#Catering In Italy

[hannaheliaitaly]

Event Planning Excellence: Key Principles for Successful Event Organization

In the scenic landscapes of South Tyrol, Italy, event planning is an art that demands a mix of creative vision, meticulous attention to detail, and a firm dedication to organizational excellence. Planning a fairy-tale wedding with the beautiful Dolomite mountains in the background, organizing a fancy business event in the green vineyards, or arranging a festival that celebrates South Tyrol’s traditions — all these events are like creating a work of art. Everything comes together perfectly from the grand mountains to the green valleys to make experiences that amaze the senses and stay with people for a long time. Read more here...

[lovely-v]

italian cafes love to trick my by having english names for things so i go "[sorta bad italian accent] buongiorno, posso prendere un... [perfect clown american accent] super iced coffee latte."

[bombshellsandbluebells]

I think about this all the time other countries make some kind of joke about all American food being from other countries originally / saying we don't have any true American food

first of all, that's kind of how culture/food works and it is more obvious in the US because of how much of a melting pot we are, and it also ignores the specific contributions of immigrants creating something new from their culture and the new ingredients/tastes available to them

but also SOUL FOOD. Soul food is uniquely American!!! And ignoring soul food's role in American food culture is nothing but racist and classist

hot take incoming but: I think I figured out why people shitting on Americans as a joke bothers me from the perspective of a black guy because like, it kinda erases how the culture of America is specifically built off of black and brown people, specifically black folks, native folks, and Latino folks and to try to erase that feels weird. this country is racist and horrible in every way imaginable so I see why people especially folks outside of America hate it, but to kinda categorize all Americans as white burger eating demons feels really weird to me? again as a black dude.

[unilifeabroadcareersolution]

Advantage of studying Catering & Hotel Management in ITALY

Unilife abroad career solutions

Advantage of studying Catering and Hotel Management in ITALY

Culinary Heritage

Italy is renowned for its culinary tradition, with a rich history of food culture. Studying catering there allows students to immerse themselves in this heritage, learning from experts and experiencing firsthand the techniques and flavors that have made Italian cuisine famous worldwide.

Hands-on Experience

Many culinary programs in Italy emphasize practical, hands-on learning. Free education means students can take full advantage of kitchen facilities, learning from experienced chefs and practicing their skills in a real-world setting.

Networking Opportunities

 Italy attracts students and professionals from all over the world who share a passion for food. Studying there provides ample opportunities to network with fellow students, chefs, and industry professionals, which can be invaluable for future career prospects.

International Recognition

Italian culinary schools often have a strong international reputation. Graduating from a respected institution in Italy can enhance your credentials and open doors to job opportunities both within Italy and internationally.

Cultural Immersion

 Studying in Italy allows students to immerse themselves in Italian culture, including its food, language, and lifestyle. This cultural immersion can deepen students' understanding of culinary traditions and provide inspiration for their own culinary creations.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Italy is a major destination for tourism and hospitality, offering numerous opportunities for employment in restaurants, hotels, resorts, and other related businesses. Studying catering in Italy can provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this thriving industry.

Internship Programs

Many culinary schools in Italy offer internship programs as part of their curriculum. These internships allow students to gain practical experience working in real-world culinary environments, such as restaurants, hotels, and catering companies. These experiences not only enhance students' skills but also provide valuable networking opportunities that can lead to future job placements.

Strong Industry Connections

Italian culinary schools often have strong connections with the hospitality and food service industry. They may have partnerships with leading restaurants, hotels, and culinary businesses, facilitating job placement opportunities for their students. These connections can also lead to job placement assistance and career guidance from experienced industry professionals.

International Recognition

Graduating from a reputable culinary school in Italy can enhance students' credibility and marketability in the global hospitality industry. Employers value the skills and knowledge gained from studying in Italy, which can increase students' chances of securing employment both within Italy and abroad.

Contact us : 8428440444 , 8428999090 , 8608777070

Mail ID : anagha@unilifeabroad.com , diya@unilifeabroad.com

[focusedmarketinsights]

The Europe contract catering market was valued at USD 55.34 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 69.77 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 3.94% during the forecast period.

