[Sunday] Previously on Cherish The Day...
Were you heading somewhere?
To my grandmother's.
[Ellis] I remember, you used to take that right out there.
We always had a good time.
I don't ever wanna feel like, I'm taking you from your kid.
I'm where I wanna be.
I just want you to be happy.
Well, I see the way he looks at you.
You know, it's just my life, I...
I don't know what I was thinking.
-Can we be friends? -[sighing impatiently]
Nevermind.
Sunday...
♪ Would we lose it all In the morning ♪
♪ Suddenly the sun Makes it all feel alarming ♪
♪ Breaking up our routine ♪
♪ This new thing It's daunting ♪
♪ Rest my head on you It's a border I'm crossing ♪
♪ Just another drop, Fill me up till I'm holy ♪
♪ Heaven only knows ♪
♪ What we'd do When we're lonely ♪
♪ Break the bread and watch As the seas come calling ♪
♪ All in my head Should I play it safe ♪
♪ Hide away feelings And play the game ♪
♪ How can I tell If you feel the same ♪
♪ I hear a change When you say my name, yeah ♪
♪ Searching for the words To tell you ♪
♪ I cannot... ♪
[opening theme music playing]
♪ You show me how deep Love can be ♪
♪ This is my prayer ♪
♪ I cherish the day ♪
[door opens]
Hey, good to see you.
[man 1] Hey, what's up, brother?
[man 2] What's up, man?
[exhales]
Hey, tell your bro I said what's up.
[Gilbert chuckles]
Man, when did you... Come on, man.
Oh, boy.
[Gilbert] All right.
What are we doing?
Well, I haven't had a clean razor shave in a while.
Can you hook me up?
-Razor shave? -Yeah.
Oh, come on, man.
-[Gilbert chuckles] -Can't a man wanna look his best without you tripping?
Look, man.
Everybody know Ellis ain't coming up on $19 for a new cut.
Unless, something's up.
Now, you got a court date?
Or a hot date?
Well, it ain't a court date.
Uh, you did met somebody, huh?
It's about damn time.
I thought you're going to be pining over that ex
for the rest of your life.
[chuckles] All right, come on now.
Who is she? Spill it.
[exhales] She's an old girlfriend.
[mumbles] Old girlfriend, huh?
Let me guess, she found you over the internet?
Now, that's what them single women be doing.
Nah, you know what,
actually I bumped into her at a hardware store.
-Hardware store? -Yeah.
-She black? -Oh.
[Gilbert] Or at least what do you call it,
diverse or something?
[both chuckle]
-No, she's black. -Ah, that's what I'm talking about.
[chuckling] That's what I'm talking about.
You know what I'm saying 'cause no black girl crack.
Regina King right here is still looking like Britney Jenkins.
[both chuckle]
You know, to be honest with you, Gilbert,
I kinda messed up.
Yeah? Talk to me.
-Well, you know me, I'mma keep it honest. -[Gilbert] Yeah.
I... [clicks tongue]
Yeah, told her my life is complicated.
It's best we don't start something I couldn't finish.
-Mmm-hmm. -[Ellis] Yeah.
And then... I told her
we should just be friends.
[sighs in exasperation] What?
I know. I know. I know. I know.
I'm headed to her now to talk to her.
Man, if she's everything that you say she is,
then she should know a good brother
when she sees one.
You know what I'm talking about?
You know, but of course, for you, that's a long shot.
[both chuckle]
But you know I'm gonna shoot my shot.
Hey, that's my man! I wouldn't have it any other way.
-All right. -So, let's do this shave.
-[Gilbert chuckles] -All right.
[TOI] So, how many people are we gonna have there?
Uh, two camera crew plus producer.
-Seems a little tight. -[Sunday] Mmm-hmm.
They can't just do one camera out with producer do the shooting?
Mmm-hmm. They want four.
Uh!
[Sunday] But you know how Mindu gets about,
people in her kitchen,
so we settled on two.
You know, but they...
They actually want to close shop and stage it all.
You mean fake it.
Your a sis, you know the game.
Girl! Mmm-hmm. This ain't sitting well with my spirit.
