Hello there my lovelies. Yes, it’s me again, the one you think you know but still don’t know. It’s been a good few months since I last reported back on the many happenings – happening in the wonderful place we call Prue Leith Chef’s Academy.

As you know, no names shall me mentioned (to protect the guilty of cause) but the events shall be painted with words and some liberal seasoning to keep things interesting.
So the year 2009 ended with many a romantic ‘interaction’ occurring between certain people. There was even talk of intermingling between 1st and 2nd commis! Gasp. The year ended with sad goodbyes between some and apparently some very happy hellos for others at a now infamous celebration.

2009 also brought along the addition of new staff members at the Academy, with shouts of ‘oh my shattered nerves’ filling the kitchen air a new buzzword was coined. Certain people were made to count peas whilst others put 100ml of stock in 50litre tubs at the behest of certain chefs…much to the said chef’s amusement.

With the new year came some new purchases by some. A bike was bought by a rather prominent member of the 2nd commis but the said buyer forgot their Grade 7 geography and the weather patterns of South Africa. Others went on to purchase black socks…with holes in them, much to a certain chefs disapproving look. Some purchased new black books whilst others spent weeks retyping theirs. Some gentlemen rediscovered their razors again…and some were reminded rather swiftly as to where to use them. A certain 2nd commi has finally purchased a belt, much to everyone’s relief.

In the kitchens there have already been some interesting happenings. From well-done medium rare fillets to clever uses for cream when pressed for time. The new group of 1st commis are slowly starting to realise that the black pans in hot kitchen are actually “that much” and that going out every night sometimes isn’t a good idea. Murmurs of “I won’t wash dishes” have also swiftly died down.

It was much to my amusement to hear of the near-death experiences of the smokers who have now been exiled to “Killer Tree Drop Zone” to puff away. Very little sympathy was given when sad faced smokers complained. Rather conveniently the now smoker-free student area has been lovingly upgraded…with a nice echo attached just to add to the madness of the conversations there.
As the weeks go by and we start to spend more time together I’m certain a lot more will happen that will catch the eye of The Undercover Chef.

No chefs were harmed in the writing of this article.