From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Seeing Feng Zhengming walk in startled everyone.

Deng Huaichuan, Wang Hanwen, Huang Yunliang, Li Yao, and Han Rui looked at Feng Zhengming, and their expressions immediately turned very unpleasant.

Interestingly, almost simultaneously, all five of them cast very unfriendly glances at Jiang Chengzhe.

It seemed that everyone agreed that Jiang Chengzhe had deliberately called Feng Zhengming over.

Looking at the scene before him, Feng Zhengming asked the five people again, "Do you want to leave here?"

The five people immediately looked away, and Li Yao was the first to speak.

"Chef, we don't want to leave, but we're supposed to be equals with Jiang Chengzhe in this restaurant. Why does he get to boss us around?"

Feng Zhengming: "I remember saying a long time ago that this restaurant was handed over to Jiang Chengzhe, who is the head chef and manager of the restaurant."

"Do you five think that he, as the store manager and head chef, is not qualified to give you orders?"

These words startled all five of them, and their expressions immediately turned sour.

Wang Hanwen displayed the straightforward temperament typical of people from Sichuan and Chongqing.

"Chef, I think this is unfair. Our skills are no worse than Jiang Chengzhe's, so why should we listen to him here?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "So? You think you should be the head chef of this restaurant?"

Wang Hanwen was taken aback by the question and didn't know how to answer it for a moment.

Deng Huaichuan then spoke up: "Head chef, we don't want to be head chefs, but we believe we can do our own cuisines very well, and we shouldn't take his orders."

This statement provided an out for everyone.

Huang Yunliang chimed in, "That's right. We all have our own specialties. Do we need his permission to cook our own dishes?"

Feng Zhengming: "He is the head chef, so of course you should listen to him in this restaurant. Does that mean you all have to do everything yourself in my old-style restaurant and not listen to my arrangements?"

These words left the five people speechless once again.

Or rather, the five people dared not directly contradict Feng Zhengming after hearing this.

Actually, it started a few days ago when Feng Zhengming returned to Shanghai and held a meeting with them to discuss some things.

All five of them were considering what kind of position they should have with Feng Zhengming.
Perhaps in the past, the five people had wanted to go into the kitchen of the old-style restaurant.

I was thinking of showcasing the skills I'd learned over the years in the kitchen of the old-style restaurant.

However, after Feng Zhengming went to the capital for more than three months...

The five people in the kitchen of the old villa restaurant felt that whether it was Xia Hui, Feng Zhengming's apprentice, or Sun Hai and Zhu Xu, who were temporarily transferred to the restaurant, their skills had already surpassed theirs.

Furthermore, Xia Hui truly inherited Feng Zhengming's skills and did an excellent job in managing and coordinating various aspects of the kitchen.

The five of them admitted that they often needed Xia Hui's coordination and direction to make the dishes they were responsible for perfectly.

This led to the five people feeling somewhat disappointed, or rather, somewhat avoiding going to the kitchen of the old-style restaurant.

When Feng Zhengming returned, he told the five people explicitly that he could help them open a restaurant.

This also gave the five people a new option.

Naturally, the five of them began to have more ideas in their minds.

Back at Jiang Chengzhe's shop, the five people were somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Chengzhe's command.

Jiang Chengzhe observed that the five people present did not dare to show any temper in front of Feng Zhengming.

He also said with some helplessness: "Actually, it can't be entirely their fault. Maybe during my business hours, I sometimes get a little anxious because I take too many orders, and my tone when communicating with them is not good."

Feng Zhengming: "You're quite good at finding excuses for them, aren't you?"

Jiang Chengzhe's expression became even more helpless. He really wanted to say: What can I do? I can't just say they're no good and let them leave, can I?

When the five people saw that Jiang Chengzhe had made an excuse for them, they all said that they were also a bit anxious and hadn't controlled their emotions.

It was clear that they had all developed their own tacit understanding of interpersonal relationships.

Feng Zhengming could only say, "Okay, I think we should do this: the five of you may need to rest. You've really worked hard lately. I'll give you a week off so you can take a break."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's words surprised the five people and Jiang Chengzhe.

No one expected that Feng Zhengming would give all five people a holiday.

