From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 291 Visiting Master’s Restaurant

It took about twenty days for Yan Jianxing's Yan's Restaurant to be basically renovated.

Feng Zhengming, his senior brother, and his third senior brother led the apprentices to make a special trip to express their congratulations.

The restaurant has not officially opened yet, so Yan Jianxing generously led his fellow apprentices in for a tour.

"Senior Brother, the decoration of my restaurant is actually based on some of the decoration styles of Yanxi Building back then. You, Third Senior Brother, and Zhengming can help me see if there are any bad things. I can make some changes before opening. change."

The brothers and sisters walked around in a circle, and there was really a sense of intimacy.

The entire interior of the Yan's Restaurant is indeed very similar to the Yanxi Building back then.

Even Feng Zhengming was in a trance, as if he had returned to Yanxi Tower.

Li Huidong said with emotion: "It really feels like returning to Yanxi Tower. This restaurant in Jianxing is so well decorated."

Yang Bin also echoed: "Yes, Jianxing, just the decoration of this restaurant gives people a very comfortable feeling. I believe that after the opening, the business will not be bad."

Yan Jianxing said: "During the trial opening, I even asked my brothers to come over and help."

Yang Bin suddenly felt a little scared and quickly explained to his master: "I'm not doing any special research. I just counted the days and sent a few auspicious words to the restaurant in Jianxing. Master, you know that doing business is all about getting good luck."

Master Yan looked at the assurances of his apprentice and his son, nodded and said, "I am already a retired old man and can no longer help you. But if any of you fails to do a good job in your craftsmanship, don't blame me for coming to trouble you." ."

After hearing Yang Bin's words, the brothers all laughed immediately.

So if there is any problem with the cooking, Chef Yan will feel like he is being slapped in the face.

Yan Jianxing also hurriedly spoke to Yang Bin: "Dad, the third senior brother is right. We are in business by ourselves now, and we must seek good luck."

Looking at Feng Zhengming, Master Yan's eyes were still full of pride and pride.

Yan Jianxing saw his father's eyes and probably understood what his father meant.

Master Yan couldn't help but laugh.

Feng Zhengming's words completely amused everyone.

Yan Jianxing laughed and said, "As long as you have the words of Senior Brother."

But now the restaurant has been renovated and is waiting to open.

When he said this, Master Yan's eyes swept across the apprentices, and finally fell on his son.

After hearing the date, Yang Bin calculated it and said: "Twenty-six is ​​good. This year, the 26th of the lunar calendar and the solar calendar are both on the same day, so the 66th is a good match."

He took the initiative to stand up and said: "Master, don't worry. This is Quancheng. There are so many large and small restaurants. This is the center of Shandong cuisine. If you want to gain a foothold here, you will definitely not be able to do it if your craftsmanship is not good. My eldest brother's craftsmanship will definitely not be the best." The problem is, given that there are so many gourmets per capita in Quancheng, my eldest brother will definitely do a good job."

After visiting Yan's Restaurant, Feng Zhengming invited his master and his brothers back to his dry rice shop for lunch.

Master Yan was amused by his apprentice's words.

The third senior brother Yang Bin immediately agreed: "That's right, people from Quancheng are really half-Shandong cuisine cooks. If someone's cooking is not done right, they will definitely be pointed out immediately. We dare to cook wherever we want. fool."

Therefore, the master would not feel any displeasure when the young apprentice made all sorts of jokes.

Yan Jianxing said with a smile: "Yes, Liuliu Dashun, please have a good luck. We will have a trial opening on the 26th. The official opening will definitely be after the new year. The trial opening only lasts for two days. Basically, we invite some relatives and friends. , I think it helped to increase the popularity of this restaurant before the year, and it should be officially opened on the sixth day of the new year."

Master Yan said with a serious face: "Showing your skills and cooking well are more important than these messy things. How can we make business good? First, we must choose the materials well, secondly, the craftsmanship must be good, and finally the price must be fair. Once it is done, With these three points, business will definitely be good, and all those bonuses are unnecessary."

Mr. Yan finally nodded: "Okay, you just have to be aware of it. It's just like the previous Jubin Garden. There was a problem with the food, and Zhengming almost kicked him out of the restaurant. Fortunately, he kept his reputation in the end. You all have to lead." As a warning."

When the master said this, the brothers, including Feng Zhengming, quickly expressed that they would stick to their skills.

