From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

In the afternoon, Feng Zhengming and his two senior apprentices worked together to cook in the kitchen of the old-style restaurant.

This may be the first time in many years that Feng Zhengming has teamed up with his eldest and sixth senior brothers.

With the help of his two senior brothers, he still felt very comfortable.

Especially in the kitchen, the senior chef was able to take overall control and help arrange manpower to handle some of the details.

Sixth Brother also has his own unique methods for handling various kinds of seafood.

It might be because working in the kitchen for a long time requires both cooking and management.

Now, with the help of the eldest and sixth senior brothers, they can manage and direct the work.

This allows Feng Zhengming to focus more on cooking.

With the help of his eldest and sixth senior brothers during the entire afternoon's preparation process, Feng Zhengming felt that the kitchen was much easier.

Judging from the relatively calm expressions on the faces of the kitchen helpers and apprentices, it's not hard to see that they were also quite relaxed.

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but laugh and make a joke.

"It seems that with my two senior brothers around, you've all become more confident?"

These words startled everyone in the kitchen, and then they all became a little embarrassed.

Gao Yongfu, who usually assisted Feng Zhengming the most, smiled.

"Master, as your disciple, I dare not lie to you. With our eldest and sixth senior uncles here, our work will indeed be easier."

Hou Dong couldn't help but nod in agreement.

"Master, the eldest and sixth senior uncles can keep up with your pace, but we often feel that we can't keep up with your pace."

Lu Haisheng: "Master, there are actually many things we can do, but we get more nervous when you're watching us."

The three of Feng Zhengming's apprentices had essentially spoken everyone's minds.

There are many things that are not that they can't do.

They would feel tense to some extent when Feng Zhengming was watching them.

It's easy to make small mistakes when you're nervous.

Although Feng Zhengming usually doesn't point out minor issues directly.

However, making a mistake in front of Feng Zhengming still made the other people in the kitchen more nervous.

With Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai present today.

They were like the lubricant in Feng Zhengming's kitchen.

We need to break down Feng Zhengming's instructions more effectively and assign them to specific individuals.

In this way, specific people do specific tasks, there is not much competition among them, and they are not directly watched by Feng Zhengming, so everyone's efficiency naturally improves.

After listening to everyone's opinions, Feng Zhengming was both amused and exasperated.

"Okay, so you mean I'll have to avoid working when you guys are doing it from now on?"

This remark amused everyone again.

Li Huidong gave a reminder to the chef in the kitchen who was responsible for assisting Feng Zhengming.

"You need to learn in the future to prepare the subsequent steps for your head chef in advance when he gives instructions, and then assign specific people to do them, instead of letting your head chef keep an eye on specific people."

Zhang Minghai: "Yes, having your head chef supervise specific people means you haven't done your job properly. You feel relaxed today because you don't feel like the head chef is watching you."

It's because we're in the middle, assigning specific tasks to specific individuals.

The two young chefs, who had been working with Feng Zhengming for some time, nodded to indicate that they understood.

Feng Zhengming did not blame the two young chefs.

"It's okay. We still need time to work out our coordination. You've all just started working with me, and you're not used to my rhythm yet. Once we've worked out together for a while, I believe our coordination will get better and better."

These two young chefs are named Fu Jun and Cai Tao.

The reason they were able to get into Feng Zhengming's old-style restaurant and serve as his assistants was because...

The main reason is that Xia Hui, who previously worked with Feng Zhengming, is now in charge of the restaurant on the Western restaurant street.

Feng Zhengming also transferred some of the staff from the old-style restaurant to help Xia Hui.

Then, for the staff at the old-style restaurant, he transferred over the best performers from the internal competition at the end of last year.

Fu Jun and Cai Tao were among the best-performing young chefs in the internal competition.

Fu Jun is the second senior brother's apprentice, and Cai Tao is the fifth senior brother's apprentice.

The two of them were quite excited when they were first transferred to the old-style restaurant in Shanghai.

But when they got here, they started going into the kitchen and working with their junior apprentice, Feng Zhengming.

They quickly realized their shortcomings.

In particular, they discovered that they often couldn't keep up with their junior master's pace.

Although the junior master kept demonstrating different dishes to them, breaking down the details of each dish into specific steps and explaining them to them.

