Headhunting
After Raziel left the administrative office, I said,
“What should we do, Rosa? Is there anyone available?”
“It’s your own fault. Do you realize how busy everyone is?”
Her tone was curt.
“I think the idea is good, but the pace is too fast.”
I couldn’t argue when she reminded me that Young Master Reinhardt had said he wanted to take things slowly.
I briefly considered Mr. Natt, but he also had the job of bringing the secret items from Shinana Village and Helios Village to our household. He’d started his own business since no merchants went to Shinana Village originally.
For factory management, we’d ideally need someone with culinary knowledge, bookkeeping skills, and the ability to guide cooking.
“Why did the previous head chef quit?”
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Well, the current head chef is in his forties, right? That’s young.”
“The previous chef had to suddenly quit to help at home because his father fell ill.”
“Help at home? How old was he?”
“He said it wasn’t related to cooking. I think he was around fifty.”
I caught up with Henry, the butler, and asked about the previous head chef’s personality; he seemed like a man of good character.
When I asked where he lived, Henry investigated and confirmed he was in the capital. He also told me about the current former head chef.
This means we have to do some headhunting. I have to say, I found a good target, time to pat myself on the back.
“Mr. Guido, you must have been surprised by the sudden contact.”
“Yes, I wonder what this is about today.”
I went to the shop where Mr. Guido worked. It was run by his older brother.
“Try this before we talk.”
He was served vanilla ice cream, berry ice cream, and dorayaki (red bean and white bean).
His eyes lit up when he saw the dishes he’d never encountered before.
“These are sweets developed by our household. May I hear your thoughts?”
I suggested starting with the ice cream.
“Then I’ll start without hesitation,” he said, trying the vanilla ice cream first. After a single bite, his eyes widened.
He continued tasting each bite carefully. Though he’d left being a chef, his passion for cooking was evident.
After finishing all the dorayaki, he said,
“The rumors were true.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes. That the Westland family is developing sweets they’ve never tasted before.”
“Seems like it’s quite the rumor.”
“Yes.”
“Mr. Guido, would you manage these sweets?”
We had initially planned to sell them only in the new town, but I was considering stores in the capital and Eminira as well.
To maintain consistent flavor, the dough, ice cream, and bean paste would be made in dedicated factories.
The shops would only bake the dough and handle sales.
“I’d like Mr. Guido to manage both the factory and the shops, and at first also teach the production process in both places.”
“But I…”
“The factory will be in the capital. I heard you were helping out here, but if your brother is taking over the shop, it should be fine for you to work elsewhere.”
Guido had quit cooking when his father fell ill and his brother wanted to take over, but according to Henry, the brother was likely displeased. If Guido helped, his brother might fear being cut out of succession. Even after the parents fully retired and the brother took over, their relationship remained tense.
“Bringing this proposal to you shows that you are already aware of my situation, correct?”
“That, yes. But most importantly, I can’t entrust this to someone I don’t trust.”
He said he wanted to hear the details before giving an answer, so we arranged for him to come to the mansion another day.
“By the way, are your children working here?”
“My son used to, but now he’s a traveling merchant, and my daughter is married.”
“Is your son affiliated with a company?”
“No, he’s independent.”
“Independent-minded?”
“I think he just didn’t like it here.”
“Do you know where he is now?”
“I don’t, but a month has passed, so he should be returning soon.”
“Tell him that if he’s interested in joining our family’s company, he can come for an interview.”
What do you think about this chapter?
