From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Crackling.

Amidst the sound of firecrackers, Feng Zhengming's branch in Zhengzhou officially opened.

Today, even people from Zhengzhou, representatives from the Chefs Association and the Catering Association, as well as several veteran Henan cuisine chefs invited by Hao Zongcheng, personally came to offer their congratulations.

The city officials were very pleased and shook hands with Feng Zhengming and Yang Bin, expressing their support and gratitude.

"We are very happy to welcome you, Scholar Feng, to Zhengzhou. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to contact us. We will do our best to help you."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you all for your support. After coming to Zhengzhou, I truly felt how wonderful Zhengzhou is. The locals are very hospitable. In the past, we all had too many misunderstandings about some people in Henan Province."

Now that I've actually come all this way and opened this shop, I've found the locals to be incredibly kind.

Half of my chefs are young Henan cuisine chefs, and I believe that with them, the flavors in my restaurant will be more suited to your local tastes.

Hearing Feng Zhengming's words made the people from Zhengzhou quite happy.

"Haha, Feng Zhuangyuan truly deserves to be our national culinary champion. He is indeed insightful and skilled."

Just then, people from the Henan provincial government arrived.

"Sir Feng, we're so sorry we're late. We only found out yesterday that you opened a new store in Zhengzhou."

When the city officials saw that people from the province had come, they naturally offered to introduce Feng Zhengming to them.

Feng Zhengming also shook hands with the people from the province, expressing his sincere gratitude for their support in opening his shop.

People from the province came to offer their congratulations and presented Feng Zhengming's shop with a signboard certified by the province.

"Thank you, Feng Zhuangyuan, for your contributions to Henan cuisine. We heard from several Henan cuisine chefs that your restaurant serves many Henan dishes, so we are also planning to give your restaurant this signboard for Henan cuisine."

Feng Zhengming looked at the signboard and then turned to look at Hao Zongcheng.

Hao Zongcheng smiled and accompanied several veteran Henan cuisine chefs as they walked over.

"Zhengming, please accept it. We certified it together."

A veteran Henan cuisine chef nodded: "Yes, Zhengming, we can see from the things you've prepared in your restaurant that you've put a lot of effort into it. You've carefully studied and learned a lot about Henan cuisine. You should hang up this signboard."

Another experienced Henan cuisine chef chimed in, "That's right, Zhengming, don't stand on ceremony with us."

Finally, Feng Zhengming and his third senior brother led all the chefs and apprentices in the restaurant to bow respectfully to the several veteran Henan cuisine chefs in public to express their gratitude.

This scene was also captured on film by local television and newspaper reporters.

Everyone knows that this signifies Feng Zhengming and his colleagues' respect for Henan cuisine.

You know, over the years, there really hasn't been anyone who respects Henan cuisine as much as Feng Zhengming.

Henan cuisine has a very low profile throughout the country.

In particular, people from Henan Province have not had a good reputation throughout the country in recent years.

As a result, Henan cuisine has also faced some discrimination in many places.

Feng Zhengming's expression of respect made the several veteran Henan cuisine chefs, as well as the provincial and municipal chefs and master chefs like Hao Zongcheng, feel very comfortable.

Next, under Feng Zhengming's arrangement, representatives from the province and city, the master craftsman, Hao Zongcheng, Feng Zhengming, and his third senior apprentice all cut the ribbon for the new store.

The provincial and municipal television stations filmed the entire event, and newspapers also reported on it.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, everyone conducted a special interview with Feng Zhengming.

The first question, naturally, is: why did Feng Zhengming choose to open a branch in Zhengzhou?

Feng Zhengming smiled and replied, "Because I believe that Zhengcheng will develop better and better, and that Zhengcheng will become a very important transportation hub city. I am here to invest in the future of Zhengcheng."

Of course, there's another point: I hope to support some of the unique snacks in Henan cuisine. I know that Henan cuisine has so many unique delicacies.

I opened my shop in Zhengzhou in the hope of learning and absorbing some of the culinary essence of Henan cuisine.

Perhaps in the future, my restaurant will offer dishes that incorporate the characteristics of Henan cuisine.

Feng Zhengming's answer was very pleasing to everyone.

Although some of the words sounded quite high-sounding.

But Feng Zhengming spoke very naturally, and his words genuinely revealed his respect for Henan cuisine.

The people who came from the province to offer their congratulations huddled together with the people who came from the city and discussed things in hushed tones.

"This Scholar Feng is truly extraordinary."

