From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Although there was a gap of one day after the first day of competition and before the banquet cooking exchange began.

But during the one-day interval, all the participating chefs, including the senior chefs who led the teams, did not get much rest.

Everyone spent the whole day making various preparations for the banquet cooking exchange.

The TV station also filmed and recorded the entire process of the chefs preparing ingredients.

It was Feng Zhengming who suggested to the two masters, Su and Sun, to film and record this process.

The two masters then gave feedback to the organizers of the national competition and the TV station.

After some discussion, they finally decided to follow Feng Zhengming's suggestion and record some of the material preparation processes.

After the suggestions of the two masters, Su and Sun, were adopted, they also specifically asked Feng Zhengming.

Why is it necessary for TV stations to film and record the process of preparing materials?
Feng Zhengming’s answer was very direct: “Because it should be recorded. When we used to promote food, we often overlooked the hard work that the chef put in behind each dish.

To make a dish or a banquet look good, it cannot be done by just one chef cooking in the kitchen.

Before actually starting cooking, every chef needs to go through a series of very careful and time-consuming preparation processes.

Often the process of preparing ingredients is where the hard work of our cooking profession and chefs is truly reflected.

So we need to record it and let everyone know.

Only when everyone understands it, can they appreciate the hard work a chef puts into a dish or a banquet. "

Feng Zhengming's words touched the two masters deeply.

This is truly speaking for every chef.

Feng Zhengming concluded by saying: “I think when people truly understand the labor process, they will naturally respect the workers.”

In this era, Feng Zhengming's ideas are very advanced.

Or it should be said that his idea was once a very important fundamental idea.

It’s just that in this era of rapid economic development, it has been ignored by many people intentionally or unintentionally.

Feng Zhengming reiterated the respect for labor.

It is natural to gain unanimous recognition from the masters.

After all, the experiences of the old masters make them hope to see labor respected.

This respect does not only come from monetary income.

It comes more from the respect that comes from the heart of every ordinary person.

Feng Zhengming suggested that the TV station film and record the process of chefs preparing ingredients before the banquet.

Let more people see the hard work they put into the preparation process, as well as some of the not-so-glamorous aspects of the preparation process.

When each delicious dish is made by the chefs and placed on the table.

I believe that by comparing the before and after, more people will sincerely respect the hard work of every chef.

The leader who was in charge of the national competition this time saw the sample film recording the chefs' preparation process.

I was also a little surprised and asked who suggested doing this kind of filming and recording?
After learning that it was Feng Zhengming who gave the suggestion.

The leaders who organized the national competition couldn't help but look at Feng Zhengming with admiration.

"Such a young chef not only has great skills, but also has such a heart. He has the demeanor of a master at such a young age. No wonder the old man pays so much attention to him."

After asking for instructions, the leader asked the TV station to edit the recorded footage carefully.

"After the national competition, we can make a documentary about it and broadcast it, which can be regarded as a small disclosure behind the scenes."

China Central Television and Shanghai and Hong Kong television stations also agree with this approach.

Although they were busy preparing ingredients all day yesterday, chefs from all over the country gathered together in the evening to discuss the cooking details of the banquet until very late.

But on the morning of the banquet cooking exchange, Feng Zhengming still got up early.

He got up very quietly, but still woke up Lin Bosheng who was in the same room.

Lin Bosheng opened his eyes and reached out to touch the watch on the bedside cabinet.

He glanced at the time on his watch.

Lin Bosheng sighed helplessly: "Did you get up too early?"

Feng Zhengming responded softly: "I'm sorry to wake you up."

Lin Bosheng lay back on the bed: "The banquet cooking exchange will not start until nine in the morning, and it's only six now."

"I'm used to getting up early, and I can't fall asleep when it's time. You go on sleeping, and I'll go downstairs for a walk."

Lin Bosheng was a little helpless when he heard Feng Zhengming say this: "Look at you, you usually get up early and go to bed late every day, and now you finally come out to participate in the competition, why don't you take the opportunity to have a good rest?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and responded, "Brother is right. I'll go downstairs to take a stroll and have breakfast. The hotel's breakfast tastes pretty good."

