From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 1146 Makes Huang Yunliang Famous
It was truly unexpected for many that Feng Zhengming would bring his daughter to Xiamen to support Huang Yunliang's shop.

Originally, Huang Yunliang's shop in Xiamen was just a small shop.

Therefore, his opening did not attract much attention.

After all, during the Chinese New Year, both his master and fellow apprentices looked down on him for running such a small shop.

Naturally, no one from the local chefs' association would come forward to patronize his shop.

As for local television stations, newspapers, and magazines, they simply wouldn't pay any attention to the opening of such a small shop.

But now that Feng Zhengming has appeared at the scene with his daughter, and has even personally cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque for Huang Yunliang's store, things have changed completely.

Having won the Global Top Ten Restaurants of the Year award, Feng Zhengming can be said to have truly become famous throughout the country this year.

Furthermore, China has gradually entered the internet age.

There is a lot of information about Feng Zhengming's specific experiences posted online.

This further increased Feng Zhengming's fame.

Previously, he was known throughout the country as a culinary champion, and many young people admired him. Many chefs even regarded him as an idol and studied under him.

But most of the time, people's impression of Feng Zhengming is still that of a good chef.

Now, thanks to various forms of publicity on the internet, television, newspapers, and magazines.

In everyone's eyes, Feng Zhengming's winning of the World's Top Ten Restaurants of the Year has made him a person who has brought glory to the country.

Just like an athlete who wins a gold medal in an international competition and becomes famous overnight.

So when Feng Zhengming came to Xiamen, Fujian Province, to cut the ribbon and unveil the plaque for the opening of his new store, the local media didn't report it at all, which caught the locals off guard.

Before the local authorities could react, Huang Yunliang's shop had already experienced a surge in business.

Then many customers saw that Feng Zhengming was also in the store with his daughter.

Feng Zhengming even changed into a chef's uniform to appear in the kitchen.

I personally prepared some of the restaurant's Fujian dishes for the first batch of customers.

When Feng Zhengming handed out the dishes, he didn't forget to smile and express a little apology to the guests.

"I'm sorry, my Fujian cuisine may not be very authentic. Chef Huang, who is the head chef of this restaurant, makes it more authentic. I hope everyone will continue to support us in the future."

When the customers heard Feng Zhengming say this, they simply assumed that the top scholar was being modest.

The locals of Xiamen were especially happy to be able to eat dishes personally prepared by Feng Zhuangyuan right at their doorstep.

The news spread quickly, naturally attracting more and more customers to the small shop.

Huang Yunliang's master and fellow apprentices were completely unprepared for this.

Feng Zhengming's personal visit instantly boosted Huang Yunliang's small shop's popularity.

At this point, some of Huang Yunliang's fellow apprentices felt a pang of regret.

Before opening the shop, Huang Yunliang specially invited his fellow apprentices to a gathering and told them about the shop opening.

Huang Yunliang initially hoped that some of his fellow apprentices would be willing to step forward and help him.

However, the result disappointed Huang Yunliang, as none of his fellow apprentices were willing to help him.

Instead, Feng Zhengming sent Gao Yongfu and his apprentice to help Huang Yunliang.

Furthermore, they provided Huang Yunliang with an investment to open his shop.

All of this was deeply etched in Huang Yunliang's memory.

In addition, Feng Zhengming brought his daughter here specifically to support his store.

Help him get the business in his shop up and running.

They also kept introducing Huang Yunliang to customers, so that more customers could understand and accept him as the head chef.

"Chef Huang used to be my assistant at my old villa restaurant. He made many of the dishes at the old villa restaurant, so you can absolutely trust his skills."

This time, he came here and hung up the signboard of my Feng Family Rice Shop, opening this branch in Xiamen.

Although he runs the entire store himself, I believe he will make good food and uphold all the unique features of my store.

Please continue to support him in the future. You can also keep an eye on him; if anything goes wrong, please let me know.

After Feng Zhengming recommended him in this way, Huang Yunliang...

He quickly stepped forward and said, "I welcome everyone's supervision. I will definitely run this restaurant well and make our Fujian cuisine delicious. If you have any complaints about any of the dishes, you can speak up at any time."

Huang Yunliang was perfectly aware of Feng Zhengming's requirements for the branch stores.

Huang Yunliang was naturally unwilling to let Feng Zhengming down, given his strong support.