Li Huidong naturally agreed immediately: "Don't worry, when you officially start cooking, just tell us and we can come and help at any time."

Yang Bin thought for a while and asked: "Jianxing, the Chinese New Year is coming at the end of the month. Are you going to open this place before the new year, or do you have to wait until after the new year?"

While Yang Bin listened to Yan Jianxing's description of the dates, he also calculated the details of several dates.

Yang Bin quickly echoed: "Yes, yes, master is right. If we show off our skills, business will definitely come rolling in."

Yan Jianxing replied: "We should have a trial opening before the year, and I plan to have a trial opening on the 26th."

"Okay, stop talking nonsense in front of me. You all have your own careers now. Whether you can run your own restaurants well in the future depends on your respective abilities."

"Don't worry, Dad, I will definitely take good care of it. Every dish will be cooked strictly according to the old techniques you taught me. I guarantee that the ingredients will be carefully selected and every dish will not be careless."

Feng Zhengming said with a smile: "Master, don't always bring Jubinyuan out to make trouble. If Uncle Wang hears this, he will definitely say that he is deliberately making trouble with them."

Feng Zhengming actually understands the pressure that Yan Jianxing is currently under better.

When people in Quancheng see the "Yan's Cuisine" sign, they will immediately think of Chef Yan.

After some calculations, Yang Bin said: "The days for Jianxing were very good. The trial opening a year ago was a lucky draw, and the official opening on the sixth day of the new year was the first day after the beginning of spring. When spring comes, Yan The business of the restaurant will also rise in the spring breeze."

After all, what Yan Jianxing hangs up is the signboard of Yanjia Cuisine.

At this time, Master Yan came over and couldn't help but said: "Lao San, when did you start studying these things?"

Master Yan is still not so confident about his son.

Today, in front of several senior brothers, Yan Jianxing once again assured his father.

With Feng Zhengming and Yang Bin helping to talk, Yan Jianxing still felt less stressed.

Master Yan could no longer stop him, so he could only stay in the restaurant and help his son take care of the dishes.

He had told his father more than once about the promise.

Feng Zhengming brought out the various dishes stewed in his casserole and asked Master to take a good look at them.

Seeing Feng Zhengming's various casserole dishes, Master Yan was a little surprised.

"Zhengming, you actually made so many casseroles? Are you going to turn your dry rice shop into a casserole house?"

Feng Zhengming said with a smile: "No, Master, I just think that casseroles are very suitable for cooking these stewed dishes, such as my braised pork elbows and braised braised hooves. In fact, serving them in a casserole can keep the temperature. Moreover, the flavor can be simmered inside, and more ingredients can be prepared in advance, which is convenient for me to use the fast food model of the restaurant." Yan Jianxing saw Feng Zhengming's model and thought it was very good.

"Zhengming, your idea is great. It's very convenient. The casserole can be kept warm better, and preparing the ingredients in advance can ensure the speed of serving."

Chef Yan immediately said: "The speed of serving food must be guaranteed, but the taste of the food must be guaranteed."

Feng Zhengming laughed and said, "Master, don't worry, every dish will definitely taste good."

As he said this, Feng Zhengming gave his master a piece of braised braised hoof in a casserole to try.

Master Yan saw Feng Zhengming picking up the pig's trotters with chopsticks.

I also saw that the pig trotters used in Feng Zhengming’s braised pork trotters have knife edges on them.

After tasting it, it turned out to be the same as Master Yan’s judgment when he saw it.

The pig's trotters not only have no odor at all, but are also very soft. The most important thing is that because the pig's trotters are cut, even though the whole pig's trotters are braised in a casserole, the inside of the pig's trotters is still It's very tasty.

Yan Jianxing also ate a piece and immediately felt that the taste of this dish was different.

"Zhengming, this dish should be your own seasoning, right? The taste is really fragrant, and when it comes to the table, the pig's trotters in the casserole are whole, and the inside tastes very delicious."

Feng Zhengming explained with a smile: "Brother, this is my own seasoning, and it is also seasoned based on the master's teachings. Although the pig's trotters look whole, they were cut with a knife before I put them in the pot.

It was also taught by the master before. There are three cuts in total, one on the back of the hoof, one on the middle of the hoof branch, and one on the thick part of the hoof. "

Feng Zhengming explained, and Yan Jianxing nodded: "This is good, it can taste better."

