From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After the provincial leaders learned about Feng Zhengming's future plans.

He also mentioned to Feng Zhengming some of the province's expectations of him.

"Xiao Feng, you are now the champion of the national cooking competition. Can you spare some time to come and give us some guidance at the provincial banquet during the Spring Festival this year?"

Before Feng Zhengming could speak, the provincial leader continued, "You don't have to worry about being too young to command the older chefs. Just make your request. If you need someone, the province will assign someone to you. If you need something, the province will also give you something."

The provincial leaders all said so, and Feng Zhengming also knew that he could not shirk the responsibility of attending some of the provincial reception dinners during the Spring Festival.

After all, some of the province’s reception dinners are for veterans, while others are for foreign investment representatives and overseas Chinese.

It would be really unacceptable if Feng Zhengming, the champion of the national cooking competition, could not show up at that time.

So Feng Zhengming agreed immediately.

"Don't worry, Boss. I will cook for the banquet myself and make sure it's done well."

Hearing this, all the provincial leaders burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, I said Xiao Feng is a young man who knows how to consider the overall situation."

"That's right. Xiao Feng just said that he wants to walk all over our Qilu land to find the roots of Shandong cuisine. I know that Xiao Feng is a young man with a broad vision."

"Over the years, so many chefs and old masters have contributed to the development of Shandong cuisine. Now Xiao Feng has appeared, which really means that he wants to carry on the past and further develop Shandong cuisine."

"Hahaha, that's right. We are now approaching the end of another century. Xiao Feng's appearance is really a link between the past and the future."

Faced with the praise from his leaders, Feng Zhengming remained very humble.

"Thank you for the compliments, leaders. I don't want to be the key person who connects the past and the future. I just want to do my part for Shandong cuisine and make it better."

The provincial leaders went on to say.

"Xiao Feng, you don't have to be so modest. Just like when you were in the national cooking competition, you should have the courage to take on the responsibility."

"That's right, you are already the champion of the national cooking competition, so you must have the spirit of a champion."

“Hahaha, now even if you face those famous chefs from Beijing and Hong Kong, you won’t be at a disadvantage at all.”

The leaders present were all very fond of Feng Zhengming, the top scholar.

There are high expectations for him.

Next, the provincial leaders brought up the idea again and asked Feng Zhengming to participate in teaching Shandong cuisine cooking.

"Xiao Feng, I heard that you don't want Huiquanlou to be used as a training center?"

Feng Zhengming nodded and said, "Yes, although I am here at Huiquanlou now, the kitchen is mostly made up of young chefs, and I am often needed to supervise the cooking.

So if it is used as a training point, I am worried that it might mislead students.”

The leader laughed when he heard this: "Can you still mislead the students? Not at all."

Feng Zhengming continued, "It's true that I didn't mean to refuse. It's just that Huiquanlou doesn't have the conditions to do so now."

Apparently the leader had thought of this.

The leader said to Feng Zhengming: "The chefs in the kitchen of Huiquan Restaurant that you run are all young, and you are worried that they are not qualified enough.

How about this, you choose a few chefs from all over the province who you think are experienced enough, and have them come to your Huiquan Restaurant, so as to enrich the kitchen team of your Huiquan Restaurant.

It can also allow Huiquanlou to have the qualifications to train some chefs. What do you think of this?"

Feng Zhengming didn't expect that the provincial leaders would say this.

In particular, the provincial leaders implied that they hoped Huiquanlou could take on the responsibility of training Shandong cuisine chefs.

In fact, Feng Zhengming could understand his leader's thoughts.

Because he is the champion of the national cooking competition, it can be said that he is now the ceiling among Shandong cuisine chefs.

So it's natural that the province hopes he can take on more responsibilities.

Seeing that Feng Zhengming was still a little hesitant, several provincial leaders looked at each other.

Then he said to him clearly: "Xiao Feng, you don't have to worry about the operation of Huiquan Building. You don't have to pay the contract fee of Huiquan Building anymore. All the profits of Huiquan Building are at your personal disposal.

In addition, as a training center for Shandong cuisine chefs, Huiquanlou will also receive a financial subsidy from the province every year.

This subsidy is also available to some restaurants in the province that are responsible for training Shandong cuisine chefs.”

Another leader went on to say: “The salaries of the chefs you have transferred from various places are also paid by the province.”

The provincial leaders have already given Feng Zhengming very favorable conditions.

You know, no company, including Jufengde, can get such favorable conditions.

Of course, the situation of Jufengde is different from that of Huiquanlou.

Jufengde is the most famous time-honored brand in Quancheng.

In fact, the management rights still lie with the province, and the managers are also appointed by the province.

Huiquanlou can now be considered to be run by Feng Zhengming himself.

The province waived his contracting fees, but in fact would not provide more financial support.

However, the province agreed to provide a subsidy for the training site and was willing to pay the wages of the chefs who were transferred.

These conditions are really very good.

Feng Zhengming thought for a moment and said, "Thank you, leaders, for giving me such generous conditions. It would be unreasonable for me not to accept this opportunity.

I think it is possible to do this: the salary of the chefs transferred to Huiquanlou should be split in half between the province and Huiquanlou.

After all, the province still gave me a training subsidy, and I felt embarrassed not to even pay the chef’s salary.”

Seeing that Feng Zhengming finally agreed, all the provincial leaders laughed.

"Hahaha, Xiao Feng, as long as you agree, that's fine."

"Xiao Feng has a broad vision. As a training center, I believe Huiquanlou will train more Shandong cuisine chefs for the province."

"Yes, it is very important to pass on Shandong cuisine better."

