From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After bidding farewell to his sixth senior brother's family, Feng Zhengming and his wife Luo Qing, along with their daughter, did not return directly to Jinan.

For Feng Zhengming, since he had already returned to Shandong and arrived in Yancheng, he might as well visit the branches in other cities as well.

And so, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing, with their daughter, traveled from Yancheng along the coast to Weicheng.

After inspecting the branch here, we headed to the central part of the Jiaodong Peninsula.

I visited all the branches in several areas of the Jiaodong Peninsula.

Judging from the situation of each branch, they are all able to maintain their operations well for the time being.

However, some of the kitchen staff at certain branches clearly still had some minor complaints.

They seemed to feel that staying in the branch in the small city meant they might not have a future.

Feng Zhengming noticed that they were starting to have complaints, so he decisively started to have a heart-to-heart talk with them.

"I know you all probably think that this is the last place you'll be staying in the kitchen of this branch, right?"

Faced with Feng Zhengming's question, almost everyone in the kitchen fell into deep thought.

Although they didn't speak, their expressions said it all.

Feng Zhengming then tried to comfort and console them.

"Don't think that just because you're in a branch, you're stuck here forever. If you think that way, I'm afraid I'll have to call you spineless."

The most important thing for a chef is skill. How do you prove you have skill? You have to look at your abilities.

Why do I have to hold a big competition every year between the kitchen staff of all the branches of Qilu?
I want you to showcase your skills and make your opponents truly admire you.

"Let me and your master see your skills, so that we can arrange better opportunities for you."

Feng Zhengming's words of encouragement ignited the fighting spirit of some of the chefs.

Originally, the chefs in these branches in the central cities of the Jiaodong Peninsula always felt that there was no future for them in such branches.

The reason they stay here and work hard to make the dishes at the branch is because...

Firstly, because some of them genuinely love cooking.

These cities are also their hometowns, and they want to use the skills they have learned to let the people in their hometowns eat real delicacies.

Secondly, it's because Feng Zhengming pays the same high wages to the kitchen staff of these branches.

These cities themselves have relatively low levels of development and consumption.

However, the wages of the kitchen staff in these city branches are the same as those in Jinan.

This naturally makes the kitchen staff of these branches truly belong to the wealthy class in the local area.

This allows them to suppress their dissatisfaction.

However, most people simply maintain a routine of clocking in and out to work, without spending much time and energy honing their skills.

In the past few years, no one from the kitchens of these city branches has been able to be transferred to Jinan, which makes it clear that they are indeed in a state of stagnation.

Feng Zhengming certainly couldn't let them continue to stagnate like this.

Although they still seem to be very dedicated to making good food and running the restaurant well.

But if this continues, sooner or later they will truly become complacent and will not even adhere to the bottom line of their cooking skills.

Feng Zhengming wasn't just making empty promises; he genuinely hoped that these young chefs wouldn't slack off in their skills.

"I hope you can prepare well for this year's competition. There are still six months left. I will be waiting for you in Jinan this year. I hope you can give me some different performances then."

Feng Zhengming's words immediately reignited the fighting spirit of the kitchen staff in these branch stores.

After all, they were a group of young people, and inspired by Feng Zhengming's words, they easily rekindled their fighting spirit.

No one would willingly choose to remain forever confined to the kitchen of a small branch of a dry rice shop.

So after being encouraged by Feng Zhengming, the kitchen staff of these branches also began to work hard to improve their skills.

As Feng Zhengming walked along, he observed the situation of each branch while also encouraging the young chefs in the kitchens of each branch.

When the family of three arrived in Qingdao, Gu Zhicheng gave them a special welcome.

Feng Zhengming greeted Gu Zhicheng with a smile.

"Well done, Lao Gu. I can tell you're a big boss now, and a top chef with a great reputation in Qingdao, right?"

Gu Zhicheng immediately looked embarrassed.

"Uncle Feng, please don't laugh at me. Actually, if it weren't for your support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Gu Zhicheng is indeed very famous in Qingdao now.

Feng Zhengming's branch of the dry rice shop in Qingdao has been handed over to someone else to manage.

The head chef in the restaurant's kitchen is Gu Zhicheng's apprentice.

Gu Zhicheng is already working as the head chef at a restaurant.

Meanwhile, the restaurant that Feng Zhengming had Gu Zhicheng open in Qingdao has also been opened by Gu Zhicheng, and Gu Zhicheng's apprentices are in charge of cooking in the kitchen.

