From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After cleaning the restaurant, Feng Zhengming got up and conducted an inspection.

The Kaufmans left their wife and daughter to wait with them.

At this point, Mr. Kaufman began to recall everything he had seen that evening at Feng Zhengming's restaurant.

During the serving of the dishes, Kaufman carefully observed many of the dishes in the restaurant, as well as the various services provided to the guests.

In Kaufman's view, there was really nothing wrong with either the quality of the food or the overall service of the restaurant.

And just as Kaufman had anticipated, the dishes in the restaurant weren't as artistic as those in many high-end restaurants abroad.

The portions in each dish are quite generous, and guests can choose the amount they need according to their preferences.

Even if a guest only wants one sea cucumber, Feng Zhengming will serve him one.

This approach does make guests feel very comfortable.

Kaufman even felt that perhaps his restaurant could learn from this.

Serve the amount of food ordered by the guests according to their own needs.

Through his observations at Feng Zhengming's restaurant, Kaufman clearly saw Feng Zhengming's insistence on Chinese culinary aesthetics.

The plating is exquisite but not extravagant, and it doesn't feel like many artistic Western dishes that force plating for the sake of presentation.

Perhaps compared to those artistic Western dishes, Feng Zhengming's presentation of each dish is not as lavish.

However, it cannot be said that Feng Zhengming's dishes were not beautifully presented.

Of course, another important point is that Feng Zhengming's restaurant adheres to the characteristics of Chinese cuisine.

He prepares each dish in advance using his knife skills.

It makes it convenient for guests to use chopsticks to pick up the food.

Using chopsticks is a habit for every Chinese person.

One reason why knife skills in Chinese cooking are so refined is to make it easier for guests to eat with chopsticks.

Otherwise, it would be like Western cuisine, where you cook and serve whole dishes without using knife skills.

It's clearly not suitable to eat with chopsticks.

Kaufman knew that many Chinese restaurants were also moving towards Western-style dining.

This resulted in customers having to use knives and forks to eat at what is clearly a Chinese restaurant.

It has a rather incongruous feel, neither Chinese nor Western.

Feng Zhengming will meticulously prepare each dish with his knife skills.

It allows guests to enjoy their food more easily with chopsticks.

This aspect of the design impressed Koffman.

It is also a way of respecting the guests' dining habits.

This is much better than some restaurants that seem to offer incredibly high-class service on the surface, but in reality don't respect guests' own habits at all.

Reflecting on his observations at the restaurant tonight, Kaufman couldn't help but recall some of the less-than-favorable reviews the International Gastronomy Association had given to Feng Zhengming's restaurant.

Thinking about some of their comments, Kaufman couldn't help but find them ridiculous.

Seeing Mr. Kaufman laughing to himself, Feng Nuanyou became very curious and stared at him for a while.

Mrs. Kaufman and Luo Qing also witnessed this scene.

Luo Qing smiled and gently reached out to touch her daughter's face.

Feng Nuanyou immediately turned to look at her mother.

Luo Qing: "It's impolite of you to look at your uncle like that."

Upon hearing Luo Qing's words, Kaufman also came to his senses and turned to look at the mother and daughter.

"Little Youyou, what are you looking at?"

Feng Nuanyou didn't understand, so she could only look up at her mother.

Luo Qing smiled and explained, "Uncle asked what you were looking at?"

Feng Nuanyou didn't answer, but instead leaned close to her mother's ear.

"Uncle was laughing to himself the whole time."

Luo Qing listened and then smiled as she explained to the Kaufmans.

The couple immediately burst into laughter.

Mr. Kaufman: "I just thought of something interesting, so I laughed to myself."

Mrs. Kaufman immediately asked her husband to share any interesting ideas he had.

Mr. Kaufman then shared what he had just thought of.

"I think those people in the International Gastronomy Association don't actually understand Feng's restaurant. They actually dare to try to judge its merits. They are really ridiculous."

Luo Qing was somewhat surprised after hearing Mr. Kaufman's words.

She suddenly realized that Mr. Kaufman seemed to be the one who understood her husband better.

Or rather, they are both chefs, so in many ways they have a mutual respect for each other.

Therefore, they can better understand each other's perspectives and view many things from each other's point of view.

