From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 191 Respected and Invited

Feng Zhengming got rid of the entanglement of wanting to become an apprentice and quickly came to the master.

The master directly introduced several members of the Culinary Association to Feng Zhengming.

"Zhengming, this is President Li, this is Vice President Zhang, this is Vice President Lin, and this is Secretary General Zhang."

Feng Zhengming shook hands with several members of the Culinary Association and said hello.

President Li shook hands with Feng Zhengming and said with a smile: "Junior brother Feng is really good at it. He dares to do that big flip in front of so many people. He is really brave."

Chairman Li's name is "Li Zhifeng" and he calls Feng Zhengming "junior brother" because he also worked in the back kitchen of Yanxi Building.

When Li Zhifeng was working in the back kitchen of Yanxi Building, he learned from Master Yan.

In terms of age, Li Zhifeng is several years older than Feng Zhengming's senior brother Li Huidong.

Moreover, when Li Zhifeng was working as an apprentice in the back kitchen of Yanxi Building, he was temporarily transferred to the back kitchen of Yanxi Building.

Later, Li Zhifeng was transferred to some other large restaurants in Quancheng, where he underwent a series of studies.

After that, he entered the vocational school in Quancheng and taught for a period of time.

After that, Li Zhifeng began to be responsible for the examination of local chefs in Quancheng.

Now Li Zhifeng is the leader of the province's chef assessment review team, the president of the Quancheng Culinary Association, and the vice president of the Provincial Culinary Association.

Feng Zhengming was praised by Li Zhifeng, who also called him "junior brother" in public.

This is tantamount to saying yes, recognizing Feng Zhengming's strength and improving Feng Zhengming's status in the cooking industry.

Feng Zhengming said with some embarrassment: "I'm a little scared now that I think about it. If the car overturns while I'm flipping the spoon, I will be humiliated in front of so many people, including reporters from newspapers and TV stations."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present couldn't help laughing.

Master Su said: "Hahaha, I see you were not afraid when you turned the spoon over."

Master Sun agreed: "Yes, you knocked on the edge of the pot at that time, for fear that others would not look at you."

Feng Zhengming responded with a smile: "I'm used to it."

"Hahaha..." These words made everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Then several vice presidents and secretary generals praised Feng Zhengming.

Master Wang said: "Zhengming's grandfather told me before that he asked me to recommend Zhengming to join the Culinary Association. Now I don't think I need to recommend him. The skills Zhengming showed today are enough to enter the Culinary Association."

Li Zhifeng said: "Master Wang is right, Zhengming is definitely qualified to join the association, and the entry of a young and capable chef like Zhengming into the association will also raise the level of our association."

Master Yan looked at Feng Zhengming after hearing this.

Noticing Master's gaze, Feng Zhengming immediately said, "Thank you, Uncle Wang, and thank you, President Li, without Master speaking."

Li Zhifeng said: "You're welcome. Go back to the association and go through the formalities. Go to the city's cooking association. The provincial association needs to wait until the end of the year. You can fill out the form first."

Feng Zhengming immediately expressed his gratitude again.

At the same time, the current boss of Jubinyuan also came over.

"Hey, four master chefs, several presidents of the Culinary Association, and Master Feng, are you here? Today is really an honor. We at Jubinyuan can invite you over. Lunch is ready. , how about we go sit down in the private room? We can chat and discuss cooking skills while eating. "

Feng Zhengming looked at the boss of Jubinyuan. He seemed to be about the same age as his third uncle Feng Jiandong.

However, the other party's appearance and speech should appear more tactful.

Faced with the personal invitation from the owner of Jubinyuan, the four master chefs obviously did not want to go to the private room.

So Master Wang said: "Mr. Du, I think there is no need for the private room. We will eat lunch together in the hall. It happens to be convenient for everyone to communicate in the hall. Today, the main thing is to let the apprentices communicate with each other."

Master Su echoed: "Yes, today is mainly about communication. It's rare that we can get together. Normally we don't have this opportunity."

Master Sun said: "Boss Du will arrange it for us. We will sit in the hall and find a table."

When Boss Du saw that the masters said this, he naturally did not dare to go against the wishes of the masters and immediately arranged for people to decorate the hall.

And they arranged for the master chefs and people from the cooking association to sit down at a big table.

Feng Zhengming did not sit with his master and others, but with his senior brothers, his grandfather and his family.

Of course, during the meal, Feng Zhengming and the others also came over specially to toast the senior chefs.

Just when it was time to toast, several other apprentices of the master master also came over.

