From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After a day of fun, Feng Zhengming and his friends bought a lot of things and returned home, where they had a big family reunion dinner.

Originally, the eldest and sixth senior brothers wanted to return to Quancheng on the 3rd.

However, at the junior brother's request, the two senior brothers stayed an extra day.

We decided to go back together on October 4th.

The reason they were allowed to stay an extra day was that Feng Zhengming wanted his eldest and sixth senior brothers' families, along with his parents-in-law, two grandfathers, and other family members, to have a meal at his restaurant.

He wanted his family to be able to enjoy his cooking and savor his unique culinary interpretations that he was so proud of.

Because the No. 3 Old House Restaurant was only open on the first day of the National Day holiday, Feng Zhengming did not open for lunch to allow staff who had been resting for so many days to adjust. Instead, the restaurant only served guests who had made reservations in advance in the evening.

Feng Zhengming even reserved two private rooms specifically for his family to entertain them.

He and his two senior classmates arrived at the restaurant in the morning to begin preparations.

Fu Jun and Cai Tao also arrived at the restaurant in the morning.

It's clear that the two young chefs have become more proactive after being mentored by Li Huidong and Zhang Minghai.

There were also three apprentices, Feng Zhengming, Hou Dong, Gao Yongfu, and Lu Haisheng, who all arrived at the restaurant's kitchen in the morning.

The supervisor in charge of reception also arrived at the store in the morning to prepare.

The work of the service staff is also quite meticulous and tedious.

You need to go into the changing room to change your clothes first, and then take out the tablecloth, tableware, and various tableware from the storeroom.

Next, tablecloths were carefully laid on each table, and various table decorations were arranged.

Each table should also have a vase filled with fresh flowers delivered that morning.

At the entrance of the restaurant, there will be door mats and coat racks.

Guests can leave their coats and hats here.

There will also be dedicated staff to look after the items and ensure that guests' belongings are not lost.

Even in the outer courtyard, the foreman would specifically lead people to clean it.

They also set out some tea and snacks on the table in the courtyard.

If guests wish to sit outside and enjoy the autumn scenery in the courtyard, they are welcome to eat and drink tea and snacks at their leisure, or even ask the staff for some of the restaurant's desserts.

All of these arrangements demonstrate that Feng Zhengming's restaurant is not just high-end.

It is also a warm restaurant with a unique dining atmosphere.

Feng Zhengming never forces service staff to always wear a smile.

However, he required the service staff to treat every guest politely, and even some noisy children had to be guided patiently.

Of course, the atmosphere of the restaurant will naturally make some naughty children behave better.

Guests who bring children usually take care to keep their children in check.

Moreover, the benefits and treatment that Feng Zhengming provides to the restaurant staff make everyone naturally happy to work there.

It's fair to say that most service staff will naturally smile when facing guests.

Feng Zhengming's old-style restaurant makes customers feel at home, and this is not just for show.

Every detail of the restaurant makes guests feel as if they are having a meal at home.

In addition, the understated yet luxurious Chinese-style home decor in each private room and the lobby on the first floor naturally creates a sense of peace and comfort.

Tonight is also the first time that the eldest brother and the sixth brother's family have come to Feng Zhengming's old house restaurant.

Stepping into this place surprised both sisters-in-law and the children.

Sister-in-law: "Wow, this place is so beautiful!"

Sixth Sister-in-law: "It's really beautiful. A little villa like this must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Luo Qing stayed by the side of her two sisters-in-law. When she heard her sixth sister-in-law's curiosity, she smiled and whispered the price to her.

Hearing the price, both the eldest sister-in-law and the sixth sister-in-law were taken aback.

Luo Qing added in a low voice, "We still have loans to pay off, so in the next few years we need to work hard to earn money and pay off the loans for this small building."

The eldest sister-in-law and the sixth sister-in-law exchanged a glance, both feeling that their junior brother Feng Zhengming was indeed bold.

However, the two sisters-in-law thought again that if their junior brother didn't have such courage, he wouldn't have been able to build such a large business.

Besides, my junior apprentice is a national culinary champion and frequently participates in various state banquets and receptions.

With his junior brother's reputation, it would only take him a few years to earn back the money he spent on buying this old villa.

Sixth Sister-in-law couldn't help but lower her voice: "No wonder Zhengming opened so many more branches this year. It seems you are indeed under a lot of pressure."