The market is equipped with many new trends, which vendors are adopting and helping their businesses grow. Fresh food subscription is one of the major trends present in the market. Many vendors offer subscription services where customers can pay in advance and earn rewards or coupons.

Another major trend is the customization of the food.

The millennial population is asking for crave-able food as per customization. The adoption of digitalization in contract catering services is a major trend, which gives more customer base and increases revenue by managing scheduling & reducing the delivery time.

[oliver-gomez00]

Make Unforgettable Impression on your Audience at the Host Milano 2023 Exhibition

Are you participating in the Host Milano 2023 trade fair? Then, mark your calendars from 13th to 17th Oct 2023 to attend the exhibition. The event is an international hub of the food service industry, organized by Rho Fiera Milano. By collaborating with an ideal exhibiting partner, you can grab the opportunity to learn about the current issues, best practices, and international scenarios of the food and catering industry. So, team up with Blueprint Sp. Z.o.o. without any delays.

We are a reputed exhibition booth builder company in Milan that provides full stand services across Europe at a reasonable price. Our in-house team of professionals is highly skilled in manufacturing your stand that helps you accomplish your marketing goals at the show.Having our own printing and production unit facilitates us to manage the smooth execution of the entire process of your exhibition stand fabrication.

So, to experience a hassle-free exhibition environment, don't hesitate to share your stand specifications with us via email: enquiry@blue-prints.org or phone: +48-616-257-812 right away!!

To know more visit here: https://www.blue-prints.org/host-milano-2023/

[oliverblueprint]

Make Unforgettable Impression on your Audience at the Host Milano 2023 Exhibition

Are you participating in the Host Milano 2023 trade fair? Then, mark your calendars from 13th to 17th Oct 2023 to attend the exhibition. The event is an international hub of the food service industry, organized by Rho Fiera Milano. By collaborating with an ideal exhibiting partner, you can grab the opportunity to learn about the current issues, best practices, and international scenarios of the food and catering industry. So, team up with Blueprint Sp. Z.o.o. without any delays.

We are a reputed exhibition booth builder company in Milan that provides full stand services across Europe at a reasonable price. Our in-house team of professionals is highly skilled in manufacturing your stand that helps you accomplish your marketing goals at the show.Having our own printing and production unit facilitates us to manage the smooth execution of the entire process of your exhibition stand fabrication.

So, to experience a hassle-free exhibition environment, don't hesitate to share your stand specifications with us via email:enquiry@blue-prints.org or phone: +48-616-257-812 right away!!

To know more visit here: https://www.blue-prints.org/host-milano-2023/

[theophagie-remade]

When ~entrepreneurs~ and ~business owners~ go cry to the media about not finding employees or "young people willing to work" (ie people who they can readily exploit by doing everything under the table and giving them miserable wages)... it makes me feel a lot of joy and vindication in my heart......

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Madonna - Like a Prayer 1989

"Like a Prayer" is a song by American singer Madonna and was released as the lead single from her 1989 fourth studio album of the same name. Written and produced by both Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the song heralded an artistic and personal approach to songwriting for Madonna, who believed that she needed to cater more to her adult audience. Along with the parent album, "Like a Prayer" was a turning point in Madonna's career, with critics starting to acknowledge her as an artist rather than a mere pop star.

"Like a Prayer" is a pop rock and gospel song that also incorporates elements of funk. The lyrics contain liturgical words, but they have been interpreted by some people to have dual meanings of sexual innuendo and religion. "Like a Prayer" was acclaimed by music critics upon release and was a global commercial success, becoming Madonna's seventh number 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, topping the Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks and also topping the charts in many other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and the UK. It was Madonna's fifth number 1 hit on the Eurochart Hot 100, and stayed at number one for 12 weeks.

