From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Jiang Chengzhe had taken full responsibility for everything at the restaurant on the Western restaurant street.

Many of the customers who used to frequent that restaurant now recognize him as their head chef.

However, he still explained the entire situation of the store to Feng Zhengming in detail.

Jiang Chengzhe did not hide some of the problems in the store from Feng Zhengming.

Listening to Jiang Chengzhe's account, Feng Zhengming quickly noticed a seemingly insignificant problem.

"You mean, the Shanghai Catering Association gave the restaurant you're in charge of another award?"

Jiang Chengzhe was taken aback, somewhat confused as to why Feng Zhengming would specifically bring up this matter.

In Jiang Chengzhe's view, the award given by the Shanghai Catering Association is certainly not as significant as the recommendation guide made by Feng Zhengming.

Therefore, when Jiang Chengzhe went to receive the award, he didn't pay much attention to it.

In the past, Feng Zhengming wouldn't have cared about such an award.

But after some things happened in the capital.

This made Feng Zhengming start to become more cautious.

He used to say he wanted to keep a low profile, but most of the time he probably just said it.

Because he has never done anything low-key.

He was quite high-profile in acquiring those old shops in Beijing.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been sued by both the catering association and the chefs' association.

It was after that lawsuit that Feng Zhengming sensed that some people in the Chefs Association and the Catering Association were becoming increasingly hostile towards him.

Or rather, the catering association is even more hostile towards him.

This is actually quite obvious.

Feng Zhengming's shop initially stole business from some other shops.

Secondly, and most importantly, Feng Zhengming's presence has raised everyone's expectations for restaurants.

This undoubtedly dealt a huge blow to some restaurants that had previously relied solely on their decor and service to sell mediocre dishes at high prices.

It's not just ordinary working-class families who are demanding higher and higher standards for the food served in restaurants and hotels.

Even business owners who value face and hold various business banquets for the sake of business are starting to demand that the food be delicious.

This has increased the costs for many high-end restaurants and hotels.

This has also led to some changes in the relationship between the boss and the head chef in the kitchen.

In the past, a good chef could indeed dominate everything in a restaurant or eatery.

Even the boss has to give this head chef some leeway.

Later, with rapid economic development, more and more people began to move around.

Bosses are gradually having more chefs to choose from.

In addition, the entry of various overseas fast food and restaurants into China has impacted the domestic catering market.

This has led to chefs who have stuck to traditional techniques gradually feeling like they are being phased out.

The owners of various restaurants have gradually gained greater say and initiative.

As a result, some business owners started spending money on things that were visible and became less concerned about the chefs in the kitchen.

Even the head chefs in some large restaurants earn less than those running small restaurants on the street.

This situation was reversed once again because of Feng Zhengming's appearance and the opening of his various stores.

The restaurant owners suddenly realized that customers had higher expectations for the taste of their food.

They could have solved the problem by spending less money and finding a decent chef.

We can no longer just get by with things casually.

Naturally, this made the restaurant owners resentful of Feng Zhengming.

Similarly, some chefs who could have been slacking off in the kitchen of large restaurants were forced to stop because of the competition from Feng Zhengming's restaurant. Their workload increased every day, and they also had some complaints about Feng Zhengming.

Therefore, in Feng Zhengming's view, the Shanghai Catering Association should award the store managed by Jiang Chengzhe separately.

It's like awarding it separately to Jiang Chengzhe.

This seems more like a carefully planned attempt to sow discord between them.

Feng Zhengming stated his opinion very frankly.

Jiang Chengzhe was taken aback when he heard this, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized it too.

"That's interesting. They might actually be trying to use this award to gradually drive a wedge between us. The way you put it reminds me of the scene when I went to receive the award."

Jiang Chengzhe recalled that when he went to receive the award, a group of bosses surrounded him and showered him with flattery.

Some people even intentionally or unintentionally reminded him that he was now a very skilled chef and didn't need to continue working for Feng Zhengming.

