From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

The new store in Zhengzhou opened first. Before the opening, Yang Bin led Sun Hai and Zhou Feng to visit the Henan cuisine chef in Zhengzhou.

The person they visited was Hao Zongcheng, a master chef of Henan cuisine who had participated in the same national competition as Feng Zhengming.

When Hao Zongcheng met Yang Bin, he was extremely friendly.

The two did have a good relationship, after all, they had once attended the state banquet for Hong Kong's return to China together.

Hao Zongcheng was very pleased to learn that Yang Bin was representing Feng Zhengming to open a branch in Zhengzhou and expressed his support.

"Great! Our top scholar's branch has finally opened here."

To be honest with you, Yang, seeing you open branches everywhere these past few years, especially when I learned last year that Feng had personally opened a branch in Hongcheng, Jiangxi Province, made me feel quite uneasy.

Henan and Shandong provinces are practically next to each other, and they share many similarities in their cuisine.

As it turned out, Junior Brother Feng didn't open a branch here first; instead, he went to Hongcheng in Jiangxi Province.

Hearing Hao Zongcheng say that, Yang Bin also laughed.

"Haha, what do you mean by that, Senior Brother Hao? We weren't thinking that we shouldn't steal your local business, were we?"

Hao Zongcheng: "Nonsense! How could your arrival be stealing our business? Your presence is a boost to our local catering industry and culinary profession, you know?"

When Zhou Feng heard Hao Zongcheng say this, he was genuinely impressed by this master chef of Henan cuisine.

Zhou Feng had been wondering if his master would give them a cold reception when they came to visit.

Judging from Hao Zongcheng's behavior, Zhou Feng's thoughts were somewhat petty.

Clearly, Hao Zongcheng didn't care at all that Feng Zhengming and his group had come to open a shop.

Even in Hao Zongcheng's heart, he hoped that Feng Zhengming would open a branch in Zhengcheng.

Because Feng Zhengming did not open a branch in Zhengcheng first, but instead opened a branch in Hongcheng, Jiangxi Province.

Hao Zongcheng felt that this was Feng Zhengming looking down on their Henan cuisine.

"Our Henan cuisine has its own unique characteristics, and it has also been influenced by your Shandong cuisine. So your visit is an affirmation of our work."

Yang Bin laughed: "Isn't that why we're here? Senior Brother Hao, you don't need to say that. We should all learn and improve together. I also came here this time to discover a young man with a very good foundation from your side."

Then Yang Bin called Zhou Feng out and introduced him to Hao Zongcheng.

Zhou Feng was surprised to be introduced to someone separately.

Zhou Feng had heard of Hao Zongcheng's reputation.

I know that Hao Zongcheng is the authentic successor of Henan cuisine and has won awards in national cooking competitions.

The restaurant where Hao Zongcheng now works can be said to be the largest restaurant in Zhengzhou.

Because Hao Zongcheng was in charge of the cooking, this restaurant was almost the most famous in Zhengzhou and the first choice for many Zhengzhou residents to hold banquets for happy occasions.

Of course, Hao Zongcheng is famous in the province, but more importantly, after returning from the national competition and the state banquet, he has been dedicated to cultivating a new generation of young chefs.

Furthermore, Hao Zongcheng also has a dish that won an award in a national cooking competition, which can be considered a representative of Henan cuisine.

Peony agarwood.

That dish has truly become a representative of Henan cuisine ever since Hao Zongcheng won the award.

Hao Zongcheng was also featured in a report by the provincial television station.

This also allowed many people across the province to witness Hao Zongcheng making that dish.

When such a beautiful peony blooms, it truly amazes everyone.

Zhou Feng had seen Hao Zongcheng on television before, so he had great respect for him.

Now that his master had introduced him to Hao Zongcheng, Zhou Feng was truly flustered.

"Master Hao, hello."

Hao Zongcheng looked Zhou Feng up and down, and when he saw the tattoo on Zhou Feng's arm, he frowned slightly.

Which restaurant were you at before?

Zhou Feng was stunned for a moment.

Yang Bin answered for him: "Oh, he used to run a noodle shop in his family home. His noodle-making skills were really good, so I thought he was a talented person and made him my apprentice."

Upon hearing this, Hao Zongcheng scrutinized Zhou Feng even more closely once more.

Hao Zongcheng felt that Zhou Feng must have something special to be chosen by Yang Bin.

However, Hao Zongcheng didn't have a good impression of people with tattoos.

So after looking him over, he didn't say anything to Zhou Feng, but instead looked at Yang Bin and said something.

"Junior Brother Yang, this can be considered unconventional."

