Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Arnoldt Opens

At dawn, the dragon carriage took off towards Eclava.

Tina and I saw off the dragon carriage together.

Learning from the pre-opening, we made a huge amount of sweets, but it was too much to carry in one trip.

Since we have to transport everything in two trips, the dragon carriage will return immediately after dropping off the first load.

We’ll head to Eclava on the second trip.

There’s no time to rest in the meantime.

I have to finish making the custard pudding.

In the first trip, we only transported cakes with plenty of dried fruits and cookies, but for the second trip, we’ll also bring this week’s special menu item, the custard pudding.

Since it tastes best when freshly made, I’ll finish it right before it’s time to transport it.

“By the way, Kurt-sama, I remember you mentioned before that besides the weekly special menu, you would make a super luxurious menu for the nobles, disregarding the budget. Aren’t you preparing that this time?”

She remembered well.

I originally intended to prepare that too.

“Yes, I’ve thought about that too. For now, I’m holding off because we have the chocolate dessert, Imperial Torte. We used up all the allowable cacao for the Imperial Torte this time, so once it’s gone, I’ll make another dessert. Of course, it will be something that won’t lose to the Imperial Torte.”

We can’t use any more cacao. Also, we need to keep a minimum amount on hand for events like the recent Four Dukes’ banquet.

The shop we opened in Eclava is for the development of Arnoldt.

And it’s also for letting as many people as possible enjoy the wonderful taste of our sweets.

Therefore, instead of using expensive sugar, we use honey, which we have secured in large quantities through modern beekeeping successfully established in the Arnoldt territory. To keep prices reasonable, we also use only inexpensive ingredients.

That said, I also want to cater to customers who wish to eat the finest sweets without concern for cost.

So, besides the weekly specials, I plan to prepare a few of the very best sweets of the moment—sweets crafted without regard to expense, showcasing all my skill, available only to a select few.

This is also to hone my skills.

Currently, we offer the Imperial Torte in this category, but I have plans to create another dessert that matches it in quality.

“A dessert that rivals the Imperial Torte? I wonder what kind of sweet it will be. I’m excited!”

Tina’s silver fox ears perked up as she made a dreamy expression.

Drool was dripping from her mouth. I wonder what kind of sweet she was imagining.

“Look forward to it. You’ll be the first to taste it, Tina. But for now, let’s focus on today’s custard pudding. Tina, I need your help.”

“Yes, Kurt-sama! Let’s make some wonderful sweets today!”

With Tina, I headed to the large kitchen.

Now, it’s a race against time.

The special custard pudding uses plenty of eggs and honey from this village.

It’s not an expensive dessert, but it’s a proud masterpiece I can offer with confidence.

Today, I will captivate every customer who comes to the shop.

We managed to finish preparing the custard pudding just in time before the dragon carriage returned.

Tina, Chloe, and I rode the second dragon carriage to Eclava, where we prepared for the grand opening of our shop, “Arnoldt”.

“Everyone, we are about to open. Let me warn you in advance: it will be more than twice as busy as the pre-opening. Be prepared.”

We had finished displaying the large quantity of sweets to the maximum capacity, ready to open the shop at any moment.

In a few minutes, we would open the doors.

I gathered all the staff for a morning assembly.

The staff members all had a mix of anticipation and anxiety on their faces.

None of them were worried about a lack of customers; their anxiety was about whether they could handle the large number of customers expected.

During the pre-opening, we had invited influential people, especially those with power and sway.

In the day off that followed, our shop’s reputation had spread explosively.

Sweets are typically seen as luxurious foods for the nobility.

We offered prices that broke this common notion, and, more importantly, the quality far surpassed the standards of this world.

There was no way customers wouldn’t come.

I cleared my throat and began to speak to everyone.

“Alright, it’s time to open. But before we do, I want to say one thing. No matter how wonderful the products are, they are merely tools. How those tools are used depends on you.”

I know this all too well.

As a head pâtissier involved in store operations, I harbor no foolish illusions that simply having excellent sweets guarantees success.