Some business owners even privately asked him if he was still in control of the store he was running.

The other party also revealed that if Jiang Chengzhe needed it, they were willing to invest in helping him take full control of the store.

Or perhaps Jiang Chengzhe wants to open his own restaurant in Shanghai.

They can also contribute funds to help, but they will only receive shares without participating in any management or operation of the restaurant.

Jiang Chengzhe spoke these words frankly, a smile on his face.

"Looking back now, those guys really did have this planned all along. They wanted to drive a wedge between us, and they even wanted to poach me from your side."

Feng Zhengming: "That's not surprising. I believe that not only you, but others have also thought about poaching them."

As he said this, Feng Zhengming's gaze swept over every young chef present.

Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
Feng Zhengming laughed: "Don't be nervous. If someone tries to poach you, as long as they offer you enough benefits, I certainly won't stop you from going."

Besides, no matter where you go, aren't you all chefs who came from my tutelage?

Your success abroad proves that I, the top scholar, do indeed have some ability.

Feng Zhengming's frankness actually made everyone present feel more relaxed.

Then other people also mentioned that they had been contacted privately by some bosses.

Then, after thinking it over, Feng Zhengming had a slightly new idea.

Perhaps some people will be poached.

Then, having other business owners invest in and run their own restaurants is also a good option.

At least that way, we can find better career paths for the young chefs under our command.

Moreover, even if they leave Feng Zhengming's own shop, the bosses who poached them will still have to move Feng Zhengming out for publicity purposes.

He would explain to everyone that the head chef he recruited was previously an outstanding young chef under Feng Zhengming.

This undoubtedly further elevates Feng Zhengming's status and also increases the value of the chefs he has trained in the kitchen.

So after thinking it over, Feng Zhengming felt there was no need to worry about anyone being poached.

"Haha, I just suddenly thought about it, and I think that if you guys get poached, it might not be a bad thing. Since someone is trying to poach you, it means you really have the ability."

Then, if you go out and can use other people's investment to open a restaurant according to your own ideas.

This also shows that my kitchen, which produced the top scorer, is still worthy of recognition in terms of talent cultivation.

So if anyone tries to recruit you again, and if you yourselves feel the need to go out and try, I absolutely support you, and I hope you can make a name for yourselves outside.” Feng Zhengming’s words stunned everyone present.

No one really expected that Feng Zhengming would think of so many things.

The poaching of his talent should have been a blow to him.

But Feng Zhengming's words made it seem like poaching people had actually become a good thing.

Just as Feng Zhengming said, those who are poached by other bosses are definitely people with certain abilities.

If they are willing to go out and try, Feng Zhengming will absolutely not stop anyone.

Moreover, from his words, it was clear that he was even somewhat happy to let others poach the young chefs from his restaurant.

Surprised, the young chefs thought about it carefully.

They quickly understood Feng Zhengming's plan.

Feng Zhengming now has a more comprehensive chef training system.

He could easily train new young chefs layer by layer.

Therefore, even if someone is poached by another company, Feng Zhengming can quickly fill the vacant position.

On the contrary, the young chefs who were poached need to consider whether they have the ability to run their own restaurant.

It's like the five of them: Deng Huaichuan, Wang Hanwen, Huang Yunliang, Li Yao, and Han Rui.

Feng Zhengming agreed to invest in the five of them to open restaurants in Shanghai.

But it's impossible for the five of them to run a restaurant on their own.

Just finding enough staff in the kitchen is not easy for five people.

So what if another boss poached me?

Without the support of Feng Zhengming's entire team, how much of a role can they play in the kitchen on their own?

Upon reflection, the young chefs present suddenly realized...

During this period, Feng Zhengming has been traveling around to various places, entrusting the management of several stores in Shanghai to them.

In fact, it seems like they are intentionally cultivating their experience in kitchen management.

Only those with experience in kitchen management, who know how to manage a kitchen effectively, are truly qualified to leave Feng Zhengming and forge their own path.