[Sunday chuckles]
Don't worry. Don't worry.
I'll push to keep the restaurant open.
And now, they get to have a real live day in the life of VFC.
Good. See, I taught you well.
Uh, once they see you in action
and they see you running the kitchen,
chopping up with the customers.
They're gonna know they need to stage the doggone thing.
-[Sunday squeals] -[TOI chuckles]
And baby, when they taste the food,
they ain't gonna know what hit 'em.
[both chuckle]
Yeah. It would be easier to stage it,
that way I can cook more,
I'd be able to create more intricate dishes.
-I wouldn't have to worry-- -Wait, are you second guessing yourself?
[clicks tongue] Look, VFC is a whole vibe.
People come from near and far for the experience,
the food.
And most importantly, you.
So, just be yourself.
That's what got you on the show in the first place.
[chuckles]
You're gonna be on Tanya Holland's Kitchen Table.
Ah... I can't believe it.
[sighs in relief]
I can't believe it either. [chuckles softly]
[exhales] Wow!
Thank you. I really needed your energy today.
Of course, girl. You know I got you.
I'm just sad I can't come through tonight.
-[softly] Yeah. -Mmm.
[Sunday] You came through today.
-You're right. -Mmm-hmm.
-Let's go feed the geese. -What?
Come on, let's go feed the geese.
Come on!
I wanna feed the geese.
-[Sunday] You got bread in that bag? -[TOI] Come on, girl!
[door opens]
[waitress] Hello, sir.
I already know what I want.
Can I have the fried chicken sandwich,
coleslaw
and two slices of sweet potato pie?
Got ya.
-[door opens] -[Hollywood chuckles]
Well, if it isn't Ellis Moran. [chuckles]
-Hollywood. -What's going on, brother?
Long time no see, man.
-Yes, sir. It's been a while, huh? -Hey.
-Where's... where's Ray? -Ah, man, she out in DC.
She wanted to go visit Blue. You know...
Ralph Angel's son.
Charlie's brother's baby.
Oh! Okay, all right.
And how's your family? Everybody good?
Everybody's doing great.
Well, actually, everybody's a little crazy,
but what you're gonna do, it's family.
-[both chuckle] -You never lie.
What you ordered, man? Did you get some good food or you got some good pie?
-Both. -Oh, yeah!
Make sure you take care of him, all right?
-Okay. -All right.
Good afternoon. Just sit wherever you want to.
-Is the counter okay? -[Hollywood] Oh, it's perfect. Yeah.
Here you go now.
[continues indistinctly]
Here you go. About time.
-All right. -Oh. I'm about to tear this up.
[Hollywood] I know you are.
Now, we got seven kind of pies today, all right.
They're all on the back of the menu.
Just let me know whenever you're ready, okay.
-Okay. -All right.
You're making that sandwich look legendary right now.
-It is. -[chuckles] What is it?
Vy's famous chicken sandwich.
Mmm.
I know it sounds simple,
but she's a genius in the kitchen.
That's high praise.
But I know what you mean.
Don't you love it when someone can take something
that's accessible to everybody
and just complicate it, you know, in the best way.
Yeah, you know what?
I know exactly what you mean.
My grandfather
was a wizard at that building and fixing things.
But it was considered manual labor,
he was never respected for having a true talent.
-But it was. -Oh, it was.
-Just like that sandwich. -Yeah.
-Mmm-hmm. -Just like that sandwich.
You find anything that you like?
Hey, you know, Hollywood, uh...
Can I get this to go?
I got a long drive ahead of me.
I'll box it up for you.
Tell me whenever you're ready, all right?
-I'll have what he's having. -All right.
-Be right back. -All right.
[Hollywood chuckles]
Long drive? Where are you off to?
Atlanta.
-Is that right? -Mmm.
Yeah, I'm headed up to Nashville.
A big art show to shop my wares.
Is that right?
-Randy -Oh, Ellis.
Nice to meet you.
So...
What is it that you do?
-I mean, what kinda art? -[Randy] Ceramics.
Uh, mugs, bowls, plates.
And I draw too.
Mostly still-life.
[mouths] I don't know.
Inanimate objects.
Okay.
Oh, wow. You did this?
