From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 538 The Province Sends People to Visit
Feng Zhengming didn't expect that someone from the province would come to see him the next day after he returned to Quancheng.

The person who came to see him specially was not a stranger, but Chen Zhiheng.

Chen Zhiheng went directly to Grandpa Feng’s home.

After being invited in and sitting down, Chen Zhiheng didn't waste any words and went straight to the point to state his purpose.

"It's clear that I'm here this time because the province asked me to come. They want to invite you to the province. The province may arrange some activities in the future and you need to participate."

When Feng Zhengming heard what Chen Zhiheng said, he and his grandfather looked at each other.

Then he got straight to the point and asked, "Brother Chen, does the province want me to give a cooking show?"

Chen Zhiheng nodded: "There are arrangements in this regard. The province also hopes that you can teach the chefs in the provincial hospitality department. It would be best if you could spare a few days a week to cook in the hospitality department and participate in the hospitality work."

After saying this, Chen Zhiheng continued: "Of course, the province is not inviting you to work for free. You will be given a certain allowance, and the province will hire you as the head chef of the provincial hospitality department.

Next year, you should be able to join the Provincial Cooking Association, and there should be some other organizations that will arrange for you to join.”

Chen Zhiheng asked again: "By the way, Zhengming, have you ever thought about opening a cooking school? Several old chefs have opened cooking schools, and some other local chefs have also opened schools in recent years. If you want to open one, the province can give you support."

Feng Zhengming waved his hands quickly after hearing this: "No, no, Brother Chen, how old am I? I look young even when I teach apprentices now. Wouldn't it be difficult for me to open a school and be the principal myself?"

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, Chen Zhiheng also laughed.

"Really? You, you are indeed too young."

Chen Zhiheng then asked: "What about other things? Do you think you can spare time? Especially the training of some chefs in the hospitality department?"

Feng Zhengming thought for a moment and said, "The chefs in the hospitality department are all very experienced chefs. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to teach them?"

Without waiting for Chen Zhiheng to speak, Feng Zhengming continued, "If you want me to demonstrate a few dishes and let the chefs discuss a set of methods suitable for hospitality work, that's fine.

It really doesn’t feel right for me to teach those masters directly.”

Chen Zhiheng felt that what Feng Zhengming said made sense.

He wrote it down in his notebook.

"Okay, I'll take your feedback back and help you communicate with the province."

Then Chen Zhiheng smiled and comforted him: "Zhengming, you don't have to be nervous. You are now the champion of the National Cooking Competition. The province also attaches great importance to you. They hope to give you more support, not to add burden to you."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Brother Chen, I understand. You came to me early this morning. I already feel the importance the province attaches to me.

I am very grateful for the province's attention to me. I took part in the national competition, showcased our Shandong cuisine at the national competition, and worked hard to win the top prize in this national competition by demonstrating Shandong cuisine cooking techniques.

These are what I, a Shandong cuisine chef, should do. I am really flattered that the province attaches so much importance to it.”

Chen Zhiheng smiled and said: "Zhengming, you said it very well. It is really lucky for Shandong cuisine that you have always been willing to inherit and promote Shandong cuisine.

Don't worry, just follow your ideas. If you need support from the province, the province will give priority to it."

Feng Zhengming smiled tentatively and asked, "Brother Chen, you know, I came from Yanxilou, but Yanxilou no longer exists, and even the restaurant has been sold to someone else for development.

But in my heart, I still have feelings for Yan Xilou.

I definitely don’t have the ability to rebuild a Yanxi Tower right now, but I would like to ask the provincial government if I can get the old plaque of Yanxi Tower first?”

Chen Zhiheng was quite surprised to hear Feng Zhengming ask this.

At the same time, the grandfather who had been sitting aside without saying a word and just listening quietly also looked at Feng Zhengming.

Grandpa knew that Feng Zhengming had always had this obsession in his heart.

He wanted to reopen Yan Xilou.

But all the restaurants in Yanxilou have been sold.

Moreover, the original location of Yanxi Tower also affected the urban development and construction of Quancheng.

So not long after Yan Xilou closed, the restaurant was sold to pay off debts.

That is, when Feng Zhengming went to participate in the national competition, the demolition of the restaurant had already begun.