Han Rui couldn't help but ask, "Chef, we're on vacation, so... so we can't come back?"

Feng Zhengming laughed when asked, "What? You don't want to come back? You want to use your vacation time to find another job?"

The question relieved the five men, who knew that Feng Zhengming wasn't telling them to leave immediately.

Feng Zhengming then said to the five people, "Giving you a holiday is to let you go out and see the world, go back to the places where you all learned to cook, and rediscover your original passion."

Sometimes chefs need to go out and explore to see what's trending in the market.
I hope that when you return in a week, you'll bring me some surprises.

Hearing Feng Zhengming say this, the five of them relaxed.

Deng Huaichuan simply spoke his mind directly.

"To be honest with you, Chef, I am indeed a bit lost right now. I feel like I can't find my place in your restaurant. I don't know where I should be."

During the months you were in Beijing, I was in the kitchen of a restaurant in an old Western-style house. I felt like I was being directed to cook, and I lost some of my former agility. Many times I even got used to not using my brain and just following Xia Hui's instructions.

But I know this isn't right, especially after you came back. I want to prove myself to you even more, but I don't know how.

Not only Deng Huaichuan, but the other four people had the same feeling.

In the past, whether they were in Feng Zhengming's restaurants in Shanghai, or in the kitchen of the restaurant in the old villa, they all felt that they were capable of keeping up with Feng Zhengming's pace.

They also have many of their own ideas that can be showcased in the kitchen, and they can discuss them with Feng Zhengming, Jiang Chengzhe, Xia Hui, and Sun Hai.

But now they increasingly feel that they are somewhat superfluous in Feng Zhengming's shop.

Why do they often struggle to find their place in the world?
Unsure if you're actually a sous chef?

Or is he just a cook who can work on the stove?

Could she even just be a helper in the kitchen?
The cuisines they had studied seemed no longer what they truly needed in Feng Zhengming's restaurant.

Because Feng Zhengming's shops are increasingly taking on his personal characteristics.

When people go to Feng Zhengming's shops, they want to taste the flavors that Feng Zhengming designed.

So, the five of them, who were already considered the best among the younger generation in their respective culinary specialties, seemed so out of place in Feng Zhengming's kitchen.
Even Jiang Chengzhe can participate, working with Feng Zhengming to design some dishes.

However, they lacked the ability to participate and design their own dishes. Feng Zhengming understood how the five people felt, and he earnestly tried to persuade them.

"Don't worry, it's already quite remarkable for a chef to be able to master a cuisine and achieve perfection."

Actually, during my months in Beijing, while acquiring those old shops on the streets of the city, I also discovered that each shop should retain its unique characteristics.

Just like the cuisines you each specialize in, that's what you're best at.

Feng Zhengming continued to encourage the five people, not wanting to affect their confidence because of himself.

He still hopes that these five outstanding young chefs from their respective cuisines can continue to improve and become true master chefs who can carry their respective cuisines.

"On my way back to Shanghai, I kept thinking about the arrangements for the five of you."

So when I had a meeting before, I asked you all if you would like to open your own restaurants specializing in your respective cuisines. I can support you so you can focus on the cuisines you've learned.

Hearing Feng Zhengming say this, the five people finally recovered from their disappointment.

Huang Yunliang said very seriously: "Thank you, head chef. Thank you for understanding us. Thank you for always wanting to support and train us. We have let you down, and I have also let down my master."

Feng Zhengming: "Don't say that. You are all very talented. Don't let your current setbacks make you deny yourselves."

Jiang Chengzhe also chimed in, saying, "Yes, yes, you actually cook very well. Maybe it's because I didn't manage you well. I spoke to you too much in a commanding tone and didn't consult with you."

At this point, everyone calmed down, and Jiang Chengzhe also realized some of his own problems.

“You’re right. We are equals. We are all young chefs from our respective cuisines. I shouldn’t put on a superior attitude and tell you what to do.”

At this point, Jiang Chengzhe sincerely apologized to the five young chefs: "I'm sorry."

Once things were discussed openly, there were no more conflicts between us.

Originally, everyone gathered together because of Feng Zhengming's personal charm.

Feng Zhengming is still the same Feng Zhengming; he is even willing to help them open their own shops.

