From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 537 Master's Pride (Please subscribe and vote)
Master Yan looked at his young apprentice Feng Zhengming holding the trophy, and a sense of pride and honor arose in his heart.

The next moment, Master Yan patted Feng Zhengming's shoulder hard.

"Okay, okay, you did it, very good."

Master Yan was very happy that his young apprentice could achieve such results.

Master Yan seemed to see again the boy who used to wait outside the back door of Yan Xi Tower, hoping for a bite to eat.

When he was officially brought into the kitchen of Yanxilou.

The boy declared with great confidence: "I will definitely become the best cook in the country in the future. Just wait and see, old man."

At that time, Master Yan had not yet accepted Feng Zhengming as his apprentice.

He also planned to give the young guy a good test.

At that time, the senior brothers just regarded Feng Zhengming's words as a joke.

Even the senior brothers used to joke about it.

"Xiao Mingzi, when will you become the national culinary champion?"

This was the sentence that the senior brothers often used to tease Feng Zhengming.

Perhaps no one, including Master Yan, had ever thought at that time that Feng Zhengming would eventually do it.

Is Feng Zhengming a genius?
Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, Feng Zhengming is indeed a genius.

But anyone who has actually worked as a chef will understand.

Feng Zhengming is not a genius, he just works harder than others and spends more time and effort.

The real suffering he has endured is hard for many outsiders to imagine.

As a master, Master Yan was also very happy for Feng Zhengming for enduring all those hardships and finally reaping the rewards by winning the top prize in the national competition.

How many chefs have never suffered?

But in the end, there can only be one top scorer in the national competition.

Many times, enduring hardship is only one aspect, but you also need some blessing of luck.

In terms of luck, Feng Zhengming does have a considerable advantage.

Master Yan looked at his little apprentice holding the trophy, and he really thought a lot in his heart.

Finally, Master Yan smiled and said: "Now that you have won the first prize, you will be a real master chef. Don't be proud and continue to cook well."

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Master, don't worry, I won't be proud, I will continue to insist on making good dishes."

At this time, Grandpa said, "Okay, would you two, Master and Disciple, come in and talk?"

Then he said to Feng Zhengming, "Today is such a happy day, why don't you invite Master in?"

"Yes, Master, please come in. I was just saying that I would invite you over. I want to take a photo with you and my fellow brothers. I can hang it in my dry rice shop and Huiquan Building in the future."

Master Yan laughed when he heard this: "You're already the top scholar, why do you still want to hang a photo of me and your fellow seniors?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Of course I have to go. I was able to successfully win the first prize this time, thanks to my master and fellow brothers who helped me take care of the business of the two stores at home.

And if you, Master, hadn’t taken me in and taught me cooking along with my fellow senior brothers, I wouldn’t be qualified to be the top scholar now.

So this title of No.1 was given to me by you, Master, and my fellow practitioners. I must take a photo with you, Master, and my fellow practitioners."

Master Yan looked at the disciples present, and then said, "It's a pity that your other brothers are not here."

Cao Zhiguo immediately said, "Master, don't worry. Fourth brother said that he will definitely come back for the Spring Festival this year. Then we will be able to get together during the Spring Festival."

Feng Zhengming said: "Fourth brother is coming back too? That's great, we can take a group photo together then."

At this time, the eldest senior brother Li Huidong said: "Zhengming, you should take a photo with the master and your grandfather first. The master taught you cooking skills, and your grandfather also gave you great support, so you should hold the champion trophy and take a photo with the two old men first."

The eldest brother's proposal was immediately recognized by everyone.

"That's right. Let's take a photo with Master and Grandpa Feng first."

Feng Jiandong also smiled and said, "That's right, Zhengming, hurry up and take a photo with the two old men."

Under everyone's arrangement, Master Yan and Grandpa Feng sat side by side in the front.

Feng Zhengming stood behind the two old men, holding the top scholar trophy in his hands.

The person in charge of taking photos was his uncle Huang Tao, who had come specially to wait for Feng Zhengming's triumphant return.

Knowing that Feng Zhengming would come back today, Huang Tao made special preparations and even borrowed a camera from someone.

On the one hand, it was to record the scene of Feng Zhengming coming back holding the top scholar trophy.

On the other hand, Huang Tao also wanted to "get the moon first by being close to the water" and be the first to interview Feng Zhengming, the national number one chef.