A store can only succeed with the best sweets delivered in the best way, supported by an excellent environment and staff.

“I have high expectations for your work. Of course, I will prepare appropriate compensation for your efforts. Especially during this busy opening week, if we get through it successfully, everyone will receive a bonus. The bonus amount will be based on the number of satisfied customers. So, everyone, do your best.”

The staff’s faces lit up at my words.

Salaries at this store are set slightly higher than the market rate in Eclava.

However, most of the staff are newcomers to this city from the Arnoldt territory. They have countless things they want to buy and important people they want to send gifts to back in the village.

No amount of money would be enough.

Given that this store is much busier than a typical one, a bit of extra incentive shouldn’t be a problem.

“Now, everyone, take your positions. We are opening! To spread the charm of sweet treats, for the development of the Arnoldt territory, and for yourself and your loved ones, deliver the best sweets with the best smiles!”

“Yes!!”

A chorus of energetic voices responded.

The staff moved to their positions.

Good, they’re moving well.

“Next Baron of Arnoldt, that was a splendid address.”

“Thank you, Dolwat. Hearing that from you is reassuring.”

Dolwat is a tall woman in her late twenties, giving off a stern impression.

She is the one who instilled top-tier customer service skills in the women of Arnoldt.

Without her, it would have been impossible for all the staff to acquire the level of service skills I demand.

“Dolwat, thank you for arranging the additional personnel. It was a big help.”

“No need to thank me, I received a proper intermediary fee for my efforts.”

After observing the pre-opening, I realized we would be understaffed for the official opening.

Training novices from scratch at this point would only hold us back, so I asked her to use her connections to borrow a few top-notch staff from other stores.

Since this is a temporary arrangement, I added a bit of extra pay.

Experience has taught me that skimping on labor costs never ends well.

“Dolwat, if you’re willing, I’d like you to stay at this shop permanently. Your skills are exceptional, and you are a necessary presence here.”

She was originally hired to train the villagers.

However, her top-tier customer service skills, training ability, popularity among the staff, ability to command subordinates seamlessly, and flexibility in handling trouble make her invaluable.

The more I work with her, the more I realize I don’t want to let her go.

“Are you trying to woo me?” she asked.

“Yes, I am—wooing your skills. If you’re not satisfied with your current salary, I’m open to negotiations.”

Dolwat hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. If I stay here, the staff will never grow. However, I’ll consider extending my stay. Your shop is very unique and has many innovations I haven’t seen before. I’ll steal plenty of know-how.”

“Please do. We’ll also be learning from your skills, so it’s mutually beneficial. By the way, just so you know, the bonus will be given to you and the help you brought as well.”

This money isn’t part of the contract with the villagers and isn’t something I would normally need to pay.

That said, the profit the shop gains from having happy employees far outweighs the amount I pay. That’s why I’m willing to pay.

“You’re quite generous. I’ll gladly accept it. I’ll let them know too. Well, enough idle talk.”

“Indeed. Keeping the customers waiting wouldn’t be good.”

The clock on the wall indicated that it was opening time.

Then, the mechanism activated, and the sound of bells rang out.

This was a mechanical clock—an art piece crafted by a top-tier artisan.

Even an ordinary clock is expensive, and a clock with such intricate craftsmanship is something the impoverished nobility of Arnoldt couldn’t afford.

So, why do we have it? It was a gift from one of the Four Great Dukes, Duke Lenaril, as an opening present.

The accompanying letter mentioned that although she couldn’t attend the pre-opening, she would eventually make time to visit.

If she does come, I’ll serve her the finest sweets as a thank you for this clock.

I placed my hand on the door.

Finally, it’s time to open.

“Welcome to Arnoldt!”

Before me stood a crowd of customers.

Behind me were reliable staff and a mountain of sweets.

The customers flooded in, eager for our confections.

Now, let’s bring sweet treats to many people.

The dream I’ve always had of offering sweet confections to ordinary people is about to come true, right here and now.