Therefore, given these circumstances, Gu Zhicheng's current status in the Qingdao culinary industry is indeed quite high.

When Feng Zhengming met Gu Zhicheng this time, he could see that Gu Zhicheng was full of high spirits.

After Gu Zhicheng expressed his modesty, Feng Zhengming explained the situation without mincing words.

"Old Gu, you've been with me for a long time. Do you remember when we took over Huiquanlou in Jinan? Back then, you helped me make Huiquanlou the top restaurant in Jinan and even the whole province in no time."

When Gu Zhicheng heard Feng Zhengming reminisce about the past, he also became somewhat emotional.

"Yes, back then, Junior Uncle, you led us all to build Huiquan Tower from scratch, step by step."

Feng Zhengming: "I know you must be very busy running so many stores in Qingdao over the years, and I am really grateful to you for managing my stores in Qingdao so well."

Gu Zhicheng roughly understood the meaning behind Feng Zhengming's words after hearing this.

"Uncle, the situation in those few stores is really just an isolated case. I have already reprimanded my apprentices and told them that they must be more responsible and make sure to cook well in the future."

Feng Zhengming: "Chef Gu, I know I've caused you trouble. With your current status in the Qingdao catering industry, how can I let you manage those few small shops for me?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhicheng's expression changed drastically, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

How could he possibly understand that Feng Zhengming's words were already a direct statement?

In particular, the title "Chef Gu" was a direct challenge to Gu Zhicheng.

"Uncle-Master, I was wrong. I have already made them rectify the situation, and I promise that similar problems will not occur again."

Feng Zhengming: "I know you have made them rectify the situation, and I also know you have compensated some people. If I didn't know these things, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you now."

Gu Zhicheng lowered his head, feeling the pressure from Feng Zhengming's gaze once again.

In fact, Feng Zhengming had already heard about the Qingdao branch.

The matter is very simple. Because Gu Zhicheng's status is different now, he has his own group of influence in Qingdao, so he has reshuffled the Qingdao catering industry.

Because his master, Gao Fengyi, was transferred to Beijing, Gu Zhicheng was not as well-regarded as other chefs in Qingdao.

Chefs who are of a higher seniority than Gu Zhicheng are not as skilled or famous as him.

In addition, Gu Zhicheng was a disciple of Gao Fengyi and had worked at Feng Zhengming's Huiquanlou.

He has become a well-known representative of Shandong cuisine chefs.

Therefore, his status in the island city was practically absolute.

He reshuffled the team, replacing all the head chefs at Feng Zhengming's branches in Qingdao with his apprentices. Gu Zhicheng's apprentices were already quite skilled, so Feng Zhengming didn't question the replacement.

As a result, Gu Zhicheng allowed his apprentices to form cliques in various branches.

As things have escalated, several branches in Qingdao are now not allowing anyone else to enter.

They've practically become the private property of Gu Zhicheng's apprentices.

Even the accounts have become unclear.

This situation annoyed Feng Zhengming.

Although business is still good, we haven't received any complaints about the taste of the dishes.

However, Feng Zhengming still felt that Gu Zhicheng should be given a little warning.

Gu Zhicheng knew all this, but he still felt a bit of wishful thinking.

More importantly, Gu Zhicheng was highly regarded in the city, which made others a bit arrogant, and they no longer took the other chefs seriously.

Before Feng Zhengming came to Qingdao, he had heard people say that Gu Zhicheng thought he was the best chef in Qingdao.

Upon seeing Feng Zhengming, Gu Zhicheng was instantly jolted awake from his dream.

Even without Feng Zhengming demonstrating his skills, Gu Zhicheng knew he was no match for Feng Zhengming.

Therefore, when faced with Feng Zhengming's questioning, he could only obediently admit his mistake.

Feng Zhengming never expected that Gu Zhicheng would become like this in just a few years.

"Old Gu, I don't want to argue with you anymore, and I don't want to teach you any lessons. You'd better take care of yourself. Your apprentices should leave my branch in Qingdao. I will arrange for someone to take over those stores."

The profit sharing from those stores I gave you before has all been halved. I guess you don't care about those meager earnings anymore.

But my branch in Qingdao was kept going thanks to your help, so I should still give you what's due.

Gu Zhicheng looked at Feng Zhengming, but he didn't say anything.

But he felt as if he had been hollowed out.

