From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After meeting Zhang Lei, they conducted a thorough investigation into the situation of his shop at the train station.

Feng Zhengming encouraged the apprentices in the kitchen and told Zhang Lei not to make them work too hard. He also told them to pay attention to adjusting the night shift schedule so that everyone could have a chance to work the night shift.

These days, most people would rather work the night shift, since the kitchen staff pays double for night shifts.

Therefore, if the arrangements for night shift staff are not properly coordinated, some problems may arise.

Zhang Lei carefully noted down Feng Zhengming's words and then saw Feng Zhengming out.

Before leaving, Feng Zhengming smiled and looked at Zhang Lei again.

"Keep up the good work, and I hope you'll have your own restaurant soon too."

Zhang Lei smiled: "Thank you, Junior Uncle. I will work hard, and I will also tell the kitchen staff to cooperate well with the new head chef."

Feng Zhengming: "That's not necessary. I see that some people in your kitchen are doing a good job. Perhaps through a selection process, someone else can take your place."

Zhang Lei was somewhat surprised: "You're letting a kitchen apprentice take my place?"

Feng Zhengming: "Leizi, you guys are the backbone of the next generation. I can't let young chefs take over fast food restaurants like dry rice shops. I want you to improve, like Jiang Chengzhe's shop."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's words, Zhang Lei was stunned for a moment, and then he understood.

When his junior uncle was in the capital, Zhang Lei had a conversation with Jiang Chengzhe and the others.

Jiang Chengzhe also said at the time that his junior uncle would focus more on mid-range restaurants in the future.

In fact, this was something that was expected.

After all, apart from himself and Jiang Chengzhe, most of the young chefs under Feng Zhengming were apprentices. Even those who had graduated did not have enough ability to truly take over the kitchen.

However, after these years of experience, Zhang Lei, Zhu Xu, Xia Hui, and Sun Hai have all grown up.

The skills of those young chefs who initially joined him have also improved dramatically.

Letting them continue to manage the kitchen of the branch of the rice shop would be a waste of their talents.

However, if you choose to go for a more upscale restaurant or hotel business.

The investment is too large and will tie up Feng Zhengming's available funds.

Therefore, the safest approach is to follow the example of the branch restaurant on the Western restaurant street where Jiang Chengzhe is located and develop it into a distinctive mid-range restaurant.

This way, young chefs can be placed in suitable positions.

Meanwhile, mid-range specialty restaurants require much less investment.

And as long as you can make the dishes unique, you'll have a steady stream of customers.

Therefore, Jiang Chengzhe had already spoken with everyone before Feng Zhengming returned from Beijing, reminding them that they must be prepared.

Next, Feng Zhengming needs them to do even better, and needs them all to become restaurant chefs who can stand on their own.

Zhang Lei was the first to be approached, and Feng Zhengming had already made arrangements for him.

“Uncle-Master, if I had to choose one of the apprentices in the kitchen to replace me, I would recommend Li Hongbo. He is the most diligent among the apprentices, and his skills are already sufficient to support this restaurant.”

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Okay, I will consider him. You can ask him to prepare in advance as well."

When Zhang Lei heard Feng Zhengming say this, he was first taken aback, and then he understood his junior uncle's intention.

Junior Uncle is giving me pointers; his willingness to use the person I recommended shows his trust in me.

This trust is based on ability, as well as on one's ability to judge people.

Gaining this sense of trust truly made Zhang Lei very happy.

"Yes, Junior Uncle, I will remind him privately to prepare him."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Okay, I'm off. I still need to check out a few other stores."

Zhang Lei escorted Feng Zhengming to the parking lot, and after Feng Zhengming got into the car, he even helped him close the car door.

After watching Feng Zhengming drive away, Zhang Lei turned around and walked back.

On the way, he looked around and gazed at the train station not far away.

Having been in Shanghai for several years, Zhang Lei felt that he had finally progressed to the point where he could gain the trust of his junior uncle, and he truly felt a sense of pride and high spirits.

Clenching his fists, Zhang Lei strode back.

Back in the kitchen, Zhang Lei gathered the apprentices together for a short meeting.

"Now there is an opportunity in front of you. I may be transferred back to Huiquanlou Restaurant in Quancheng soon. There should be a new head chef in the kitchen of this restaurant."