Mmm.
[exhales] Wow!
I couldn't begin to draw something this beautiful.
I had years of trial and error.
Love every second.
And what about you? What do you do?
I'm a plumber.
Well, plumber is an artist in a way.
Yeah, getting it right takes trial and error.
You know, learning to weld for example,
welding pipe strong enough to stand the test of time,
that is an art form.
-Hey. -[Randy chuckles]
I would love to sketch you.
But I thought you only did inanimate objects.
I like figure drawing too.
Especially, for someone who's as handsome as you.
I'm flattered, but I have someone.
You sure?
No, but...
-[both chuckle] -[Ellis] It's a long story.
Oh.
I understand.
But thank you for the conversation.
[Hollywood] All right. All right.
Make sure you save room for pie, all right.
My wife makes the best in town.
I hear she's a genius.
[Hollywood] Well, you done heard right. [chuckles]
-My man. -Hey, it's always good seeing you.
Always a pleasure.
-[Ellis] Yes, sir. -All right.
Good luck, Ellis.
Thank you.
And hey, if it doesn't work out,
you have my number on the card.
Yeah.
Yeah, but this has to work out.
But thank you.
-All right. Drive safe. -[Randy] You too.
Oh, yeah, Pia
-you are the only one who can be drinking that. -[both chuckle]
Bubbles add trouble, you know me.
So, what are you wearing tonight?
Chef jacket like usual.
They just want a normal day in the life.
Mmm-mmm, friend.
You gotta make it pop.
Rhinestones, feathers.
"Power to the people" buttons, something.
-You're so extra. -[Pia laughs]
So, is Mister Morehouse gonna be there.
Hosea? He's in Ghana.
Working with a startup, but he sent me these flowers.
-Someone's in love. -Oh, God. No.
No!
He just, you know, he's excited.
Because he knows this exposure will attract investors
when it's time to open my second spot.
Oh, power couple!
Mmm, we are not a couple.
-Stop that. We are not a couple. -[both chuckle]
All right. Well, what about Mister New Orleans?
Hmm.
-Too much baggage. -[Pia] Mmm-hmm.
Well, now you know, doesn't even matter.
Right.
I watched you go from hosting dinners out of your apartment
to having your own restaurant.
And now you're going to be on TV.
[both chuckle]
Your example makes me know
that I can have my own salon one day.
Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Mmm, Pia.
Thank you for being my friend and my therapist.
-I love you. -I love you.
[chuckles]
And I don't care what no one says.
Don't forget about Hosea.
That's a good man right there in Atlanta.
Available and ready to step it up.
[Sunday] So, tonight is like every night
except... we have cameras.
And I might show off a little bit.
[all chuckling]
All right, everybody, take note.
Tonight's black eyed peas and rice croquettes
are gonna be served a little differently.
We're putting them on top of a garlic red pepper sauce,
garnished with a fried basil leaf.
[all] Mmm.
[Sunday] Dessert special.
Bite sized beignets with a praline dip.
And my grandmother's coconut cake.
Now, I'mma wait for y'all to taste it
before I drop the mic on it.
-Okay. -[Sunday] Right?
[all] Okay.
-[imitates dropping the mic] -[all chuckling]
Okay, people. We've got a 150 on the books tonight,
so everybody look sharp.
If you're not ready, get ready.
Ooh! We know who's ready over here.
Trey, with his hair and makeup. Okay!
[all exclaiming]
All right, y'all, I need the front to treat 'em right,
the back to feed 'em right and together we're all gonna be all right.
-All right? -All right. All right.
I wanna thank all of you in advance
for always making me look good.
Okay? So, let's go out there and show 'em how VFC gets down.
-[all applauding] -Hands in. Hands in.
All right. One, two, three, VFC!
[all] VFC.
[Sunday] All right, we got one grilled salad, one grilled mushroom,
one groundnut stew and one sexy lentil.
We got two grilled salad.
Fried double eggs and one sexy cornbread.
One cauliflower.
We have two salad...
-Yes, chef. -Yes, chef. Got it, chef.
Make it sexy.
Yes, chef.
Mindu, how long on that first risotto and maque choux?
