I Screwed Up My First Chalet Meal - Big Time
I Screwed Up My First Chalet Meal - Big Time
“I’d just had the most horrific break-up known to man (or woman) and was in no mood to work a season – I had originally planned to spend the winter in Chamonix with my now ex-boyfriend.
But after too many days spent alone watching The Notebook on repeat, I decided enough was enough. I was just going to go for it; I’d never worked a season and had been really excited to do it before the break-up. Plus my ex had now backed out, so I had nothing to lose.
I arrived in Chamonix and was met with the most incredible views, awesome weather and, to cap it all, my chalet workplace had a hot tub.
I was going to be working as a chalet host, cooking meals, keeping the place tidy and making sure guests were well looked after. However, I wouldn’t be doing it alone – someone had been hired at the last minute to replace my delightful ex.
I was feeling confident, until disaster struck…
Say hello to Adam, my new right-hand man and assistant chalet host for the next two months. Weirdly, he only lived about an hour away from me back home, so we had at least one thing to talk about on those long, tiring days.
On our second day in resort the first guests arrived, a sweet family from Germany who thankfully spoke very good English (I had, unsurpisingly, forgotten the very minimal German I was taught in year 8).
For the first evening meal I wanted to show off the skills I’d learned on my cookery course, so I planned on making a strawberry pavlova from scratch. The family were very excited.
It was all going so well. My meringue mix made Alps-like peaks that even Paul Hollywood would’ve been proud of. I was feeling confident, even a little smug, about my prowess in the kitchen.
At least, right up until disaster struck – my oven had been too hot, so the meringue came out rock hard and weirdly misshapen.
I panicked. Adam panicked. The family were waiting expectantly. What were we going to do?
Then it struck me – everyone’s favourite, easy-to-make dessert… Eton Mess! It went down a storm. The family were delighted to be served an authentic English dessert.
The whole experience of doing a season was amazing, and I can’t wait to do it again.
And Adam? We got engaged last Christmas.”
Melissa, Taunton
The Natives.co.uk jobs fair will be held at London West’s Novotel on Saturday September 26 from 11am to 4pm. Exhibitors include leading snow-sports employers including Crystal Ski, PGL, Interski and Mark Warner. Tickets are free to book through eventbrite.co.uk.
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