From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Feng Zhengming took a shower, changed into more comfortable clothes, said hello to Li Zhifeng and Lin Bosheng, and went downstairs.

After he left, Lin Bosheng smiled and said to Li Zhifeng: "President Li, did you see that? Zhengming is not only good at cooking, but also has a great ability to make friends."

Li Zhifeng looked at Lin Bosheng strangely, not quite understanding what Lin Bosheng meant.
Lin Bosheng saw that Li Zhifeng didn't understand what he meant.

He then said bluntly: "After he became the top scholar of this year, he will have many choices. He doesn't even have to go back to Quancheng. As long as he asks, he can probably open a restaurant in Shanghai right away."

After hearing what Lin Bosheng said, Li Zhifeng's expression changed instantly, and he understood what Lin Bosheng meant.

Feng Zhengming is very good at making friends, so as long as he is willing to ask, there will be plenty of people willing to help him open a restaurant.

The reason behind this is not only because Feng Zhengming knows how to make friends with different people.

More importantly, Feng Zhengming has enough strength.

In this national competition, every dish prepared by Feng Zhengming fully demonstrated his strong culinary skills.

Especially the basic skills have been emphasized before the start of this national competition.

It can be said that all the chefs who come to participate in the national competition have good basic skills.

But we have to find the one with the best basic skills among them.

I'm afraid that even if Feng Zhengming says he is second, no other chef dares to say he is first.

The key reason for this is that Feng Zhengming can really master the basic skills very accurately, and can also combine various basic skills to make creative dishes he designs.

This dish completely transcends the formula of traditional classic dishes.

This is something that almost no other chef in this class can catch up with.

In addition, Feng Zhengming has a strong learning ability.

In just a few days, I learned the techniques of chefs from other places and was able to put them into practice.

Any restaurant or hotel that has a chef like him would be lucky to have found a treasure.

He must be able to run a restaurant and a hotel very well.

However, the fact that Feng Zhengming was able to run a dry rice shop and Huiquanlou in Quancheng in a short period of time has already proved his management ability.

So he probably wouldn't accept any invitation and wouldn't enter other people's restaurants or hotel kitchens.

Lin Bosheng said with envy: "As long as he opens his mouth, he probably won't even need to pay for it himself. There will be many people willing to invest in him, and even help him decorate the restaurant in Shanghai and wait for him to move in."

Hearing this, Li Zhifeng couldn't help but sigh: "Quancheng may not be able to keep him."

Lin Bosheng nodded: "Yes, Quancheng can no longer keep him, but President Li, you can still make some other efforts."

Li Zhifeng looked at Lin Bosheng strangely, not quite understanding what he meant by other efforts?
Lin Bosheng said with a smile: "He may not be in Quancheng, but he is still a Shandong cuisine chef. As long as he still has this label, he will never refuse any need for Shandong cuisine."

After hearing this, Li Zhifeng finally understood what Lin Bosheng meant.

At the same time, Li Zhifeng also had some plans in mind.

When I return to the Spring City, I will definitely make a suggestion to the association.

First of all, the vice president of Quancheng Cooking Association must be given to Feng Zhengming.

Then we had to help him apply for the position of vice president of the Provincial Cooking Association.

In addition, the province should also give Feng Zhengming some reputation and honor.

This will help better confirm Feng Zhengming's identity as a Shandong cuisine chef.

No matter where Feng Zhengming goes to develop in the future, as long as he still has the label of a Shandong cuisine chef, it will be a promotion for Shandong cuisine and will also enable Shandong cuisine to achieve better development.

After Lin Bosheng's reminder, Li Zhifeng quickly figured it out.

It is not easy to keep Feng Zhengming.

Moreover, forcing him to stay in Quancheng would probably only limit his development.

Li Zhifeng felt that it would be better to let Feng Zhengming leave.

Let him promote and develop Shandong cuisine in his own way.

Perhaps one day, Shandong cuisine will be able to regain its glory in Beijing as it did in the past.

Of course, Li Zhifeng and Lin Bosheng also knew this.

Judging from this national competition, Feng Zhengming will definitely not stick to Shandong cuisine in his cooking.

Just like his last dish, Oolong Xizhu.

It is a dish that combines the cooking techniques of Shandong cuisine and Cantonese cuisine.

