From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After Jiang Chengzhe gave his advice, Deng Huaichuan, Wang Hanwen, Huang Yunliang, Li Yao, and Han Rui quickly took the initiative to talk to Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming had known for a while that the five people would come to him, but he still listened patiently to them finish explaining their thoughts and concerns.

The fundamental concern is the ideological conflict between the five of them and their respective masters and fellow disciples.

Another point is that the five of them want to be in charge of their own shop, rather than being constrained by their master and fellow apprentices.

After all, they had followed Feng Zhengming for so many years and had even worked as chefs in the kitchen of Feng Zhengming's old villa restaurant.

The five people were quite confident in their skills.

Most importantly, influenced by Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe, the five people's creative ideas for making dishes did indeed conflict with the traditional concepts of their respective cuisines.

Therefore, the five people felt that it was difficult to reconcile their differences and were worried that they might have conflicts with their master and fellow disciples.

Feng Zhengming listened patiently as the five people finished explaining their thoughts and concerns.

After that, Feng Zhengming did not answer them, but instead asked a question first.

"In your hearts, is it still necessary to persist in passing down the traditional crafts you learned from your master?"

The question startled all five of them.

This was something they had never considered.

They had been wondering if their master's and fellow disciples' ideas were outdated and out of touch with the times.
They might have an instinctive aversion to being influenced by their master and fellow disciples.

The five of them also wanted to open a restaurant that combined the characteristics of their culinary styles with modern fashion elements, just like Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe.

Now, Feng Zhengming's question has suddenly made the five of them start thinking about this issue.

The master taught them the traditional techniques of their respective cuisines. Should they still uphold and pass them on?

After some thought, Huang Yunliang was the first to speak.

"I think it's something that needs to be upheld and passed down. Traditional skills need to be solid enough, and then some new designs can be made on the basis of tradition to be considered innovation."

If we cannot even uphold and pass on traditions, then innovation will be like a rootless duckweed, unable to be truly successful.

After hearing Huang Yunliang's words, the other four people all agreed.

In fact, they never thought of denying the persistence and inheritance of tradition.

After all, if they are rejected, wouldn't all the traditional skills they learned from their masters become meaningless?

Besides, they've been with Feng Zhengming for the past few years.

All of these demonstrate Feng Zhengming's adherence to tradition.

His innovations are all based on a thorough understanding of traditional Shandong cuisine.

Feng Zhengming also has a deep understanding of other cuisines.

These studies also involve learning the most traditional aspects of other cuisines.

Therefore, the five of them clearly understood that upholding tradition was the foundation.

Feng Zhengming saw that all five of them understood the importance of upholding and passing on traditions.

He then continued to state his views: "I know that the reason you came to me is because you think that after you open your shop, you might be influenced by your master and fellow apprentices."

But have you ever thought about this? Your masters may not be very fashionable, but they can uphold the traditions of their respective cuisines, master traditional skills, and teach them to you, which means they are already master chefs.

Shouldn't you listen to the master chef's advice?

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the five young chefs understood a principle.

They were indeed too radical before, neglecting the principles of being a decent human being, which is to respect teachers and elders.

Their skills are passed down from their respective masters, so they should indeed give their masters enough respect, rather than casually assuming that their masters are out of touch with the times.

Having understood this, Deng Huaichuan asked earnestly, "Chef, if we open a restaurant, how do we balance the ideological conflicts between ourselves and our master chef?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "There's no need to balance it. You can stick to making traditional dishes and just add your innovative ideas."

These words immediately punctured the five people's worries.

That's right, why must we choose a particular path?
In fact, both paths could exist.

Then the two roads can run parallel to each other.

They can make traditional dishes, as well as their own innovative dishes.

A restaurant doesn't just have one dish; it can have many different dishes.

Inspired by Feng Zhengming, the five young chefs finally found their direction.

The confusion they had felt earlier was completely dispelled at this moment.

Feng Zhengming smiled and asked, "So, are you all ready to open your shops?"

When asked this question, the five people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Deng Huaichuan then said, "I'm probably not fully prepared yet; I need some more time."