Huang Tao also carefully looked for a background.

It is right at the entrance of Feng’s dry rice shop.

Behind Feng Zhengming is the counter of Fengjia Dry Restaurant and the old sign of Fengjia Dry Restaurant.

He stood there holding the top prize trophy, with his master and grandfather sitting side by side in front of him.

Huang Tao raised his hand and shouted, "Okay, look at me, look at the camera, yes, very good, three, two, one, let's say 'eggplant' together."

Click.

The first group photo was taken by Huang Tao.

Next, Feng Zhengming held the trophy and presented it to his master and senior brothers.

Everyone in the Feng family also took a photo with Luo Qing separately.

Many diners who came to welcome Feng Zhengming's triumphant return also took the opportunity to take a photo with Feng Zhengming.

It really took a lot of time just to take photos and group photos.

Afterwards, Feng Zhengming once again expressed his gratitude to all the people who came to Fengjia Ganfanpu to welcome him back.

He also announced once again: "Starting from next week, I will be at Huiquan Restaurant on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and at Fengjia Dry Rice Shop on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. You are also welcome to come often. Don't deliberately block me. Please believe that the dishes at Fengjia Dry Rice Shop and Huiquan Restaurant are absolutely delicious."

The diners who came to greet him back all burst into laughter after hearing this.

"Hahaha, we all believe in Chef Feng."

"That's right. With Chef Feng's guidance, my cooking skills will definitely be good."

"Chef Feng is away during this period, so I don't know much about Huiquan Restaurant. Anyway, the food at Feng's Dry Rice Shop still tastes the same as before, and it really is always so delicious."

"It shows that Chef Feng taught well. The chefs can still cook well even when he is not in the kitchen."

Hearing everyone's praise, Feng Zhengming expressed his gratitude to everyone again.

"Thank you very much for your support. I will also urge other chefs in the kitchen to maintain the quality of the dishes and not let everyone eat bad-tasting dishes."

After finishing the reception, Feng Zhengming packed up his things and went to the private room of the dry rice shop with his master, grandfather, senior brothers and family members. After entering the private room, everyone sat down.

My second uncle Zhang Zhigang said, "Zhengming, you are really amazing. You can win the first prize in the national competition."

Zhang Hongwei also immediately said: "Brother, you are awesome, you are really amazing."

Feng Zhengming opened the box he brought back with a smile and took out the things he bought for everyone.

"I bought these in Shanghai and brought them back specially for you."

At first, no one paid much attention to the gifts Feng Zhengming brought back from Shanghai.

Until Zhang Hongwei was a little surprised and said: "Wow, brother, these Nike shoes you bought for me, are they real?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "It's true. I bought it at the Nike store in Shanghai."

Zhang Hongwei couldn't let it go after hearing this.

Second Aunt Feng Suying immediately said, "Zhengming, it's not easy for you to make money, why buy him such nice shoes? He doesn't lack sneakers to wear normally."

"It's okay, Second Aunt. Hongwei will soon take the college entrance examination. A good pair of shoes will help him succeed in the exam."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's words, Zhang Hongwei immediately smiled and said, "Thank you for your support, brother. I will definitely do well in the exam and live up to these shoes."

Feng Zhengming also bought a pair of girls' Nike shoes for Feng Shengnan from his third uncle's family.

He also bought a set of sportswear for the little girl.

Feng Zhengming opened the suitcases he brought back one by one.

He not only bought things for his family, but also for several of his senior brothers, and even for his master, and the families of his eldest and third senior brothers.

I bought watches for several of my senior brothers, and they were all the same model of famous watches.

Feng Zhengming showed off the watch he was wearing.

"From now on, we brothers will all wear the same watch and go out to cook together. That will definitely be very cool."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the fellow brothers couldn't help but laugh.

Master Yan couldn't help but ask, "You went to Shanghai and bought so many things? Did you buy everything in the malls in Shanghai?"

Feng Zhengming took out the gift he bought specially for his master and presented it to his master.

"I thought, since I finally got to Shanghai, I must bring back some gifts for everyone.

There are some good local snacks in Shanghai, but I need to compete, and it would be bad if I bought them in advance and left them for so many days, so I just bought some more practical things for everyone."

When I saw the little apprentice take out the gift he bought for me, it turned out to be a watch.