However, since the two had never worked with their junior uncle before, there were always some misunderstandings that arose.

If it weren't for their solid fundamentals, Feng Zhengming would probably have replaced them already.

Both of them relied on their solid basic skills, and when they were on the stove, they were able to control the heat according to the requirements.

This made Feng Zhengming think that the two might just be temporarily not used to each other, so he decided to keep them on the sidelines.

Today, the two of them received some guidance from Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai.

I finally understand their role in the kitchen.

Fu Jun: "I understand, Master Uncle. I used to feel like I didn't have anything to do in the kitchen. Except when Junior Uncle arranged for me to cook, I had almost no idea what I was supposed to do."
Today, my senior uncle demonstrated this to me, and I understand now that what I should truly do is relay instructions to my junior uncle.

Li Huidong: "It's good that you understand this point. You and Cai Tao shouldn't always doubt yourselves. The fact that you were able to stand out in the internal competition last year and that your junior uncle called you here shows that you have the ability."

Zhang Minghai: "Your senior uncle is right. You two need to be confident and believe that you can keep up with your junior uncle's pace."

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but laugh: "No, you two have been here for a while now. Do you always think you're just lucky? Don't you believe you have the ability?"

Fu Jun and Cai Tao exchanged a glance, then nodded to Feng Zhengming together.

Seeing the two nod, Feng Zhengming was indeed speechless.

The sixth senior brother comforted him, saying, "It's because Zhengming, your reputation is too great now. Anyway, all my disciples have a natural awe of you."

Fu Jun and Cai Tao nodded at the same time again.

Seeing Fu Jun and Cai Tao nod, Feng Zhengming felt a little helpless, but at the same time realized that he might have overlooked some issues.

Those who followed him in the past all started with him from his first dry rice shop.

Just like Xia Hui, Sun Hai, and later Gu Zhicheng, Yao Zhenhui, Bao Feng, Guan Wei, Qi Jiale and others.

They had all been following Feng Zhengming since before he was very famous. So they admired him, but because they had followed him for so many years, they didn't feel much fear towards him.

But now, people like Fu Jun and Cai Tao, even though they had already become apprentices of Feng Zhengming's senior brothers, when they came to the old villa restaurant in Shanghai, their skills were not as good as Xia Hui and Sun Hai's back then, and even Gu Zhicheng's back then might not have been able to match them.

However, the person they were about to face, Feng Zhengming, was already a nationally renowned culinary champion.

They chose to go to Feng Zhengming's shop because of his reputation.

Therefore, they tend to have a deep-seated fear.

This also caused them to be hesitant and timid when working with Feng Zhengming in the kitchen, and they dared not make decisions on their own without clear orders.

This created a gap in their cooperation with Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming had noticed the problem before, but today, after being reminded by his two senior brothers, he finally saw the crux of the problem clearly.

Looking at Fu Jun and Cai Tao, Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Alright, you don't need to be afraid of me anymore. Be confident. I can tell you that the reason I transferred you to work with me is because your skills have been recognized."

In this kitchen, you need to have confidence and believe that you can keep up with my pace.

After hearing this, Fu Jun and Cai Tao exchanged a glance, and then both nodded seriously.

Then Feng Zhengming saw his three apprentices, Gao Yongfu, Hou Dong, and Lu Haisheng, who were all chuckling to themselves.

"What are you three snickering about? Let me tell you, all three of you will be taking the intermediate exam next year. If you fail the exam, don't even think about becoming my apprentices."

These words left the three apprentices, who were still secretly laughing, completely bewildered.

The three of them quickly came to their senses and realized that their master was not joking with them.

Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong spoke almost in unison, demonstrating their military bearing.

"Don't worry, Master. We will definitely work hard to pass the exam and get our intermediate professional title."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Sure, it's good that you have that confidence."

Seeing that Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong had already made such a direct oath, Lu Haisheng also pledged, "I will definitely pass the exam too."

Feng Zhengming: "That's right. Study hard for the exam and get your intermediate professional title first. This is the first step for you to officially become chefs. Once you get your intermediate professional title, you will no longer be apprentices."

Lu Haisheng asked instinctively, "Master, is it time for us to become your disciples?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "You're quite good at thinking up good ideas, aren't you?"

