From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After seeing off the last table of guests, the old-style restaurant closed for the night.

Feng Zhengming assigned the new store manager, Fu Jun, and Cai Tao to lead everyone in handling the final tasks.

He and his two senior brothers sat down to rest, while chatting with the old man who hadn't left yet.

Uncle: "Feng Zhuangyuan, your performance tonight was excellent. You should be highly praised by the people from those overseas food associations."

Feng Zhengming: "I don't really care what kind of evaluation they give me."

The old man said, "No, we still need to pay attention to it. Although the overseas food associations don't understand Chinese food, they still have a voice in the international food world."

"Uncle, it looks like that tire company's recommendation guide is going to be released in China?"

When asked about this, the old man smiled and said, "Some people want them to come in, thinking that their entry into the country can bring domestic catering in line with international standards."

Li Huidong frowned slightly: "Why should we follow other people's standards when we have our own dishes and don't need our own standards?"

The old man looked at Li Huidong and said, "Over the years, many of our standards have been actively conforming to other people's standards. Major manufacturers and many Chinese people feel that it is an honor to be in line with international standards."

After being told that by the old man, Li Huidong sighed helplessly.

Everyone knows that the old man was right.

Even the advertising copy for many products on television is specifically marked as conforming to international standards.

Furthermore, a large number of their products proactively aim to align with international standards.

Many Chinese people also prefer products that were originally intended for export but are now sold domestically.

It seems that for many people, foreign standards are a cut above those in China.

Feng Zhengming: "Actually, this issue needs to be viewed separately. Some things do need to be in accordance with international standards, since those things are exported overseas."

However, our own restaurants, our own Chinese cuisine, do not need to conform to other people's standards.

People in every place have different tastes and eating habits; there is no standard that applies globally.

Upon hearing Feng Zhengming's words, the two senior brothers immediately nodded in agreement.

"Yes, our own dishes should be judged by our own standards."

"Let others judge us. Their eating habits are different from ours, and their standards don't apply to us."

The old man looked at Feng Zhengming: "So that's why you had to imitate them and promote your own recommendation guide in Shanghai and your hometown of Shandong?"

Feng Zhengming nodded with a smile: "Yes, we should use our own standards to judge whether a restaurant is good or bad."

The old man said, "You've done very well, but you need to be more meticulous and play a supervisory role."

Feng Zhengming nodded; he understood what the old man meant.

Currently, both the recommendation guides for the entire Shandong province and those for Shanghai are indeed facing some criticism.

Especially the newly launched restaurant and dining recommendation guide.

According to the information received by their mentor Huang Tao and others, some restaurants and eateries have clearly seen a decline in quality.

Feng Zhengming promptly instructed Huang Tao to handle the matter, and even removed the signs from several companies with serious problems.

Because of this incident, Feng Zhengming was even sued by the restaurants that had their licenses revoked.

However, Feng Zhengming has not returned to Quancheng yet, so we haven't been able to find him for the time being.

However, the Shandong Chefs Association has been in contact with Feng Zhengming, trying to have some discussions.

The chefs' association hopes that Feng Zhengming can be lenient and not revoke the ratings yet, but can wait until this year's review to re-evaluate the restaurants and eateries whose standards have declined.

Feng Zhengming naturally could not agree to this.

If handled according to the chefs' association's methods, his reputation will also be ruined.

Most importantly, the credibility of recommended guides will be greatly reduced.

Feng Zhengming knew very well what the final outcome would be once his credibility declined.

Moreover, once that precedent is set, if the chefs' association intervenes once, there will definitely be a second time.

Ultimately, this prevents the recommendation guidelines from being objectively reviewed.

Therefore, the recommendation guide has no authority whatsoever.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming rejected the mediation from the Qilu Chefs Association.

He insisted on removing the plaques and even stated directly that the restaurants whose plaques were removed this year would not be eligible to participate in the evaluation.

Feng Zhengming's tough stance made the Chefs Association feel somewhat embarrassed.

During this period, the Chefs Association was clearly trying to replace Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming should be removed from his position as president of the Qilu Chefs Association.

