From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Grandpa Feng was on a train to Shanghai, looking out the window at the setting sun.

The old man couldn't help but mutter in a low voice: "I wonder how Zhengming is doing? Today should be the day they prepare the ingredients. I wonder if Zhengming is ready?"

Hearing Grandpa Feng's mumbling, Luo Qing also missed Feng Zhengming a little.

Feng Zhengming used to be in Quancheng.

Luo Qing entered her third uncle's company. Even if she had to go on a business trip out of town, she knew in her heart that she would be able to see Feng Zhengming when she returned to Quancheng.

But this time Feng Zhengming left Quancheng, although Luo Qing could see him on live TV every day.

But I still feel that the two of us are very far apart.

The longing in my heart is deepening every moment.

So this time, Grandpa Feng wanted to go to Shanghai to watch Feng Zhengming's game and proposed the idea of ​​going to the scene to cheer for Feng Zhengming.

Luo Qing supported Grandpa Feng immediately and ran around to help buy train tickets, pack luggage and rush to Shanghai with him.

Having been on the train for such a long time, Luo Qing had been wondering what Feng Zhengming was doing?
Hearing Grandpa Feng's words, Luo Qing missed him even more.

Feng Jiandong saw that his father and Luo Qing were obviously thinking about Feng Zhengming.

He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Zhengming should be well prepared. His strength is there, so there shouldn't be any problem."

His son’s words brought Grandpa Feng back to his senses.

"Yes, Zhengming's ability is there, there shouldn't be any problem."

Luo Qing then asked, "Uncle San, when we get to Shanghai, are we going directly to the competition?"

Feng Jiandong thought for a moment and said, "It seems that we are getting there a little late. Let's find a place to stay for one night and then rush to the stadium tomorrow morning."

Luo Qing asked again: "Can we go in?"

Feng Jiandong said, "We should be able to get in. It seems that the competition allows people to enter the restaurant, and Uncle Situ is over there. We can contact Uncle Situ to take us in when the time comes."

Feng Zonggu couldn't help but laugh when he heard his son say this: "Can't you think of a solution yourself? Why bother your Uncle Situ?"

Feng Jiandong looked helpless: "Dad, if it was Quancheng, I might still have a way, but in Shanghai, I have no way at all."

Luo Qing thought for a moment and said, "Grandpa Feng, it should be okay to ask Grandpa Situ. Grandpa Situ also likes Zhengming very much."

Grandpa Feng nodded: “Of course I know that Brother Situ likes Zhengming very much.

He has no children. When he returned to Quancheng last time, he told me more than once that he wanted to give all his overseas property to Zhengming."

Feng Jiandong was surprised by this: "Dad, did Uncle Situ really say that?"

"What? What do you think?" Feng Zonghe looked at his son with a warning look.

Feng Jiandong quickly said, "No, no, Dad, how could I have any idea? I just didn't expect that Uncle Situ would want to give his property to Zhengming."

Feng Zonghe said: "Brother Situ is not asking Zhengming to go abroad to take over his business. I heard that his overseas business is handed over to his nephews, nieces and nieces-in-law to take care of.

He also knew that Zhengming was devoted to cooking, so he wanted to give his share of the money to Zhengming. "

Hearing this, Feng Jiandong thought for a moment and asked in a low voice: "Doesn't that mean that Zhengming can use the money to open a restaurant in Shanghai?"

Feng Zonghe nodded: "It is indeed enough to justify opening a restaurant in Shanghai."

"Then this is the perfect time. If I win the first prize in this national competition, I can ask Uncle Situ to invest and open a restaurant in Shanghai."

When his son said this, Feng Zonghe shook his head and said, "It's not the right time yet. Zhengming wants to open a restaurant in Shanghai, but just having investment is not enough."

Feng Jiandong asked curiously: "Why is the investment not enough?"

Luo Qing rushed to answer: "Opening a restaurant also requires kitchen staff, front-of-house service staff, and a manager who can manage the restaurant well."

Feng Zonghe nodded: "Yes, opening a restaurant requires a lot of personnel preparation, which cannot be solved with money in a short time."

In fact, Feng Jiandong also understood these, but he felt that these were not problems.

"These people can be brought from Quancheng. If Zhengming becomes the top scorer in the national competition, he will definitely get support from Shanghai when he opens a restaurant. It should be easier to recruit people in Shanghai then."

After all, Feng Jiandong has been doing business for many years, so he is more familiar with some business matters.

Especially once Feng Zhengming becomes the top scorer in the national competition.

