A piece of parchment describes the events that took place before the promotion of a new head chef for the Cambrian Royal Palace:
....
"MARICO!!!!! Where in the seven hells are you? The midday meal needs to be prepared in 2 hours and your lazy ass is NOWHERE!"
The steward got to the kitchen in one last attempt to hope that he was simply...late. But the only person in the kitchen was Najib, the nomadic assistant chef to Marico, looking equally puzzled.
- The king is going to kill me, right after I kill Marico! You know where he is?
- No, efendi. I haven't seen him this day.
- Shit, what are we going to do? The king wanted a big lunch, but Marico is nowhere! Did he give you a recipe to make?
- The efendi chef never shares recipes. He only orders us around to make them.
The steward clenched his fist.
- What can YOU make?
- Efendi, does the royal highness like meat?
- He doesn't like lamb, if that's what you're asking.
- That's because he hasn't eaten a proper one. Would he be willing to try again?
Running out of options, the steward nodded.
Najib whistled and a water boy appeared from the next room.
- Oghuz, benim eve git, hatundan kiyma ve kusbasi getir.
- Efendi, I need your help to make the food. Please take some badlijan...erm aubergine and put them on the grill, fetch tomatoes, peppers, parsley, onion and garlic. For dessert, take some milled wheat, milk and butter. And ask the pastry chef to bring some flat dough.
......
The food was ready. The steward took the tray and got back 2 hours later, with a pale face.
- The king wants to see you.
Najib and the steward are summoned to the royal eatery. The king, looking tired and grumpy:
- Did you make these dishes? What are they?
- Yes, your highness; these are my people's recipes. I made you meat-on-bread, lahmajoun; lamb cubes on smoked aubergine and a semolina halva...erm pudding.
- Lamb!?! Are you saying this is LAMB? the king raised his voice
Najib got very nervous.
- Yes, your highness. My people mostly eat lamb, therefore this was the only thing I could make in confidence.
The king hesitates for a moment, and then smiles.
- I loved it, especially the main course! What is this dish called?
Najib releases a sigh of relief and perhaps some more relief on the backside.
- Your excellence, we call it the sinking lamb.
- Sinking lamb? You nomads clearly have no idea on what to call things beautifully.
- Your excellence Najib hesitates before continuing... maybe we could call it the King's Delight to honor your appreciation?
the King ponders for a moment
- Hmm, I like the sound of that....AND I want the same for dinner tonight. Whatever preparations you need, ask the steward. Also, I am now making you the head chef as of today. If you can cook lamb like this, I'd want to see more from you and less from that lazy fat idiot who has been cooking same recipes for ages.
Najib returned to his kitchen, with a sense of pride and nervousness. He quickly made his way to the chamber pot in the kitchen.