Li Yao and Han Rui also said that they also need time to prepare.

Wang Hanwen and Huang Yunliang both said they could give it a try.

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Okay, you two go back and prepare. List your ideas for opening the store and the menus you plan to design in a table and give it to us."

Once you've both clearly written down your ideas, I'll evaluate them to see who's more suitable to open the store first.

Upon hearing this, Wang Hanwen asked, "Chef, can't our two stores open at the same time?"

Feng Zhengming smiled: "If your store opening plans can all be approved by me, then naturally you can open them at the same time."

These words made Wang Hanwen and Huang Yunliang laugh immediately.

The two realized that they were not competitors; they just needed to design their own stores well.

This made both of them somewhat hopeful that they could open a shop together and then compete with each other.

Feng Zhengming looked at Deng Huaichuan, Li Yao, and Han Rui, who hadn't yet made up their minds.

"You don't need to rush. Opening a store requires a complete plan. If you're not ready yet, you can start thinking about the plan first. What kind of store do you want to open? What kind of dishes do you want to make? What kind of customer group do you want to target?"

Feng Zhengming's words made the five of them realize that opening a store is not an easy thing at all.

This was especially true for the five young chefs.

For them to open a shop, it's not just about making good food; they also need to consider business operations.

Even if Feng Zhengming were to arrange for someone to be in charge of management and operation.

However, they also need to manage the kitchen well and cooperate with the people arranged by Feng Zhengming.

Behind all of this may lie various irreconcilable contradictions.

Therefore, it was indeed a huge challenge for the five young chefs.

Feng Zhengming understood their feelings and thoughts.

He himself had gone through the same process step by step.

Feng Zhengming earnestly advised the five people: "Don't rush. The first shop is very important. You must think it through carefully. Hanwen and Yunliang, you need to pay more attention to all kinds of details. You can ask your master and fellow apprentices about this. Of course, you must all remember one thing: the shop is your own, so in the end, the decision is yours."

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, the five young chefs nodded seriously to show that they understood.

After the five young chefs left, Feng Zhengming made a phone call to Jiang Chengzhe.

"Hey, what can I do for you, Scholar Feng?"

Feng Zhengming chuckled: "You're pushing them onto me so they'll understand that I'm the boss?"

Jiang Chengzhe: "That's right. You're the big boss. I give them advice, but without you as the big boss, no one would invest in them."

Feng Zhengming: "You're getting more and more cunning."

Jiang Chengzhe: "I just don't want to be ranked higher than you in their hearts."

Feng Zhengming: "Is this what you call flattery?"

Jiang Chengzhe: "Yes, yes, it's flattery. You're the big boss, so I need to flatter you."

Feng Zhengming: "Okay, I'll take your word for it this time. Now, tell me your thoughts on the store's future."

Jiang Chengzhe fell silent on the other end of the phone.

After a period of silence, Jiang Chengzhe finally spoke on the other end of the phone.

"I don't have many problems running this store now, but I feel that I might need more staff. Once the other five open their own stores, I will be significantly short-staffed."

Feng Zhengming immediately understood Jiang Chengzhe's meaning.

"You can hire people yourself, but the salaries of the people you hire must come from the revenue of your store. This will be the case for all stores from now on. You can no longer pay salaries from my company."

Jiang Chengzhe expressed his understanding.

"I understand. The stores that I own and the other five of them are nominally under your company, but we operate them ourselves. Therefore, we have to bear the salaries of our employees ourselves."

Feng Zhengming reminded them: "Actually, if you are willing to use the people I have trained, I can also pay their salaries."

Jiang Chengzhe laughed: "Hahaha, then you've lost out?"

Feng Zhengming: "It doesn't matter whether it's a loss or not; some expenses are indeed unavoidable."

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, Jiang Chengzhe finally decided to hire a group of people himself and pay their salaries from the store's revenue.

Jiang Chengzhe knew very well that if he used all the people arranged by Feng Zhengming, he could indeed save the trouble of screening them.

