After Twilight, Celestia and Royal agreed on obtaining experience in different parts of the cooking field which would be according Twilight the best solution. The group decided to split up to obtain the highest chance of finding places Twilight could go to, to find some decent experience and knowledge.
This would proven to be more difficult then what Twilight expected. For starters Royal had to take care of his businesses and Celestia has a country to run and a little sister to reintegrate into Equestria. And Twilight was mostly stuck searching the many job finding channels to find the perfect place to go.
And that wasn't the only troubles. Twilight was alone in Canterlot. She had to find her path and route in life. She still had a lot to learn. On top of the fact that Canterlot was even more racist regarding female chefs than Manehattan.
The fact that she was both a unicorn and a girl made things even more difficult. Most places she went denied her on the grounds that they refuse unicorns or that she was female. And besides frustrating her, this didn't do much. After failing to find any location that might accept her, Twilight was sloughing throughout Canterlot.
'I knew it was going to be difficult. But nothing prepared me for this.' Twilight thought. Twilight knew a few locations that might accept her within her friends circle, but refused them. She knew that those locations won't have any impact at all on the discrimination towards female chefs.
Twilight needed a place that didn't know her. A place that accepted her out of necessity. A place that would normally not accept girls in a kitchen. A place that would have no choice. She would not show them that girls are strong, no, that girls can do jobs meant for boys equally.
It was then that Twilight looked in an alleyway. She overheard the conversation between a chef and their boss. It didn't sound like a very fun conversation, as Twilight already heard a bunch of swear words come from what sounded like the boss.
"But- boss! Give me another chance! That was my first mistake!" The chef pleaded.
"No! I have given you lots of chances! You keep screwing up the same dish over and over! You have ruined me! My reputation is gone! They took a star!" The boss shouted enraged.
"I- I-" The chef said as he lead pleading on the ground.
"LEAVE! Leave now! I will fire you on standing ground!" The boss shouted.
"I understand. I will get going now." The chef said depressed, as he walked off. He walked passed Twilight.
"Sigh. Now what do I do? I have send away my last chef." The boss said somewhat uncertain.
Twilight approached the stallion. "Are you alright? I heard shouting." Twilight asked innocently.
"No. I am going under at this rate. I have lost my final star, I have lost everything." The boss said.
"Well. I am looking for a kitchen job. If you are interested?" Twilight offered.
"You? Hm, a female chef and a unicorn one at that." The boss said with an impressed tone.
"Yes. I have a certified chef's degree." Twilight said, she turned to her backpack to show it to him, only for him to stop Twilight.
"You don't have to show me. I believe you. Anyone would join a kitchen after someone else lost their chef's job. Especially a up-and-coming chef." The boss said with an smile.
"I understand." Twilight said with an nod.
"Hm. What is your specialty?" The boss asked.
"I am an all-rounder." Twilight replied.
"An all-rounder?! Well that is perfect. I need somepony to be able to handle most tasks in a kitchen. I do have capable dishwashers and waiters." The boss explained
"Okay. When can I start?" Twilight asked.
"Right away. Let me show you around." The boss said as he pulls Twilight inside and show her the most filthy kitchen Twilight has ever seen.
"Before I continue, do you know the magic rule?" The boss asked.
"No magic, for any tasks inside the kitchen." Twilight said.
"Correct. So when you enter the kitchen, what is the first task you will do. Right now?" The boss asked.
"Unless there is any guests. I am going to clean this kitchen up really quick and investigate both the menu and where all the equipment has been placed." Twilight explained.
"Very well. We have a female chef's outfit inside the changing room. Go change! Then come back an get started." The boss instructed.
"Understood." Twilight said as she quickly changed clothing inside the changing room. Before grabbing every piece of cleaning equipment, to clean the kitchen up.
Twilight grabbed a bucket and filled it with warm water and some cleaning liquid. Placing the liquid inside the bucket of warm water. She mixes it, before putting a bunch rags into it.