The accompanying music video for "Like a Prayer", directed by Mary Lambert, shows a white woman being sexually assaulted and subsequently killed by a group of white men, but a black man is arrested for the crime. The video depicts a church and Catholic symbols such as stigmata. It also features the Ku Klux Klan's burning crosses and a dream sequence about kissing a black saint. Leon Robinson was hired to play the role of a saint; the part was inspired by Martin de Porres, the patron saint of mixed-race people and all those seeking interracial harmony. The Vatican condemned the video, while family and religious groups protested against its broadcast. They boycotted products by soft drink manufacturer Pepsi, who had used the song in their commercial. Pepsi canceled their sponsorship contract with Madonna, but allowed her to retain the $5 million fee.

While most TV stations banned the music video, MTV notably continued to air the video on heavy rotation. The controversies leading to her "Like a Prayer" video introduced the concept of free publicity and became a turning point where Madonna was viewed as a shrewd businesswoman who knows how to sell a concept. At the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, the video for "Like a Prayer" was nominated in the Viewer's Choice and Video of the Year categories, winning the former. It was number one on MTV's countdown of "100 Videos That Broke the Rules" in 2005, and for the channel's 25th anniversary, viewers voted it as the "Most Groundbreaking Music Video of All Time". In addition, the video was ranked at number 20 on Rolling Stone's "The 100 Top Music Videos", and at number two on VH1's 100 Greatest Videos. In a 2011 poll by Billboard, the video for "Like a Prayer" was voted the second-best music video of the 1980s, behind only Michael Jackson's "Thriller". According to Screen Rant, "Like a Prayer" is one of the most used Madonna's songs in movies and television, most recently notably featured in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine.

"Like a Prayer" received a total of 87,9% yes votes! Previous Madonna polls: #18 "Who's That Girl", #184 "Live to Tell".

[hannaheliaitaly]

Wedding Catering Trends: From Classic Elegance to Unique Experiences

Enter the world of wedding catering, where it's more than just food – it's a way to express the couple's style and personality. This transformation is especially noticeable in Italy, especially in charming places like South Tirol. Catering In South Tirol is all about creating a unique dining experience. In South Tyrol and nearby areas, they focus on offering a mix of classic elegance and creative dining. This means every wedding meal is not just food; it's a journey. Guests don't just eat; they embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates local culture and flavours. Let's explore this fascinating world of wedding catering.

Local Delights: Bringing the Region's Flavor to Your Plate

A significant trend in wedding catering, whether in South Tirol, Italy, or other places, is focusing on local food. Catering In South Tirol, Italy (Catering In Südtirol Italien), or elsewhere has seen an increase in serving traditional dishes made with local ingredients, bringing the tastes of places like Merano and Bressanone to the wedding meal. This trend is not just about food; it's about letting guests experience the region's rich culinary history. Choosing local dishes makes weddings a celebration of the area's culture and ensures that guests have a meal they'll remember. Explore these delightful flavours on your special day.

Interactive and Fun

Interactive dining experiences are gaining popularity, especially in picturesque regions like the Dolomites and beyond, including Catering Merano and Bressanone. This trend involves live cooking stations and DIY food setups, turning dining into an engaging activity. In areas like the Dolomites, where the natural beauty enhances the ambience, such interactive catering options add an extra layer of excitement to wedding celebrations. It's not only a feast for the taste buds but also an enjoyable and memorable activity for guests, whether in Merano, Bressanone, or elsewhere.

Eco-Friendly: Eating with the Earth in Mind

Sustainability is becoming more important in catering, especially in places like South Tirol and the Dolomites, known for their beautiful nature. Dolomites Wedding Catering and catering in South Tirol beyond are now using eco-friendly practices like using things that break down naturally and reducing food waste. This isn't just good for the environment here; it's also part of the global effort to take care of our planet. Couples who care about sustainability can now have their wedding food aligned with their values. It's a way to make their wedding more eco-friendly and help protect the environment, which is something we can all get behind.