Just like this old-style restaurant, many people may not understand why Feng Zhengming would open such a restaurant?
But Mr. Kaufman clearly understood Feng Zhengming's intentions.

This is a restaurant that looks rather luxurious in every way.

Even in Shanghai, it might deter many people.

But Feng Zhengming opened this restaurant not to show off; he simply wanted to set a suitable benchmark.

Having such a benchmark will help more domestic restaurants and eateries understand what standards they should use to improve themselves.
In this respect, Mr. Kaufman actually did something similar to what Feng Zhengming did.

In the past, Kaufman's hometown was also considered by other countries to be a place without good food.

Through his own efforts, Kaufman also opened a top-notch restaurant in his hometown.

And with his own philosophy, he has gradually transformed his restaurant into one of the world's top restaurants.

This has overturned many people's stereotype that his hometown has no delicious food at all.

Kaufman even turned the stuffed pig's trotters, which had a strong hometown flavor, into a famous dish that is very well-known internationally.

All of this was achieved by Mr. Kaufman through his culinary skills.

Therefore, he was able to better understand Feng Zhengming's persistence.

I don't care about other people's opinions or comments.

At times like this, Feng Zhengming, like Kaufman before him, is a lone wolf.

In my own way, I strive to promote my restaurant and hometown cuisine to the world.

Kaufman shared these thoughts.

Luo Qing also exclaimed, "You two are really alike. You're both using your skills to prove to everyone that the culinary skills of your hometown are second to none."

Upon hearing Luo Qing's words, Mr. Kaufman smiled and said, "Very similar. Perhaps that's why I can understand Feng better."

After inspecting the restaurant that everyone had cleaned, Feng Zhengming returned to his wife, daughter, and the Kaufmans.

He smiled and asked, "My restaurant is closed for the evening. Would you two like to come to our home for a visit?"

Luo Qing also extended an invitation: "Yes, you can come to my house for a visit."

The Kaufmans exchanged a glance; the couple seemed to be in perfect sync.

Mr. Kaufman said, "I won't go tonight. I might have some things to do tomorrow. Feng, you should try to meet with the people from the Food Association tomorrow."

Feng Zhengming: "I will go, but I still need to wait until I have arranged everything at the restaurant."

Mr. Kaufman: "It's alright, they're here to present you with an award. If you don't show up, they'll have it delivered to the restaurant." Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, if I really don't show up, won't they think I'm being arrogant?"

Mr. Kaufman chuckled, “Indeed, but they didn’t come to inform you in person today, did they?”

Feng Zhengming: "Will they send someone to inform me tomorrow?"

Mr. Kaufman pointed to himself: "I'm here today to inform you."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Okay, I will go see them tomorrow morning."

Mr. Kaufman: "See you tomorrow."

Mrs. Kaufman leaned in gently and kissed Luo Qing and Feng Nuanyou: "Goodbye."

Feng Nuanyou waved her little hand: "Goodbye."

Feng Zhengming originally wanted to personally drive the Koffmans back to their hotel.

The couple also declined Feng Zhengming's offer to drive them there personally.

Perhaps they were worried that if Feng Zhengming escorted them back to the hotel, they would run into some members of the Food Association, who might then think that Feng Zhengming was deliberately avoiding them.

So Feng Zhengming found them a car and drove the couple back to their hotel.

After seeing the Kaufmans off, Feng Zhengming and his wife took their daughter home.

On the way home, Luo Qing relayed some of what Mr. Kaufman had said to her husband.

A smile appeared on Feng Zhengming's face after hearing this.

"Kofman and I are quite similar; we both want to use our culinary skills to change people's stereotypes about the food of our hometowns, but it's a bit more difficult for him than for me."

After all, Shandong cuisine has a long-standing reputation, and the skills of many Shandong chefs throughout history are the foundation of my cuisine.

I'm standing on the shoulders of giants, unlike Koffman who relied entirely on his skills to gain wider recognition for his restaurant.

Luo Qing: "You are all very talented and can all make dishes that amaze others."

Feng Nuanyou asked curiously, "Dad, who's more powerful, you or that foreign uncle?"

Feng Zhengming: "We're all amazing! Mom said we're all amazing."

Feng Nuanyou: "Then you can't compete?"

“Dad and Uncle competed, and we ended up in a draw. There was no clear winner,” Feng Zhengming replied to his daughter.