These words made Lu Haisheng scratch his head and laugh.

Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai exchanged a glance.

The eldest brother still spoke up: "We will definitely have to take on disciples when the time comes. Right now, among us fellow disciples, you have the fewest disciples, only Xia Hui. You should take on more disciples."

The sixth senior brother also agreed with the eldest senior brother.

“Yes, Zhengming, you only have Xia Hui as your apprentice, which is indeed too few. You should take on more apprentices. I think Gao Yongfu, Hou Dong, and Lu Haisheng are all quite good.”

"And Lü Chongshan, Tang Yong, and Sun Decai from the capital are also very suitable to be taken as apprentices."

Feng Zhengming: "I actually knew all of this, which is why I arranged for them to go and gain some experience."

Li Huidong: "Training is training, but a formal apprenticeship ceremony is still necessary, otherwise they will always be somewhat illegitimate in the outside world."

Zhang Minghai: "That's right, we need to make it legitimate for them to bring honor to you as their master."

Hearing his two senior brothers' words, Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "I don't expect them to bring me honor. I just hope they can learn the craft well and not embarrass their master in the future."

Gao Yongfu, Hou Dong, and Lu Haisheng exchanged glances, and then the three of them spoke almost in unison.

"Don't worry, Master, we will definitely not let you down."

The eldest and sixth senior brothers laughed when they saw this.

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I believe in you, so the three of you need to pass the intermediate exam next year."

The three apprentices looked serious and assured each other that they would definitely succeed.

Feng Zhengming: "Alright, let's get ready to open for business. There are a few important tables of customers who have made reservations tonight, so we need to be extra careful and make sure there are no mistakes."

The junior brother's words puzzled both senior brothers.

Li Huidong asked directly, "Zhengming, didn't you say you had any important guests tonight?"

Feng Zhengming: "I didn't want to add to everyone's burden. Also, my child was born this morning, and I was so happy that I forgot to tell you."

These words left the two senior apprentices and everyone in the kitchen completely bewildered.

However, Feng Zhengming remained confident: "It's okay, everyone don't need to be nervous. Just follow our usual procedures. We don't need to give special attention to tonight's guests. We'll treat our guests the same way we usually do."

To boost morale, Feng Zhengming pointed to his two senior brothers.

"Besides, my two senior brothers are here tonight, so there definitely won't be any problems."

After hearing Feng Zhengming's words, everyone immediately relaxed.

Especially considering that Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai will be there tonight.

Everyone naturally felt that no matter what kind of guests came tonight?
With Feng Zhengming, the national culinary champion, and two true Shandong cuisine masters, the team is ready.

With three chefs who have participated in state banquets in charge, they can certainly handle any guest.

Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai didn't say anything, but they felt a little pressured.

So before they opened for business, the two senior brothers took some time to ask their junior brother in private.

"Zhengming, explain yourself clearly. What special guest is there tonight?"

"Yes, we're very nervous if you don't explain it to us clearly."

Feng Zhengming smiled slightly: "Big brother, sixth brother, you've misunderstood. The so-called special guests tonight are not special in China. It's just that they have a different status in the overseas food industry."

These words surprised the two senior brothers.

Feng Zhengming put it even more bluntly: "Mr. Kaufman told me that an overseas restaurant rating agency had taken notice of me, so they would send someone to my restaurant to give it a review."

The two senior brothers understood.

Li Huidong asked in surprise, "How did you know they would come tonight?"

Feng Zhengming: "Because my restaurant requires reservations in the evening, tonight there are two tables of guests who are unfamiliar with me. Although the names of the people who made the reservations are from China, I have a feeling that it should be them."

Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing this.

Zhang Minghai quickly laughed: "It's alright, let them come and judge. I believe that with Zhengming's skills, even Mr. Kaufman can be easily won over, so what are those foreign gourmets?"

Li Huidong is not so optimistic: "Some foreign food critics have more unique tastes. Mr. Kaufman is, after all, a down-to-earth chef, but there are some foreign food critics who are not so down-to-earth."

Feng Zhengming: "Then let's win them over in the most down-to-earth way, just like warming up the National Day banquet in my restaurant first."

The junior brother's words made both senior brothers laugh.

The three brothers were now working together with one heart and one mind. (End of Chapter)