These words made Lin Bosheng feel helpless, so he simply stopped trying to persuade him.

"Okay, remember not to leave the hotel. We still have work to do in the morning."

Feng Zhengming had already put on his clothes and responded with a smile: "Don't worry, I won't leave the hotel."

After washing up, Feng Zhengming left the room quietly.

After he left the room, Li Zhifeng also sighed: "It's good to be young. You are so energetic."

Lin Bosheng also agreed with Li Zhifeng's words.

Compared to Feng Zhengming, both of them are much older.

Even the relatively young Lin Bosheng is already in his forties this year.

In terms of mental state, he is indeed not as good as Feng Zhengming.

The two people in the room continued to sleep.

Feng Zhengming had already taken the elevator downstairs and arrived at the hotel restaurant.

Very skilful selection of breakfast items provided by the hotel.

Just as Feng Zhengming sat down and had not yet started eating, he started eating the Western-style breakfast provided by the hotel.

A middle-aged man in a suit and tie sat down in front of him.

"It seems that Chef Feng prefers Western-style breakfast?"

Feng Zhengming glanced at the other party and responded with a smile: "It's not that I like the Western style, but there will be a lot of physical work in the morning, so I need to make sure I have enough strength.

Milk, eggs, and meat can ensure energy consumption for work in the morning."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the other party was a little surprised.

"I didn't expect that Chef Feng also knows about nutrition?"

Feng Zhengming responded: "The chef must know something, otherwise how can he coordinate the combination of meat and vegetables?"

The other party thought for a while and asked: "Chef Feng, I wonder which one do you think is better, Chinese food or Western food?"

Feng Zhengming laughed when he heard this: "You asked the wrong question."

"Is that the wrong question?" The other party was a little surprised. Feng Zhengming took a bite of the egg and slowly explained after eating it.

“The division between Chinese food and Western food is based on different regions, so there is no such thing as one is better than the other.

From our perspective, we have been eating Chinese food since we were young, but from the perspective of Westerners, haven't they also been eating Western food since they were young?
If Chinese food is not good, how did we grow up? If Western food is not good, how can people grow up eating it?
So there is no distinction between good and bad. Whether food is delicious or not is a very subjective matter. For everyone, if it is palatable, it is delicious.

You don’t have to follow the crowd or have the same taste as others.”

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the person who asked the question fell into deep thought.

I think what Feng Zhengming said does make sense.

He also discovered that Feng Zhengming was a person who was quite informal.

Feng Zhengming would never elevate one side, nor would he belittle the other.

His state really has a unique demeanor.

The ability to tolerate everything.

This kind of master-like demeanor is really inconsistent with his age.

The middle-aged man in a suit and tie watched Feng Zhengming finish his breakfast.

Even after finishing his bread, eggs and bacon, he went to get some pan-fried buns to eat.

Seeing that Feng Zhengming ate so much for breakfast, the middle-aged man felt a little hungry.

When Feng Zhengming had almost finished eating, the middle-aged man took out his business card from his pocket.

"Nice to meet Chef Feng. I'm the general manager of this hotel. This is my business card. If possible, I hope to have a private chat with Chef Feng after the national competition."

Feng Zhengming took the other party's business card and saw the other party's name on it, Lu Yuanting.

"Mr. Lu wants me to stay in your hotel?"

Seeing Feng Zhengming guessed it, Lu Yuanting smiled and nodded, "Yes, I believe that Chef Feng should have known about our hotel's facilities in the past few days. Our hotel is going to become an international hotel in Pudong, and we need excellent chefs like you, Chef Feng, to join us."

Feng Zhengming asked directly: "Will you let me be the head chef?"

This question stumped Lu Yuanting.

In fact, the hotel now has a chef.

Moreover, the hotel’s current chef is a very famous Shanghai cuisine chef in Shanghai.

Feng Zhengming asked to be the head chef right away, which made Lu Yuanting feel a little embarrassed.

"Chef Feng, if you are willing to stay in our hotel, we will naturally arrange a suitable position for you. Even if you are not the head chef, you will have autonomy in the kitchen."