Master Yan waited for the young apprentice to finish the exchange with his son, and then he said: "There is nothing wrong with your approach, but you are missing a step, that is, before you serve it, after your pig's trotters are cooked, pinch a small amount." Put a pinch of minced green garlic on top of the pig's trotters, then cover the casserole and heat it slightly before serving."

Hearing what Master said, Feng Zhengming seemed to be hit on the key point.

He understood his master's intention almost instantly.

"Master is truly a genius."

Master Yan had a calm smile on his face.

Feng Zhengming immediately went out with the casserole. While slowly heating the casserole on the stove, he quickly picked and washed a few small green garlics.

Cut the washed green garlic into mince, then wait for the casserole to boil, put the green garlic in the middle of the pig's trotters, then cover the casserole, simmer it over low heat, and then take the casserole back.

When the lid of the casserole was opened again, the aroma of green garlic mixed with the aroma of pork trotters and the aroma of red stewed ingredients wafted out.

Smelling the aroma and looking at the pig's trotters in the casserole, everyone present couldn't help but say "it smells really good".

Li Huidong said: "Master is still very good. A little detail makes this dish taste better. The aroma is even more fragrant than before."

Master Yan smiled and said, "This is actually just a little trick. Because Zhengming uses a casserole, this trick is very easy to use. The casserole is airtight and can allow the aroma to penetrate into the pig's trotters slightly."

Yan Jianxing smelled the aroma and looked at the braised pig's trotters made in a casserole in front of him. He couldn't help but said: "Zhengming, I can use this dish later, okay?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Okay, brother, just use it if you want."

Although Feng Zhengming agreed, Yan Jianxing still looked at his father.

Master Yan finally nodded: "Okay, you brothers can learn from each other and communicate together to make the dishes better. By the way, when you transfer the pig's trotters to the casserole later, you can first use oil in the pot. Stir a little garlic. After the garlic is fragrant, pour the pig's trotters and soup into it and simmer them together."

Feng Zhengming and the others quickly wrote down all the details taught by their master.

Chef Yan never forgot to remind: "You can use garlic for pig's trotters, but not for the elbows. If you want to decorate the elbows, you can sprinkle a little chopped green onion or shredded green onions, but not too much, and don't use garlic and ginger."

Feng Zhengming and the others all nodded together and took note of it carefully.

The apprentices who ate together could only remain silent and sit quietly while eating and listening.

Naturally, they took note of some of the old master's words.

However, the apprentices also understand that it is useless just to remember the words of the master.

After all, Chef Yan’s advice to Feng Zhengming was based on his original dishes.

Being able to impress Master Yan and give some suggestions for improvement already shows that Feng Zhengming's braised braised hoof in casserole is very good.

Grandpa Feng waited for Master Yan to finish teaching, and said with a smile: "Old Yan is really worried about his life. He has retired and still has to give advice to his apprentices."

Master Yan also laughed when he heard this: "Hahaha, you are talking about me, so aren't you also worried about Zhengming's rice shop?"

The two old men looked at each other and then laughed together.

Grandpa Feng said: "That's right. Even though we are older, we still don't trust these children. We should help them as much as we can."

Master Yan nodded, then turned to his son and said, "During the trial opening, you must send an invitation to Grandpa Zhengming's house. You must first get your uncle Feng's approval."

Yan Jianxing immediately said: "Of course, I will send the invitation to Uncle Feng myself then."

Grandpa Feng said with a smile: "It doesn't have to be so formal, right? I'm not a great chef either."

Master Yan said: "You are not a chef, but you are a famous gourmet in Quancheng. Not many people have tried some old dishes. Brother, if you go and make sure the taste is right, then it must be right."

Feng Zhengming echoed: "Master is right, grandpa's taste has always been very accurate. I have to let grandpa taste the seasoning of many of my dishes first."

Seeing that it was hard to refuse the hospitality, Mr. Feng said, "Okay, then I will try it out then and see if Lao Yan's craftsmanship has been passed down and whether I can make it the same as Lao Yan's craftsmanship."

Yan Jianxing quickly said: "Uncle Feng, there must be some differences between me and my father back then. Please correct me when the time comes."

Master Yan immediately laughed and said, "Look, I'm still scared after all."

Mr. Feng laughed: "Hahaha, at this point, I'm afraid this guy is just Ming. He is relatively low-key in other matters, but when it comes to cooking, he is really not timid at all and always thinks that what he cooks is fine. "

Master Yan said to his son and apprentices: "You must learn to be honest and trust your craftsmanship."

(End of this chapter)