From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

According to Feng Zhengming, his restaurant was actually named one of the top ten restaurants of the year by the International Gastronomy Association.

This surprised everyone in the family.

The two grandfathers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Feng Zonggu asked Brother Situ, "What kind of organization is this International Gourmet Association? Have you heard of it abroad, Brother Situ?"

Mr. Situ nodded: "I have indeed heard of it. This International Gourmet Association started as a non-governmental organization, formed by a group of food lovers."

There are many such organizations abroad; they are usually groups of people with similar interests.

When Feng Zhengming's mother-in-law heard this, she thought it was a good thing that the organization was formed so freely.

"That's pretty good. You can form an organization like this based on your own interests."

Mr. Situ smiled and shook his head: "It's not what you think. Although such non-governmental organizations can indeed be formed at will in foreign countries, a lot of funds are needed for them to develop and grow."

The same is true of the International Gastronomy Association; it was only through the support of some wealthy individuals that it was able to grow and expand.

Later, the original founder of the organization passed away, and the organization gradually came under the control of various capital groups.

The stated purpose is to fairly and impartially evaluate distinctive restaurants around the world.

But in reality, behind what appears to be fairness and impartiality, there are always some unspoken deals.

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengming's father-in-law immediately became somewhat nervous.

"So, they came to give Zhengming an award, but actually they wanted to ask him for money?"

Mr. Situ: "That's not the case. After all, if they were to collect money to select the top ten restaurants of the year, then the organization and the award would have lost all value long ago."

Feng Zhengming explained, "Dad, what Grandpa Situ means is that they will seriously select the top ten restaurants of the year to enhance their organization's influence, thereby seeking profits from other sources."

Mr. Situ nodded: "Many similar organizations abroad are like this. They seem to be fair and just, but that's just the appearance you see."

Behind the scenes, they have a more sophisticated and covert set of shady deals to allow the capital behind those organizations to reap profits.

Second Aunt asked, "Uncle Situ, does that mean Zhengming can't accept this award?"

Grandpa Situ smiled: "Why not? The fact that they came to Zhengming's door to present the award shows that they must have already sent someone to conduct a special review."

The fact that Zhengming was awarded one of the top ten restaurants of the year means that the Old House Restaurant met their stringent requirements.

Another point is that our capital city won the bid to host the Olympics this year.

Their decision to award Zhengming Restaurant at this time was intentional, hoping to leverage Zhengming Restaurant's reputation to gain domestic recognition for their judging process and thus gain wider acceptance in China.

Grandpa chimed in, "Brother Situ means that they used Zhengming's fame to enter the country, and Zhengming also used their influence abroad to go global?"

Grandpa Situ nodded: "Yes, that's it."

Then Grandpa Situ looked at Feng Zhengming.

"Zhengming, you need to remember one thing: you must never lose your own unique characteristics, especially your own food culture. Don't take this award too seriously."

We can't give them the impression that they can define your restaurant and our food at will.

Feng Zhengming nodded seriously: "I understand, Grandpa Situ. I will be careful and will not give them the opportunity to define us."

Grandpa Situ: "When communicating with those foreign guys, we need to be careful at all times."

They now know that we are growing stronger and that they need our market, so they don't tend to put as much pressure on us as they used to.

They will use sweet words and promises to give us preferential treatment and benefits while gradually assimilating us.

We gradually come to accept their rules and ideas, slowly losing our own identity and becoming blindly conformist to their standards and rules.

As a soldier, my second aunt was naturally annoyed to hear this.

"These foreigners are really awful."

Grandpa Situ, on the contrary, smiled and comforted his second aunt.

"Suying, don't get agitated, and don't lose your temper with them. Now that we've opened our doors to the world and want to integrate into the international system, we need to accept their standards first."

However, we cannot simply follow their rules; we must also retain our own rules.

As long as we can uphold our own standards and prevent them from infiltrating and changing them.

When we are strong enough, we will naturally be able to set new standards for the international order.