In addition to this watch, Feng Zhengming actually bought some wine and brought it back for his master.

The wine that Feng Zhengming took out was naturally the most famous liquor in China, Maotai.

I saw that the little apprentice actually bought Maotai liquor for me.

Master Yan was a little surprised: "How much money did you spend? You even bought Moutai for me? You can't accept this wine master."

Feng Zhengming quickly said, "Master, you really can have this."

Then he took out a few more bottles from the box, and also took out some foreign liquor that he had brought back specially.

Everyone was a little surprised to see Feng Zhengming bringing back a whole box of wine.

Even his grandfather, third uncle and Luo Qing, who made a special trip to Shanghai to watch his game, were surprised.

They knew that Feng Zhengming had bought a lot of things, but they never expected that Feng Zhengming specifically bought so much wine.

Seeing that everyone was surprised, Feng Zhengming smiled and explained, "I bought these wines from a store that specializes in foreign trade through Grandpa Situ's relationship. They are absolutely authentic."

Master Yan said, "We suspect these things are fake. How much do you want to pay for these wines?"

Grandpa followed suit and said, "Zhengming, did you spend too much money on this trip?"

Feng Zhengming saw that his master and grandfather had some opinions about the wine he bought.

He smiled and said, "Master, Grandpa, listen to me. I bought these wines not for my own drinking, but to keep them as treasures."

"Keep it as a treasure?" Everyone was a little surprised at Feng Zhengming's plan to collect the wine.

Feng Zhengming explained seriously: "For the collection, I will probably put some of these wines in Huiquan Tower as a decoration, and I will keep some of the wines and use them to entertain some important guests at a critical moment."

The people present didn't quite understand Feng Zhengming's plan.

However, Master Yan actually said a few words to help after hearing it.

“There are indeed some people in China and abroad who like to collect wines, and Zhengming’s idea is also very good. These should be considered good wines. They should be collected and taken out to entertain important guests, friends and family in the future.”

With the support of his master, Feng Zhengming felt more confident.

"I don't smoke, and I can't drink much. I just treat wine collection as a hobby besides cooking."

Third Senior Brother Yang Bin immediately smiled and said, "You are really funny. You bought the wine but you didn't drink it yourself."

Feng Zhengming responded with a smile: "Third brother, you don't understand. The purpose of storing wine is to treasure it, not to drink it."

Naturally, at this time, Feng Zhengming could not tell his senior brother.

In fact, these wines that you buy and collect will have great potential for appreciation in the future.

Of course, Feng Zhengming never thought about getting rich from these wines in the future.

The main reason is that there were a lot of wines in Feng Zhengming's previous life. He had only heard of the names of many of them but had never actually seen them. Now that he has a chance to come into contact with them, of course he has to buy some to collect.

After distributing gifts to everyone, Feng Zhengming introduced to everyone what he saw and heard during this trip to Shanghai.

"It was only after I went to Shanghai that I realized how fast the city is developing. Shanghai is indeed a metropolis, with tall buildings everywhere and bright lights and nightlife everywhere."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the senior brothers began to yearn for Shanghai.

Third Senior Brother Yang Bin said: "I will also go to Shanghai if I have the chance, and I will take your sister-in-law and nephew with me."

Feng Zhengming immediately said, "That's really possible. I think we can't always be busy in the kitchen. Next year we can choose a time when the food shops and restaurants are off-season and organize a trip."

Naturally, this proposal was unanimously agreed upon by everyone present.

Uncle Huang Tao smiled and said, "Zhengming's idea is very good. Just think of it as you organizing a travel group together. In the past, there would be organizations in the unit, and now some companies in the south also have similar activities."

Everyone at Huiquanlou and Ganfanpu was really looking forward to it, thinking that they could go out and see the world.

Senior Brother Li Huidong asked: "Zhengming, if you organize everyone to go on a trip, what about your Gan Restaurant and Huiquanlou business?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you, Senior Brother? We chefs also need to rest. We can't be busy in the kitchen all the time. We should take some time to spend time with our family, or go out for a trip together to see the scenery and snacks of different places.

Maybe we can get a lot of inspiration, and then we can create more new dishes."

After being told this by his junior fellow apprentice, the eldest senior apprentice Li Huidong couldn't help but feel a little envious.

(End of this chapter)