Feng Zhengming didn't care about this at all.

For him, he only reluctantly agreed to become the president of the chefs' association because of his master and Master Cui.

If the Shandong Chefs Association removes him from his position as president.

He can instead do things more directly in his own way.

Feng Zhengming looked at the old man and said, "I am planning to promote a recommendation guide for snack shops and small restaurants all over the country. As for the recommendation guide for restaurants and hotels, it will not be promoted nationwide for the time being."

The old man smiled and said, "You're thinking too simply."

Feng Zhengming was slightly taken aback, but then he understood what the old man meant.

"You mean it's difficult to promote nationwide? And that it will encounter resistance from all sides?"

Uncle: "When you first started making that recommendation guide in Shanghai, did you not encounter much resistance? In fact, almost no one interfered with you, allowing you to easily complete the recommendation guide?"

Feng Zhengming nodded.

The old man asked, "Do you know why?"

Feng Zhengming hesitated for a moment before answering: "Because the recommendation guide didn't have much influence back then, and I didn't have the fame I have now, no one would care about the recommendation guide I made."

“Yes.” Uncle, “In the eyes of people back then, you were the national culinary champion, but that was all. You didn’t have the fame you have now, nor were you sought after by so many people.”

Your recommendation guide, whether viewed by peers or laymen, is nothing more than a little thing you made yourself.

But no one expected that your recommendation guide would gradually become so popular.

Feng Zhengming: "So next, they will try every means to influence me, hoping to interfere with my judgment, and even want to take the lead in the review of the recommendation guidelines themselves."

The old man nodded.

"Yes, they want to lead the review process themselves and don't want you to slip out of their control."

Feng Zhengming smiled slightly: "Then I'm afraid they've miscalculated. They'll have a hard time controlling me."

The old man said, "I can see that you've tried every possible method to run your shop so well over the years, because you don't want to be controlled or restricted by others."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Uncle, you really can see through everything."

The old man said, "As people get older and experience more things, they naturally become more discerning. However, each generation has its own experience, and what I'm sharing with you may not actually be useful to you."

All I can say is that if you're willing to listen to this old man's ramblings, it might be of some help to you.

Feng Zhengming: "Uncle, how can what you're saying be nonsense? I think you're very good at giving advice, and your experience is still very helpful to me." The old man laughed heartily.

"Haha, I didn't expect you, Scholar Feng, to be such a flatterer!"

These words amused both of Feng Zhengming's senior brothers.

Zhang Minghai couldn't help but say, "Uncle, our junior brother has always been very good at making the elderly happy. Back in the kitchen of Yanxi Restaurant, he was the one who was most favored by our master."

The old man said, "You can tell that in the eyes of all the master craftsmen, he is absolutely outstanding and they all want him to be their apprentice."

Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai nodded in agreement.

The two senior brothers were well aware that even though the Qilu Chefs Association wanted to remove Feng Zhengming as its president, they were still aware of the situation.

But in the end, it's definitely impossible to remove it.

Because there are still experienced chefs around, and in their eyes, Feng Zhengming is the best, so no one else in the Chef Association can touch him.

The old man then went on to say something quite direct.

"So Zhengming, you must make good use of this. You must learn to take advantage of the old guys' affection for you, do what you want to do one by one, and gain their support. This way, you can avoid being hurt by some people with ulterior motives."

Feng Zhengming and his two senior brothers stared wide-eyed, not expecting their uncle to be so blunt.

In fact, Feng Zhengming has been doing this kind of thing all along.

Just like in Shandong, he gained the support of all the master chefs of Shandong cuisine.

In Beijing, he was well-liked by the masters of state banquets and gained their support.

Even his acquisition of those old shops in Beijing was supported by some old-fashioned people.

However, Feng Zhengming did it very discreetly, and many people did not actually discover it.

Today, the old man was very straightforward, pointing out this point in the most blunt terms.

It could be said that the old man was giving Feng Zhengming some pointers, telling him to continue to maintain good relations with the old folks.