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, Grandpa Situ is right. For example, this year when they saw that we had successfully bid for the Olympics, they took the initiative to select my restaurant as one of the top ten restaurants of the year, didn't they?"
This is because they recognize that our motherland is constantly growing stronger, and they are intentionally trying to curry favor with us.

Mother-in-law: "I always felt that they had some ill intentions."

Grandpa Situ reassured him, "Whether it's out of good intentions or not doesn't matter. In short, this is Zhengming's opportunity to go abroad and let more people around the world know about Chinese food and experience our delicacies."

Feng Zhengming: "I will prepare well and will never be easily swayed by them."

Grandpa Situ: "If you have enough ability, you will not be forced to change by them. First, win this award, and then you can better promote Chinese cuisine."

At this moment, Luo Qing came downstairs with her daughter, who had just finished bathing.

Luo Qing asked curiously, "Will they ask Zhengming to go abroad to receive the award?"

Upon hearing her mother's words, Feng Nuanyou quickly ran to her father, threw herself into his arms, and hugged him tightly.

"Dad, don't go abroad. If you go abroad, I won't see you for a very, very long time."

Feng Zhengming smiled, picked up his daughter, let her sit on his lap, and asked his great-aunt to comb her hair.

"How could that be? If Daddy needs to go abroad to receive the award, then Daddy will take Youyou and Mommy with him. We'll go abroad together to receive the award, and Youyou can also go abroad for a trip, okay?"

Feng Nuanyou looked surprised, paused for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled and said, "Okay, I'm going abroad with my mom and dad!"

Grandpa Situ said, "It is indeed possible that Zhengming will go abroad to receive the award. They have come to confirm with you that the specific award ceremony time should be another time."

To expand their influence, they'll definitely need to hold an awards ceremony before officially presenting you with the award.

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "I think they probably want to hold the awards ceremony in the country."

This surprised the whole family.

However, upon closer reflection, my family members realized that it made sense.

Grandpa Situ: "That's certainly possible. Otherwise, why would so many of them come all the way here and not come directly to you, but instead go to Shanghai and the Shanghai Chefs Association? Perhaps they really want to take this opportunity to hold an awards ceremony in China."

In fact, Mr. Kaufman, who had already returned to the hotel, was called to a small meeting by the members of the fellow gourmets' association.

During the meeting, Mr. Kaufman learned that after he left, the Food Association and the Shanghai authorities had discussed the matter and were indeed planning to hold an awards ceremony in Shanghai.

Although Kaufman was accompanying the group, he wasn't a key figure in the Food Association. Therefore, he listened carefully to the Food Association's proposed plan.

He also gave his opinion frankly.

"If we're going to hold an awards ceremony here, shouldn't we first notify the representatives of the winning restaurants from all over the world to come? And shouldn't we also do detailed planning and preparation with them?"

The members of the food critics' association looked at each other and then unanimously decided to report to headquarters first.

"We still need to wait for the decision from headquarters. If headquarters agrees, we can have them prepare for the awards ceremony."

Mr. Kaufman then posed a second question: "What about time? Is there really enough time?"

A member of the food association spoke up: "The time is up to the Shanghai side. Since they intend to host the ceremony, they should naturally complete the preparations within the stipulated time so that our awards ceremony can be held smoothly."

Mr. Kaufman couldn't help but feel that these people from the Gourmet Association were once again displaying their arrogant attitude.

It is clear that Feng Zhengming's old villa restaurant has been selected as one of the top ten restaurants of the year.

But they still seemed to be giving alms to Feng Zhengming.

Kaufman himself had experienced this kind of attitude.

So for Kaufman, it was all just a repetition over and over again.

Ultimately, Kaufman decided not to participate in the subsequent discussions.

"Alright, gentlemen, what follows is a matter for your association. I have no say in the decision-making process. I am merely here as the recommender for the Old House Restaurant."

Your review process is complete, and he has earned your approval, becoming one of this year's top ten restaurants.

I've come here with you to find him; now it's up to you.

I'm tired, I'll take my leave now.

After saying this, Mr. Kaufman got up and left the small conference room.

After Kaufman left, the group of people from the Food Society in the conference room immediately contacted headquarters.