Upon hearing Hao Zongcheng's words, Yang Bin immediately understood that Hao Zongcheng probably didn't think much of Zhou Feng.

He turned his head and glanced at Zhou Feng, and when he saw the tattoo on Zhou Feng's arm, he immediately understood.

"Haha, Senior Brother Hao may have misunderstood. Zhou Feng did indeed hang out with people on the streets before, but he later turned over a new leaf under his father's guidance. We should give young people more opportunities to reform themselves."

Hearing Yang Bin say that, Hao Zongcheng's gaze towards Zhou Feng softened.

"Now that you've reformed, you'd better learn the trade from Master Yang and the others."

Zhou Feng felt a little awkward hearing this, but he still nodded seriously in agreement.

Then Yang Bin introduced his prized disciple, Sun Hai, to Hao Zongcheng.

Hao Zongcheng's attitude changed noticeably when he saw Sun Hai.

"Oh, I know Sun Hai. I heard he's been following Junior Brother Feng in Shanghai for many years and is already managing his own branch there, right?"

Sun Hai was somewhat surprised, not expecting Hao Zongcheng to know so much about his situation.

Yang Bin smiled and said, "It seems that Senior Brother Hao has been paying attention to my junior brother's affairs all along."

These words made Hao Zongcheng a little embarrassed.

But Hao Zongcheng is indeed someone who doesn't like beating around the bush.

So he admitted directly: "I do pay close attention to Feng Zhuangyuan. After all, he is the national culinary champion and the last national champion. The competition format changed starting from the fourth edition, so it will probably be difficult for another champion to emerge in the future."

Hearing Hao Zongcheng say this, Yang Bin roughly understood Hao Zongcheng's thoughts.

After all, he did lose to Feng Zhengming back then.

Furthermore, individual chef competitions gradually lost their importance in national culinary competitions.

In the fourth competition, most people focused on the team competitions and the matches between the restaurants.

This has led to a lack of emphasis on the individual chef's skills.

It is virtually impossible for Hao Zongcheng to surpass Feng Zhengming in the competition.

Therefore, he paid close attention to various news about Feng Zhengming. He wanted to know what Feng Zhengming was doing.
This also allows us to observe Feng Zhengming's progress in cooking and find areas where we can learn from him.

It must be said that Hao Zongcheng is indeed a straightforward person who studies very diligently. After realizing his shortcomings, he is able to put aside his status and earnestly learn from others.

It can be said that Hao Zongcheng was truly too upright.

Because of his upright character, he had a bad impression of Zhou Feng when he saw the tattoo on his arm.

Yang Bin didn't care too much about this. He visited Hao Zongcheng because of their friendship.

Moreover, Yang Bin believed that under his guidance, Zhou Feng would definitely impress Hao Zongcheng in the future.

With Hao Zongcheng's help, Yang Bin and his team successfully found a suitable supplier.

Hao Zongcheng holds a significant position in Henan cuisine; the suppliers he helped find, whether for beef, mutton, or pork, are all considered to be of very high quality.

Yang Bin made a special phone call to his junior apprentice, Feng Zhengming, and asked him to personally express his gratitude to Hao Zongcheng over the phone.

When Feng Zhengming received the call from his third senior brother, he understood immediately after hearing what his brother said.

"Senior Brother Hao, thank you so much this time. I will definitely go to Zhengcheng in person when the store opens. I would also appreciate it if you could do me the honor of visiting our new store and giving me some guidance."

Hao Zongcheng was naturally delighted to hear that Feng Zhengming would be coming to Zhengcheng on the day of the opening.

"Sure, if you come, I'll definitely attend the opening of your branch and see how much our Zhuangyuan's skills have improved over the years."

Feng Zhengming: "Okay, then it's settled, Senior Brother Hao."

After speaking with Hao Zongcheng on the phone, Feng Zhengming told him about his trip to Zhengcheng.

Luo Qing frowned slightly: "You're just going to abandon Hangzhou and rush to Zhengzhou?"

Feng Zhengming: "Brother Hao over there is a Henan cuisine chef who participated in the National Culinary Competition with me. Since Third Brother has asked him for help and he has recommended a suitable supplier for Third Brother, I definitely have to go over there."

When Feng Nuanyou heard that her father was leaving, she naturally hugged him tightly and begged him to come with her.

Luo Qing: "Look, your daughter wants to go with you. You decide what to do."

Luo Qing's second aunt and aunt knew that she wasn't deliberately being temperamental; it was because she was now heavily pregnant and experiencing noticeable symptoms, which made her feel a little irritable.

It can be said that Luo Qing has been trying very hard to control her emotions.

My second aunt and my maternal aunt tried to persuade him together.