The eldest sister-in-law nodded in agreement: "Yes, Luo Qing, why don't you talk to Zhengming and tell him that you can use our dividends to pay off the loan first, and then give us the dividends back once the loan is paid off?"

Sixth Sister-in-law: "Yes, yes, we can hold off on taking the dividends for now."

Luo Qing understood that these words were the true feelings of her two sisters-in-law.

Several of his senior brothers had said similar things to Feng Zhengming.

Luo Qing: "Thank you for your understanding, sisters-in-law. But we're not under too much pressure. The loan here is for ten years, and we don't need to pay much each year. We can pay it off in ten years."

Before her two sisters-in-law could say anything more, Luo Qing continued to explain Feng Zhengming's plan to have five young chefs open branch stores.

"Moreover, by the end of next year, he will send five of his young chefs to open branches in their respective hometowns. With so many branches, our annual income will be enough to pay off the loan, and we will still have a lot left over."

After hearing what Luo Qing said, the two sisters-in-law thought about it and realized that it might not be difficult for Feng Zhengming.

The key is that Feng Zhengming is indeed very good at making money. His branches in various parts of Shandong province alone can earn him a lot of money every year.

In addition, he has now opened so many branches in various places.

Especially the branches in Beijing and Shanghai, they are all very profitable stores.

Thinking of this, the sister-in-law nodded: "It's good that you are able to repay. If you encounter any difficulties, you must tell us."

Sixth Sister-in-law: "Yes, if you have any difficulties, tell us and we will definitely help you."

Luo Qing: "Thank you, sister-in-law and sixth sister-in-law. Let's go upstairs and sit down in the private room to talk some more."

Then he called the children who were playing in the courtyard outside, and they all went upstairs to the private room that Feng Zhengming had prepared.

The private rooms were converted from guest rooms in an old villa, and the floors are made of solid wood.

The walls were covered with old-fashioned wallpaper, and there were even some old pieces of furniture in the room as decoration.

Even the chandelier overhead was a very old-fashioned crystal chandelier.

Luo Qing explained, "The items in the room have all been restored to their original state. When we bought this place, there were actually quite a few places that were in bad condition, so we have renovated them all."

Grandpa Situ exclaimed, "Zhengming is truly dedicated; his restaurant really deserves to be called the number one Chinese restaurant."

Everyone else agreed with Grandpa Situ's assessment. This restaurant, from its interior and exterior decor to its various furnishings...

In addition, there's the skill of Feng Zhengming, the national culinary champion.

It truly deserves to be called number one in every aspect.

After assigning tasks to everyone in the kitchen, Feng Zhengming went upstairs to the private room to see his family members who had come tonight.

"Grandpa, Grandpa Situ, you must eat well tonight and try some of the dishes I specially designed for you."

Feng Zonggu: "What you make must be the best."

Grandpa Situ: "Hahaha, that's right, all the dishes you make must be delicious."

Feng Nuanyou couldn't help but chime in, "Yes, yes, Dad's cooking is the best."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliments, Grandpa and Grandpa Situ. And thank you for the compliments, Daddy's little darling. Tonight, our Youyou will help Daddy entertain everyone."

Feng Nuanyou stood up and agreed with a smile, "Okay, I'll definitely do it."

The little girl's answer immediately amused everyone.

When they arrived at Dad's restaurant, the little girl was a bit more restrained, but she was still a little mischievous.

Feng Shengnan couldn't help but say, "Brother, your restaurant is so beautiful. I feel like even the emperors of the past couldn't enjoy dining here."

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, it certainly can't compare to the imperial palace in Beijing, but my cooking skills are definitely better than those of the imperial chefs."

Grandpa Situ: "Zhengming, you really have no modesty at all. You think your cooking skills are better than the imperial chefs?"

Feng Zhengming: "Grandpa Situ, I'm not bragging. The imperial chefs of the past were not necessarily the top chefs of their time. They just had more rules when it came to cooking."

Many of our current techniques and the use of various kitchen utensils did not exist in the past.

Not to mention that many of the ingredients I use now were things that even emperors in the past might not have been able to procure.

Therefore, all things considered, I am now far superior to the former imperial chef in every aspect.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's analysis, everyone agreed that this was indeed the case.

In this room are the two grandfathers and their families, including the eldest uncle, second aunt, third uncle, and third aunt.

In the next room, Luo Qing and her parents-in-law were with the families of the eldest and sixth senior brothers.

