301: Head baker

Sophie gets a promotion:

      Chef pushes his door shut. His jeans and flannel shirt hang neatly from a hanger on a hook on the back of the door, and his toque sits at attention on the corner of his desk.
      “Have a seat,” he says, shuffling papers. My pink slip? News that you have to sit down for is never any good. I lean back in the Windsor chair, the spindles jabbing my spine.
      “George loves the savory cheesecake,” he continues. George is the persnickety owner of the restaurant who makes surprise reconnaissance visits. The first employee to spot George on the premises is supposed to yell, “Red light.” The first person to notice him leave is supposed to say, “Green light.” Then everyone goes back to sitting on the counters or swiping rolls out of the bread warmer.
      “And the hazelnut torte is delicious.” Chef closes his eyes and purses his thick lips as though tasting the torte. While he’s one of the last people I’d relish praise from, I’m flattered.
      “Thanks.” Get to the point!
      “I’m going to promote you to head baker.”

Here are some words and phrases from this week's text. Please use twelve of them in your own sentences....

Source.

fired

demoted

jot down

tips

business plan

nest egg

toque [see photo]

at attention

“have a seat”

pink slip

Windsor chair

persnickety

reconnaissance

to spot

on the premises

swipe

purses his lips

to relish (verb)

flattered

get to the point!

promote, promotion

kooky

acceptance speech

rinky-dink

prep work

potential, great potential

rub, neck rub

scoot

man

who knows …

open my own café

solace