"That's just how he is. He always values ​​loyalty and brotherhood, so if he promised to go, he'll definitely go."

“We’ll stay here with you and get everything ready for the shop in Hangzhou, and then we’ll wait for him to come back.”

Feng Zhengming walked up to his wife and took her hand.

"I promise, I'll only be gone for a few days and I'll be back soon."

Then Feng Zhengming looked at his daughter: "Okay, I'll take Youyou with me. You, your second aunt, and your aunt have been working hard these past few days, so you can rest well in Hangzhou for a few days and wait for me to come back."

Upon hearing that her father was going to take her, Feng Nuanyou immediately pulled her uncle over.

"Dad, can you bring your little uncle along?"

Looking at the two children, especially seeing Lu Jinghao's expectant eyes, Feng Zhengming felt a bit helpless.

The aunt wanted to persuade her son not to go with them.

But this time Luo Qing spoke first.

"Auntie, please take Hao Hao with you. The two kids have been playing together a lot lately, and it wouldn't be good to suddenly separate them."

Aunt hesitated for a moment: "Should I go with you? Is that really a good idea? I'm not comfortable with you in your current state."

Second Aunt said, "Don't worry, I'm here. I'll stay with Qingqing and make sure I'm not leaving her side."

Luo Qing nodded: "Yes, Auntie is here. I'll be fine with Auntie here."

Finally, after some discussion, Auntie agreed and went with Feng Zhengming to Zhengcheng to attend the opening of the branch store there.

Auntie also knew that Feng Zhengming would definitely be invited by many people and have some social engagements when he got there.

At that time, the two children will indeed need someone to help take care of them.

Feng Zhengming gently hugged his wife: "Thank you for your understanding, my wife. I promise I won't drink too much over there. I'll come back as soon as the store opens."

Luo Qing had calmed down: "Take good care of your aunt and the children, and don't let your aunt work too hard taking care of two children by herself."

Feng Zhengming agreed: "Don't worry, Third Brother and Sun Hai will be there when we get there."

Auntie spoke up: "That's right, Auntie isn't old yet, she can take care of two children without any problem."

After discussing and agreeing on the plan, Feng Zhengming and his team also finalized their strategy.

First, I went to Zhengzhou to attend the opening of the branch there, and then I rushed back to Hangzhou to prepare for the opening of the branch there.

This time, Feng Zhengming brought his daughter, aunt, and younger cousin with him.

Furthermore, Feng Zhengming discussed with his wife that evening and contacted his uncle in advance, asking him to take leave to go to Zhengcheng to meet them.

After all, my aunt has been taking care of the child and running around outside recently, and she and my uncle have been living apart for quite some time.

This time, I decided to give my aunt a surprise and let my uncle, aunt, and their family of three reunite in Zhengzhou.

Luo Qing couldn't help but mutter a complaint about her husband.

"Look at you, you have so many things to do, running around everywhere by yourself, making me have to follow along, and my aunt and uncle have to come and take care of me too. Isn't it hard on them?"

Feng Zhengming: "Wasn't this an unexpected situation? Who knew you were pregnant?"

Luo Qing pouted: "Are you blaming me?"

Feng Zhengming: "No, no, how could I blame you? What I mean is, this unexpected situation will definitely not happen again in the future. After the opening of the branches in the north and south, we need to settle down for a while."

Luo Qing was still a little puzzled: "Are you really opening more branches this time just to solve the employment problem for chefs at Zhengluxing?"

Feng Zhengming: "That's the main reason. Another reason is that we need to expand our influence."

"Expand influence?" Luo Qing found this statement rather strange.
Feng Zhengming explained: "Our Zhengluxing brand influence is not enough yet. In fact, our real reputation is still limited to Shandong Province, including the stores in Shanghai. Most of them think that so many people eat here because I opened the store."

But this isn't enough to boost our brand. I want to open several more stores at once, in different cities in the north and south.

This way, more people will know about the Zhengluxing brand, and everyone will know that our branches are tailored to the unique characteristics of different places, rather than simply copying a single model.

After listening to her husband's words, Luo Qing thought about it carefully: "You mean, the next step is to make the Zhengluxing brand known to everyone and gradually gain more acceptance?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "My wife is smart; she understands what I'm thinking."

"That's right. A brand should look like a brand. We need to make our brand known and let more people know about Zhengluxing, the catering brand. We can't just let people know that you own the store."

Feng Zhengming: "Only when the brand is truly established can Zhengluxing develop better."

Luo Qing: "First, we'll open a fast-food style rice shop, and then gradually expand and upgrade it to a restaurant?"

Feng Zhengming: "That's right. We'll proceed step by step, from low to high, gradually making our catering company bigger and stronger." (End of Chapter)