Two minutes out, chef.
Chef, can we get you cooking?
Ah, yeah. No problem.
Mindu, let's switch.
Yes, chef. Just finishing up.
What do you got?
We got one risotto, one maque choux, chef.
I couldn't help noticing
that all the chefs in your kitchen are women.
Did that just happen or was that intentional?
[chuckles softly] Nothing just happens.
You know, working in a kitchen is hard
hot day's work.
And no one needs to try and study their craft
while worrying if the line cook beside them
is gonna grab their ass.
I wanted to create an environment where
the hardest thing for a woman chef
in my kitchen to do is cook.
How do you manage to balance all of this with your personal life?
-I mean, is it possible to have it all? -[Sunday chuckles]
Do you ask men that question?
[all chuckling]
♪ I've been up for days With no sleep, yeah ♪
♪ I said it right The first time ♪
Can we get some shots with you and your customers?
Oh, yeah.
♪ Can you open up To me please, baby? ♪
♪ Let me pick your mind Right quick ♪
♪ Let me see Why you been angry ♪
♪ About the things I did ♪
♪ Yeah or was it Things I said? ♪
♪ I know I've done wrong, Had you pissed off ♪
♪ I ain't proud of it, no ♪
♪ You will never let me Live this down ♪
♪ I just hope You come around ♪
♪ And say, and say ♪
♪ You need me ♪
That's great.
-How are you doing? -Hi!
[all chuckling]
How are you doing?
Two risottos two to follow, table three.
[Sunday exclaims]
Hey.
So, truffles
grow under Georgia pecan trees
just so they grow under Italian oaks.
What we have here is a Georgia truffle risotto
with Carolina gold rice.
-Enjoy. -[customer] Amazing. Can we take a selfie?
Oh! Yeah, of course.
-[camera shutter clicks] -[customer] Thank you.
-Enjoy. -Thanks.
[Kenny] I'm so sorry.
There's no way you can come here with a party of five tonight.
But I can put you down for a reservation
at the same time tomorrow.
[crowd chattering]
[Kenny] Good evening.
Welcome to Vegetarian Food Collective.
-Thank you. -[Kenny] Reservation?
Oh... no. I'm afraid not.
Well, you're in luck
if you don't mind taking the last seat at the bar.
-Seat now taken. -[Kenny] All right.
One more thing. This evening we have a crew in
filming a special segment for Tanya's Kitchen Table.
Just in case the camera catches you,
sign your life away.
[crowd chattering]
[Kenny] You have actually got the best seat in the house.
You can see the magic of Chef Sunday in action.
Here we are.
I leave you in the capable hands of Brian.
Best bartender in Atlanta.
Thank you.
-[Brian] What's up, man? -Hey.
Treat yourself with a cocktail or something?
Ah, sure.
Can I have the cucumber cooler.
But no gin.
Is it always this busy?
Yeah, it's always pretty busy.
-First time here? -Yeah.
Welcome. Prepare to be blown away.
Here you go.
Thank you.
So, what are your favorites?
Everything.
Well, you know I'm not a vegetarian
and this looks very...
vegetarian.
Man, you just gotta jump right in.
Trust me, everything on the menu is delicious.
If you like okra, ours is outstanding.
Our sous chef, Mindu,
her okra with the wild mushrooms
is sort of like a vegetarian shrimp and grits.
Oh and please leave room for coconut cake.
Nothing in your life ever tasted likely.
All right, I don't know.
See, for the first time,
you should probably go for the tasting menu.
It's a little bit almost everything,
All right, that's what I'll have.
-[glass clinks] -[all] Cheers!
[Brian] All right. There you go.
Ah!
[chuckles] Talk to me.
All right, so for your first taste,
you got the okra etouffee.
Topped with toasted coconut and crispy onions.
Sheesh. I mean, it's so pretty.
I almost didn't wanna eat it.
[kisses]
It's like, edible art.
[both chuckle]
-All right, let's see. -[Brian] Mmm-hmm.
[Brian chuckles]
Amazing right?
-I can't speak. -[Brian chuckles]
Excuse me.
The Paul Bara champagne.
Amazing. Glass?
