Free Tiana by Helen Perelman Page A

Crème, you are a guaranteed success!” Tiana added. She turned to Charlotte. “Is he really coming here?” Her eyes widened. “He’s coming to my restaurant?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Charlotte said, grinning. “For opening night!”
    Naveen rubbed his chin. “Wait, I think that I’ve read some of his articles. His reviews can get spicier than a bowl of jambalaya!”
    â€œBut he is going to love Tiana’s Palace,” Charlotte said confidently. “When he tastes your gumbo and beignets, he’ll be in food heaven. He’s from New Orleans, after all.” She handed the letter to Tiana.
    Tiana studied it. The stationery was beautiful. Jono La Crème’s penmanship was very neat. Tiana quickly read the note. “He really is coming here!” she exclaimed. She grabbed Charlotte’s hands again and swung her around in a circle. “Oh, Lottie,” she said. “Thank you!”
    â€œIt’s wonderful news, isn’t it?” Charlotte said, feeling very proud. “I want everyone to know about Tiana’s Palace!”
    Naveen clapped. “Bravo, Charlotte,” he said. “A good review is the best advertising for a restaurant.”
    Suddenly, Tiana stopped dancing. She sank back down in her chair.
    â€œWait,” she said, catching her breath. “What if Jono La Crème doesn’t like my food?” she asked. The smile disappeared from her face.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” Charlotte said. She waved her arm around. “He’ll love this place—and you, Princess Tiana!”
    Tiana shook her head. “If Jono La Crème is coming here for the opening, we have to make sure everything is perfect. We can’t have any mistakes.”
    â€œI thought you’d say that,” Charlotte replied. Tiana had always been a hard worker. “And I’m here to help in any way that I can.” Charlotte reached out to give her good friend a hug.
    â€œYou can count on me, too,” Naveen said. “Though you have nothing to worry about. That man is in for a heaping plate of good Southern cooking!”
    â€œAnd the best part,” Charlotte continued, “is he loves jazz music! Wait until he hears Naveen and Louis play.”
    â€œOpening night is going to be a grand party,” Naveen said. He gave Tiana’s hand a squeeze.
    Tiana nodded. She just hoped that they could get everything done in time. New menus, decorations, music—there were so many details!

T he week leading up to opening night was very busy. Tiana carefully planned the menu and even tried a few new recipes. She met with the florist and picked out the most colorful flowers for the centerpieces. All the silver was polished, and the table-cloths were cleaned and pressed. Tiana’s Palace sparkled, from the new chandelier to the silverware on the tables.
    The morning of the opening, Tiana was in the kitchen before the sun came up. She was going to spend the day cooking and preparing for the big event. She wanted to get an early start!
    Music from the dining room floated into the kitchen. Tiana knew that she wasn’t the only one getting ready for the opening. Naveen, Louis, and the other musicians were practicing. They had no reason to worry, Tiana thought. They sounded fantastic!
    Dicing her vegetables to the beat of the music, she hummed along. The food that night had to be the very best.
    The morning passed quickly, and soon it was lunchtime. The band members strolled into the kitchen. One of the perks of working at Tiana’s Palace was that they got to eat there.
    â€œSomething smells delicious in here,” Naveen said as he swung open the door. He sniffed around the kitchen and walked over to a large pot simmering on the stove. He lifted the lid and took a peek. “Mmmm, this is going to be divine!”
    â€œThank you,” Tiana said, wiping her hands on her apron. “I sure hope Jono likes