Brad informed them as they walked into an alcove where built-in stainless-steel coffee urns were marked Decaf and Regular. A wall-mounted unit dispensed soft drinks, and pitchers marked Tropical Iced Tea were nearby. A huge ice machine dominated the corner. Off to one side was a computer terminal. “The server inputs the drinks ordered and the table number,” Brad explained, pointing to the computer, “then serves the beverages except for alcohol. That has to come out of the bar.” They moved through swinging doors into what Brad called the lion’s den. It was a fitting description for the hurricane of activity in the huge commercial kitchen. Everyone seemed to be moving at once without—miraculously—bumping into each other. Most of them were shouting at someone else. A mist of steam from the simmering pots and smoke from the nearby grill filled the air. A thousand different, delicious smells swirled around Lexi. She couldn’t help wondering if there was some order in this chaos.