Final thought

Catering plays a central role in weddings, particularly in regions like South Tirol, Italy, and its stunning surroundings, such as Merano, Bressanone, and the Dolomites, catering in Italy and beyond. Companies like Hannah & Elia are at the forefront of this trend, offering catering services that surpass traditional meals to create an immersive dining experience. Whether it's through the infusion of local flavours, interactive dining setups, or sustainable practices, these caterers ensure that each wedding is not only a celebration of love but also a memorable culinary journey. The right catering can elevate a wedding from ordinary to extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. Explore their website Hannahelia.com for more information.

[allthedesiredusernamesaretaken]

... mosaic ...

Baia – the ancient Roman city sunk deep under the sea for more than 500 years.

More than 2000 years ago, Baia was the Las Vegas of the Roman Empire – a resort town 30km from Naples on Italy’s caldera-peppered west coast that catered to the whims of poets, generals and everyone in between. The great orator Cicero composed speeches from his retreat by the bay, while the poet Virgil and the naturalist Pliny maintained residences within easy reach of the rejuvenating public baths.

[nervoushottee]

More | John Price x Fem! Reader

Summary: You’re stressed out of your mind and John knows exactly what you need to relax

Warnings: Explicit 18+, just sex, just porn little plot, you’re getting fucked from the back babes

Notes: Y’all this is literally a pattern. I’m ovulating… I’ve been reading a lot of 141 fanfiction and I just needed to write about my big man Price. Enjoy hottees

*this is unedited and probably doesn’t make any sense. Sorry not sorry*

————————————————————————

“Fuck John-” you mutter out. You can hardly hear yourself with how loud and filthy he’s fucking into you. Your brain fuzzy, all the contents of worry and stress slowly easing out of you with each thrust.

Your cheek pressed against the soft sheets of his bed, your hands placed on each side of you as your fingers softly curl into the linen. You back arched as your ass hits against his lower stomach and pelvis. His thick cock making your insides clench when he hits that certain spot. You don’t even notice the small amount of drool slipping out of your mouth onto the mattress.

“This is all you needed isn’t it? Just need me to fuck the stress out of that pretty head of yours. My sweet girl, fucking look at you.” John explains. You whine at his words, clenching at the way he calls you his sweet girl. You were, you were his good girl. His. His. His.

Hours before, you were stressed out of your mind with everything that had been happening. You couldn’t even imagine how John manages to handle everything with being Captain. The small amount of work compared to his big load made you feel like shit for complaining, stressing and crying over it to your lover. But you should’ve know better, because John Price would never think your stressors were lesser than his.

You were his world, his everything. If you asked him to jump, he would ask how high. If you need ice cream that was only made in Italy, he would be on the next flight out. If you need comfort from your stressors, he is going to give it to you. And he thought the best way to give it to you this time to fuck your brain dumb.

“It’s been a while since I’ve fucked you like this love.” The sound of his voice grounding you from your haze. His hands sliding against your ass, gripping softly before releasing. He wasn’t wrong. Usually, your sexual rendezvous were soft, intimate and saccharine. An intense love shared between you two after a long day on base. Slow and pleasurable that you loved all the same. But when the was time for this, you loved every minute of it.

“More.” you whine into the sheets. Your words were muffled, but you knew John heard you all the same. You feel his dick slow down inside of you, causing you to whimper, feeling the weight of John’s chest against your back. “You sure love?” he whispers against your ear. You push your ass against him, ushering him to move. Wiggling and making an effort to show him you wanted more. You hear him groan against your ear, peppering kisses down your neck.

“Yes sir. Please.”

The last bit of contact you got from him was a soft kiss against your shoulder before he got back into his position and started to ram into you. This time at a deafening pace than before.

You gasp at the sudden change of pace and cry out loudly. Fuck this feels so good. The way he pushes his thickness in and out of you so quickly. Making you feel winded, numb and so fucking blissful.

“Fucking love when you talk to me like that. My good fucking girl. You’re so good to me, letting me fuck you like this.” You feel your lips turn up into a small smile as you grip the sheets tightly into your hands. You knew your words would put him over the edge like this. He’s always calm and collected, always catering to your needs and wants. But sometimes, most times, you wanted him to let loose. To go all the way with you, and lose himself. He didn’t always need to be this perfect captain he tries so hard to be. He was perfect in every way to you. But you wanted him to make you his, to unwrap his fantasies on to you and let you take care of him.