Everyone is friendly and polite to each other.

Among them, the apprentices brought by Master Su and Master Sun all praised Feng Zhengming's performance.

Of course, they were not completely convinced, and took the initiative to make an agreement with Feng Zhengming and others that everyone would communicate with each other in the future.

Among them, Wang Jianzhong, the eldest apprentice brought by Master Su and now the chef of Jufengde, directly extended an invitation to Feng Zhengming.

"Junior Brother Feng, you are so good at your crafts at such a young age. Have you ever thought about settling down in a restaurant for a while? We in Jufengde have never had any sectarian views. If Junior Brother Feng needs a better stage, I can welcome you on behalf of Jufengde." Junior brother, come here."

Wang Jianzhong's words stunned Feng Zhengming.

Several senior fellow apprentices present at Feng Zhengming were also a little surprised.

But before they could recover, Master Su also stood up.

"Hahaha, Zhengming, what your Senior Brother Wang said is definitely not a joke. We in Jufengde have always welcomed chefs with good skills to join, so if Zhengming you want to return to the kitchen, the kitchen in Jufengde welcomes you. I I can guarantee that you will never be excluded in any way when you come to Jufengde.”

Master Su also spoke. This was a very good opportunity for Feng Zhengming.

Although it is said that chefs speak for themselves with their skills, good skills and solid skills will never be looked down upon no matter when they are displayed.

But chefs are also very particular about qualifications. When Yanxi Restaurant was still there, Feng Zhengming naturally did not need the qualifications of other restaurants.

Now that Yanxi Restaurant no longer exists, Feng Zhengming really needs to go to some other restaurants if he wants to gain more qualifications.

And now in Quancheng, if we want to say that the restaurant has the highest reputation and the highest level of overall cooking skills, the first choice must be Jufengde.

Therefore, Jufengde's invitation to Feng Zhengming has already proven his worth.

Everyone's eyes fell on Feng Zhengming.

They are all waiting for Feng Zhengming to finally give an answer.

Feng Zhengming thought for a moment and replied: "Thank you, Uncle Su and senior brother, for your love. I think I still need some experience. My own dry rice shop is running well now, so I can't go to Jufengde for the time being."

After hearing this answer, Wang Jianzhong looked at Master Su.

Master Su thought for a while and said: "Hahaha, let's do this. Zhengming has his own shop to run. It is really inappropriate for him to work in the Jufengde kitchen for a long time. Jianzhong, you will work in the Jufengde kitchen in the future. I will give you this little Junior brother, I will arrange a place and invite you, my junior brother, to interact with you senior brothers at any time."

When the master said this, Wang Jianzhong immediately agreed: "Then according to the master's words, Junior Brother Feng is our Jufengde consultant. I also ask Junior Brother to come to Jufengde's back kitchen for advice when you have time."

Feng Zhengming was really flattered when he heard this. “Uncle Su, Brother Wang, why is this so embarrassing?”

It was Master Yan who came forward and said, "Uncle Su has already said it, so you just agree."

When the master spoke, Feng Zhengming naturally agreed.

Wang Jianzhong then said to Li Huidong and others: "If you have time, we in Jufengde also welcome you all to come and give advice and exchanges."

I have to say that Wang Jianzhong's pattern is really big.

This may also reflect Jufengde’s business philosophy over the years.

From its inception, Jufengde was founded jointly by seven chefs who had their own specialties at the time.

Therefore, Jufengde’s chefs have always drawn on the strengths of various chefs.

The chefs who have left Jufengde in recent years have become independent chefs in large and small restaurants all over the province and even across the country.

Many chefs will also regard having worked in Jufengde's kitchen as the most important qualification.

Because of this lack of scholasticism, he is willing to accept and absorb the skills of different masters.

Naturally, this is what allows Jufengde to always take the lead in the culinary circles of Quancheng and even the whole province.

Today, I saw the skills displayed by Feng Zhengming and his brothers.

Master Su and Wang Jianzhong immediately thought of winning over them.

After all, Yanxi Tower is now closed.

Feng Zhengming and his senior brothers are not bad at all in their craftsmanship.

If they are absorbed into Jufengde Kitchen, it can enrich the technical categories of Jufengde Kitchen.

Although Feng Zhengming refused to work in Jufengde's kitchen.

However, if Feng Zhengming is invited as a consultant, there will definitely be many communication opportunities in the future, which can still enrich the cooking category of Jufengde Houchu.

Feng Zhengming also learned something from Master Su and Wang Jianzhong.

