“This will not do!”
Rosie dipped her chin in acquiescence, but her hands twitched atop the rolling pin. Master Chef, as they were told to call him, was no ‘Master’ of hers, not to mention a mediocre chef and worse instructor.
You need to pass this course, she breathed compliance into her arms. “P&D” (“Pastries & Desserts” in the syllabus, “Posh & Dumb” among students) was mandatory. As was the instructor, whose Pops padded the Culinary College’s coffers.
“You will keep to the circles,” he decreed before moving to the next student.
Not to any circles you’re in, Rosie vowed.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Na'ama Yehuda 
It’s “teachers” like this that discourage so many from moving forward. I know when I was taking hotel management at a specialized college, I lamented that using people who were specialists in their domain, did not ensure a proper learning of the thing. To teach, you need to know how!
Rosie will get past this particular class, of that I am sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, to teach you need to know how AND you need to remember what you did not know how and how you’ve learned … and, yeah, she’ll get through this class, and she’ll surpass any ‘circles’ he’s locked into. She’ll have yummy pies with crooked edges and delicious out-of-the-box dishes! Me guarantee!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exackery. Which is now these specialized school require a degree in teaching now.
And yes, she will, without a doubt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, and the mediocre dude will be left to mildew in the school’s kitchens, as his students surpass him, because they can and he … can’t … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
If the future students are lucky…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every school has one ‘just get through the course’ teacher, often kept there with some form of nepotism or (tarnished) silver spoon or influence. Students who manage to see this for what it is, see it as a lesson for the future, where they’d be able to recognize a badly ran restaurant or bakery from five miles away. And choose accordingly …
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so true. And yes, for the “illuminated” students, this has to be a learning experience of another sort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aha … 😉 (and there are always those students who shall not be named, whose lessons are flavored with kissing certain body parts of those they deem to have power … and who will fawn (and even tattle), just in case flattery gets them a better grade. …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I never could understand those students. No way in hell I would even consider it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep … I’m more the Rosie type. Keep my head down if the person-in-power ain’t worth my spit, and get through what I need from them, to go on and do what I wanna do …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. I just do what needs to be done and then I’m done with it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exacteleeeee!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a teacher, I had to understand that I was teaching students, not just the subject. If all you do is insist that each student emulates YOU, you’re not getting the job done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!!! Great comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that last biting line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thank you. A bit of control where one can find it, even in their mind. Sometimes that’s all one can manage, for a time … I think she’ll do fine!
LikeLike
I’m sure she’ll keep within the circles, but perhaps leave something in the bake to crack his golden tooth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Now, that’s an idea!!! 😉
LikeLike
There’s no misinterpreting how this student chef is feeling! Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, indeed! I am glad it came through loud and clear … 😉
LikeLike
Sometimes you’ve got to grit your teeth and count down the hours…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Sometimes the only way out is through …
LikeLike
She’s going to succeed depite have an incompetant teacher!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I think so, too! She’s no pushover but she’s also got enough impulse control to not shoot herself in the foot. That’s a winning combination … 😉
LikeLike
Seems like a lot of negative energy floating around. Hoping it doesn’t make its way into the food’s taste.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I hope so, too! I sometimes wonder about the energies of kitchens in restaurants, because I swear that sometimes things just don’t taste right because the place feels ‘soured’ …
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’ll do well. She’s doing what is asked of her, but on the inside she’s preparing for the time when she won’t have to be limited by that. Great insight into her thoughts and attitudes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! 🙂 She is the kind’a gal who will find a way and make her own path and surpass those who tried to hold her back!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What better job for an inflated ego than to ‘train’ and belittle unskilled students. The poor apprentices will have to learn staying power.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very true, and often enough, these are the exact people who end up ‘training’ others … But, the tough cookie will get her own baking sheet in the end and surpass the teacher!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
This story puts me in mind of how I felt about some of my teachers and other students at the KC Art Institute. Seemed they spoke their roles well. As for their work, I wasn’t so convinced. We had very different ideas concerning ‘art’ I think.
Love the story. May Rosie rise above and beyond.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I thought you might hear echoes of instructors-past in this piece … as I think many of us perhaps could. And … yes, I think she’ll do just fine! The instructor? Likely will stay stagnant …
LikeLike