"Yes, he's very good at talking; his words make you feel very comfortable."

"He was never arrogant, and he had no airs whatsoever."

"You can tell from his attitude towards people; he always greets everyone with a smile, no matter who they are."

"No wonder someone like him can succeed."

The next question was about Feng Zhengming's plans and direction for the new store.

Feng Zhengming also gave serious answers, clearly explaining the unique features of his new store in Zhengcheng.

At the end of the interview, someone still asked Feng Zhengming about his specific impressions of Zhengcheng.

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "My impression is still very good. The people in Zhengzhou are very genuine. I can feel that the people in Henan Province are all very genuine. I believe that my store will get along very well with everyone in Zhengzhou."

During the interview, Feng Zhengming's words were so watertight that it was impossible to find any fault with him.

Moreover, his genuine smile always made people feel very comfortable.

At the end of the interview, Feng Zhengming invited everyone to come into the store and try the food.

Next, the store's various specialties were showcased.

Among them are various delicacies with Henan cuisine characteristics.

In particular, this restaurant offers Four Happiness Meatballs made with beef and mutton.

It has become the preferred dish for many people today.

Another dish that is popular with many locals is the Three Delicacies Noodles.

"This is really good."

"It's delicious! I never expected our braised noodles to taste so good."

"These mutton four-happiness meatballs are also delicious."

"Yes, this is made of pure mutton, the taste is so authentic."

"This stir-fried lamb with scallions is also very good."

"The stir-fried lamb offal with scallions tastes just right."

At Feng Zhengming's Zhengcheng branch, the dishes featuring Henan cuisine have gained recognition from many locals since the first day of opening.

Meanwhile, the most classic braised pork at Feng's Rice Shop is also highly regarded by the locals.

"I ate this braised pork when I was on a business trip to Jinan, and it was really delicious."

"Yes, I also ate it in Jinan once, and this tastes exactly the same as the one in Jinan."

"Haha, aren't they exactly the same? They're both Feng Zhuangyuan's shops."

"I'm really curious, how does Feng Zhengming manage to make the flavors so consistent?"

"Of course, we use the same recipe."

"I feel it's not just a problem with the recipe; this braised pork is truly unique in every aspect." "It does indeed have a unique flavor. There are many braised pork restaurants in Shandong, but Feng Zhuangyuan's has the most unique flavor; it's really delicious."

Seeing that everyone really liked the braised pork in his shop, Feng Zhengming and his third senior brother exchanged a smile.

Feng Nuanyou was accompanied by her great-uncle and great-aunt, and ate with her brother and uncle.

The little girl kept glancing at her father while eating.

She really wanted her father to come and be with her, but she knew he would be very busy today.

So even though she really wanted her dad to come over, Feng Nuanyou held back from calling him.

As if there was a connection between father and daughter, Feng Zhengming turned his head and glanced at his daughter.

Then he spoke to his third senior brother and walked to his daughter's side.

"You three all ate well today."

Feng Nuanyou immediately raised her little head: "Hehehe, Daddy, are you done with your work?"

Feng Zhengming: Not yet. You still need to stay with your great-uncle and great-aunt for a while. Will you be a good boy/girl?

Feng Nuanyou nodded: "Yes, Youyou is the most obedient."

Feng Zhengming took out a tissue and wiped his daughter's mouth.

"Okay, Dad knows Youyou will be good. I'll come find you after I'm done with work, okay?"

Feng Nuanyou: "Okay, Dad, don't work too hard."

He stroked his daughter's soft hair and said, "Daddy won't have to work hard. The uncles, brothers, and sisters in the kitchen will take care of the cooking."

Feng Nuanyou: "They are all so amazing, and the food they cook is delicious too."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, they are all very capable, they are all excellent chefs."

The little girl hugged her father and said, "Go, Daddy!"

The father hugged his daughter back, telling her to behave, then said a few words to his uncle and aunt before turning back to greet some of the guests with his third senior brother.

Lu Zhongqi observed, "Zhengming's new stores are always very popular with the locals."

Pei Fanglan: "After all, he has a reputation, so the locals will definitely welcome him, since his shop is doing really well."

Lu Zhongqi asked with a smile, "Do you think Zhengming's stores will eventually be all over the country?"

Pei Fanglan: "Probably, but as Zhengming himself said, he doesn't have enough chefs right now, so he can't open stores all over the country."

Lu Zhongqi: "He needs to recruit some young chefs from all over the country so that he can open restaurants all over the country."

