Sands & Sparrow

33

"Prepare the pan with a proper temperature," utos ni Mrs. Poulain kay Aveline.

Hinugasan ni Aveline ang buong manok, magluluto sila ng Chicken Roulade na pinalamanan ng Brussels sprouts at walnuts. Naghanda rin siya ng kalamansi, kosher salt, at dalawang kutsaritang olive oil.

"You know I once had a Michelin star while I was staying in France. My daughter was managing the restaurant," panimulang kwento ng guro habang pinapanood ang mga inihandang sangkap.

"Ano po ang Michelin star?" interesadong tanong ni Aveline.

Ngumiti ng banayad ang guro, sabay nila inilagay ang walnuts sa loob ng manok. "Michelin star is the highest honor a restaurant can achieve. One star is good. Two stars mean excellent. Three stars are divine. Your food is a standard for the gods.

"Kung may Oscar awards sa Hollywood, may Nobel prize at Pulitzer prize sa literature. In a world of culinary, there is a Michelin star," paliwanag ni Mrs. Poulain, nakitaan ng kinang ang kaniyang mga mata. "Sometimes a Michelin star can also be a curse. It is awarded yearly. Some restaurants can be revoked. Once you have a star, you should always be the best."

Napangiti si Aveline, madali niyang naintindihan ang paliwanag nito. "Meron po bang Michelin star dito sa Pilipinas?"

Napailing ito sa tanong ni Aveline. "It is in Europe and in other countries. You have to create a famous dish to be recognized by known food critics. Michelin is a secret organization. Nobody knows who the inspectors are. They just come to the restaurant like normal customers and if you passed, your restaurant will be posted in Michelin catalogs or magazine."

"Ang galing niyo po, Mrs. Poulain. Nakakuha po kayo ng Michelin star," natutuwang pahayag niya. Nagsimula na umangat ang usok ng kanilang niluluto. Napakabango at nakakatakam sa pang-amoy.

"You know... all kinds of recipe. If it's prepared with your heart. Even if you are cooking a burger, it deserves a Michelin star."

"Just keep on believing in yourself. Maybe one day you will have your own star, Aveline," nakangiting wika ni Mrs. Poulain. Namula naman ang pisngi ni Aveline sa natanggap na papuri mula sa guro at hindi maiwasan sumaya ang puso nito.

Nilapitan ng empleyado si Mrs. Poulain at saglit na may binulong, habang inihahain ni Aveline sa pinggan ang niluto.

"We don't take deliveries," mariing tutol ng may-ari sa balita ng empleyado.

"Ma'am, maari niyo po bang kausapin? Naghihintay po sa telepono," bulong ng empleyado.

"Who's on the line?"

"Yung may-ari po ng building."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Mrs. Poulain sa narinig. Saglit na nagpaalam kay Aveline at tinahak ang opisina.

"We can deliver it right away. We can arrange it. It will be delivered within fifteen minutes," kabaligtarang pahayag ni Mrs. Poulain sa telepono, "Yes... I don't mind at all."

"Thank you for choosing our restaurant." Ibinaba ni Mrs. Poulain ang telepono at pansamantalang idinako ang paningin sa direksyon ni Aveline. Muling napabuntong-hininga si Mrs. Poulain. "Aveline, I have a favor to ask," saad ng may-ari habang papalapit.

Napalingon si Aveline. "Ano po 'yun, Mrs. Poulain?"

Isang banayad na ngiti ang ibinigay ng may-ari, at sinuklian naman niya. "We have a special delivery. Unfortunately, there is no available staff to deliver the food. Dito lang sa loob ng building ihahatid. Would you be so kind as to deliver it?"

"Wala pong problema, Ma'am. Ako na po ang maghahatid," walang pag-aalinlangang tugon nito.

"Thank you, Aveline."