Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-29

n
OH I'M MI Eat you are asking for
UNHiI one of my YER own rec
AVA ipes? would nevaire,
nevaire give you one of zem. Eet is too
much you ask of me-
The French chef. king of the
kitchen of one of Washington's hotels
especially noted for its cuisine, looked
reproachfully at the one who had made
the bold request for the secret of one
of his famous dishes.
Have pity on the men and women
with the jaded summer appetites. and
give the menu for a light summer din
ner which will tickle their palates.
he was asked. IF you don't wish to
give the recipe for a dish or two that
you have originated, at least be kind
enough to give the ingredients which
go to make up a delectable summer
salad, for instance. You are genius
in the art of cooking. Why not help
the Washingtonians whose appetites
have departed with. the warm weather
to prepare a delicacy which will tempt
Them"
This bit of diplomatic blarney and
the fortunate use Of the word art
brought a pleased smile to the face of
the white-capped, black-mustached
chef.
you are right. Cooking eet is an
art, but re majority of people gay
think 1t is a ver'-what you call it
oh. YES. .lebeian. But Get is not. No.
indeed, Eet takes great skill. much
thought and re arteestic temperament
to put together re proper articles loI
an excellent dish. MY own recipes
glad to give you others which would
be nice for summer.
The reci>e gatherer received the same
reception at all the hotels visited Inc
naughty, dignified chef would emerge
from the sacred precincts of his studio,
look astonished when the unusual request
was made of him to divulge the secret OF
a certain dish for which the hosiery EN-
ploying him was famous, but when asked
to tell in general way about appetizins
summer menus, would Sood-LdtuieuiS
consent to talk
1t is like going on a diplomatic mission
to pay a visit to a hotel chef. First OF
all, one must obtain an open sesame to
the sacred quarters in the lower region
of the hotel where he reigns. Likely as
not the manager of the hotel Will par
your entrance by informing you that
Francois is just now busily engaged in
connecting new fruit salad especially
ordered by party of New Workers arriv-
ing for luncheon-he cannot be disturbed.
If you tried to force your way into the
kitchen after that it would be as bad as
rushing in on an artist who is before his
canvas working on masterpiece
Then the chances are that after receiv-
ing the consent of an affable hotel pro-
prietor to interview the chef you will be
snubbed by that important persona e him
xx-iI1 of II
in the little room adjoining his Office and
when he appears in the doorway in his
snow white regalia you, ignorant one.
thinking that chefs are chefs, in other
words. just plain cooks. pat him on the
back familiary and say
Bon jour. chef (you notice his little
French mustache. and drag forth the
two French words you happen to
know, how about handing over a
couple of good recipes for dainty sum-
mer dishes for the benefit of the COM
mon people?"
He looks at You askance Askance is
the most terrible way one can look
Then he draws himself up haughtily
My name is CASTOR Devereaux Cor
something like thaD. What ees it
that you desire of me-" he asks, coldly,
eyebrows raised. You realize then that
you have spoken too Familiarity. He
resents your fiippancy. You hasten to
apologize. He then makes it very clear
to you by word and mannerism that you
have underestimate his Importance
You have dragged him down from the
high place he holds i'll the world of cpl
cures. You have intimated that he is
mere hotel employee, a hireling: But
he is not. He possesses variable Gre
alive power. He is master of an art.
You act as penitent as possible, and