With the success of this dish, Feng Zhengming will definitely continue to try in this direction.

What other fusion dishes might he try to make in the future?

No one dares to make a judgment easily now.

But one thing is certain, Feng Zhengming will never stick to a certain type of cuisine.

He will definitely combine the characteristics of different places from all over the world in his own way to create his own set of dishes.

It is just like the “Tan Family Cuisine” which was the runner-up dish in the imperial court that was famous in Beijing back then.

In fact, Tan cuisine is a fusion of Cantonese cuisine, Huaiyang cuisine, Shandong cuisine and Beijing official cuisine.

A truly top chef must be able to absorb and integrate cuisines from different regions so as to create a menu of his own.

Feng Zhengming is a chef with such a prospect.

For Li Zhifeng, as the president of Quancheng Cooking Association, he certainly hopes that Feng Zhengming will become more and more famous.

He can develop better outside and bring Shandong cuisine to all parts of the country and even around the world.

In that case, Shandong cuisine and Quancheng will both become famous, and he, as the president, can be said to have discovered a talent.

Feng Zhengming didn't know that in the room, Li Zhifeng and Lin Bosheng were discussing the idea of ​​using him to better promote Shandong cuisine.

He went downstairs and joined his family in the hotel restaurant.

As soon as he sat down, the restaurant manager came over to serve him.

"Chef Feng, what would you like to eat today?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Do you have any good recommendations today?"

The manager remembered the dishes recommended by the chef today and immediately recommended them to Feng Zhengming and others.

"Today our main dish is Beef Wellington. Chef Feng, would you like to try it?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's have Beef Wellington then."

Except for Grandpa Situ, Feng Zhengming's grandfather, third uncle and Luo Qing didn't know much, so they just listened to him ordering the dishes.

The manager immediately wrote it down and asked if he wanted to adjust the combination of other side dishes. Feng Zhengming did not challenge and asked the manager to serve the dishes according to their set menu.

After the manager left, Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Beef Wellington? This dish is very interesting. There is a dish similar to this one in Confucius Mansion cuisine."

This made the whole family curious, especially Grandpa Situ.

“Is there a dish in Confucius cuisine that is very similar to Beef Wellington?”

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, there is a very classic dish in Confucius Mansion cuisine, called Roasted Mandarin Fish with Flower Basket, and the cooking method is a bit similar to Beef Wellington."

This made the family even more curious.

In particular, Mr. Situ really wanted to know how to make the roasted mandarin fish in a flower basket dish from Confucius Mansion?
Feng Zhengming smiled and briefly explained the method.

The processed mandarin fish is wrapped in a dough, and then the outside of the dough is pinched into the shape of a flower basket before being baked.

"During the baking process, the outer skin will become crispy, while the mandarin fish inside will seem to be steamed, preserving the fish's freshness to the greatest extent."

After listening to this, Mr. Situ thought about it carefully and said, "Although the methods are similar, they should be completely different, right?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "It is indeed different. In the past, this dish in the Confucius Mansion cuisine would definitely not be like Wellington steak, wrapped in butter and puff pastry, and a layer of stuffing would be added between the puff pastry and the steak.

It seems that mushroom sauce is usually spread on the surface of the steak, and then a layer of puff pastry is wrapped on the outside. After that, some egg liquid is brushed on the puff pastry to make the color more beautiful after baking. "

Mr. Situ looked at Feng Zhengming's clear analysis and suddenly thought of something.

"Zhengming, you're not going to steal someone else's Beef Wellington and use it in the roasted mandarin fish in a flower basket dish of Confucius Mansion, are you?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "I have such an idea, but it is not easy to implement. We still need to consider some issues about the taste, and how should the fish bite the bottom?"

Uncle Feng Jiandong said, "You are so bold. Aren't you afraid that the chef of Confucius Mansion cuisine will say that you are making random changes to other people's dishes?"

Grandpa also said: "It is better not to change other people's dishes casually. Confucius cuisine has been passed down for so long and was one of the three major official cuisines. We should still respect it."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Grandpa, I know, I have no disrespect, I just think it can be improved.

Just like in this national cooking competition, isn't what our family is competing for, all about innovation?
When we cook, we should keep up with the times and not just stick to traditional classic dishes.”