His hands gripping your ass firmly, moving you so you can match his thrusts. He wasn’t stopping his rhythm. If anything he was going even faster, chasing his own pleasure as you simply take what he gives you. “Thank you sir- thank you, please don’t stop- please.”you cry out. You hear him chuckle at your words.

“Oh love, I’m just getting started.”

[captainreecejames]

Wrong City - CL16 smau

in which you commit to the bit on Instagram

authors note : I hope you guys like this one! Originally it was going to be a different post every city and driver, but I didn't think that would really be enough so it became a short story on charles. Let me know if you want one on a different driver as I still have a few captions in the notes.

pairing : Charles Leclerc x FEM!reader

warnings : none

ynusername posted --------

liked by bsfinstagram, yourmominsta and others

ynusername as the french say "soo la voo" or whatever

joris_trouche and who ate that second gelato? ↳ ynusername I had both duh 🙄🙄🙄 ↳ joris_trouche and that isn't Charles favorite flavor ↳ ynusername it's obviously my second favorite

pierregasly what??? ↳ ynusername isn't that what you say? I'm confused ↳ francisca.cgomes looks right to me ↳ ynusername thank you!

username22 quick flex in italy

username14 oh to kiss Charles leclerc in front of the trevi fountain in Rome, Italy

carlossainz55 I'm telling!!! ↳ charles_leclerc booo you whore ↳ charles_leclerc yn made me type that ↳ charles_leclerc but please don't tell

yourfriend1 did you try those gelato places I sent? ↳ ynusername yes, we agree they were so good! ↳ joris_trouche we??

username12 a woman in a white dress in italy will always have me going 🤨 ↳ username36 miss yn do you have anything you want to share with the class

username29 she's chronically on tiktok like me

landonorris get this off the tl ↳ charles_leclerc just cause youre chronically single doesn't mean we need to cater to your needs ↳ ynusername get him babe!

liked by georgerussell63, lewishamilton and others

ynusername when in rome 🇮🇹🤪

pierregasly don't fucking piss me off ↳ ynusername oooh someone's even more sensitive than the monagasque

francisca.cgomes you are so pretty it actually hurts me ↳ ynusername babe look in a mirror ↳ francisca.cgomes our spot in 15 ↳ ynusername see you then babe

username27 oh she's committing to the bit huh ↳ charles_leclerc you have no idea ↳ username27 CHARLES HI

username83 when will it be my turn?? 😭😭

joris_trouche was the croissant good ↳ ynusername yep and I didn't share it ↳ charles_leclerc she tripped running away from me when I asked for some ↳ ynusername i thought we weren't sharing that info ↳ charles_leclerc sorry ma cherie

oscarpiastri you let that croissant touch the wall? ↳ ysusername of course not, what do you take me for? a loser

lorenzotl hope you had a good time ↳ ynusername we did <3

liked by yukitsunoda0511, pierregasly and others

ynusername what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

username71 can't wait for the Vegas post now

username26 okay now she's teasing us about Vegas '19 ↳ username38 LER US KNOWWWWW

arthurleclerc bestie!!! ↳ ynusername little bro!!! ↳ arthurleclerc 😑🤧

username45 she really is feeding us with boyfriend charles content ↳ username28 I know, thank you yn. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

bsfinstagram she's everything, he's just there ↳ charles_leclerc accepting my role as trophy husband ↳ bsfinstagram husband 🤨🤨 ↳ charles_leclerc you know what I mean 😑

username74 now why are Arthur and BSF being weird ↳ username90 asking the right questions cause why are they being weird 🤨

alex_albon stop kissing on the tl, there are kids here ↳ ynusername weird to use third person but to each their own ↳ alex_albon im talking about logan

liked by scuderiaferrari, lilymhe and others

ynusername you know I love a monaco boy 🇲🇨

load more comments

username82 HE LOOKS SO GOOD OMG ↳ username82 LIKE THAT POST RACE GLOW IS JUST 🧑🏼‍🍳💋 ↳ username82 WAIT A FUCKING MINUTE ↳ username82 WHY ARE YOU IN ALL WHITE MS. YN

username63 Ma'am, you simply cannot post this then disappear

charles_leclerc ma cherie 🤍 ↳ ynusername you called?

