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87. Chef Amadí
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in With the Fire on High, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age and Teen Parenthood
Creativity vs. Professional Norms
Food and Connection
Caregiving, Independence, and Identity
Support, Community, and Mentorship
Summary
Analysis
To start, Chef Amadí asks Emoni to identify some herbs. The bay leaf is slightly different than what Emoni is used to, but she identifies it and other spices. At another station, Chef Amadí shows Emoni how to slice octopus. Emoni stops herself from reaching for spices without permission. Then, Emoni asks about Chef Amadí’s last name, which she didn’t realize was Spanish. Chef Amadí explains that she takes after her Spanish father, but her family is from Morocco—and all of the Iberian Peninsula has been influenced by the Moors.
Moor generally refers to Muslim people from North Africa, particularly those who conquered what’s now Spain and Portugal between the eighth and 11th centuries. Thus, Spain is a place where cultures clashed—and this is evident in its culture, architecture, and culinary traditions. Emoni is intrigued to get this history lesson alongside a cooking lesson, though when it comes to the food, she still has to remind herself to be respectful and a team player.
Themes
Then, Chef Amadí says Chef Ayden told her that Emoni has “an affinity with the things that come from the dirt,” which is a lot coming from him—he believes in hard work, not talent or instinct. She asks if it’s true. Emoni’s eyebrows shoot up. Chef Amadí says that Emoni identified herbs that look different outside of this region, and she seems like she instinctively knows how to pair spices or slice vegetables—is it true? ’Buela has always said that Emoni is magic, but Emoni doesn’t really believe it. So, Emoni says that she experiments a lot and watches Food Network. Chef Amadí cuts her off and says that Emoni can call it what she wants, but she must remember that cooking for others is giving them a gift.
Though it perhaps shouldn’t be, it’s a shock for Emoni to learn that Chef Ayden has been saying such kind things about her. Specifically, it’s noteworthy that he so admires her “affinity with the things that come from the dirt” (that is, spices and herbs), since Emoni has seen firsthand that he values following rules and learning standard practices. Even though Emoni has received similar compliments her entire life, she’s not yet confident enough in her abilities to own them. It’s possible, though, to read this as her having learned to be humble—which she wasn’t when, at the beginning of the school year, she spiced dishes her way without consulting Chef Ayden first.
Themes
Chef Amadí says that this afternoon, Emoni is going to develop a chicken dish to serve as the Monday special. The restaurant opens in 90 minutes, and Emoni can do whatever she wants with the chicken.
Unlike Chef Ayden, who is big on getting students to follow recipes, Chef Amadí is happy to let Emoni figure out how to feed people this afternoon. She trusts Emoni’s instincts—even if Emoni doesn’t yet trust herself.
Themes