Although they are seated separately, there is actually a door connecting the two rooms.

Feng Zhengming also walked through the door into the next room.

"What do you two sisters-in-law think of this place?"

Upon seeing Feng Zhengming walk in, the sister-in-law immediately said, "What do you mean 'not bad'? The decoration and layout of your restaurant are really too good."

Sixth Sister-in-law: "This place feels so luxurious. It may look rather rustic, but if you look closely at the decorations, you can tell that it's really something special."

The eldest sister-in-law pointed to the various furnishings: "Are all the things in this house antiques that you collected?"

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, there are no antiques here. Everything here is new. The owner of this house moved all his belongings out a long time ago."

These are a new batch that I specially commissioned some experienced craftsmen to make for me, and I've incorporated a lot of fashionable elements into them.

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, everyone took a closer look.

It was soon discovered that all the furnishings in the room were indeed new.

Feng Zhengming didn't even have anyone specifically aging the product.

Judging from the various styles of the furnishings, it's easy to see that they are all very novel.

Sixth Sister-in-law looked around and couldn't help but feel a little strange.

“Zhengming, I’ve heard that many people who make these kinds of things like to deliberately age them to make them look like antiques. Why do you seem to have chosen these modern designs instead of aging them?”

Feng Zhengming: "Sixth Sister-in-law, I run a restaurant, not sell antiques, so I don't need those antique-looking things."

And Sixth Sister-in-law, don't you think these new things are very beautiful, both in terms of their creative designs and overall patterns? They look even better without the distressed finish.

After Feng Zhengming said that, the two sisters-in-law looked at it carefully again and couldn't help but think that it was indeed more beautiful.

In particular, every item in the room is arranged to match the overall atmosphere of the room.

Looking at it this way, it's clear that no antiquing is needed.

Even without any special antiquing treatment, it would look like an antique at first glance in a room.

Feng Zhengming explained, "I just need people to feel that the furnishings and room decor match when they come in, and then they will know that they are not antiques when they get closer."

The eldest sister-in-law quickly understood what Feng Zhengming meant.

"Is Zhengming trying to tell the guests that none of the items here are antiques, to prevent people with ulterior motives from trying to take them away?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is right. First, we don't want customers to take things away. Second, if a customer accidentally breaks something, since the item is newly made and not very valuable, we won't make the customer pay a lot of money in compensation."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's design, the women also thought it was indeed quite good.

It makes the furnishings look beautiful and avoids a lot of trouble.

At that moment, a sound came from downstairs. Feng Zhengming quickly told his family and went downstairs to greet the guests for the evening.

Seeing Feng Zhengming go downstairs, the eldest sister-in-law and the sixth sister-in-law sat down again.

Sixth Sister-in-law first said to Luo Qing, "Zhengming really knows how to run a business. Even though everything in this restaurant is brand new, he manages to create a rustic feel that makes people feel very comfortable."

Sister-in-law: "Yes, Zhengming's ideas have avoided a lot of trouble."

Luo Qing: "You two sisters-in-law have been praising him all these days, you don't need to keep praising him like this."

These words made both of the sisters-in-law laugh.

Sister-in-law: "Well done, of course we should praise you."

Sixth Sister-in-law: "From now on, I think many restaurants can learn from Zhengming and do it this way."

Luo Qing: "If my eldest brother and sixth brother also want to open a restaurant like this, Zhengming will definitely give them his full support."

Upon hearing this, the two sisters-in-law exchanged a glance, then both laughed and said it was impossible.

"Where is your senior brother? When he first took over the canteen, his older sister and brother-in-law helped him. He's okay in the kitchen, but he's definitely not good at running his own restaurant or tavern. He's really not good at dealing with all kinds of customers in the front."

Sixth Sister-in-law thought so too, and she also felt that Sixth Brother was doing very well working with Feng Zhengming.

“Following Zhengming, they can save a lot of trouble. They just need to make good food. When we run our own shop, we have to spend a lot of time and effort dealing with all sorts of things. Zhengming is capable, so it's better to let him handle it.”

Luo Qing smiled helplessly. She understood that her senior brothers had been following Feng Zhengming for a long time and probably didn't want to open their own shops.

For the senior apprentices, helping Feng Zhengming run his shop was much easier and more comfortable.

However, Luo Qing thought again that it would indeed be better for her husband if his fellow apprentices were willing to work with him.

With the brothers working together, no one could rival them. (End of Chapter)