She does this with a bunch of buckets before starting her cleaning process. She starts by removing grease from the surfaces and removing anything too hard to remove with the use of anti-grease liquid. And a towel soaked in fresh water from the tap.
Twilight did the whole degreasing process before starting to clean every nook and granny with a many wet towels that she got from the buckets. After cleaning every surface and furnace tops. Twilight took a look at her cleaning work. It was cleaner, she still had to do the inside of every drawer and cabinet. And inside the ovens and floors.
She was about to continue when she heard a beep from the counter. She removed the piece of paper that said that she has to make a focaccia with cheese and ham. She placed in on the counter before fast walking towards the fridges and freezers to see if they had any dough prepared.
They did, however the dough has gone bad. This forced Twilight to use every ounce of her training to make a quick version of the dough making process. She also grabbed the tomato sauce and the cheese and ham.
Twilight grabbed a dough mixer from the back before starting to make the dough at lightning speed. Meanwhile she cut the ham into thin slices and grated the cheese.
Twilight then placed some fresh flour onto a clean work surface and placed the fresh dough on it. Twilight then pounded and kneaded the dough with incredible speed and reflexes. And if the boss was looking, this looked a lot more like a master chef in a kitchen then an ordinary chef at work. Luckily he wasn't watching.
After putting it into the fridge for 5 minutes, she preheated the ovens to their highest temperature possible. As soon as Twilight got the dough out of the fridge, Twilight places the tomato sauce, cheese and ham on the dough before putting it into the oven. As soon as she put it into the oven, the boss walked into the kitchen.
"How much more time until the focaccia is done?" The boss asked.
"15 minutes." Twilight stated matter-of-factly.
"Very well. The guest is starting to get a bit impatient." The boss said.
"Offer the guest a glass of red wine." Twilight offered.
"Which one?" The boss asked.
"Merlot." Twilight said as she hoofs the boss a pre-opened bottle.
"Understood." He said before leaving.
After the fifteen minutes passed, Twilight grabs a fancy looking plate and places the focaccia on it. She places a small salad on it as decoration before ringing the bell. Twilight notices the waiter grabbing the plate and heading towards the guest.
The boss reenters the kitchen with an smile. "The guest liked the wine. And he looked impressed with that focaccia. Good work." he said.
"Good to hear. Are there anyone else?" Twilight asked.
"Sadly not." The boss said saddened.
"Then I will continue to clean the kitchen." Twilight said.
"I understand." The boss said before he looked surprised at the dough mixer inside the kitchen.
"Why is the dough mixer inside the kitchen?" The boss asked.
"I had to quickly make some new dough. The dough in the freezers and fridges had gone bad." Twilight said casually as she was busy cleaning some cabinets.
The boss looks surprised at Twilight, "You made some fresh new dough? In less than 25 minutes?!" he asked surprised.
Twilight didn't look at the boss, she was still busy with cleaning some cabinets interiors. "That is correct. I also was forced to throw away most of the dough. Most of them were either placed too long in the fridge or were improperly made." Twilight explained.
"Are you going to make any new dough?" The boss asked curiously.
"As soon as more dishes have to be made. Yes." Twilight said.
"You are going to make more, on the spot?" The boss asked.
"I am. Although, after I am done with the cabinets. I will make more anyways." Twilight said.
The boss nodded, and as soon as he was about to leave, he noticed that Twilight's hadn't touched the cookbook. This meant that Twilight knew how to make focaccia without any assistance. He gave Twilight one more curious look before leaving the kitchen.
Twilight meanwhile complete her task of cleaning the inside of the cabinets. Twilight took a look at the menu. It was filled with Italian and sometimes french dishes. Many of which were pizza's. Twilight smiles as she nodded at all the dishes as she mentally decided to make some new pizza dough.
Twilight started with adding 10 Kilograms of flour. With 140 grams of yeast and some 40 degree Celsius warm water. With some dinner spoons of olive oil. She mixes it. She adds a little bit of sugar and some salt on the side. Mixing it into a large dough ball.