No, no, no. Magnum. For the kitchen.
Can I do that?
Absolutely.
Like how you think, man.
Coming right up.
Ladies.
Compliments of gentleman
who happens to describe your food as edible art.
[all] Mmm.
[chuckles] Okay. All right.
It's not a surprise critic, is it?
No, I don't think so.
He's a cool guy who heard about VFC and wanted to check it out.
-Okay. -[chuckles]
Introduce me.
Hey.
This is our Chef Sunday.
[music stops]
[crowd chattering]
Um, that's a cut.
Thank you.
-Hey. -Hi.
Thanks for the champagne.
Ah, it's my pleasure.
I heard a lot of great things about the famous VFC,
so I decided to come down and check it out for myself.
You know, maybe, I thought,
maybe we could talk later.
[Kenny] Sunday.
Excuse me, I need to...
Yeah, go ahead.
[Brian] All right, man.
We got one pecan pie.
Layered in Askanya chocolate.
The cow was sourced, fermented and dried in Haiti,
handcrafted by women.
[chuckles]
Mmm.
[indistinct chatter]
Yeah, man, she's slammed.
They're filming a segment for a cooking show.
Yeah, Sunday's a rockstar.
Always has been.
Wait, you know her?
Why didn't you say so?
I don't know. Never came up.
How do you guys know each other?
[Ellis] We went to high school together
and we recently reconnected.
Say no more. I'm rooting for you, man.
Thanks, man. Ellis.
-Brian. -[Ellis] Good to meet you.
[man] Hey, Brian.
[all cheering]
[Sunday] So, that's it?
Yes. You did a great job today.
-You're a natural. -Thank you.
And thank you for such a great day,
so much fun.
You're so welcome.
-Kenny will show you out. -[producer] Okay.
I thought you all were done.
-Me too. -He seems nice.
[whispers] Don't start.
I'm just making an observation.
We should go thank him for the champagne.
-I thanked him. -I didn't.
[sighs wearily]
Hi. Ellis?
-Mindu. -Oh, the Mindu.
Good to finally meet you.
I know, same. I've heard all about you.
She is so happy to see you.
You know that, right?
How many days are you in town for?
[Sunday] Okay. Okay.
You thanked the nice man.
Let's go finish clean up, so we can go home.
-Okay? -Mmm-hmm.
It was nice meeting you, Ellis.
Nice meeting you too. It's good to finally put a name with a face.
Remember what I said.
-Excuse me, Brian. -Yeah, man, what's up?
Ah, can I have one of these espressos before you leave?
Yeah, man. Coming up.
Thank you.
-Good night. Congratulations -Good night.
Thank you. Thanks, ladies.
Bye. Good night. We'll see you tomorrow.
-All right. -All right.
Mmm.
Look at him, Sunday.
I know what he looks like.
He looks sad.
Well, I didn't tell him to come here.
[clears throat]
Look, it's been a long day, I'm tired.
I just wanna go home and have a drink and take a bath.
Alone.
Well, that sounds like a lovely evening,
but aren't you the least bit curious about what he has to say?
Nope. I'm not.
You can be so hard with your mean ass.
Whatever. I'm good.
I just want you to be happy.
I am happy.
Do you know
how many people wait a lifetime
to have somebody get dressed up
and drive across state lines to see them?
Will you just go talk to him?
-Hey. -Hey.
You know, this place is...
it's incredible.
The VFC has you written all over it.
Mmm, how so?
I don't know, the textures.
Patterns.
African influences.
It's beautiful.
Thank you.
How did the video shoot go?
Were you happy with it?
Or maybe I should get your autograph
-before you blow up. -[Sunday chuckles]
-It's been a long day, Ellis. -Yeah.
I can see how busy you were.
I can see why you didn't
get back to me.
You got my voicemails, right?
Did you block me?
[Bryan] Hey, Sunday.
I'm headed out.
-[Sunday] Okay. -Nice to meet you, Ellis.
Good night, y'all.
Thanks, Brian. See you tomorrow.
Champagne was a classy move.
You made an impression on everyone.
Well, the only person I was trying to make an impression on was you.
-We all appreciated it. -Enough to unblock me?
