CHAPTER 11 – The Health Inspector’s Visit
Just when Noah thought his struggles were over, another challenge arrived, one he never expected.
It was a Tuesday morning, and Noah was setting up his stall as usual. Claire was helping him arrange ingredients while their first customers of the day lined up.
The atmosphere was peaceful, until a man in a white uniform approached the stall, holding a clipboard.
Noah immediately knew something was wrong.
"Good morning," the man said, flashing a government ID.
Department of Health and Sanitation
Inspector: Mr. Roberto Cruz
Noah's stomach dropped.
A health inspector.
---
The Inspection Begins
"Are you the owner of this stall?" the inspector asked.
Noah wiped his hands on his apron and nodded. "Yes, sir. My name is Noah Quinn."
The inspector gave a small nod before glancing around.
"I received a report about this food stall. I'm here to conduct a sanitation check."
Noah tensed.
A report?
Someone had complained about his stall?
His mind immediately went to Brandon.
Even though his rival's business had shut down, there was no doubt that he still held a grudge.
Noah took a deep breath. It didn't matter.
He had nothing to hide.
"Of course, sir. Feel free to inspect anything," Noah said, forcing himself to stay calm.
The inspector nodded and got to work.
---
The Problems Start
At first, things seemed fine.
The inspector checked Noah's ingredients, utensils, and cooking area.
But then, he frowned.
Noah's heart pounded. "Is something wrong, sir?"
The inspector pointed at a small container near the frying station.
"This oil… how often do you replace it?"
Noah hesitated. "Every two days, sir."
The inspector's frown deepened. "That's too long. Used cooking oil should be replaced daily to maintain proper food quality and safety."
Noah gulped.
The inspector made a note on his clipboard.
Then, he walked toward Noah's storage area.
When he opened the cooler, his frown deepened further.
"Noah, your refrigerator temperature is a little high," Claire whispered. "It might not be cold enough."
The inspector sighed and shook his head.
"Noah Quinn," he said. "I'm afraid I have to issue a warning notice. Your cooking oil needs to be replaced more frequently, and your refrigeration unit doesn't meet the required temperature for storing perishable ingredients."
Noah felt his stomach sink.
"If you don't fix these issues within one week, you may receive a temporary closure order."
---
As soon as the inspector left, Noah leaned against his stall, rubbing his face.
"This is bad," he muttered. "I don't have money for a new refrigerator. And buying new oil every day will increase my costs."
Claire bit her lip. "What do we do now?"
Noah sighed.
He had fought so hard to win against Brandon, only to be hit with another problem.
But giving up wasn't an option.
"We fix it," Noah said firmly. "We find a way."
---
That night, Noah researched cheaper ways to replace oil daily.
He learned that some vendors sold used oil at a discount. But he refused to risk his customers' health.
Then, he had an idea.
Instead of frying everything, he could introduce new menu items that required less oil.
The next morning, he introduced a grilled option, marinated chicken skewers, grilled instead of fried.
Customers loved it.
It wasn't just healthier, it also gave his menu variety.
And since he wasn't frying as much, he didn't need to use as much oil.
---
But one problem remained, his refrigerator.
New units were too expensive, and renting one would cost too much in the long run.
Then, he remembered Aling¹ Marta, his loyal supplier.
Noah visited her that afternoon.
"Tita² Marta, I have a problem," he admitted. "I need a better way to store my ingredients at the right temperature."
Aling Marta thought for a moment.
Then, she smiled.
"I have a suggestion," she said. "Instead of storing large amounts of meat and vegetables, why not buy smaller portions and pick them up every morning?"
Noah's eyes widened.
That was genius.
If he bought fresh ingredients daily, he wouldn't need to store them for too long, which meant he wouldn't need a better refrigerator.
"Tita, you're a lifesaver!" Noah said, grinning.
---
One Week Later
When the inspector returned, Noah felt nervous but prepared.
He proudly showed his new menu items and explained how he had reduced oil usage.
Then, he showed the inspector how he now purchased fresh ingredients daily, eliminating the need for a high-powered fridge.
The inspector nodded in approval.
After completing his checklist, he smiled.
"Noah Quinn, I'm pleased to say your food stall has passed the inspection. Keep up the good work."
Noah let out a huge sigh of relief.
> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Food Safety Challenge: SUCCESS
Reward: +3 Cooking Mastery, +2 Business Adaptability
Noah grinned.
Another challenge overcome.
And this time, he had learned something valuable:
Success isn't just about fighting competitors, it's about adapting and growing.
---
End of Chapter 11
---
Footnotes:
¹Aling - Filipino term for "miss/mrs"
²Tita - Filipino term for "aunt", older individuals who are of the same generation as your parents who are not your direct blood relative