Grandpa Situ actually agreed more with Feng Zhengming's idea.

“We should definitely keep pace with the times and make some changes based on tradition. We must be able to blend the flavors of the east, west, south and north so that more people can accept the dishes you cook.

These are big challenges for chefs of your generation, and you need to work harder."

Luo Qing said at this time: "Before coming here this time, I went to see Master Yan, and Master Yan also said that the challenges for chefs of your generation are very great now, and you need to make timely adjustments to keep up with the times."

Hearing Luo Qing's retelling of Master's words, Feng Zhengming sighed: "Master is still far-sighted."

Feng Zhengming knew that his master had already seen long ago that some changes needed to be made to traditional classic dishes.

As the tide of the times surges, chefs must adapt their cooking to the development of the times.

Especially as transportation becomes more convenient, logistics can flow better all over the world.

People are definitely looking for something more delicious.

Then the requirements for chefs' skills will naturally continue to increase.

Master Yan always seems to emphasize to his apprentices that they must learn the basics well and do traditional things well, and he does not allow his apprentices to change the traditional craftsmanship at will.

But Master Yan requires his apprentices to do this so that they can master the basics and traditions.

Only by building a solid foundation and tradition can we make changes and development on this basis.

All of this requires a process, and requires the chef to be patient and grow slowly.

It’s just like Feng Zhengming has been with Master Yan for many years but is still unknown.

Unlike his senior brothers, who can be considered as chefs of Shandong cuisine with some fame.

But after Yan Xilou closed down due to poor management.

However, Feng Zhengming, relying on the experience he gained from following his master for many years, has carved out a path of his own.

This national cooking competition can be said to be the true explosion of Feng Zhengming's many years of accumulation.

He not only demonstrated extremely solid basic skills.

Based on traditional classic dishes, he can use his strong learning ability to make many dishes that surpass traditional classics.

Feng Zhengming sighed to his family: "I really want to thank Master. Without Master's strict requirements, I might not have the solid basic skills I have now.

Without solid basic skills, I wouldn’t be able to cook those creative dishes in national competitions.”

Grandpa heard this and said, "This is what is called 'slow accumulation leads to sudden explosion'."

Grandpa Situ agreed: "Yes, all this is what you deserve for your years of hard work."

Third uncle Feng Jiandong suddenly asked with a smile: "Zhengming, if you really become the top scholar, are you not going to return to Quancheng?"

Hearing Uncle San's question, Feng Zhengming smiled and replied, "No, I will definitely go back to Quancheng."

Feng Jiandong asked again: "What if there are many big bosses willing to invest in you directly and let you stay in Shanghai and open a restaurant?"

When asked this question, Feng Zhengming still answered firmly with a smile on his face.

"I still have to go back to Quancheng. There are still many things to be done in Quancheng. After things in Quancheng are arranged, I should come to Shanghai again and open a restaurant in Shanghai."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's insistence, his family members all smiled and nodded.

Mr. Situ said, "Then after the competition, I will go back to Quancheng with you. The Chinese New Year is coming soon. I haven't celebrated the Chinese New Year in China for a long time. I want to go with you to experience the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year."

Feng Zonghe was naturally very happy to hear this.

He has always hoped that Mr. Situ could return to Quancheng.

Mr. Situ lived in Quancheng for a period of time before.

The two brothers feel very happy to be together every day.

If Mr. Situ spends the New Year this year, he will stay in Quancheng.

This year should be a very lively one for the Feng family.

Feng Jiandong suddenly said, "Dad, my second sister told me that my eldest brother and his family might come back for the New Year this year."

Knowing that his eldest son would also come back to celebrate the New Year made Feng Zonghe even happier and more excited.

"Your eldest brother hasn't been back for these years. Why did he suddenly think of coming back for the New Year this time?"

Feng Jiandong looked at Feng Zhengming, smiled and said, "Maybe it's because of Zhengming that Big Brother also wants to come back and see our outstanding nephew."

Feng Zhengming became a little nervous when he heard this: "I, I'm actually not that good. My uncle can work abroad, I think he is better."

Grandpa noticed that Feng Zhengming was nervous, and smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, your uncle is not that scary, it's good for them to come back and meet you."

At this moment, Feng Zhengming was even more curious about his uncle who had lived abroad for many years. (End of this chapter)