Feng Zhengming has been working very hard to make money, but he also knows that it is impossible for him to buy Yan Xilou in a short period of time.

Not to mention that the Yan Xi Building has already started to be demolished.

If he wanted to rebuild a Yanxi Tower, it would be even more difficult.

But now I have become the champion of the national cooking competition.

Moreover, Chen Zhiheng came to us on behalf of the province.

Feng Zhengming felt that this was a good opportunity.

Although he could not rebuild Yan Xi Tower now, he could first get the old plaque of Yan Xi Tower.

With the old plaque of Yan Xi Tower in hand, I will be able to officially rebuild Yan Xi Tower when I have enough strength in the future.

By then, Yan Xilou will once again become the best Shandong cuisine restaurant in Quancheng, the entire Qilu province, and even in the whole country.

It’s just like when Yanxi Tower was built.

Become a top restaurant famous throughout the country.

Chen Zhiheng also saw that Feng Zhengming was quite obsessed with getting the old plaque of Yanxilou.

He thought for a moment, opened his notebook and wrote it down.

"I need to report this when I go back. As for whether or not I can get the old plaque of Yanxi Tower, I'm afraid it still needs some discussion in the province, but I will try to help you get it."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Chen. If I have the opportunity to meet with the provincial leaders, I will also bring it up myself. I wonder if I can bring it up?"

Chen Zhiheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry after hearing this: "You're not going to ask for it in public, are you?"

"Is it okay?" Feng Zhengming asked almost immediately.

Chen Zhiheng shook his head: "Let's not do that. If there is anything, we can discuss it together."

Feng Zhengming agreed: "Okay, I won't ask in public, I will definitely discuss it in private."

At this moment, Chen Zhiheng was somewhat worried.

I just saw that Feng Zhengming made the promise very seriously.

He could only say that he would do his best to help Feng Zhengming inquire about the old plaque of Yan Xilou, and help Feng Zhengming make contacts, at least giving Feng Zhengming a chance to ask for it.

When Feng Zhengming heard Chen Zhiheng say this, he was already very grateful.

Then Chen Zhiheng said a few more things and then stood up to say goodbye.

Feng Zhengming saw Chen Zhiheng out.

When I came back, I saw my grandfather sitting there waiting for me.

Feng Zhengming spoke first with a smile.

"Grandpa, are you also worried that I will directly put forward conditions to the province in public and ask for the old plaque of Yanxilou?" Grandpa immediately smiled and said, "With your personality, you may really do that."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Don't worry, I definitely won't do that."

"If you really do that, it can't be considered wrong. Asking for the old plaque of Yanxilou in public is a good idea and it will make you successful."

Then grandpa said, "But have you ever thought about where you would put the old plaque of Yanxi Tower after you get it?

You can't just hang the old plaque in the dry rice shop, or in Huiquanlou, right? Or do you plan to take it back and hang it at home?"

After hearing what his grandfather said, Feng Zhengming smiled and replied: "Grandpa, I have thought about it. I plan to buy a house, and when the decoration is completed, I will hang the old plaque at home.

Of course I will definitely ask some people how to maintain the old plaque. I definitely cannot let the old plaque be damaged.”

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, grandpa smiled and gave an idea.

"I think you can take over the ownership of the old plaque first, but don't take it back. Put it in a special storage place in the province and let them preserve it for you. When you need it, you can take it back and use it."

Feng Zhengming thought that his grandfather's idea was indeed a good one.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll go ask if I can buy the property rights of that old plaque."

Grandpa then added, "You still need to discuss this matter. After all, Yanxilou is one of the famous restaurants in Quancheng. Although it is closed now, the value of that old plaque is not low."

Feng Zhengming suddenly looked serious: "Master, even if you let me take out all the money I have now, I will get the old plaque."

Seeing Feng Zhengming's determination, Grandpa nodded: "That's not necessary. With your status as the top scorer in the national competition, this matter is still easy to discuss."

When Feng Zhengming heard his grandfather say this, he immediately became energetic.

"Master, is it really possible? Can I get the property rights of the old plaque?"

Seeing Feng Zhengming’s excitement, Grandpa also laughed.

"It shouldn't be difficult. After all, Yanxilou has closed down and even the building has started to be demolished."