This new head chef could be one of you, or someone transferred from outside.

So whether you can become the head chef depends on your performance going forward. I hope you all work hard and strive to become the head chef of this restaurant.

Zhang Lei's words stunned everyone in the kitchen.

Then everyone's faces showed anticipation.

Want to become the head chef at this branch?

This is something every kitchen apprentice dreams of.

Zhang Lei then asked about Li Hongbo, whom his junior uncle had mentioned.

"Master Zhang, you...you're leaving? Why are you being transferred back to Huiquanlou Restaurant in Quancheng?"

Zhang Lei smiled: "I need to go back for training."

These words surprised the apprentices once again.

Li Hongbo quickly realized: "Congratulations, Chef Zhang. You're going back to receive head chef training, right?"

Zhang Lei also admired Li Hongbo's intelligence, and he nodded: "Yes."

The other apprentices also immediately congratulated Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei favored Li Hongbo because he thought Li Hongbo was smart and hardworking.

Most importantly, Li Hongbo also came from Jinan, and he lived not far from Zhang Lei.

This explains why Zhang Lei favors Li Hongbo and takes extra care of him in the kitchen.

The other apprentices saw this, but none of them had much of an opinion.

Overall, Zhang Lei was able to maintain fairness and impartiality in the kitchen.

We will teach every apprentice in the kitchen seriously and give everyone an equal opportunity.

This also demonstrates that Li Hongbo is more outstanding than others.

He would proactively ask Zhang Lei some questions, and he would also diligently review what he had learned. He would also prioritize doing his own work in the kitchen well.

These three points are indeed things that other apprentices often find difficult to achieve.

Zhang Lei hasn't told Li Hongbo yet that he recommended him to his junior uncle.

He remained fair and impartial, announcing in public that all apprentices had an equal opportunity.

Over the years, Zhang Lei has indeed matured a lot.

He longed to return to Jinan and work in the kitchen of Huiquanlou Restaurant, to be back by his master's side, to learn kitchen management from him, and to move towards becoming the head chef.

Feng Zhengming drove to the branch store managed by Sun Hai as his second stop.

Of all the branches, Sun Hai's is the furthest one.

Feng Zhengming drove here, which took him more than an hour. When he arrived at the shop, Sun Hai had already closed for some time and was cleaning up.

Feng Zhengming stood outside the shop for a while.

I observed the situation in the store.

It's clear that the atmosphere in Sun Hai's shop is significantly better.

Everyone in the store, from the service staff and cashiers to the kitchen staff, is all smiles and getting along well.

Even Sun Hai could chat and laugh with them.

Feng Zhengming also saw that Xia Hui was in the store.

Everyone in the shop was already used to Xia Hui's arrival.

When Xia Hui and Sun Hai stood together, they really looked like an old married couple.

Looking at this, Feng Zhengming couldn't help but think that Xia Hui and Sun Hai should get married.

Perhaps after they get married, I can let them officially join me in the kitchen of the old-style restaurant.

When I'm not in Shanghai, I'll have the couple take charge of the restaurant's kitchen.

After looking outside for a while, Feng Zhengming finally pushed open the door and went inside.

Upon seeing someone push the door open and enter, the cleaning staff first looked up to apologize and inform them that the day's business was closed.

But when they looked up and saw that it was Feng Zhengming who had entered, everyone was taken aback.

Feng Zhengming noticed that the previous cheerful atmosphere had faded.

"Did I come at the wrong time? Everyone seems a little nervous when they see me. You can continue with your business. We've already closed for the day, so there's no need to be so reserved."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's words and seeing the smile on his face, the people in the shop gradually recovered.

Xia Hui and Sun Hai also came out of the kitchen.

"Master, what brings you here?"

"Uncle-Master, you've arrived."

Feng Zhengming: "I came here to take a look. I couldn't sleep at night, so I came here to walk around and look at various shops. I originally wanted to go to A Zhe's shop first, but his business was too good, so I went to Zhang Lei's shop at the train station first, and then came here."

Sun Hai: "I can't compare with them. Our customers are mostly local residents, so we don't have many customers after 8 or 9 pm."

