No Thanks to the White Chocolate Bread Pudding
“I hate bread pudding. Hot, sticky bread is good. But hot, wet bread? No thank you!
“I worked for a nice restaurant in Houston that served a White Chocolate Bread Pudding that every customer clamored for. We had customers call ahead to make sure there would be some still around at the end of the meal. I just couldn’t ever bring myself to try it. I couldn’t bring myself to reconcile those things in my head. Hot, wet bread? Blech.
“The manager was well aware of my aversion to the popular dessert. After losing a game of Trivial Pursuit between shifts, he dared me to eat a bite. Staff gathered round as I screwed up my courage and dipped in my spoon. After haggling with everyone, I scooped up a bite and popped in my mouth while holding my nose.
“I couldn’t believe it! The white chocolate, bourbon sauce, sugar pecans, and light French bread were singing in my mouth! It was the best dessert I had ever eaten. I was floored.
“The dessert chef, Jair Ortega, was watching nervously from the kitchen as I was goaded into sampling his famous dessert. I knew that Jair was a nervous, shy guy, so I thought I’d have a little fun with him. I grabbed the bowl I’d just emptied and headed back to the kitchen, staff in tow. Acting upset, I asked for Jair.
“He came over and asked if everything was alright. I said, ‘Alright? That was the best dessert I’ve ever eaten!’
“Jair smiled shyly. When I continued jokingly, ‘It’s so good, I want to know if you have a girlfriend!’ the entire staff started laughing and clapping Jair on the back. He shook his head no. I said ‘Well, you do now!’ and we all started cracking up.
“As the laughter died down, Jair looked me right in the eyes and said, “Okay.” Everyone was still laughing as we broke up to set up for the dinner rush. That night, as I was leaving after my shift, Jair came up to me and asked me out for beer.
“Our fourth wedding anniversary is coming up at the end of January, and he still makes the best dessert for me whenever I like!”