lewishamilton congrats! ↳ ynusername thank you sir lewis. ❤️❤️

sebastianvettel wishing you two all the best ↳ ynusername thanks seb, from both of us

scuderiaferrari can't wait to welcome mrs. leclerc to the paddock!

username20 that post race glow hit so hard they got married

username30 yn please tell us he didn't wear that to the chapel ↳ ynusername he looked very handsome at the chapel, don't worry ↳ username30 that somehow doesn't make me feel better. was he wearing a costume?

tomholland2013 congrats you two! ↳ zendaya i guess our invites got lost in the mail? ↳ ynusername reception soon!!

yourmominsta my beautiful girl and handsome son-in-law ↳ ynusername love you mama ↳ charles_leclerc love you maman

username93 when she goes from the g in wag to the w >>

olliebearman you look amazing yn! congrats ❤️ ↳ ynusername awww thank you ollie ❤️

maxverstappen1 congratulations, no inchidents hopefully? ↳ ynusername you just can't let it go, huh? 😭 ↳ maxverstappen1 nope, little leclercs will know this story from my point of view ↳ ysusername please slow down 😐

lilymhe party soon? ↳ ynusername yes! I need a proper bachelorette party

username29 wait this wasn't planned?? ↳ username22 girl, vegas weddings are not really ever planned ↳ username29 yeah but when did he propose to her? if they didn't even have time for the bach parties, then i don't think they thought about this at all, makes me sad. you don't get married on a whim ↳ username22 take a breath. this is not your relationship ↳ username94 also they've been together for years, so this really isn't something out of the blue. plus they've joked about getting married on twitter and insta before, so it's something they both wanted. not that any of this is really our business

bonus post

liked by ynusername, andferrari007 and others

charles_leclerc and ynusername forever

[martyfive]

i lay in bed sick for two weeks straight. first there’s body temperature i never knew was possible for a human to have, then there are coughs that feel like they may be the last ones i could ever have in my life, then there’s weakness, then my five year old phone falls down from the bed ending up completely broken, then the bed sheets become something i couldn’t bear to see anymore. then i get up, go outside and unexpectedly find myself at the offer of a somewhat steady part job at this small italian restaurant we’ve been visiting every sunday sharp for the last year and a half except for these two weeks i spent lying sick in bed. we are leaving the bar for the night when R. asks me if i’d like to help her at the bar a couple hours a week.

“i have no experience or anything,” i say, feeling extremely daft. “i’m not even sure i can talk to people properly. i never really could.”

“it’s okay,” she says. “you’ll be polishing the glasses. it’s not hard. i’ll teach you everything.”

on our way home A. says, “it could be good for you, you know. being among people and trying something new,” and i feel like he’s right.

at this point this small restaurant already feels like another home i want to belong to. going there every sunday for so long totally helped with that. they have one of my works i gave them as a present for christmas on the wall. it hangs up above the table me and A. occupied the first time we ever came to eat there. the frame contains pages from a sketchbook i used to draw in while visiting italy five years ago. it feels too personal, but also somehow on it’s place. i hate to hoard the stuff i create. i want to be bolder.

regretting my life choices, i spend all what’s left from my last year’s salary on a new phone. it’s a first phone i bought without anyone’s help. it costs more than i deserve.

i can’t find any will to start drawing again after being sick for two weeks.

a couple days later i go to the restaurant to ask R. about the time i can get to work. she says, “this thursday, 6:30 pm,” and then adds, tugging on my star wars hoodie, “and put on a black shirt, if you have one”.

so i find one that looks like A. has been wearing it during his teenage years when he looked more like a stick than a human and i go for the job that for the first time in my life has nothing to do with any kind of art except the art of making cocktails i still keep messing up. a couple hours a week somehow soon turns into ten as normally as “polishing glasses” turns into “doing everything there is possible to do as quickly as possible”.