After some contacting them, the solution offered by headquarters was as follows.

If Shanghai can organize the awards ceremony according to the requirements within a week, this year's awards ceremony will be held in Shanghai.

The next day, Feng Zhengming made arrangements in the restaurant's kitchen before heading to the meeting place in Shanghai.

Before meeting the people from the International Gastronomy Association, Feng Zhengming first met with the Shanghai Chefs Association and Chef Hou and his group from Beijing.

Master Hou told Feng Zhengming the conditions that the other party had proposed today if Shanghai were to host their awards ceremony.

After hearing this, Feng Zhengming said frankly, "If you need funds, I can contribute some. After all, it is my restaurant that won the award, and the ultimate beneficiary is me and my restaurant. I should indeed contribute some of the cost of hosting the award ceremony."

Master Hou shook his head: "The cost is not important. In fact, Shanghai City hopes to be able to host it."

Feng Zhengming immediately understood what Master Hou and the people in Shanghai meant.

Shanghai also hopes to take advantage of this opportunity to gain more international recognition and promote domestic cuisine through Shanghai.

Feng Zhengming: "Then we will prepare within a week according to their conditions, but they must use their overseas channels to give us the corresponding publicity."

Master Hou immediately smiled: "Zhengming, you've really matured. It's very appropriate for you to propose these conditions."

Feng Zhengming: "Okay, I understand. Don't worry, everyone. I will state my conditions."

Next, Feng Zhengming and Master Hou and their group entered the venue.

The group of people who came to the Shanghai International Food Association, including the Koffmans and several renowned overseas chefs, all stood up.

At this moment, they could all feel that Feng Zhengming's aura was different from before.

Especially Master Hou and his group, who followed behind Feng Zhengming.

This further enhanced his aura.

When the Kaufmans saw Feng Zhengming like this, they immediately realized that he had the support of the state.

Similarly, everyone in the Food Connoisseurs Association noticed this as well.

Therefore, negotiations regarding the organization and hosting of the awards ceremony will proceed as follows.

Feng Zhengming indeed had the upper hand, completely suppressing his opponent with his strong aura.

After a series of negotiations that were not particularly difficult.

Finally, the other party agreed to hold the awards ceremony in Shanghai.

Even after Feng Zhengming argued his case, he once threatened to forgo the award altogether.

Ask the International Gastronomy Association to extend the preparation period to ten days.

Furthermore, the food critics' association has agreed that while holding the awards ceremony, they will use their channels to promote it around the world.

In particular, food critics from all over the world within the association also write and publish their own food reviews.

He also promised Feng Zhengming that he would publish the recommendation guide he and Huang Tao created to all parts of the world through the International Gastronomy Association.

Of course, Master Hou and his team also agreed to allow the International Gastronomy Association to enter the country.

This can be considered a friendly exchange between the two sides.

After the meeting, the Koffmans approached Feng Zhengming.

"Congratulations, Feng, you've gotten what you wanted."

Feng Zhengming: "I also want to thank you. Without your help, I could not have gained such a great advantage. Of course, I also want to thank my motherland. The strength of my motherland gives me the capital to negotiate with them."

Mr. Kaufman: "Yes, you had the upper hand after you won the bid to host the Olympics."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, they all sensed the huge commercial interests behind the Olympics."

Kaufman: "Now it's your turn to show your strength. I hope that hosting the International Top 10 Restaurants Awards will be a complete success, allowing the world to get to know you better through your food."

Feng Zhengming: "We have always welcomed friends from all over the world to come and have friendly exchanges with us on food and various cultures. We hope that Mr. Kaufman and his wife can also come and exchange ideas more often in the future."

The Kaufmans exchanged a glance, then smiled and nodded in agreement.

Mrs. Kaufman even extended an invitation to Feng Zhengming.

"We also hope that you and your wife, along with your lovely daughter, can come to our place. We will definitely treat you well and let you taste the most authentic of our cuisine."

Feng Zhengming nodded in agreement; "Okay, we'll definitely make time to visit you next year." (End of Chapter)