Pierre and Justin… A Vegan Tale

It was opening night at Pierre’s French Restaurant. The Chefs were prepping the food, and a quiet determination filled the kitchen.

Chop, Chop, Chop!  Chef Pierre expertly chopped a large onion in half with the edge of his bill. But when he looked up, he startled and flew a foot straight into the air.

“Justin, back off!” quacked Pierre.

“Yes, Chef,” muttered Justin with a sigh. "I promise, I only LOOK menacing...I’m just trying to learn your chopping technique.”

Justin was Pierre’s sous-chef. He was responsible for the quality of the food, the line chefs, and making sure he knew how Pierre liked everything served.  

But Justin was also a fox. And everyone knew that foxes loved to eat duck.

“I know you mean well," Pierre quacked, “But try not to sneak up on me. I’m not sure you’re as duck-friendly as you say.”

“But Chef!” said Justin, his eyes pleading, "Why would I even consider eating you when everything you cook is so delicious? We all know you’re the best chef in Paris! Plus, you’ve gotten me hooked on your fancy sauces.”

Pierre bowed and almost smiled.

“Thank you, Justin,” he said. “I hadn’t considered that before. You really like eating vegan?”

“Of course, Chef!” Justin said. “The way you cook, everyone in the city will soon be eating plants.”

Just then, Justin looked outside and saw a line going down the block. There were three families of foxes, several rabbits, a groundhog family, and thirteen raccoons.

“Take a look,” said Justin, holding the curtain aside. “They all came here for your delicious food. After all, your last restaurant was a triumph! "

Pierre wiped off his bill and took a peek. Then he fluttered into the air, quacked three times, and pecked Justin on the top of his head.

Landing on the countertop, Pierre opened his bill.

“Attention Chefs,” he said, “We have a huge crowd tonight, so get ready to work hard. Dinner is served!”

“Yes, Chef!” they said.

Pierre nodded at Justin, letting him know to open the front door to the restaurant.

Soon Pierre’s was a happy, chatty place, with full tables, a line continuing out the door, and servers rushing around with trays of creative food.

Pierre’s became a sensation — the number one vegan restaurant in all of Paris! It was a place where high quality food was made in new and clever ways.

And the biggest surprise of all, was that the French chef named Pierre, became good friends with his sous-chef, Justin.

A sous-chef who just happened to be a fox.

The End