“would you like to do thirty hours a week?” R. asks one day looking hopeful as if i hadn’t broken ten of their glasses in the first five days of work.

“my back is gonna die sooner than you expect it to if i agree to that,” i answer. and it really is the only reason i don’t say yes.

i soon notice there is no time to think of anything else except the work to be done while i am behind the bar once again forgetting the difference between prosecco and chardonnay or picking the ice from the ice machine or freezing in the giant fridge while looking for the specific crate of beer everyone in this town drinks more often than water. the countless amount of crates are brought from and to the back room. the ten glasses are crushed, four of them in my own hands just from squeezing too hard on them. i cringe about every single one of them before falling asleep after coming home around midnight with my aching back and more money than i ever earned drawing pictures. i think about that one time my friend told me that once you start working in catering, there’s no way back. i haven’t talked to her in a while and i can’t ask her if she still thinks it’s true.

i still can’t draw. i guess it will pass. i still cough although i’m trying not to be loud when i’m behind the bar.

“you smoke?” R. asks. “i do. i just don’t have time.”

“i’ve been smoking since i was sixteen. but not anymore really,” i say to that. “when my mother calls me, then i smoke. but that doesn’t happen very often.”

M. laughs at that as if he understands what i’m talking about and says, “with this job, i either smoke a cigarette or kill somebody,” and i laugh with him.

M. is the chef and the restaurant is named after him. he cooks so good there is surely nothing better i’ve ever eaten in my entire life. i hear all about it from guests while picking the dishes from the tables, smiling and pretending my hands are not shaking. he and R. speak to each other in loud italian and i like how they sound even if i only understand a couple words from their dialogues.

“what’s allora?” i ask one time.

R. looks at me like i’m the only one who ever asked her a silly question like that, “huh,” she says, “i don’t know. it’s like here we go or something like that,” and she smiles.

i like talking to her. for some reason i like asking her questions and seeing the surprise on her face. she’s five years older than me but i feel like a child around her. she also has her birthday in november.

“all my family are scorpions,” she says after revealing the fact that there’s ten days between our birthdays. she names at least ten of the members of her family and all their november birthday dates in a row.

i say, “the parties must be hilarious when you all gather together.”

more often i feel like she’s my serious boss i keep disappointing with my every move but at the end of the shifts she turns into what feels more like a friend. i secretly hope i can be her friend one day even though it seems like she knows the name of every human being in this town and even some other nearby towns and doesn’t really need any more friends than she already has. but after all, i’m a part of this town now, too.

“what is your favourite thing to do here here at the bar?” i ask the other day.

she looks puzzled for a second, “maybe serving fish,” she says and this time it’s my turn to feel surprised. i saw how it’s done, and i don’t really know what she means.

“i thought it’s talking to people or something,” i say.

“nah,” she waves her hand, “it’s just my job, you know.”

i regret entering this territory but i still ask, “would you better like to do something else? some other job?”

“nah,” she says again, smiling, “i like it.”

and i like it too. horrifyingly, i like it too much. thinking about sitting at home and drawing stuff like i used to do all my life feels like a torture. it surely is one when i pick up my tablet and pencil and stare at the white canvas not knowing who i am anymore. there is nothing in my head i want to say. there is nothing my hands can do. i have no idea why. i want to go back behind the bar and ask R. what her favourite colour is.

“i’m proud of you,” A. says one night while we’re going back home from the restaurant where he got his two beers and one glass of whiskey i poured for him myself. he spent two hours sitting at the bar not far from these three teenage boys who have been drinking an enormous amount of beer and playing cards and then trying to guess where i come from according to my accent. “i’m proud that you’re doing good and you found something that you like so much.”

i buy two black shirts and jeans. i take my old black coat out of the wardrobe. i walk for two minutes from home to the bar and back looking fancier than ever. i feel happier than ever. i don’t look at my social media. i feel like this rotten sadness and loneliness that occupied my head for so long has nothing to do with my life now. i wonder if it’s just a phase. i consider finding a new therapist just to ask them if it’s okay to feel this good or i should be medicated before it’s too late. i want to go to bed at proper hour, wake up earlier, spend the day feeling good and then go to the bar and ask R. stupid questions and be stressed about the things i can control. i look at my workplace at home, at the white canvas that reflects nothingness in my head, at everything i have ever known, and i don’t know what to do.

i go back to work.

