From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now in front of the Yanxi Tower in the capital city, which has been reopened by Feng Zhuangyuan."

As you can see, the restaurant has been fully renovated and the interior furnishings are said to have been arranged, but it has not yet officially opened for business.

Many people are curious about Yanxi Restaurant, reopened by Feng Zhuangyuan. Today, please follow our camera to go inside and explore.

Upon learning that Feng Zhengming's Yanxilou restaurant in Beijing had been renovated, film crews from Beijing, Shandong, and the national television station came to interview him.

Feng Zhengming received their interview invitation and did not refuse.

After all, being interviewed by them is a form of publicity for Yanxilou.

This is a good thing for the opening of Yanxilou Restaurant in Beijing.

However, Feng Zhengming also explained this to the interviewer.

"Because it hasn't opened yet, we can't go into the kitchen for the time being, so we can only film other parts of our restaurant."

All the people who came to interview said they could accept it.

In addition to television stations, some magazines and newspapers also came to interview them.

Some people even came to interview us online.

Many of them are active on various forums. Since they are all in Beijing, they came to join in the fun, hoping to film something and interview Feng Zhengming as well.

Upon meeting the people in these online forums, Feng Zhengming suddenly realized that blogs seemed to be on the verge of becoming popular.

Feng Zhengming felt he should seize this opportunity and start planning his blog in advance.

Becoming a well-known blogger will also allow me to better promote Shandong cuisine online.

Now that the internet age has arrived, Feng Zhengming felt he couldn't fall behind others.

Moreover, Feng Zhengming had help in this regard, namely his brother-in-law.

During this period, Feng Zhengming had asked his brother-in-law to post some articles for him on the forum.

They've already built up a small initial fanbase.

Even after Feng Zhengming revealed his identity, many people specifically sought him out, wanting to learn from him.

Feng Zhengming is willing to recruit those who are truly willing to put in the hard work and want to learn cooking from him, keeping them in his shop's kitchen to learn from scratch.

Reporters flocked to the Yanxi Restaurant, which was not yet open for business.

Upon entering the newly renovated Yanxi Restaurant, everyone was amazed by the interior furnishings and decor.

It can't be described as extremely luxurious, because there are many restaurants in the capital that are more luxurious than Feng Zhengming's Yanxilou.

What truly amazed everyone about Feng Zhengming's Yanxi Tower was its interior design and furnishings, which incorporated various regional characteristics from Shandong. The interior was decorated with wood-look materials, giving the impression that it was made of solid wood.

The various wood carvings are also quite beautiful, and their simple and understated feel is really comforting.

Feng Zhengming did not stop the interviewer from filming.

He was well aware of the importance of publicity.

Although he already had the title of top scholar, he was, after all, reopening Yanxi Restaurant in the capital. He still needed to gain more attention and attract enough people to come and taste the restaurant.

The reporter from Beijing TV asked Feng Zhengming a question first.

"Scholar Feng, why do you want to reopen Yanxi Tower in the capital?"

Feng Zhengming replied with a serious expression: "Because Yanxilou is considered a representative restaurant of Shandong cuisine, but in our Jinan, the old Yanxilou went bankrupt due to poor management."

This made my master, my fellow disciples, and I very sad.

So from the moment I walked out of Yanxi Restaurant, I made up my mind that I would reopen it.

After a slight pause, Feng Zhengming said excitedly, "I am now considered a well-known chef in China who can cook, so I'm thinking of reopening Yanxilou and opening it directly in Beijing."

The capital is our cultural center, and food culture is also part of our culture. Shandong cuisine should also have a place in our culinary culture.

I hope that my restaurant, Yanxilou, in Beijing can become an integral part of the capital's culinary culture, contributing to the global promotion of our food culture and allowing Shandong cuisine to play its part in shaping Chinese culinary traditions.

After hearing Feng Zhengming's words, everyone who interviewed him was speechless.

If it were any other chef, people might find this statement to be far too official.