Feng Zhengming: "This is good too, you don't have to work too hard."

Then Feng Zhengming looked at Xia Hui: "You got here even faster than me?"

Xia Hui was a little embarrassed by what was said: "Master, I came by subway."

Feng Zhengming: "That's faster than me driving."

Then Feng Zhengming had the shop continue cleaning and called Xia Hui and Sun Hai out for a private chat.

After leaving the store, Feng Zhengming told the two about his new plan.

"Sun Hai, who do you think would be the best person to take over this store?"

After listening to his junior uncle's plan, Sun Hai was a little unsure how to answer when his junior uncle asked him so directly.

Xia Hui chimed in, "Master, you should ask him. He probably doesn't even have a suitable candidate himself. I think it's best to let the kitchen staff compete fairly and let whoever is capable take over."

After listening to Xia Hui's words, Sun Hai nodded and said, "Yes, yes, Uncle should let them compete fairly."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Okay, then let's do it your way, fair competition."

Then Feng Zhengming led Xia Hui and Sun Hai back to the shop.

The store was almost completely cleaned by then.

Feng Zhengming instructed Sun Hai to gather everyone together.

Then he announced to the public: "Your head chef, who is also Manager Sun, is going to be promoted and will be working in the kitchen of my old villa restaurant in Shanghai. So this restaurant needs a new manager and head chef."

I just asked him outside if he had any recommendations. He told me that you are all very talented and that he thinks you should be given a fair chance to compete.

Since he said that, I respect his opinion and will give you a fair chance to compete.

At the same time, I will also transfer new people from Shandong to compete with you. Who can replace Chef Sun as store manager and head chef will depend on your individual abilities.

Remember, competition in this store is fair. You can compete with each other, but no underhanded tactics, and certainly no sabotaging each other behind our backs. If I find out, I won't be so lenient.

After hearing Feng Zhengming's words, everyone was initially surprised.

However, everyone first congratulated Sun Hai.

Everyone in the shop knew that Sun Hai's transfer to the kitchen of the old-style restaurant meant that Feng Zhengming had recognized his abilities.

Then everyone realized that they would be competing to elect the new store manager and head chef of the restaurant.

This immediately made everyone excited and full of anticipation.

At the same time, thinking that it was Sun Hai who proposed to Feng Zhengming that everyone in the store should compete fairly, everyone felt grateful to Sun Hai and felt that they had gotten along really well over the years.

Everyone expressed their willingness to perform well and compete for the positions of store manager and head chef to Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming didn't linger, leaving the rest to Sun Hai and Xia Hui.

He said goodbye and left first, then drove to the next store.

On the way, Feng Zhengming had already begun to plan how to open and operate a restaurant in the mid-range market.

Mid-range restaurants don't require the same level of investment as old-style villa restaurants or grand banquet halls.

However, for a mid-range restaurant to succeed, it requires even greater overall strength.

After all, customers in the mid-range market are more concerned about the taste of the dishes.

Moreover, mid-range customers still want good quality at a reasonable price.

Therefore, doing well in the mid-range market is often more time-consuming and labor-intensive than running a high-end restaurant or a fast-food branch like a dry rice shop.

But for Feng Zhengming now, he has no choice but to focus on the mid-range market.

Because the young chefs under his command have all grown up.

Feng Zhengming felt that it was a bit unfair to keep them working in the kitchen of fast food chain branches like Ganfanpu.

Why are people willing to follow me?
Of course, it's because they feel that by following me, they will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the future.

So how can we enable them to showcase their abilities?
The goal is to capture the mid-range market, to empower them to become independent, to let them manage a restaurant, and to help them run it well and develop their own unique characteristics.

Of course, there is another point that is even more important to Feng Zhengming.

That is, they have seized the power of discourse in the low, medium and high-end markets.

Only then can he truly bring about some changes to the domestic catering industry.

This will allow the domestic catering industry to truly develop in a better direction.

This will prevent Chinese cuisine from being easily crushed by any random street food from abroad in the future.

Only in this way can Feng Zhengming's Zhengluxing Catering Company be finally completed.

Next, we can train chefs layer by layer, providing a benchmark and a clear career path for all chefs in the country, ensuring that a group of chefs can uphold their excellent skills. (End of Chapter)