At this point, Grandpa sighed and said, "In fact, the Yanxilou that is being demolished now is not the earliest Yanxilou. The earliest Yanxilou was quite magnificent and was also a very beautiful restaurant in the entire Quancheng.

It's a pity that it was destroyed in the war, and then the Yanxi Building where you worked before was built."

After hearing what his grandfather said, Feng Zhengming thought for a moment and said, "No wonder Master always said that Yanxilou is not the same Yanxilou as before."

Grandpa continued, "Yes, Yanxilou has moved to a new location. If it weren't for your master and his group of masters, the business would have been gone a long time ago."

Feng Zhengming could also feel this when he was in Yan Xilou.

If it weren't for the support of the master and senior brothers, Yan Xilou would indeed be inferior to the other big restaurants in Quancheng in all aspects.

Feng Zhengming said firmly: "Master, trust me, I will reopen Yanxilou."

Grandpa smiled and said, "Of course I believe you."

The grandfather and grandson packed up and had lunch at home before going to Feng's dry restaurant together.

Because it was noon, the dry rice shop was still very busy.

And there was already a queue in front of the dry rice shop.

People in the queue also gathered together to discuss Feng Zhengming.

"Did you watch the national cooking competition? Chef Feng's cooking skills are amazing."

"Yeah, I didn't expect Boss Xiao Feng to be so powerful."

"It really brings honor to our Shandong cuisine."

"Of course, Chef Feng is the top scholar in the country."

"And it seems that Boss Xiao Feng is also the top all-rounder in technology."

"Yes, yes. This national competition places great emphasis on the skills of chefs. Chef Feng is really amazing."

"It seems that Chef Feng has returned. I wonder if I can see him at the dry rice shop today?"

As soon as the person who said this finished speaking, he found that the people who were discussing with him had fallen silent.

And everyone looked behind him.

Then the man turned around and saw Feng Zhengming who came to the restaurant with his grandfather.

"Oh, it's really Chef Feng. He's really back."

This immediately livened up the atmosphere outside the dry rice shop.

Everyone greeted Feng Zhengming one after another. They didn't even line up to buy food, but gathered in front of Feng Zhengming.

Faced with everyone's enthusiasm, Feng Zhengming could only quickly say: "Everyone, please don't be like this. Just queue up and buy food. Eating is important. I'm back and I won't leave for the time being. You can see that I have plenty of opportunities to watch."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the people in the queue burst into laughter.

"Chef Feng, now that you're back, are you going to cook for us yourself?"

"Yes, yes. It's been a long time since I've eaten Boss Feng's cooking."

"Now it's not Chef Feng or Boss Feng, now it should be the No. 1 scholar, the No. 1 scholar in the country."

"Yes, he is now the national champion. It is really our honor to be able to enjoy the cooking skills of the national champion."

"So, I should bring my son here to eat. After eating the dishes made by the top scholar, my son might also be able to get the top score in the college entrance examination next year."

Someone said this, and immediately gained the approval of many people present.

"That's right. If they eat the food made by the top scholar himself, the kids will definitely get good grades in the college entrance examination."

"Hahaha, I'll bring my child here to eat later. Although my child is still in elementary school, I can let him eat here from the beginning. By the time he takes the college entrance exam, maybe he can really get the top score."

Feng Zhengming didn't expect that everyone would come up with such a magical reason.

For a moment, he had a feeling that he was going to be worshipped as a god by everyone, and that they would burn incense for him every day.

Thinking of this, Feng Zhengming hurriedly said, "Don't be superstitious. Children's learning still requires the joint efforts of parents and teachers at school. It can't be said that if they eat a meal I cook, they will definitely pass the exam."

The crowd also burst into laughter, and everyone said that it was just for good luck.

Someone even gave Feng Zhengming an idea, asking him to prepare a special top-scoring dish and serve it to students who were about to take the college entrance examination.

It seems that everyone is really concerned about this matter.

Feng Zhengming was worried that someone would take advantage of him and cause some trouble.

He simply said: "How about this, I will find time to research and develop a dish as an encouragement to students taking the college entrance examination.

When the college entrance examination comes, all students in Quancheng who are taking the exam can buy that dish for 1 yuan."

Feng Zhengming's solution naturally won everyone's praise.

(End of this chapter)