Wow. That’s all I can say about Fish and Chip Friday at the Hippy Chippy. For a start, I think today has seen a record amount of customers, at least in my time there. It’s also the first time I’m writing a blog at the end of a shift, and this time with a beer in hand so if there are any ramblings, or I go off on a tangent, please excuse me!
With it being the middle of the month and in the run up to Christmas, I didn’t expect it to be quite as busy as it was. You may recall my siege like mentality where I imagine myself as some Bard defending his castle from the oncoming onslaught of customers. Today, I feel I let myself down a little in allowing myself a sense of invincibility and was happily creating box tower mountains, lakes of curry sauce, beautiful swamps of mushy peas and of course making sure Alexa kept on with a great playlist.
I still can’t quite put into words just how chaotic things went for me. It started off slowly, a few customers coming in and a few phone orders which was no big deal. I think it was when Alexa started playing Ace of Spades that I sensed a slight shift in the universe. Call it intuition, a second sight, or perhaps divine intervention if you will but without warning the shop was full with customers and all sense of time evaporated. I don’t know if you have ever been in a situation where everything happens in both slow motion and a ’78 record at the same time? If not, I’ll try and explain it to you.
We usually have a busy Friday lunch rush, but it’s always a few customers in the shop at the same time, not a shop full for a full two hours. Add to that a constant stream of telephone orders (At this point, I’m eternally grateful that we do not deliver!) and the only way I can describe it as being in a room with fans blowing and then somebody rips open a feather pillow. The feathers are flying all around you and the chaos ensues. The only way to stop the chaos is to grab one feather at a time. It may sound futile, but trust me, there is no sense in becoming stressed at what seems insurmountable. You will get through it for sure, but if you rush it you will make mistakes. Take your time, and ensure that you focus on one task at a time. Sure, it will take longer to get there, but you’ll make sure that every task you do is as close to perfection as you can possibly get.
It felt like both a lifetime and just the briefest of moments and suddenly there was not a single order or customer to be done. We all looked at each other, I’m sure someone gave an eyeroll, (Okay, I’ll admit, that was me!) cleaned down our sections and then collapsed into a little heap. We actually had a good half an hour before the next customer, which was perfect for a quick bite to eat, a drink and smoke/vape and to catch a well-earned breath. That’s another thing I need to add here. The owners don’t charge you for a meal whilst you’re working. They value their employees and it’s more than I can say for most of my previous chef roles. I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that they pay me, to cook my own food but then charge me to eat it in between a never-ending stream of customers. Hospitality, only a fool would choose this and I guess I’m one of those fools!
Before the evening came, reinforcements soon arrived. An employee has arrived back after a time away, and I’ve just gotten to know them fairly well. They’re called Mad Max, well okay, that’s my name for them as they’re as fearless and just as mad, take my word for it. The evening onslaught was relentless too, but with Mad Max being at the front they had no chance. I’ve always thought myself as having a quick wit but even I have to admit when I’m outmatched. That said, they’re also very good at organisation, so between us I think we’ll have this fort secure in no time at all!
After closing, I headed home only to bump into a few guys I met whilst working at the Project. It was so good to see them and doing much better than the last time I saw them. We sat and shared a cig each and discussed our future plans. Tonight, I was truly amazed when one of them turned to me and said they wanted to help others just as I had helped them. They’re considering joining Care for Calais and giving back what was given to them, to be treated like a human being. Tonight, I raise a beer in his name and I fervently pray that he has every success, and to you all reading, that you find your peace and purpose.