This is something that even many big restaurant owners might not be able to do.

So, whether in Jiang Chengzhe's heart or in the hearts of the five outstanding young chefs.

Feng Zhengming is still the same top scholar they admire.

That's the kind of person all young chefs aspire to be.

Now that everyone has spoken openly, there are no more conflicts.

The conversation then became more lively.

Deng Huaichuan, Wang Hanwen, and Huang Yunliang all plan to take advantage of the holiday to go back to their hometowns to visit.

They wanted to go back to their master to rediscover their roots and rekindle the emotions they felt when they were learning to cook.

Although Li Yao and Han Rui studied local Shanghai cuisine, neither of them were from Shanghai.

So the two of them also planned to go back to their respective hometowns to visit their parents.

Feng Zhengming said with a smile, "I'll get a sum of money from the accountant later. Don't think I'm giving you this money for nothing. If you don't come back, I'll come and ask you for it back."

These words amused the five people, who all understood that Feng Zhengming was joking.

Knowing full well they would come back, I said that just to liven things up.

Feng Zhengming added, "Also, when you come back, remember to bring some local specialties from your hometown. See if we can add a few new dishes to the restaurant."

These words immediately energized the five people, and they all started talking about some local specialties from their hometowns.

Seeing that everyone was having a good time chatting, Jiang Chengzhe joined in the conversation.

Feng Zhengming looked at Jiang Chengzhe and suddenly asked, "Ah Zhe, why don't you take a vacation too? Go back and visit?"

Jiang Chengzhe was taken aback by this question.

He hadn't really thought about whether he should take a vacation too.
But then Jiang Chengzhe asked, "I... I'm on vacation, what will happen to this shop?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Xia Hui can come and fill in for you for a while. I also plan to give Sun Hai, Zhu Xu, Zhang Lei, and Guan Wei some promotions, so they can come over together."

Jiang Chengzhe, Deng Huaichuan, Wang Hanwen, Huang Yunliang, Li Yao, and Han Rui all found it rather strange.
Feng Zhengming explained his upcoming arrangements for some stores in Shanghai.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's series of arrangements and plans.

This really surprised them.

Jiang Chengzhe quickly came to his senses: "Okay, you're finally going to enter the mid-range restaurant market. I knew you would set your sights on that market, and you would definitely make a move."

Feng Zhengming: "We are preparing to make a move. As the domestic economy gets better and better, people's demand for catering is no longer satisfied with fast food stores like dry rice shops. They need stores that are a little more upscale."

However, many people still can't afford restaurants in old-style houses, so the mid-range market is likely to grow significantly.

Jiang Chengzhe agreed: "That's right, the domestic mid-range market will continue to grow, and we must seize it in advance."

Feng Zhengming looked at the five young chefs: "You will help me capture the mid-range market next."

Jiang Chengzhe laughed: "You guys are lucky to have caught a good time. I have to run this shop, and then we'll have to compete with our head chef after he opens the old-style house restaurant."

"As long as you have the manpower and can guarantee the quality of the restaurant's food, you can get the head chef's support to open the restaurant, isn't that great?"

The five of them finally understood the purpose of Feng Zhengming's earlier question to them about whether they wanted to open their own restaurants specializing in their respective cuisines.

It turns out that Feng Zhengming's catering company is truly aiming to expand and strengthen further.

We're not just going to run a chain of fast food restaurants; we're also going to start venturing into the mid-range restaurant market.

However, this did give five young chefs an opportunity.

They consider themselves to be among the best of the younger generation in their respective cuisines.

They just didn't get a better opportunity.

Now, with Feng Zhengming's support, they finally have the opportunity to showcase the skills they have learned.

Deng Huaichuan: "Then I need to pay a proper visit to my master this time, and also meet with some of my former fellow disciples. I need to select a group of people to come and open a shop with me."

Wang Hanwen: "Haha, then I'll also ask my fellow apprentices for help."

Huang Yunliang laughed and said, "It's like no one doesn't have fellow disciples."

Li Yao and Han Rui exchanged a glance: "Then we have an advantage, since we are fellow disciples."

Everyone in the kitchen burst into laughter, their laughter brimming with the confidence and determination of a group of young chefs ready to make their mark. (End of Chapter)