This answer finally satisfied Feng Nuanyou.

"Hehehe, Youyou knows Daddy won't lose."

Feng Zhengming: "Haha, with my daughter Youyou supporting Daddy, Daddy will definitely work hard to make sure we don't lose."

Luo Qing didn't like her husband saying that, especially in front of their daughter.

"Don't say that. It will make Youyou feel like she has to be number one, otherwise losing means failure."

At this point, Luo Qing turned her head and looked at her daughter intently.

“Youyou, sometimes losing doesn’t mean failure. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. We just need to do our best in what we’re good at, instead of trying to compete with others in what we’re not good at.”

Feng Zhengming immediately echoed his wife: "Mom is right. We can't compare ourselves to others who are good at things we're not good at. So Dad also wants to tell Youyou that no one can always win."

Even if Dad loses, he won't be discouraged; he will still try his best.

"Youyou, you have to do the same from now on. Don't give up just because you lost, okay?"

Although Feng Nuanyou was too young to fully understand what her parents were saying, she listened to them.

But she nodded and explained it in her own words.

"Okay, Youyou understand. You'll have to work hard."

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing both praised their daughter after hearing her words.

"Great job, Yoyo, just remember to work hard."

"Yes, our Youyou will definitely be an amazing child in the future, and she will be able to accomplish many things through her own efforts."

Feng Nuanyou felt very happy to receive praise from her parents.

The family of three returned home together to the sound of Feng Nuanyou humming a children's song.

Upon entering the house, I heard the sounds of my two little ones crying.

Feng Nuanyou didn't even have time to change her shoes before she took them off and ran inside barefoot.

"Oh dear, little sister and little brother, what's wrong?"

Seeing Feng Nuanyou's anxious expression, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing were both amused and exasperated.

Luo Qing changed her shoes and quickly went over to check on the two little ones.

Feng Zhengming changed his own shoes and even took his daughter's slippers with him before going over.

The two little ones in the family were being held and comforted by their maternal grandmother and great-aunt, respectively.

Feng Nuanyou stepped forward, and her maternal grandmother and great-aunt also lowered their heads so that she could see her younger sister and brother.

Grandma: "Look, your sister is back."

Grandma: "These two little ones, I don't know what happened, they just started crying together."

Feng Nuanyou gently patted her younger sister and brother: "Don't cry, your older sister, dad, and mom are back. Don't cry."

Interestingly, the two little ones, who are too young to understand, seem to know their older sister.

The two little ones rolled their eyes and looked at their older sister, Feng Nuanyou, who was standing next to them.

Then, the two little ones actually smiled at the same time.

Grandma: "Oh my, this is really interesting. Seeing that my two little ones have stopped crying..."

Grandma: "That's right, they even laughed together."

Feng Zhengming walked over and put down his daughter's little slippers.

"Youyou, put on your slippers. You can't run around barefoot like that."

Feng Nuanyou immediately looked down and realized that she hadn't changed into slippers.

"Oh dear, I'm not wearing slippers."

Grandma laughed: "Hahaha, look how busy your sister is to come see you all, she even forgot to put on her slippers and is still barefoot."

After everyone comforted them, the two little ones stopped crying completely.

Feng Zhengming and his wife Luo Qing took the children from each other.

The couple sat down together to comfort their two little ones.

Feng Nuanyou was also watching from the side, sometimes helping her mother to coax her younger brother, and sometimes helping her father to coax her younger sister.

After coaxing and soothing her back and forth, the younger siblings gradually fell asleep peacefully.

Feng Nuanyou was very happy to see her younger siblings asleep.

"Shh, let's keep our voices down, we can't wake up our little sister and brother."

Seeing Feng Nuanyou speaking so softly amused the whole family, who couldn't help but smile.

Looking at this family, Feng Zhengming felt that after finishing his work at the restaurant every night, coming home to such a warm and loving home truly allowed him to wash away all his fatigue.

Carry the children upstairs and gently place them in their respective cribs.

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing each took a shower.

Luo Qing took her daughter, Feng Nuanyou, with her while she showered.

So Feng Zhengming finished washing up and came downstairs to tell his family about the International Gastronomy Association's visit that day to award him the title of one of the top ten restaurants of the year. (End of Chapter)