With the old man's support, he'll definitely succeed at whatever he wants to do.

Of course, there is another very important point that the old man did not mention.

Only when the older folks approve will they firmly support what you do.

How do I get the older folks to approve?

In fact, it's all just what Feng Zhengming is showing right now.

He was the national culinary champion, winning the highest honor in the country, but he still insisted on working in the kitchen, and his skills never declined, but continued to improve.

He takes every guest very seriously, listens to their opinions, and manages his restaurant and other stores.

At the same time, he will also selflessly share many of his own things so that more people can appreciate and enjoy Chinese cuisine.

Furthermore, he will always give his all when invited to state banquets, showcasing his best and truly bringing glory to the country at these events.

This is what attracts all the old guys to Feng Zhengming.

Even the old man was attracted to these qualities in Feng Zhengming.

One thing that would even please all the old guys is that Feng Zhengming would show them enough respect.

The old man once wanted to eat a bowl of pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup.

However, this dish was not on Feng Zhengming's menu that evening.

But he still made a separate pot for the old man.

This respect is something that no elderly person could resist.

Therefore, the old man felt that this was Feng Zhengming's greatest advantage.

As long as he gets the old guys' support, he'll definitely succeed at whatever he wants to do.

Master chefs from various regional cuisines all sided with him. What could the other disgruntled master chefs do to Feng Zhengming?

Moreover, some master chefs from various regional cuisines are on his side.

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Uncle. I will keep that in mind. When I promote the recommendation guide to all parts of the country, I will try my best to build good relationships with the master chefs of various cuisines."

The old man chuckled and said, "Your cleverness is just endearing."

"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle."

The old man said, "You're right to start by promoting the street food and small restaurant recommendation guide. Starting with the smaller ones makes it easier to gain public recognition."

Only if you gain public approval, and are liked by us old guys, will your recommendation guide be a huge hit.

Feng Zhengming: "Thank you for your recognition, Uncle. We will all work hard."

After finishing their conversation with the old man, Feng Zhengming and his two senior brothers saw the old man and the two old ladies off.

Then Feng Zhengming specially called a car and asked the driver to take the three elderly people back.

The old man didn't refuse, after all, it was indeed very late.

Feng Zhengming further instructed the driver: "Drive slowly. All three of you are old, so you mustn't get into any trouble, or I won't let you off the hook."

The driver solemnly promised, "Don't worry, I will definitely get you all back safely."

The old man and the two old ladies waved goodbye to Feng Zhengming and his group.

After watching the car drive away, Feng Zhengming and his two senior brothers stood at the door for a while.

The sixth senior brother couldn't help but speak first: "Zhengming, the people you've been in contact with in Shanghai are quite remarkable."

The eldest brother laughed and said, "In our Jinan, aren't the people he associates with just as extraordinary?"

Hearing his senior brother say that, Zhang Minghai thought to himself, "That makes sense. Just like what this old man said earlier, it's clear that he's popular with older people."

Senior Brother: "In the eyes of the elders, Zhengming is a down-to-earth and hardworking young man, just like an outstanding junior from next door, so naturally they all like him."

Sixth Senior Brother: "That's right, with us clumsy guys standing on the sidelines making us look better."

Feng Zhengming was amused by his two senior brothers' words.

"Big brother, sixth brother, are you deliberately making fun of me? Are you criticizing me for being pretentious?"

The sixth senior brother chuckled and said, "Look at you, the eldest senior brother and I are just praising you."

Li Huidong: "Yes, it's a compliment."

Feng Zhengming: "Thank you for the compliments, senior brothers. I also want to thank you for your help today. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to handle it so well."

The two senior brothers smiled and said that this is how brothers should work together.

Then the three of them turned around and went back to the old-style restaurant.

After checking the finishing touches and cleaning to ensure there were no problems, Feng Zhengming officially announced the end of the day's business.

The service staff and most of the apprentices left first, leaving only three apprentices: Fu Jun, Cai Tao, and Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming and his fellow disciples gave them extra help before they went back to rest. (End of Chapter)