Unwanted extra in the steak pie

The hotel I had just started working at as a chef had recently been taken over by new tenants. I had to work with my new boss in the kitchen - and she was a tough cookie. It was a busy job, especially at lunch-time when coaches full of tourists descended on our little town to visit the small castle.

One day I was serving up as usual when one of the waitresses ran into the kitchen and exclaimed: "A customer has found something in her steak and kidney and she's shouting her head off in the bar."

I stared at her in horror. My career flashed before my eyes. "It's a fly! I'm finished! It's P45 time," I thought.

While I was immobilised by shock, my boss took charge. She hurried into the bar where the woman was creating uproar. "You have a complaint?" my boss inquired of the woman. "Yes! What is this in my steak and kidney? It's disgusting, you fork out good money…," the customer shouted as she stuck her fingers in the meat and gravy. "A bloody leaf! Can you believe it?"

By this time I had regained my composure and stood beside my boss. No, I couldn't believe it, either. The woman had found a bay leaf and thought it was a leaf from outside.

"Do you know what this is? It's a bay leaf, a herb, you cook with it," my boss shouted so that everyone could hear. The woman sat down meekly.

Now that I have recovered from my worst moment, I can look back and laugh. But I've had enough of being a chef for the present - looking after four children is much easier.