With Feng Zhengming's strong support and Huang Yunliang's own culinary demonstration, the event was a great success.

He quickly gained recognition from a large number of local diners.

Before long, local television stations and newspapers also came to interview Huang Yunliang.

Facing interviews from television stations and newspapers made Huang Yunliang feel somewhat nervous.

Fortunately, Feng Zhengming hadn't left yet and was giving him some pointers.

During the interview, the reporter also asked Feng Zhengming a question.

"Feng Zhuangyuan, it seems that you mainly operate your branches in various places yourself, but this time in Xiamen, you had Chef Huang franchise it?"

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, this time his store is a franchise."

Reporter: "Why did you let him join as a franchisee? Will you let other chefs join in the future?"

Feng Zhengming: "If you want to join us, we'll probably have high requirements. As I mentioned before, Chef Huang worked in my restaurant."

This doesn't mean I only allow my own people to join, but rather that I have a better understanding of a person's character and skills if they have worked in my restaurant.

That's why I felt comfortable letting Chef Huang join the franchise and use my Feng Family Rice Shop brand.

Huang Yunliang felt a little embarrassed when Feng Zhengming called him "Chef Huang".

Reporter: "So you think Chef Huang can gain your trust?"

Feng Zhengming: "It's not that he gained my trust, but that his character and skills have stood the test and can be trusted by every customer who comes to his restaurant."

Upon hearing this, the reporter was initially somewhat confused.

I don't understand what Feng Zhengming meant by emphasizing this point?
Feng Zhengming then offered another explanation.

"The reason why I run each of my stores myself and assign chefs to manage them is to ensure that the taste of the food in each store is consistent and that the skills of the chefs in the kitchen of each store are guaranteed."

Chef Huang used to work at my restaurant, and I know his skills well. I know he will do his best to make every dish well.

This is something I, and every customer who comes to the store, can trust.

This time, the reporters finally understood.

The reporter may have thought of this, but we still hope that Feng Zhengming will explain it clearly.

With Feng Zhengming's explanation clear, the reporters felt it was more convincing. Next, they interviewed Huang Yunliang.

"Chef Huang, you are a Fujian cuisine chef, why did you go to Feng Zhuangyuan's restaurant in the first place?"

Huang Yunliang was very frank: "When I first learned the craft from my master, I was a bit young and arrogant. I wanted to show off my skills, so I went to Feng Zhuangyuan's shop. I had a bit of a desire to challenge him."

Upon hearing this, the reporter couldn't help but laugh and ask, "So when Chef Huang went to Feng Zhuangyuan's place, he was still unconvinced and wanted to challenge Feng Zhuangyuan?"

Huang Yunliang was a little embarrassed: "Yes, when I went there, I really wanted to challenge him."

Reporter: "And then what happened?"

Huang Yunliang looked at Feng Zhengming: "Later, I was impressed by the chef's skills and demeanor. I was truly convinced. In the chef, I saw what a truly passionate and good chef should be like."

He really taught me a lot, making me understand that cooking should be done with passion.

Even a simple home-style dish like scrambled eggs with tomatoes can be delicious.

The reporters all agreed with Huang Yunliang's words.

Just like Huang Yunliang's current shop, the items in the shop are basically many street snacks from Fujian cuisine.

It's safe to say that the locals have been eating this for many years.

It is precisely because everyone has been eating at this restaurant for many years that Huang Yunliang's high-quality food has gained even more recognition.

After the interview, Huang Yunliang quickly became famous locally and even throughout the province.

He was featured in various reports on television and in newspapers and magazines.

At this point, not only Huang Yunliang's fellow disciples, but even his master could no longer sit still.

Only then did they realize that they had truly underestimated Feng Zhengming's current influence in China.

After receiving various reports, Huang Yunliang received a call from his master.

“Ah Liang, your master saw those reports about you and is very proud of you. Seeing how well your shop is doing now, your master is really happy for you.”

"When you have time, come back and visit your master. Your master's wife was talking about you yesterday, saying you've become quite successful."

Huang Yunliang is, after all, a young man with relatively traditional views.

He was already somewhat flattered that his master had taken the initiative to call him.

After hearing what his master said on the phone, he immediately agreed.

"Thank you for your affirmation, Master. I've been quite busy at the shop lately. Once things settle down, I will definitely visit you and your wife. Please take good care of yourselves."