Moreover, the people Feng Zhengming assigned to him were all paid by Feng Zhengming's company.

But using only the people assigned to him by Feng Zhengming is tantamount to constantly training new people for Feng Zhengming.

Jiang Chengzhe also needs his own team.

It's not that he ever thought about leaving Feng Zhengming's side and going independent.

Jiang Chengzhe felt that by cultivating his own team, he could have a group of people he could bring along if he wanted to try opening his own store in the future.

Therefore, there is no need to borrow manpower from Feng Zhengming anymore.

Feng Zhengming also thought of Jiang Chengzhe's idea.

In Feng Zhengming's view, if Jiang Chengzhe really wants to open his own shop in the future, he definitely won't stop him.

At that time, Feng Zhengming might even give Jiang Chengzhe some investment.

After all, Jiang Chengzhe had indeed helped him a lot over the years.

Even without Jiang Chengzhe, she could manage to run several stores in Shanghai.

However, with Jiang Chengzhe around, Feng Zhengming could focus on his work without any worries.

So if one day Jiang Chengzhe tells Feng Zhengming that he wants to leave and open his own shop.

Feng Zhengming didn't think he had any excuse to stop him.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming would not stop Jiang Chengzhe from training some capable personnel.

However, I have already provided you with enough resources, and even entrusted you, Jiang Chengzhe, with such a successful store, and let you cultivate your own team in the store.

You want me to pay your people's salaries?

That's definitely not appropriate.

After finishing his call with Jiang Chengzhe, Feng Zhengming then called his senior brother and third senior brother in Quancheng.

The meaning of these two phone calls was clear: to have the eldest and third senior brothers arrange for the apprentices they had previously selected to come to Shanghai.

Feng Zhengming needs to fill some positions at the new store, and he also needs to arrange staff to fill the vacancies left by the five young chefs who go out to open their own new stores.

Another point is that there is a clear conflict of opinion between the five young chefs and their master and fellow apprentices.

They might need Feng Zhengming to arrange some staff for them if they open their own shops later.

Otherwise, if five young chefs go out and open their own shops, and they can't control the kitchen, it will indeed be difficult for them to run their shops well.

When Li Huidong received the call, he agreed to arrange for his apprentice to go to Shanghai, and also had a long chat with his junior apprentice.

“Zhengming, after talking with Zhang Lei, I have a general idea of ​​what you’re thinking. You want to open some mid-range restaurants in Shanghai and capture the mid-range market.”

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, brother. Because the economic environment is better now and everyone's income has increased, there is a demand to eat better."

Li Huidong agreed: "Your idea is correct, but I want to remind you not to be too hasty."

Upon hearing his senior brother's words, Feng Zhengming fell silent for a moment.

"Brother, I know. We can't rush things. We have to take it one step at a time and open each store properly."

Li Huidong: "Yes, we must preserve our craftsmanship. If you rush to open a shop, your craftsmanship will inevitably be affected. So you must remain calm and not be impatient."

For Feng Zhengming, his senior brother was more like his mentor.

Before he was qualified to become a disciple, he was always assigned to follow the eldest disciple.

It can be said that Feng Zhengming's basic skills were taught to him little by little by his senior brother.

Later, when Yanxilou closed down, it was the senior brother who asked him to go to the canteen.

Even when he went to the train station to sell boxed lunches, he received support from his senior brother, who gave him the ingredients and cooking utensils.

Even the recipe for braised pork belly was never asked for by the eldest brother.

Therefore, in Feng Zhengming's mind, the senior brother's status was comparable to that of the master.

In recent years, he has returned to Jinan less and less, and he rarely goes back to Huiquan Tower anymore.

If it weren't for his senior brother helping him support Huiquan Tower, Feng Zhengming probably wouldn't have been able to leave for so long.

"Thank you, brother. I will remember your advice, stay humble and diligent, and do my best in every new store. I will not disgrace my skills or my master's reputation."

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, Li Huidong laughed on the other end of the phone.

"I believe you can do even better. Don't worry about Huiquan Tower; your senior brother is still capable and will protect it for you." (End of Chapter)