After that she places it into the fridge for some time. Meanwhile Twilight grates some cheese and slices some ham and salami. Until, suddenly behind her, she hears a beep.
Another order came in. It was another focaccia with the same things on it. However it was times ten. She has to make 10 focaccia. By herself.
Luckily Twilight had all the ingredients ready for another set of focaccia. Twilight got started immediately. The ovens were preheated and all the toppings were also ready.
Twilight once more made ten focaccia in the span of 25 minutes. She rang the bell and another waiter took it from Twilight and moved in towards the guest. Meanwhile Twilight decided to make some fresh focaccia dough ahead of time. It was then that Twilight discovered the massive lack of ingredients. During the time that Twilight looks shocked at the larder, The boss has reentered the kitchen.
"Chef! They loved it! It has been so long since any form of praise has been given to the kitchen or the restaurant." The boss shouted.
"Good. But we might have a problem." Twilight said worried.
"And that is?" The boss asked worried.
"We don't have enough ingredients to make even more focaccia. We are out of nearly everything." Twilight said worried.
"I understand. I have an ingredients running pony. Pick up the phone and tell her what you need." The boss said.
Twilight walks towards the phone and picks it up.
"Yes chef? What do you need?" The familiar pony on the other side said.
"I need 100 small cans of tomato sauce. 5 kilograms of cheese. 2 rolls of ham and 2 rolls of salami. We need those as soon as possible." Twilight said.
"Understood. They will arrive in an hour." The pony said.
"No. You have thirty minutes." Twilight said.
The pony gasps on the other side. "If I may ask. For which product?" The pony asked.
"Focaccia. It has been wanted several times. And from the sound of it. We are currently nearly full of guests." Twilight said as she heard a order coming in.
Twilight told her to hurry up, before hanging up. She rushes towards the order and sees. A cheese pizza with added BBQ sauce. Twilight immediately searched for some BBQ sauce but found none.
Twilight grabbed some dough from the fridge and puts some tomato sauce on it. Plus some freshly grated cheese on it. She choose for cheddar, young and white cheese as cheese topping. And she made some fresh BBQ sauce in a sauce pan. Putting the pizza in the oven, Twilight decided against putting the sauce on it before putting it into the oven.
After a good 10 minutes, she removed the whole pizza out of the oven. Looked quite thick and Twilight drizzled some BBQ sauce on it as last. Twilight thought that the smell was truly amazing. She placed it onto a pizza wide plate. And onto the finished orders counter and ringing the bell.
She watched the pizza being moved inside the room. She heard a bunch of gasps from the other guests. And the guest that placed the order looked wide-eyed at the finished product.
"How am I going to finish this?!" Twilight heard the guest distinctly say. This caused both Twilight and the boss to smirk at the guest.
"Uh. Remove my order. I will assist my friend in finishing the pizza." The other guest at the table said. Twilight saw the waiter nod with a small smile on his face.
Twilight with a large smirk on her face turned around to look at the boss. He saw Twilight's smirk as he nodded back, before once again leaving the kitchen.
Twilight then heard knocking from the backdoor. Twilight walks towards the door and opens it.
"I brought you the order," The familiar pony said, until she looked at Twilight in surprise. It was old classmate Harissa.
Twilight looks at her in a pleasant surprise, "It has been awhile. I would love to chat, but I am kinda in charge of the entire kitchen right now. So you know where to place everything right?" Twilight said. Harissa nodded, and moved the ingredients to larder.
"Ah daughter! You brought the ingredients." The boss said.
Twilight gave the boss a curious look before walking off to finish a order that just arrived.
"And not a moment too soon. Another focaccia order has arrived." Twilight said as she rolls out 20 focaccia dough balls.
"Exactly. They are from five different guest tables. We got a big party today." The boss said smiling.
"Uh, dad?" Harissa asked.
"Yes, my cinnamon roll?" The boss asked.
"I know the chef." Harissa said.
"You do?" The boss said surprised.