“you like it here?” M. asks almost every time. “is everything okay?”

“everything’s okay,” i say, smiling. and i mean it.

someone’s ordering an espresso at 11 pm. R. says, “tell them the coffee machine is already off,” turning it off while saying it. i laugh. i feel happy. i go home knowing there’s gonna be more work to be done tomorrow. i miss drawing stuff. i have nothing to say. i fall asleep thinking of the ten glasses i broke. in the morning, i can’t draw. i used to draw most of my stuff at the evenings and during the nights. now they are full of beer glasses and beer crates and adhd people who want an espresso before bed.

i ask myself if that really is how growing up feels like. i ask myself what i am going to do if i will not be able to draw a single piece of art ever again. i read the email of the person who wants me to draw an artwork for them. i wonder if they should know i’m an imposter who can’t draw anymore. i tell myself to shut up and stop being dramatic.

i go to work.

there’s a wedding at the restaurant. i once again bring what feels like an endless amount of bottle crates from the back room to the bar. i smile. i talk to people. i wipe the tables. i polish the glasses. i pour beer into them.

“my back hurts,” R. says.

“willkommen to the club,” i tell her, although for some reason my back doesn’t really hurt.

someone orders a beer and then changes their mind after the bottle was already opened.

“it’s yours if you want it,” R. says. “your shift is over anyway.”

and i stay. i sit at the bar as if i don’t really work there. i drink my beer, i talk to R. while she puts the new napkins on tables, makes sure everyone from the wedding paid what they had to and lets me ask her my questions. i pay for another beer, taking money from my fresh salary. R. rolls her eyes at that but allows me to pay anyway. she’s not a boss anymore. just… a friend. i tell her i don’t wanna go home.

“i can see that,” she laughs. “do you have friends here in town?” she asks.

i look at the bottom of my glass.

“no,” i say. there’s a lady on our street i sometimes walk our dogs together with. she’s as old as my mother. i always forget the names of her three kids although they’re all around my age. i wonder if i should mention her. “i have friends in other places. you know. not here.”

“i can be your friend here,” she says, smiling.

i feel like it’s the happiest day of my life. i’m also a little drunk on schwarzbier. even if my back would hurt i wouldn’t have noticed.

“if you need someone as me as a friend,” i say, “then. yeah. sure. uh. why not.”

we talk some more. the beer tests my language skills. i tell her i want a new tattoo. she says she got the first one when she was sixteen and it was a horrible butterfly.

“what is your favourite colour?” i finally ask.

she looks really baffled at that, then pulls out her phone. “i guess it’s red,” she says, showing me some of photos from her instagram where she’s younger than me now and is dressed up in red. “see, it looks good on me,” and she’s right. “but white is also good. and pink. and maybe purple. not black though. with my black hair, it doesn’t look good at all.”

we’re both dressed in black for work.

i come to the conclusion that colours are the least important thing in the world to her. that’s okay. i think about all the years i spent trying to make colours work. i wanna say something, but end up saying nothing.

she turns the lights off and locks the restaurant up. we spend a couple minutes walking in the same direction to our houses. i tell her about the name my friends from other places are calling me. i don’t tell her why it’s different from the one she saw on my id card. i’m not that drunk. she says she’s gonna use it from now on. she kisses my cheek before we part. i was at school the last time someone did that.

i go home. i sit at my workplace. i answer to the email of the person that wants me to draw an artwork for them from a new phone i spent enormous amount of money on. for a second i wonder if i should still tell them i’m an imposter and my career will be over by the morning when i wake up sober.

i think about the ten glasses i broke, then let myself forget about them. i tell myself to shut up and stop being dramatic.

i draw.

29/02/2024