He knew very well that Feng Zhengming was trying to cut ties with him.

From now on, Gu Zhicheng will no longer be Feng Zhengming's chef.

Perhaps when Gu Zhicheng became arrogant, he thought it was a good thing. Without Feng Zhengming's restrictions, he could achieve greater success and gain greater fame.

However, Gu Zhicheng could still see reality very clearly.

Having lost his position as a chef under Feng Zhengming, Gu Zhicheng is now just another famous chef in Qingdao.

Gu Zhicheng didn't try to salvage the situation; he knew Feng Zhengming didn't want to see him begging.

Just like what Master said to Gu Zhicheng before leaving the island city.

“Your skills are good enough, but you lack the ambition to become a true master craftsman. You need to break free from Feng Zhengming’s influence and forge your own path.”

Now that Feng Zhengming has cut ties with him, he is letting Gu Zhicheng go on to forge his own path.

Gu Zhicheng understood that he would have to rely on himself from now on.

He wants to become a true master chef in the city through his own efforts.

The shift changes at several stores in Qingdao went smoothly after Gu Zhicheng's apprentices left.

A new batch of young chefs will soon be taking over the Qingdao branch.

Feng Zhengming also personally led the newly arrived young chefs for a few days.

This was meant to familiarize them with the situation of the branch in Qingdao.

Feng Zhengming also personally demonstrated some dishes to them and taught them some new ways to cook seafood.

They even designed a brand new menu specifically for the rice shop and restaurant here.

Thanks to Feng Zhengming's changes, the business of both branches was not affected in any way.

Business quickly improved even further.

Many people in Qingdao are saying that many dishes on the new menus of the two restaurants are delicious.

In this way, the two branches in Qingdao have completed their upgrades without the customers even realizing it.

Gu Zhicheng also personally visited both stores to try the new menu designed by Feng Zhengming.

After eating, Gu Zhicheng finally understood that he was still falling further and further behind Feng Zhengming.

Especially in recent years, Gu Zhicheng has been thinking he can surpass Feng Zhengming's seafood dishes.

Enjoy the seafood menu designed by Feng Zhengming for the restaurant.

Gu Zhicheng finally understood that there was a huge gap between him and Feng Zhengming.

The dishes designed by Feng Zhengming can be summed up in two words: "delicious".

Perhaps in terms of cooking techniques and design, it may not be as beautiful as some of the dishes designed by Gu Zhicheng.

But every dish he made was delicious.

It's the kind of delicious food that you want to eat again and again.

At that moment, Gu Zhicheng understood what it meant to be "skillful in appearance but clumsy in action".

The dishes that Feng Zhengming designed for rice shops and restaurants in Qingdao were very simple and unpretentious.

Feng Zhengming hardly ever used many cooking techniques.

The key is Feng Zhengming's exceptional ability in seasoning.

A dish that looks simple, but you'll experience a delightful taste sensation when you eat it.

In contrast, some of the dishes that Gu Zhicheng has designed in recent years have been made with a lot of complicated techniques and careful attention to detail, resulting in a very exquisite plating.

But in reality, it probably doesn't taste as good as the dishes made by Feng Zhengming.

Gu Zhicheng looked helpless. He really couldn't think of any other way to catch up with Feng Zhengming.

Knowing that Gu Zhicheng had come specifically to taste the dishes, Feng Zhengming also came out from the kitchen.

Upon seeing Gu Zhicheng, Feng Zhengming sat down opposite him.

"Old Gu, you still haven't been able to get rid of those distracting thoughts. When you think too much and want too much, you will be bound by many things and you won't be able to relax."

If you want to make the dishes better, you keep adding to the cooking process of each dish.

However, whether a dish is delicious or not is not determined by adding more cooking techniques and various seasonings.

Often, it's about simplifying things, knowing how to make a dish simpler.

This is probably what we chefs need to study throughout our lives.

After hearing these words, Gu Zhicheng looked up at Feng Zhengming.

"Uncle-Master, have I disappointed you?"

Feng Zhengming: "I wouldn't say I'm disappointed. You've done a great job. It's just that you have too many distracting thoughts. You've forgotten that what a chef needs to do most is to make customers feel that our dishes are delicious."

No matter how imaginative you are or how unique your techniques are.

Whether the last dish is good or not ultimately comes down to whether it tastes good or not.

Gu Zhicheng nodded, thanked Feng Zhengming, paid the bill, and left alone. (End of Chapter)