Does your family know you're here, Ellis?
I'm a grown man, Sunday.
They don't need to know my every move.
Sunday, just wait.
Can we talk?
I have to lock up.
Is that how you treat all your customers?
I mean, can I at least get a tour
before you kick me out?
Come on.
Let's go for a tour.
Hot side, saute, grill.
Cold side, desserts, pastry, salads.
We put the less experienced chefs on the cold side
because cold mistakes are less costly.
Me? I'm the expo.
What's an expo?
The expediter.
So, I'm the link between
the kitchen and the wait staff.
I'm the last person to see the food before it goes out.
So, I have some final garnishes,
I check presentation,
just to ensure that the dish is perfect.
You make it seem so easy.
[chuckles softly] It's not.
What are you doing?
[chuckles]
Are you cooking?
Yeah, I don't get to eat during service.
Really? Not at all? Not even a little munching?
No?
Wow.
-You must be starving. -I am.
This is delicious.
-[Sunday chuckles] -Oh, boy.
[Ellis chuckles]
Gosh.
Why are you here?
You know, I was on
such a mission to get here, I...
I didn't spent enough time thinking about
what I was gonna say.
Well, you made it clear.
It was fun catching up and that's all it was.
I'm good with that.
So, we can just go back to our lives.
No harm, no foul.
That's not what I want.
And I don't think that's what you want.
It's what you wanted last time I saw you.
So, what changed?
Since the separation,
I haven't had to figure out how to fit anyone into my life.
And to be honest with you, I haven't wanted to.
Just I've...
I've changed.
I think I was afraid to
rock the boat.
I didn't want everything to fall apart again.
-And now? -And now...
Yeah, I've thought about it and I...
You know, I can't, I can't live in fear.
My girls are my world, but...
I have to have a life too.
You know, I remember the...
the very first time I saw you.
You walking across the quad.
You had on this... [chuckles]
Skirt.
It used to bounce when you walked.
And those pretty legs.
And that confidence.
Oh, gosh.
I had to talk to you.
[chuckles softly] It took me a week to work up the nerve.
[Sunday chuckles]
But from the moment we met,
it just fit.
And...
I knew I didn't wanna be with anyone else.
And after all these years
seeing you again, I felt the same way.
I can't stop thinking about you.
Do you think about me?
[exhales]
That ain't no.
It ain't a yes either.
It's time to lock up.
You getting back on the road tonight?
Yeah.
Yeah, I guess so.
Should make good time this time of night, so.
Wait.
♪ Baby, while we're young ♪
♪ I think we should Do something crazy ♪
♪ Like say, everyone ♪
♪ And just run away From the daily routine ♪
♪ Yeah, you know what I mean ♪
♪ I'm telling everybody You're mine... ♪
[Ellis] Can I ask you something?
♪ And I really hope You don't mind ♪
♪ I can't fight it ♪
♪ No, you know I cannot hide it... ♪
What are you afraid of?
[clicks tongue]
Daddy getting sick.
-Spiders. -[Ellis] No.
I mean, with us.
Why won't you give us a chance?
I gave you a chance.
Couple of chances.
That's a real question, I wanna know.
I don't wanna start something with someone
who's not available.
I'm available.
[chuckles softly]
You know, I think that's what I miss most of all.
What?
Your smile.
You coming?
♪ If you got it, It ain't a question ♪
♪ Ooh, it ain't no room For guessing ♪
♪ No more than Emotionally invested ♪
♪ Showing you All my imperfections ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ If I let you, you'll take me for granted ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ If I'm worth more than You could manage ♪
♪ Manage, yeah ♪
♪ Open with me ♪
♪ Oh, we could be honest ♪
♪ Closer to me ♪
♪ Oh, giving me solace ♪
♪ Promise that You won't let me fall ♪
♪ Holding me tight, Loving me right ♪
♪ Giving me life ♪
♪ All night you could be ♪
♪ Telling me lies, Making me cry ♪
♪ Wasting my time The whole time ♪
♪ So just be careful ♪
♪ What you take for granted ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause with me, Know you could do damage ♪
♪ You, you could do damage ♪
♪ On me ♪