The master could feel the affection his disciple had for him when he heard this.

At the same time, Master was also a little bit depressed.

The master is giving his disciple a way out, waiting for the disciple to give him a way out in return.

For example, Huang Yunliang would say to his master, "Master, please come to the store and give me some guidance when you have time."

But Huang Yunliang was an honest kid. He felt that it was wrong to let his master help out at his shop, so he didn't even think about it that way.

Moreover, Huang Yunliang was still grateful for Feng Zhengming's support this time.

He feels that now all the dishes in his shop are designed by Feng Zhengming.

Having the master come to the store to provide guidance seems to go against Feng Zhengming's design.

The master and apprentice talked a lot on the phone.

The master repeatedly hinted that he hoped his apprentice would ask him to come to the store to provide guidance.

But Huang Yunliang remained silent; he truly didn't understand his master's meaning.

Finally, the master couldn't hold back any longer: "How about this, I see you're really busy over there, I'll come over with your master's wife sometime and try your cooking at your shop."

Even if Huang Yunliang was slow-witted, he understood after hearing his master say this much.

"If you and your wife come, we will definitely welcome you. We would appreciate your guidance and feedback on our products."

After hearing Huang Yunliang's words, the master finally felt much better.

"Haha, your master has already seen your skills. You have indeed learned a lot from Feng Zhuangyuan. Your master believes in you. When the time comes, your master will just go into the kitchen to take a look."

Huang Yunliang smiled and agreed, "Okay, thank you, Master. We look forward to your arrival."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Yunliang's teacher's wife came out from the inner room.

"You, are you so stubborn about saving face? You insisted that Huang Yunliang was no good back then, but look at him now? His shop is up and running, and Feng Zhengming came all the way here to support him. He's become famous overnight."

Before her husband could speak, the teacher's wife continued.

"You're not much older than Feng Zhengming. If you really want to count, you're chefs of the same generation. He's an apprentice of Master Yan from the Shandong cuisine line. Master Yan and your master are both considered top-tier chefs. They participated in the first cooking competition together."

So you shouldn't put on airs. Judging from Huang Yunliang's new store, Feng Zhengming is definitely better at training apprentices than you are.

When his wife said that to him, Huang Yunliang's master, Zhao Defeng, also felt somewhat helpless.

He had always felt resentful about not being able to participate in Feng Zhengming's National Culinary Competition.

Because of his age, when he learned that Huang Yunliang had applied for a job with Feng Zhengming, he once regarded Feng Zhengming as his junior.

Now, Zhao Defeng has realized that he really can't compare to Feng Zhengming.

He knew his skills were definitely not as good as those of Qiang Zhentao and the others who had participated in the national competition.

His apprentice, Huang Yunliang, under Feng Zhengming's guidance, has already succeeded in opening a shop and running it independently.

At this point, how could Zhao Defeng still have any resentment?
Wife: "Old Zhao, take some time, let's go to Huang Yunliang's shop together. I saw on TV and in the newspapers that his shop has excellent craftsmanship and the food is good and inexpensive."

Zhao Defeng: "I'll go over there next week to take a look. I really want to see what Scholar Feng is capable of."

Wife: "Has Scholar Feng left?"

Zhao Defeng: "He's already left. I heard he has a new store in Shanghai that's being prepared, so he has to rush back."

At this point, Zhao Defeng looked helpless: "Sigh, I really am not qualified to compare with them now."

His wife comforted him, saying, "Don't think like that. You're still a very famous master chef in Fujian cuisine."

Zhao Defeng looked at his wife, feeling comforted by her words.

"Fujian cuisine is still not well-known. Even our traditional classic dishes are often mistaken for Cantonese cuisine, which really makes us chefs feel helpless."

Wife: "Maybe now that Huang Yunliang is famous, he can help more people know about Fujian cuisine?"

Zhao Defeng: "Maybe it really works. Qiang Zhentao still doesn't know how to operate. He and Feng Zhengming were both winners of the National Culinary Competition, but I haven't seen him promote it much."

His wife smiled and said, "After all, he works in a different company, so it's not appropriate for him to do those kinds of commercial promotions."

Zhao Defeng: "Then maybe this time, Fujian cuisine will have to rely on my apprentice A Liang for promotion."

The couple smiled at each other, and Zhao Defeng now felt fortunate to have Huang Yunliang as his apprentice.

(End of this chapter)