"Yes. I know her from Celestium. She was my classmate." Harissa said as she watches Twilight run around in the kitchen, putting all the focaccia in the oven and preparing all the plates.
"Oh? So you are Twilight Sparkle then?" The boss said.
Twilight simply nodded as she places the focaccia out of the oven and onto the plates. She then moved the plates on the counter and ringing the bell.
"I see. Nice to properly meet you. My name is Pudding Pizza. And you already met, Harissa Pizza, right?" Pudding said.
"Yes. Although she didn't tell me her surname back then." Twilight said with an smile.
"My father's business was failing. I didn't want to get bullied for it. That is why I kept my surname hidden." Harissa admitted.
"I see." Twilight said. She heard another beep and started to prepare a tomato pizza with added mayo.
Twilight started to first cut full slices out of a tomato and placed it onto the pizza. She also added some paprika to the dish. She then placed her cheese mixture on it before putting it into the oven. Meanwhile Twilight made a quick homemade citrus mayo sauce.
As soon as the pizza is done, she places the pizza on the special plate and drizzled some sauce over top it. And placed it onto the counter before pushing the bell.
Twilight once again watches as ponies from the group quickly realize that the pizza is for them. And that it's way bigger then they had expected. Some ponies immediately cancelled their order to assist the stricken pony. Twilight then turned towards the waiter and said, "Please warn the next ponies about the size of the pizza."
The waiter nodded, although it looked like he was sad that the fun was over. But Twilight could tell that he understood why. Twilight then also gave the waiter a plate for pizza's as an example. The waiter took the plate and moved to the other waiters to explain the situation. They all turned towards Twilight and nodded.
"Anyways, Twilight do you need anything else?" Harissa asked.
"Yes. I need some extra virgin olive oil. And like several dozens of eggs." Twilight said.
"Understood. They will arrive in 10 minutes." Harissa said before running out the door.
"By the way. Why isn't Harissa cooking? She has a cooking degree no?" Twilight asked Pudding.
"About that. She used to have a special dish on the menu. But after nearly poisoning another guest. She has been traumatized to make it once again." Pudding said saddened.
"What was it?" Twilight asked. Although she had a feeling she knew what it was.
"It was Carpaccio pizza." Pudding said, he watches as Twilight facepalm. He looked at her with curiosity.
"Of course!" Twilight shouted.
"Uh. You knew?" He asked confused.
"I am the one that has been making those. In fact I might be the one that started that trend. I made those as lunch for the class sometimes." Twilight explained.
Pudding's eyes widen. "Then can you make yours?" He asked hopeful.
"Yes and no. For starters, I need a very specific type of carpaccio and and flour for the dough." Twilight said.
"I brought the oil and eggs." Harissa said as she cut in.
"Okay. Get me 100 kilo's of type 00 flour and 5 boxes of salami carpaccio. I also need some fresh truffle and some pine seeds." Twilight said as he cuts Pudding off.
"What do you need that for?" Harissa asked confused.
"Something special." Twilight said without missing a beat.
"Uh." Harissa said confused.
"Just go and get it. Don't worry about the reasoning." Pudding said.
"Okay." Harissa said before running off.
"By the way. Why do you need that much flour?" Pudding asked.
"It is also the best flour to have for pizza's. Although it is a tat-bit more expensive." Twilight said.
"I see. So what is that pizza like anyways?" Pudding asks curiously.
"It is a thin pizza with a minimal amount of tomato sauce, on top of the tomato sauce goes the special carpaccio and the seeds. After it is done and out of the oven. I drizzle the truffle mayo over it and done. The carpaccio pizza á la Twilight." Twilight said.
"Is the 'á la' necessary?" Pudding asked.
"Well it is part of the official name. So yes." Twilight said.
"I see. Then let me make it part of the menu tomorrow." Pudding said.
"Okay. By the way I have to go back to the counter. It seems there is another order. And I still have to talk to you about the contract." Twilight said.
"Very well." Pudding said with an smile.