Seeing everyone deep in thought, Feng Zhengming smiled; this was the scene he had been hoping to see.

He didn't want the young chefs coming out of his kitchen to lack their own ideas and simply imitate him or do things according to his instructions.

A top chef must have his own set of techniques.

We must not only pass on the old craftsmanship, but also create something of our own based on it.

This requires everyone to use their brains and think more.

We have now entered the 21st century.

China will accelerate its development again in the future.

Moreover, more overseas restaurants will flood into the domestic market.

This will continue to impact the domestic market.

To remain undefeated amidst various challenges, one must possess unique ideas and be able to create cuisine that is both grounded in tradition and keeps pace with the times.

Feng Zhengming also gave everyone a little reminder.

"I noticed something during my trip to Beijing: don't you guys think hot pot is becoming more and more popular these days?"

These words made all the young chefs present look at Feng Zhengming.

Then almost everyone nodded in agreement.

"Hot pot is becoming more and more popular, and many hot pot restaurants are popping up all over the country."

"Yes, mainly because the cost of opening a hot pot restaurant is very low."

"Also, hot pot is also very popular among young people."

"I even want to open a hot pot restaurant."

"Old Wang, you're capable. You should be able to make your own hot pot broth."

Wang Hanwen quickly became the focus of attention, and everyone thought that he would definitely have no problem opening a hot pot restaurant.

After everyone finished speaking, Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "There are too many hot pot options. If you want to open a hot pot restaurant, Wang Hanwen, you must have something new to offer your customers."

During my time on the streets of Beijing, I discovered something: what we might actually prefer is barbecue.

"Barbecue?" This once again surprised the young chefs.

Feng Zhengming nodded: "That's right. I've observed that the best-selling item in that shop isn't boiled sheep's head, but rather the large skewers of roasted mutton that I opened in my own little window."

Moreover, one of the small shops I acquired is a grilled meat restaurant near a tourist attraction, and that restaurant is very popular now.

No matter where tourists go to Kyoto's tourist attractions, they will all want to have a bite of barbecue.

So we can actually consider this approach, such as adding some barbecue items to the store.

Another option is to open specialized barbecue restaurants.

Feng Zhengming's line of thought caused everyone present to fall into deep thought once again.

This clash of ideas has indeed generated many new thoughts and approaches.

At the same time, Feng Zhengming was thinking about something deeper.

Whether it's hot pot or barbecue, both require a lot of ingredients.

So, with the resources he currently has, he can start to plan for the raw material side.

Whether it's the various frozen goods for hot pot or the various meat ingredients needed for barbecue.

Feng Zhengming believes that this will be a huge market demand.

Furthermore, Feng Zhengming's own shops also have the same needs.

Instead of constantly relying on purchasing from others, why not try to build a complete raw material supply chain yourself?

At that time, you won't even need to specifically look for clients yourself.

If you have enough stores and the demand is large enough, a large number of customers will naturally come to you.

With this in mind, Feng Zhengming felt that the best person to handle this matter was definitely his third uncle.

My third uncle's shift from foreign trade to vegetable wholesale in recent years has indeed led to a successful business.

Feng Zhengming thought that he should ask his third uncle to increase the processing of some meat raw materials.

It can produce various meats and meatballs for hot pot, and can also cover the meat needs for barbecue.

Feng Zhengming even had an even bigger idea: to invest in his third uncle's breeding farm.

In this way, once a complete industrial chain is formed for various types of meat, from breeding, slaughtering, processing, packaging, and transportation, you won't have to worry about being constrained by raw materials, no matter what kind of store you open.

The other young chefs were unaware that Feng Zhengming had such deep thoughts; they were still discussing how to make their hot pot and barbecue restaurants more innovative.

Feng Zhengming has even begun to consider establishing more deep-sea fishing and aquaculture operations to control the seafood supply channels in his own hands.

Of course, all of this requires sufficient funding and corresponding technical support.

Feng Zhengming pondered, realizing he might need some agricultural and pastoral talent. (End of Chapter)