A Dash of Love

Ah, thanks so much for coming.

Great.

: Thanks for coming

to the closing night of Gus' Kitchen.

Thank you.

Has to have been our busiest day ever.

Certainly was our best tip day ever!

Well, get used to it, Ang.

You're going to be making a lot of tips

at a place like Holly Hanson's.

It's definitely a perk.

I am going to miss working with you, though.

And I'm going to miss working.

I didn't get the job at Cafe Rouge.

I thought they really liked you.

They did.

They just don't like

that I don't have a culinary degree.

That is so unfair.

You are, hands down, the best cook I know,

and I've worked in a lot of restaurants.

Mm.

I sure am going to miss this place.

They just don't make diners like this anymore.

It's not too late to take it.

I'm telling ya, someone is going to come in,

and turn the place into a juice bar or something.

Oh, Gus, you know I wish I could.

It certainly is a dream of mine

to own a place like this one day...

but I don't have the money,

not to mention the lack of business experience.

Oh, business can be learned,

but talent?

That's something

that just comes as a gift to you...

and you, kiddo?

You are talented.

So you just keep your eye on the prize.

Some day, I'm sure that you'll get your dream.

Just don't forget to let me know when that happens.

I may be retiring,

but I'll never be too old

to come and have some of your chili.

Speaking of chili,

will you finally tell me what your secret ingredient is?

Cinnamon candy.

The ones that I keep by the cash register

for the customers?

Those are the ones.

Well...

that would explain why the jar was always empty.

Another toaster?

Where'd you get this one?

I got it at the flea market yesterday.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

So what's wrong with modern toasters?

Nothing.

The old ones just brown more evenly.

Right.

You do know that our place

is starting to look like a diner museum, don't you?

Sorry. I just...

I see all these things

and I just can't help but picture them

in my own restaurant one day.

I can't help myself.

So, how was work yesterday?

Tense.

Going from Gus' Kitchen to Holly Hanson's

is a challenge.

Last night, she yelled at me

for carrying too many plates on my arm.

Well, Holly Hanson's is formal dining,

so I kind of see her point.

Listen, I hate to break it to you,

but your favorite chef is not the nicest chef in town.

Really?

Really.

She's condescending,

she's got this diva quality to her.

To tell you the truth, you're a better chef than her.

No, I'm a cook, not a chef.

Tomayto, tomahto.

Point is, her recipes aren't even that great.

Okay, I don't believe that.

I mean, she just, she came out of nowhere,

and she built an entire brand.

She's an award-winning chef.

She's opened up an entire restaurant,

and she's published four cookbooks in four years.

It's amazing.

Nikki, you're amazing.

You have all the skills to achieve the same success.

I'm just saying.

Thanks, Ang.

Well, I'll just be happy if I can get a job.

Two more interviews to go!

Good luck.

Thanks!

: Hi! Good morning!

: Good morning! The usual?

Yes, please.

Double whip.

You know it.

Do you have a mocha there?

Thank you.

So, how's the job search going?

Any luck yet?

No, no luck,

but I'm trying to stay optimistic.

I'm not going to lie, though, it's pretty hard.

Well, I have no doubt

that you are going to find a job soon.

This is a big city with a lot of hungry people.

Well, let's hope so,

'cause if I don't get something soon,

I'm going to be one of those hungry people.

Did I hear someone say they were hungry?

: Ooh, fresh biscotti.

You know I can't resist that.

My father opened these doors

with this very recipe.

No, no, no, no, put your money away.

When you get a job, then we'll let you pay.

-But... -You heard the Mrs.

Trust me, you don't want to argue with her.

Marty!

All right, well, thanks.

Well, I'm off to another job interview.

Wish me luck!

It would be such an honor to be a cook here at Finique.

Yes. It would be.

I ate here once,

and it was one of the best meals of my entire life.

It was on Valentine's Day, and my boyfriend took me out,

and we had the most breathtaking meal...

a four-course meal

with a perfectly-paired

peppery Zinfandel,

finished off with the most decadent chocolate souffle,

which...

he ended up dumping me over,

which wasn't so good, as you can imagine...

But the food was very, very good.

Your resume doesn't state

where you went to culinary school.

I... I didn't.

I'm self-taught.

Self-taught?

Mm-hmm.

This is Finique, darling.

We don't hire amateurs.

Amateurs...

Right, of course, you don't.

Thank you for your consideration.

: Not too much left over today,

but here it is.

So, how'd the interview go?

Marty!

: What?

: Why do you have to be so nosy?

Look, I'm sorry.

No, no!

It's okay, he can ask...

but I...

I didn't get it.

Oh, really? How come?

Uh, well, aside from going off

on a really bad Valentine's Day rant,

I don't have a culinary degree,

so that disqualifies me... again.

: Don't worry.

I know you're going to get the next one.

I just wish I could open my own place, you know?

Mm-hmm.

I mean, I know I'm a good cook,

but I'm not good at convincing others that I am.

Well, your food is certainly convincing.

: It sure is, all right.

You guys are so sweet.

Well, thanks again.

Bye!

: I'm so glad you enjoy my food.

Okay, enjoy.

I'll get you guys some more bread.

Hey!

Wow, such a big turn-out today, huh?

Well, that's because you're here.

Oh, what?

People love your cooking.

Once word got out

that you volunteer here on Wednesdays,

everyone comes.

You're like a rock-star chef for those in need.

Well, at least someone appreciates my cooking.

Wow, Valentine's Day already, huh?

Yeah, it's coming up!

I think we'll get some volunteers

to help us decorate once we're done.