Feng Zhengming shook his head and said, "If you invite me, then let me be the head chef for the entire hotel. Everything in the kitchen must be arranged by me, including the hotel's catering."

It must be said that Feng Zhengming's request stunned Lu Yuanting, and he couldn't say a word for a long time.

I saw that the other party couldn't say a word for a long time.

Feng Zhengming smiled and put the other party's business card away first.

“Look, you can’t meet my request. I believe you should have a certain understanding of me. You should know that I have two stores of my own in Quancheng.

Whether it is Fengjia Gan Restaurant or Huiquanlou, I have the final say. All business methods and various cooperation in the kitchen are done in accordance with my requirements.

I guess your hotel can’t give me that kind of autonomy, right?”

After hearing these words, Lu Yuanting smiled bitterly helplessly.

“I didn’t expect Chef Feng’s requirements to be so high.”

Feng Zhengming put away his smile and said seriously: "It's not that I have high requirements, but I have the ability. If you leave everything to me, I dare say that I will make your hotel catering department the best in the country.

Not only will it make you popular among domestic people, but it will also make your catering department a global representative of Chinese cuisine.”

These words are quite ambitious and make people feel full of momentum.

If someone else said this, Lu Yuanting felt that he would definitely laugh at that person.

But facing Feng Zhengming, Lu Yuanting felt that he could not laugh at him.

Judging from the various relevant information obtained by Lu Yuanting.

Feng Zhengming is not only a chef with solid basic skills but also unique innovative ability.

He is also a person who understands business and is able to run restaurants and hotels well.

It would be easy for Lu Yuanting to think of the information he saw, which showed that Feng Zhengming had gone from selling boxed lunches at a stall at the train station in Quancheng to successfully running his own dry lunch shop.

Later, he took over Huiquanlou and turned it from being on the verge of bankruptcy into one of the famous restaurants in Quancheng again.

From any perspective, Feng Zhengming is a person with extremely strong comprehensive abilities.

In fact, after reading Feng Zhengming's relevant information, Lu Yuanting had some ideas of his own about recruiting him.

Lu Yuanting realized that if the hotel wanted to keep Feng Zhengming, it would definitely give him enough say in the kitchen, or even give him the position of head chef.

However, after communicating with Feng Zhengming, Lu Yuanting found that he had still underestimated him.

Feng Zhengming not only wants to be the hotel's head chef, but also wants to gain control of the hotel's entire catering department.

This is not something that General Manager Lu Yuanting can decide.

Seeing that the other party remained silent, Feng Zhengming guessed that the other party could not make the decision.

He smiled and said, "Manager Lu, don't worry. In fact, I may not be the most suitable chef for your hotel. There are many excellent chefs in the national competition. Maybe after the competition, you will meet a chef who is more suitable than me."

Lu Yuanting could only respond with a smile: "It is my honor to have this private conversation with Chef Feng. I wish Chef Feng good results in the competition."

"Shouldn't I be wishing you the best of luck in becoming the top scorer in this national competition?"

Feng Zhengming's words made Lu Yuanting stunned again.

Seeing Lu Yuanting stunned again, Feng Zhengming immediately laughed.

"Hahaha, just kidding. Thank you Manager Lu for the breakfast treat. I'm going to go for a walk and prepare for the banquet cooking exchange in the morning."

Lu Yuanting watched Feng Zhengming leave and looked at his back.

In Lu Yuanting's opinion, Feng Zhengming is really a very charming person.

Young, gentle and always friendly to people.

The most important thing is his confidence, which may be something that many young people in China do not have.

Especially when facing some formal occasions and meeting people from Hong Kong or abroad.

Feng Zhengming is completely different. No matter who he is facing, he always maintains his confidence.

The confidence he displays naturally makes people want to associate with him.

Lu Yuanting couldn't help but think: This national competition might really become his stage, allowing him to become famous through the national competition.

Like many people who were paying attention to the national competition, Lu Yuanting was guessing in his mind.

I'm afraid the chef of the Shandong cuisine banquet should be Feng Zhengming, right?
Soon the truth will surprise them. (End of this chapter)