Feng Jiandong could roughly guess the resources he could obtain given his identity.

Feng Zonghe was relatively calm and poured cold water on his son's excitement.

"You're talking about Zhengming becoming the top scorer in the national competition, but what if Zhengming doesn't become the top scorer?"

This question stumped Feng Jiandong.

This time, he was either at home watching TV with his family, or now he was accompanying his father to Shanghai to watch the game.

In his mind, he did not consider the fact that Feng Zhengming did not become the top scorer as an option.

He had only one option in his mind, that Feng Zhengming could win the top spot.

Feng Jiandong also understood that if Feng Zhengming could not become the top scorer in this national competition.

Even though he is still young, even though he is the second or third place in the draft.

Feng Zhengming's subsequent influence will be less.

In that case, perhaps Feng Zhengming will still receive high praise when he returns to Quancheng, and can directly enter the management level of the Quancheng Cooking Association.

He might even be specially hired by the province, just like those old masters in the past, and become a master chef trained and assessed in the province.

But on a national scale, Feng Zhengming is definitely not as famous as the one who directly won the top spot.

If Feng Zhengming wants to open a restaurant in Shanghai, he will have to rely on himself more.

After thinking for a while, Feng Jiandong said, "If Zhengming is not the top scorer this time, it won't affect his future development, but he will definitely have to postpone opening a restaurant in Shanghai."

Feng Zonggu nodded: "Yes, he is not the top scholar, so he can't get the support of Shanghai as you said, he can only rely on himself."

"Dad, we are here, as well as Uncle Situ. With so many people helping him, I believe Zhengming can definitely do it."

Feng Zonghe was very happy to hear his son say this.

To be able to say this also shows that Feng Jiandong now treats Feng Zhengming as his own family.

This is what Feng Zonghe most wants to see.

A family should live in harmony, work together as a team, and help each other to get things done.

Feng Zonggu said: "We should believe in Zhengming and his ability, but even if he fails to become the top scholar, we don't have to blame him and we should still support him."

Feng Jiandong said with a smile: "That's for sure. We are here to support Zhengming."

Late at night, the train finally arrived at the station and the Feng family got off together.

Grandpa Feng followed Feng Jiandong and Luo Qing out of the station.

When they walked out of the train station, the three were somewhat surprised to see that there was someone holding a sign to pick them up at the exit.

Feng Zonghe was not sure at first, but after he walked up and asked, he was sure that he was really here to pick them up.

The other party smiled and said, "Mr. Situ asked me to wait here to pick you up."

Feng Jiandong was a little surprised: "How did Uncle Situ know that?"

Feng Zonghe guessed it: "Brother Situ should have called at night. We were not at home and no one answered the phone. He should have called your sister again."

Feng Jiandong suddenly realized that this was what his father had guessed. The three of them got into the car that came to pick them up.

Along the way, although it was already late at night, the bright lights and nightlife on the streets of Shanghai still surprised Grandpa Feng and Luo Qing.

The car took them all the way to the hotel where the competition was held.

In front of the hotel, Feng Zhengming and Mr. Situ were waiting together.

After getting off the bus, Grandpa Feng smiled helplessly and said, "I wanted to give you a surprise, but you found out in advance."

Feng Zhengming was somewhat touched: "Grandpa, you should have called me in advance to let me know if you were coming."

Grandpa Feng asked back, "Why? Are you still worried that Grandpa will get lost? Grandpa is not senile yet."

"No." Feng Zhengming quickly explained, "I'm worried that you'll be too tired on the road, grandpa, and your body won't be able to bear it."

Hearing this, Grandpa Feng stepped forward and punched Feng Zhengming directly.

"How's it going? Grandpa's fists are still strong, right?"

Feng Zhengming laughed. He understood that his grandfather wanted to prove himself to him.

Then Feng Zhengming and his grandfather hugged each other.

"I'm really happy that my grandfather can come and support me in the game."

Grandpa Feng patted Feng Zhengming on the back and said, "Play well in the competition. Don't be distracted by our presence. Show your skills and make every dish well. The final result is not important."

Feng Zhengming nodded vigorously: "Grandpa, don't worry, I will definitely play well in the competition."

Afterwards, Grandpa Feng let go of Feng Zhengming and asked him to go meet Luo Qing.

Looking at Luo Qing, Feng Zhengming smiled and opened his arms.

Luo Qing felt a little embarrassed, after all, there were so many people watching her.

Feng Zhengming still held Luo Qing in his arms forcefully.