That is, cooking requires communication.

To absorb some good things from others.

Improve your skills so that you can make more exciting dishes in the future.

Wanting to understand this, Feng Zhengming specially toasted a glass of wine to Master Su and Wang Jianzhong.

"A toast to Senior Uncle Su and Senior Brother Wang. Jufengde is willing to give me more communication opportunities. I will also take time to learn more from Jufengde's kitchen in the future."

Although Jufengde beat him to it, Master Sun still asked the Taifenglou disciples to invite Feng Zhengming and others to communicate.

Feng Zhengming also agreed, saying that he would definitely take time to exchange and learn from the kitchens of several restaurants.

Today, everyone has to admit that Feng Zhengming's reputation has indeed been raised again.

And he was undoubtedly destined to be today's protagonist.

After lunch, everyone went to have a rest separately.

Master Yan led Feng Zhengming and the others, and after meeting with the Feng family and disciples, he sat down and gave Feng Zhengming some instructions.

"For Zhengming's afternoon competition, you must bring out what you have prepared in advance. Although your performance in the morning has been recognized by everyone at noon, the afternoon is the time for you to show yourself, so you must make them completely convinced by you. , live up to the compliments they paid you at noon."

The master's words were a warning to Feng Zhengming and others that they had been told to keep a low profile.

It was like telling Feng Zhengming directly that in the afternoon, he would be high-profile, show off his skills, and show off himself.

On the contrary, Feng Zhengming smiled relaxedly: "No problem, let them see and show their ultimate skills."

After hearing this, Li Huidong couldn't help but ask: "Master, why do you want Zhengming to be so high-profile?"

Master Yan said with a serious face: "To show off your craftsmanship, you must be high-profile. We can't let others think that we only have the same skills as in the morning."

Second senior brother Chen Zezhi asked: "Master, should we also have a display this afternoon?"

Master Yan glanced at the second apprentice, and he could naturally tell that the praise the second apprentice received for making Fulu Duck in the morning must have tickled him, so he wanted to show off his skills again in the afternoon.

And not only the second apprentice, but also several other apprentices seemed a little eager to try.

In other words, the eldest disciple Li Huidong has always maintained the composure of a senior disciple.

Master Yan said: "We agreed in the afternoon that Zhengming will compete with each other. As senior brothers, you better not get involved. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Although Feng Zhengming and several senior brothers were eager to try, they all obeyed the master's words honestly.

Master Yan finally warned Feng Zhengming: "You must be more cautious in the afternoon. If you are not 120% sure, you may not cook some dishes that are easy to overturn and are very dangerous."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "I know."

While Master Yan warned Feng Zhengming, Master Wang was also talking to Cheng Guosheng and his brothers.

"The exchange in the morning has passed, so don't feel any pressure. Judging from the comments of Masters Su, Master Sun, and President Li who came today, you saved the face of Jubinyuan this morning and did not let you down in cooking. Although people are disappointed, Master is very gratified and very satisfied with this."

After receiving the master's approval, Cheng Guosheng and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Cheng Guosheng said: "Master, I will definitely perform well this afternoon, at least on par with Feng Zhengming."

Master Wang nodded and said: "You say that, Master is relieved. He is not suppressed by Feng Zhengming's craftsmanship. He still has the idea of ​​​​competing with them. This is good."

Then he looked at the other apprentices and some young chefs who were his apprentices and grandchildren.

"You all must remember that a temporary victory or defeat is nothing. You must learn from experience and lessons from failure. This is the original intention of exchanges and discussions. You should know that at noon, Jufengde and Taifenglou They all invited Feng Zhengming to go, but he refused them all and only agreed to communicate.

This is very good in my opinion. Feng Zhengming is a chef with his own ideas. He is not the kind of person who sticks to tradition and does not know how to adapt. He is worth learning from you. Remember, no matter who you are, you must be humble and eager to learn. "

Cheng Guosheng, his fellow chefs and the younger generation of chefs all respectfully expressed that they would remember Master Wang’s teachings.

After the lunch break, the afternoon competition started as scheduled.

This time, the four master chefs and the president and vice-president of the Culinary Association sat side by side.

Since the next step is to compete in cooking skills, it is natural to make a serious judgment on the cooked dishes.

Feng Zhengming tidied up his chef's clothes, Luo Qing helped him put on his chef's hat, and he stood in front of the stove again.

Opposite him was a young chef from Jubinyuan, who first greeted Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming also greeted the other party in a friendly manner, and the two started cooking preparations separately.

(End of this chapter)