But when Feng Zhengming said it, no one thought there was anything wrong with what he said.

It might even make people think that he is being deliberately modest.

Among chefs in China today, Feng Zhengming is undoubtedly the one who has made the greatest contribution to promoting Chinese cuisine internationally.

He can already be considered a true representative of Chinese master chefs.

In some international culinary exchanges, when the chefs sent abroad mention that they come from China,

Almost everyone will ask without hesitation, "Do you know Feng Zhengming?"

This left some chefs who had gone abroad for exchanges speechless.

Because everyone feels that they are the ones representing the international exchange program, right?

But why are you all talking to me about Feng Zhengming?

However, that's just how things are sometimes. When a most representative person appears, it's destined that others in this field may only truly acknowledge his existence.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming said that he came to Beijing to contribute to Chinese cuisine and enrich the cultural content of the capital.

To everyone else, this wasn't just him bragging; he genuinely had the ability to do it.

A reporter from the national television station asked, "Scholar Feng, what is your goal in reopening Yanxilou? What are you trying to prove?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "I don't have any goals, nor do I want to prove anything. I just want to open a restaurant in the capital and bring Yanxilou back into everyone's sight."

The people from Qilu TV who came to interview also seized this opportunity to ask questions.

"Scholar Feng, if you move Yanxilou to the capital, won't Jinan no longer have Yanxilou?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Didn't Yanxilou cease to exist in Jinan a long time ago? Yanxilou went bankrupt due to poor management, which should be considered the end of an era."

My fellow students and I reopened Yanxilou in the capital, which should be considered the beginning of a new era.

Although Feng Zhengming's words sounded somewhat arrogant, they were indeed undeniably irrefutable.

He truly represents the beginning of a new era.

If it weren't for Feng Zhengming's sudden emergence, people's understanding of Chinese cuisine might still be stuck in some old stereotypes.

It was only after Feng Zhengming appeared that more people realized that Chinese cuisine does not necessarily have to be categorized by regional cuisines.

Chinese cuisine, with its many different regional and culinary traditions, can actually be fused together.

Even some Western ingredients can be incorporated into Chinese cuisine.

All of this is truly full of surprises.

Feng Zhengming has promoted the further evolution and development of Chinese cuisine.

No longer confined to traditional crafts, but rather further developing and extending upon them.

It allows us to combine elements from different regional cuisines, ultimately creating authentic Chinese cuisine.

Everyone who came to interview Feng Zhengming and film Yanxilou was looking forward to seeing what Yanxilou would look like after it opened.
Feng Zhengming almost never refuses visits or interviews.

Even young people who come under the guise of conducting interviews but specifically want to get a sneak peek are welcomed by Feng Zhengming. He will even give them explanations, telling them about the unique designs throughout the restaurant.

Among them were a group of visitors from the high-tech industrial park in Beijing.

They arrived at Feng Zhengming's place and took a close look at the various renovations there.

They even did some filming.

They stated that they wanted to collect some data to reconstruct Feng Zhengming's Yanxi Tower online.

They did not refuse Feng Zhengming at all; in fact, they were among the first people allowed to enter the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, these high-tech talents were also quite surprised.

Wow, the kitchen is so big!

"Yes, I really didn't expect the restaurant's kitchen to be so big."

"It's a three-story restaurant. If the kitchen isn't big enough, how can it cook for so many people?"

"Scholar Feng, if all three floors are full of people, how will you cook?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "It's very simple. In this situation, we will turn on all the stoves and all the chefs will work together to cook. Of course, we will prepare many of the dishes in advance."

Restaurants are different from the small eateries you usually eat at, because they may be full at any time, which means they need to serve many tables of food at once.

Therefore, when designing our restaurant menu, we usually try to list as many dishes as possible that can be served in four or more portions at once.

"Serving more than four dishes at once?" This puzzled the visiting high-tech professionals.

Feng Zhengming bluntly stated, "One pot can yield four dishes."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.

