Chefs miss night of romance on Valentine's Day
Many couples will be out tonight, wining and dining with their loved ones. But while the masses are giggling over complimentary glasses of prosecco and sniffing red roses, chefs' partners get a raw deal.
Tonight, chefs all over town are playing Cupid for couples. So do they have the time or the inclination to celebrate Valentine's Day themselves?
Many couples will be out tonight, wining and dining with their loved ones. But while the masses are giggling over complimentary glasses of prosecco and sniffing red roses, chefs' partners get a raw deal. "I can never celebrate Valentine's on the night itself, as I'm always in the kitchen making sure other couples have the best evening possible," says Giuliano Dacasto, chef at Aqua.
Dacasto sees no reason to wait for dusk before whipping up a romantic menu. He gets cracking early on Valentine's Day, preparing a glorious breakfast for his wife.
"I will put together a selection of brioche, toasted bread with jam, butter and nutella followed by scrambled eggs with mozzarella and bacon," he says.
That is served with a fruit salad with sugar, lemon and white wine, along with orange juice and a cappuccino. Surely that makes up for working on the big night?
Not always. Most cooks are chained to the kitchen not just at Valentine's, but also at Christmas, New Year, Easter and weekends. It's easy to see why other halves might be huffing and puffing.
"There is a level of understanding with most partners, but it does wear thin when you are away for all of them," says Jason Black, executive chef at Shore Steak. At 42, he's worked his fair share of Valentine's Day nights and says putting in a little extra effort on special days is certainly appreciated.