Mr. Situ and Feng Zonghe also hugged each other, then said with a smile: "Xiao Feng, I am so happy that you can come. You can stay in my room tonight."

Then the group entered the hotel, and under the arrangement of Mr. Situ, they all checked in quickly.

Grandpa Feng and Mr. Situ went to live in his room.

Feng Jiandong and Luo Qing each booked a separate standard room.

Feng Zhengming originally wanted to stay in Luo Qing's room with her for one night.

As a result, he was stopped by the two grandfathers and ordered to go back to his room to sleep.

When Luo Qing saw Feng Zhengming being stopped, she laughed with glee.

Because it was too late, everyone didn't communicate much and went back to their rooms to rest.

Feng Zhengming was still very happy about the arrival of his grandfather and others.

Having his family support him also makes him more confident.

The next day, Feng Zhengming had breakfast with his grandfather, Grandpa Situ, his third uncle and Luo Qing in the morning.

Then he went to meet up with other chefs to make final preparations for the afternoon competition.

The official competition is scheduled to start in the afternoon.

The reason why it is arranged in the afternoon is mainly because there is more time in the afternoon.

This also gives the chefs enough time to prepare.

Of course, since it is an official competition, the hotel also made some arrangements on site today.

Some people were allowed to visit the site.

There were also demonstrations of dishes made by chefs on site.

The dishes on display were basically made by the participating chefs yesterday and this morning.

I don’t know what dishes they were competing for, but they were just some classic dishes from various places.

But it still makes people who come to watch it feel very beautiful.

Luo Qing and her Third Uncle accompanied Grandpa Feng and Grandpa Situ on the on-site visit.

Then I heard visitors talking about it.

"This national cooking competition is really well organized."

"Yes, there were many masters in the previous two sessions, but the conditions were limited at that time, and the event was not as good as this one."

"The key is that this year, chefs from Hong Kong will participate."

"What's wrong with Hong Kong chefs? I don't think they are any better than our mainland chefs."

"That's right, the dishes cooked by chefs from all over the mainland are great."

"But many of the dishes made by Hong Kong chefs are more luxurious and elegant."

"That's not true. Mainland chefs also cook very elegant dishes."

"Yes, the Huaiyang cuisine chef Zhang Quande from the mainland, his Wensi tofu, I don't think chefs in Hong Kong can make it like that."

"There is also the Cantonese chef's dish of searching for dragons in the snow. They are all made with lobsters and are no worse than those made by Hong Kong chefs."

Hearing everyone's discussions, Luo Qing discovered that few people seemed to be discussing Feng Zhengming.

Did this make her feel a little weird?

After thinking carefully about Feng Zhengming's performance, Luo Qing suddenly understood.

The fish dish that Feng Zhengming prepared in the first competition was indeed quite amazing.

But later, at the banquet cooking exchanges, he did not take on the role of chef, but helped more as a waiter, allowing other chefs to show more.

So today, on the day of the official competition, everyone was naturally more impressed by the chefs who demonstrated their skills in the banquet cooking exchange.

Of course, for many people who came to the scene, the focus of the debate was still on Hong Kong chefs and mainland chefs.

Because most of the people at the scene are from Shanghai.

In recent years, there are many Cantonese restaurants and hotels in Shanghai, especially those run by chefs from Hong Kong.

Therefore, many people at the scene clearly prefer Hong Kong chefs.

Luo Qing listened for a while and felt a little indignant: "Why do these people think that Hong Kong chefs do a better job? It's obvious now that they are doing a good job."

Mr. Situ laughed and said, "This is because many people always think that things outside are better, and things in Hong Kong are better than those in the mainland."

Luo Qing was unconvinced and said, "That's not necessarily true. When it comes to traditional craftsmanship, the mainland is definitely better."

Mr. Situ nodded and said, "That's definitely right. That's why we invited chefs from Hong Kong to this national cooking competition. We also want to let chefs from the mainland and Hong Kong exchange ideas and let them compete on the same stage to see who is better.

But winning or losing is not the point. The point is that we hope chefs from all over the world can communicate with each other through the competition and improve their cooking skills.”

After listening to what Mr. Situ said, Luo Qing felt that this was the truth.

Feng Jiandong said: "Let them support the chef from Gangcheng for a while. When Zhengming defeats the chef from Gangcheng, they will naturally understand that the chef from Gangcheng is not as good as they think."

This made Luo Qing and the two grandfathers smile at each other. (End of this chapter)