One of the young men, wearing glasses, said: "I know, I know. When we have a big wedding feast in my hometown village, the chefs also cook many dishes from one pot."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, that's right, it's what's commonly known as 'big pot stew'."

However, our restaurant generally can't cook dishes in large pots like that. We need to have more of our own unique characteristics, ensuring that our guests can enjoy fresher ingredients, and the dishes must be more distinctive.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's introduction, the group of young people from the high-tech industrial park were quite excited.

They suddenly realized that in some ways their industry was similar to Feng Zhengming's culinary business.

For example, when it is necessary to coordinate personnel and ensure production efficiency, the only option is to produce a large number of products at once in order to maintain production efficiency.

Feng Zhengming gave everyone a series of introductions and allowed people from all walks of life to visit.

This attitude has truly won him more favor from people.

Especially online, many people are spreading information about Feng Zhengming.

In everyone's eyes, Feng Zhengming is more like a representative of young people.

First, Feng Zhengming's youth makes most young people feel that they are the same age.

Secondly, his attitude towards people and things makes many young people feel that he is their role model.

It's that state of being relaxed, at ease, and in complete control.

This is something that many young people may not possess after leaving school.

People will start to feel lost, and may even not know how to deal with people and things next.
But Feng Zhengming gave everyone a positive and constructive image.

He can face many difficulties with a positive attitude.

He can adjust himself and take the initiative to face many difficulties.

This may have created a very positive and encouraging effect on many young people who subconsciously want to escape.

After a series of visits, Feng Zhengming finally welcomed some more important visitors.

They were the people that Feng Zhengming had served when he cooked state banquets.

He was also the one who specifically named Feng Zhengming as the head chef for state banquets.

Their arrival made Feng Zhengming somewhat nervous.

Feng Zhengming waited for this group of people in front of Yanxi Tower again.

When the group saw Feng Zhengming, the people at the front smiled.

"Our top scholar personally greeted us!"

"Our top scorer is really amazing."

"He's very handsome and young."

Feng Zhengming stepped forward and said, "Thank you for the compliment. I was quite surprised and a little nervous to see you all here."

"Haha, this doesn't really count as a surprise inspection, does it?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "No, I received the news in advance. Of course, I didn't prepare anything. The restaurant hasn't opened yet, so I don't have anything to prepare."

"Then take us inside for a walk and a look."

Feng Zhengming: "Okay, distinguished guests, please come in."

As they entered the restaurant with Feng Zhengming, the group was still amazed by the interior decoration and furnishings.

However, after Feng Zhengming's earnest explanation, the group smiled and accepted it.

Through Feng Zhengming's introduction, everyone learned that many of the items here were simply designed in an antique style; he didn't actually use any real antiques to display.

But it did achieve that antique charm effect.

In this respect, many restaurants may not be able to do it.

Feng Zhengming led this group of special visitors on a tour of all three floors of the restaurant.

They were also given a tour of the kitchen, and some of the kitchen facilities were explained to them.

The group highly praised Feng Zhengming's professionalism.

However, the group still gave Feng Zhengming some unique requests this time.

"Feng Zhuangyuan, your new Yanxi Restaurant is indeed excellent, but you need to shoulder greater responsibilities. You are no longer just a chef; you are a representative of Chinese cuisine."

"So next, you must do a good job of promoting Chinese cuisine and showcasing its unique characteristics."

"It can't just be Shandong cuisine. Just like restaurants in Beijing, we must incorporate different cuisines."

"Actually, your restaurant in Shanghai is quite good. You can do some innovations, such as dishes that combine different cuisines."

After listening to what the men said, Feng Zhengming roughly understood the purpose of their special visit.

I still hope he can shoulder more responsibility and make Yanxilou, this restaurant in the capital, a true benchmark restaurant.

With a serious expression, Feng Zhengming solemnly agreed to the visitor's request.

"Rest assured, my team and I will do our best."

After approximately three months of preparation, Feng Zhengming's Yanxi Restaurant in the capital is finally about to open. (End of Chapter)