How Would You Like Your Eggs?

During a recent conversation with a Chef at Walt Disney World, she mentioned that the public in general thinks of breakfast as a necessity.  In truth, it is.  We laughed as she told the story of her earlier years as a  young intern chef required to work the breakfast shift at a fine dining establishment.  She felt it a lowly position, "no one cares about breakfast."  Within her first hour on the line, as the "expediter," reality set in.  Never realizing the number of different ways eggs could and should be prepared.  As the story unfolded she noticed a "smug" look on my face and questioned, WHY?  I laughed and answered,"WHY NOT!"  As I filled in "the blanks" for her, that same "smug" look appeared on her.  "You are very passionate about your food," she quipped. 
"Absolutely, unequivocally, one hundred percent, you are correct, great observation!" was my reply.  She later approached me and asked, "please tell me why you are so passionate about breakfast and for God sake due not tell me, WHY NOT!"  I only wish she had been a patron of Fred's News.

"Cooking a good egg is an art.  Over easy, over medium, over hard, set the yolk, over lightly, no snot please, (my personal favorite), scramble the shit out of them,(considering where they came from, it's always a possibility), scrambled lightly,(comes with the salmonella warning), and many other unique descriptions of how Guests want their eggs.  People in general are passionate about the way an egg is cooked.  At Fred's News, the "The Egg-Nazi" took it to extremes.  However, as he was producing his "art-form", more than likely it came with conversation.  "I would like a one egg omelet with onions, peppers, mushrooms, chopped ham and cheese, please,"  "How the hell do you expect me to put all of that in a one-egg omelet, for Christ's sake?" was a common reply from Bill.  However, he did it and the patron was thrilled beyond description.  He cared, he might of bitched, but he too, was passionate.  "Please scramble me some eggs with chopped ham and cheese," asked Ward.  Mr. Potato Head, looking disgusted replied "Do you know what the hell that is going to do to my grill, it will screw it up completely," he whined.  "Please Billy" Wardie replied with a smile, so the "Egg-Nazi obliged.  "Looks like "Dog-puke" was the chef's answer as he handed the plate to Ward.  There again that became my second personal favorite and a very popular item on the Fred's News menu.  Customers even order it by asking, "may I have a plate of that stuff that looks like dog-puke, and oh yes, please use Swiss cheese." (my opinion...makes it smells like dog-puke too).  Our customers loved it!  The variety of omelets produced at Fred's, was endless.  The "garbage omelet", at little bit of everything in it, came with the warning, "DO NOT ASK FOR ONE EGG ONLY!"  No one ever did, probably out of fear for their life."

As the story of breakfast at Fred's News continued, my friend, the Chef smiled, now totally understanding why we have a passion for food.  It is a lifestyle, we are passionate about our lifestyle and our lives.  It doesn't have to be just breakfast.  Food is comforting, preparing and sharing that food, soothes the soul..just look at the "Egg-Nazi", it worked for him!