideas from her time in Spain. Together, they were ready to keep changing the idea of what was possible with food.

Tabby talked to Moe and his fiancé. Back to being Tabby’s right-hand man, he oversaw Array and developed apps, the company about to announce higher than anticipated earnings for the quarter. He was back to his sweet spot with coding. Tabby used her position at Macon to work with smaller tech firms to get a leg up, not by selling their companies, but by training and financing for specific projects. It was a whole new avenue for Macon to pursue, another way for Delany to impact the communities around them.

Alice’s father moved to say hello to Coretta and Olive, who was due any day now. Annie chased Helene around the space. Mac stood with Paul talking to Collins and his family, his daughter the same age as the twins. Alice leaned against the wall and tried to capture the moment. The previous year felt like a blur, but at the end waited something precious and better than she ever imagined. She looked up, wanting Cornelia there. But he’d prepped her for this, given her everything she needed to succeed. All Alice needed was the courage to see it.

Delany reached for her hand as they rode in the elevator, Helene asleep against his shoulder. She was thriving at Delany’s charter school, taking up the trumpet, a seeming natural talent. She moved in with Delany, her life transitioning down to D.C. more and more. He tried to keep her from the custody battle drama. A gossip columnist had picked up the story and went looking for dirt, obtaining copies of the court filings and writing about Nadia’s using funds meant for her daughter to take lavish trips. It wasn’t what Delany wanted but, like Bobbie, Nadia had made her bed .

Bobbie moved to South Carolina, Carrie choosing to stay in D.C. The kid he hired to torch the food truck took a plea deal, Alice deciding not to pursue a civil case. Delany stayed quiet, not defending his former best friend but not adding fuel to the gossip mill. It was on Bobbie to decide how he wanted to live and the legacy he’d leave behind. His mother kept calling Coretta to get Delany to help Bobbie out, but Delany had given him all he was going to.

The elevator opened to the top floor, Delany handing Alice the keycard to his apartment. She went to look at the view while Delany put Helene to bed. He came back and they went through a side door to the tower. Alice opened the door to the observation deck. For so many years, she walked this route to stare out over D.C. and imagine what life would be. She never saw it being this sweet or her feeling so content.

Delany opened a bottle of champagne and poured Alice a glass. She took a sip and drank in the view of the city lights. Delany hugged her from behind and told her he loved her. Alice smiled. How much she’d been willing to walk away from. Yes, Delany gave her everything, but she wasn’t a footnote in his career. Few realized Macon owned The Cora, and Hasty Pudding succeeded because of her cooking and vision. It was her work within the community that people were talking about. And Alice was just getting started.