Pei Fanglan: "Where would he find the time and energy to do that? He's already working very hard."

Both his uncle and aunt understood how hard Feng Zhengming was working.

If he opens stores all over the country in the future.

The management costs of operating each store alone would likely require a significant investment of time and energy.

Of course, by that time, young chefs like Sun Hai and Xia Hui should have matured.

Lu Zhongqi said, "At that time, we can let the young chefs who have grown up help him manage those stores in various places, so that he can have an easier time."

Pei Fanglan thought this was indeed a very good idea.

"That's true. By then, people like Sun Hai, Xia Hui, Zhu Xu, Zhang Lei, and Yang Peng should have grown up and be able to represent him in inspecting stores in various places to ensure the stability of their operations."

Lu Zhongqi: "I believe he has already thought of all these things, and his senior brothers have also considered them for him. That's why you see that the branch sent Yang Peng and Hong Zhenshan this time."

Pei Fanglan asked curiously, "Is there anything special about the two of them?"

Lu Zhongqi: "Both of them are disciples of Senior Brother Zhengming. Yang Peng was Senior Brother Zhengming's earliest disciple, while Hong Zhenshan was a new disciple of Senior Brother Zhengming, and he is considered to be a disciple with a relatively high level of skill."

Pei Fanglan immediately understood.

"So, Zhengming's senior brothers have been helping him improve the system all along."

Lu Zhongqi looked at Feng Zhengming, who was entertaining the guests with his third senior brother.

"Zhengming has several excellent senior brothers who have helped him resolve many of his worries. His eldest, second, and third senior brothers are all helping him cultivate his backup forces."

His fifth senior brother helped him manage the branch in Beijing, enabling him to successfully enter the Beijing catering industry.

His sixth senior brother was also helping him stabilize the Jiaodong branch of Shandong cuisine and providing all his shops with fresh and cheap seafood.

With such a team, he can truly unleash his potential and showcase his talents in Shanghai.

After Lu Zhongqi's analysis, Pei Fanglan pondered it for a moment and then completely understood.

The facts are indeed almost exactly as Lu Zhongqi analyzed.

Feng Zhengming was able to open a unique Chinese restaurant in Shanghai, located in an old-style villa.

The fact that they were able to open branches of dry food shops in various places was thanks to the unwavering support of their senior brothers.

Similarly, through Feng Zhengming, the senior students also gained an improvement in their status and realized the life value they had always dreamed of.

Now, Feng Zhengming and several of his fellow apprentices occupy important positions in the Qilu Chefs Association and the Catering Association.

Most importantly, among the young chefs specializing in Shandong cuisine, almost all of the best are under Feng Zhengming's tutelage.

At the same time, every year, outstanding students studying cooking in vocational schools across Shandong Province almost always choose to intern at Feng Zhengming's restaurant after graduation.

With these multiple support measures, Feng Zhengming will have more and more personnel at his disposal.

In this way, it will soon become very easy for Feng Zhengming to open branches all over the country.

Once a complete system is established, opening a branch store simply means renting a shop, completing the renovations, and transferring staff there, and you can start operating immediately.

Once this system is established, Feng Zhengming will truly be able to take charge of Chinese cuisine.

The uncle lowered his voice and sighed, "It's remarkable that he has such talent and still maintains good relationships with chefs from other cuisines across the country. He will surely gain support from chefs from other cuisines in the future."

Aunt: "Isn't that because he shows people enough respect?"

The uncle nodded; "Yes, respect is his greatest weapon."

After thinking about it carefully, my aunt realized it was true.

Feng Zhengming has a high enough status, and his shops also give him enough funds.

Even under these circumstances, he was still able to maintain respect for chefs from other cuisines.

This will also give chefs from other cuisines a very good impression of him.

It's like opening a branch in Zhengzhou; not only did Hao Zongcheng, a master chef of Henan cuisine with whom we have a good relationship, attend.

Even several veteran Henan cuisine chefs were present, and the Henan Cuisine Chefs Association also had a very good impression of Feng Zhengming.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming can easily gain a lot of support from the local community.

This avoids a lot of trouble from competition among peers.

Looking back at the harmonious scene of Feng Zhengming and his third senior brother greeting everyone now, one feels that this is the scene everyone should have in mind; chefs all over the world should live together in such harmony.

As time went by, the Zhengzhou branch finally saw a peak in customers around noon.

After finishing their meal, the uncle and aunt led their three children out of the restaurant, making room for other customers. (End of Chapter)