"The key is that some of Xiao Feng's more innovative skills also need to be passed on."

In fact, Feng Zhengming had already made up his mind.

Since I can't refuse this training point arranged by the province.

Moreover, the provincial leaders agreed that they could recruit chefs from all over the province to staff the kitchen.

Then he might as well transfer the eldest senior brother to the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

This can also be considered as arranging an identity for the eldest brother.

In addition, the third and fifth senior brothers were also arranged to work in the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

Of course, in addition to several senior brothers, Feng Zhengming also planned to bring Lin Guofu to the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

Feng Zhengming and Lin Guofu went to participate in the national cooking competition together this time. Feng Zhengming saw that there was no problem with Lin Guofu's cooking skills, but he just didn't get a better opportunity.

Especially now that Jubin Garden has closed down, Lin Guofu has nowhere to go when he returns this time.

Feng Zhengming thought of asking Lin Guofu to work in the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

In this way, the kitchen of Huiquanlou, including several of his senior brothers and Lin Guofu, should be enough.

After that, he either traveled across the province on foot or went south to Shanghai to open a restaurant.

We have our senior brothers at Huiquanlou, and by that time the young chefs will probably have been trained.

Even if Feng Zhengming is gone, Huiquanlou will definitely still be able to compete with Jufengde in Quancheng.

After finishing the small meeting with provincial leaders, Feng Zhengming and the leaders went out and reunited with the chefs participating in the national competition. He also attended a reception dinner with several master chefs.

At the dinner, Feng Zhengming sat with his master and quietly told his master the task assigned to him by the provincial leaders.

Master Yan nodded and said, "You are now the champion of the national cooking competition. You can be said to be the top chef in Shandong cuisine. You should indeed take on the responsibility of training Shandong cuisine chefs."

In front of his master, Feng Zhengming is still like a little apprentice.

"My current skills have not yet been fully learned from you, Master. I really don't have the confidence to teach other chefs."

When Master Yan heard what Feng Zhengming said, he couldn't help but laugh and raised his hand to pat him.

"You little brat, you are still being modest in front of Master. Master didn't even get the first place in the imperial examination back then, but you have the guts to tell Master that you are unsure. Are you deliberately making fun of Master?"

Feng Zhengming took the hit from his master obediently: "I dare not make fun of you, Master. I am really unsure. Master, you know that I have never taken a disciple."

Master Yan raised his hand again, but this time he just gently touched Feng Zhengming's head.

"Master knows that you are smart. Although you have never taken on an apprentice before, you should do it once. Besides, you are in the kitchen, teaching those young chefs. You taught Sun Hai and Xia Hui before, and you taught them well, didn't you?"

Feng Zhengming whispered, "Master, teach Sun Hai, Xia Hui, and Lao Gu. They are all about the same age. Now Huiquanlou has been designated as a training center by the province. They will definitely let those older chefs, or even some master chefs, receive further training. I am really unsure about this."

Without waiting for the master to speak, Feng Zhengming continued, "Master, you must go and help your disciple when the time comes."

Master Yan immediately understood what his young apprentice was thinking.

"You little brat, you're waiting for me here, right?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Master, this is what happened. The leaders have promised me that if I need it, they can transfer some chefs from all over the province to the kitchen of Huiquanlou. I think it would be better to hire you back to Huiquanlou. All problems can be solved."

At this moment, Master Yan was completely amused by his little apprentice.

He understood what his young disciple was thinking.

Feng Zhengming actually wanted his master to regain the feeling he had in Yan Xilou.

During this period, Master Yan did return to Quancheng.

But he spends more time at Master Cui's cooking school.

Or else it would be at Yan’s Restaurant run by his son.

Feng Zhengming knew in his heart that this was not what his master wanted.

When the master returned to Quancheng, he naturally still missed Yanxilou in his heart and hoped that life could be the same as before in Yanxilou.

So Feng Zhengming actually wanted to arrange all his senior brothers to work in the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

I also want to invite Master to the kitchen of Huiquanlou, so that Master can feel as if he is back in Yanxilou.

Master Yan understood his apprentice's thoughts. He said with a smile, "You always have some clever ideas. Aren't you doing a good job hosting Huiquanlou now? If I go, what will you do in the kitchen?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Of course I will continue to help you, Master, just like before."

Master Yan smiled and shook his head: "You are no longer the little apprentice who helped me before. You must remember that you are now the champion of the national cooking competition. You are in the kitchen, so you should still be the leader of the kitchen."

What else did Feng Zhengming want to say?
But he was interrupted by Master Yan.

"How about this, I will often take time to go to Huiquanlou to help you check, but there are two conditions you must agree to."

When Feng Zhengming heard that his master was willing to go to Huiquanlou, he naturally agreed.

"Okay, no problem, Master, I will definitely meet your conditions."

Master Yan said: "First of all, you cannot pay me wages, and you are not allowed to send wages to my home in any way."

This made the smile on Feng Zhengming's face freeze instantly.

"Master, this is wrong. We agreed to rehire you."

Master Yan raised a finger and said, "If you want to rehire me, then I will give you one dollar. Otherwise, I won't go."

Feng Zhengming looked helpless and had to temporarily agree to his master.

Then Master Yan said, "Secondly, you are still the head chef. There can only be one head chef in the kitchen of Huiquan Restaurant, and that chef must be you. When the master comes, you are not allowed to be servile to the master, and you are not allowed to help the master."

Since the master had already said so, Feng Zhengming could only nod and agree.

After saying these two points, I saw that the young disciple agreed temporarily.

Master Yan warned solemnly: "If you dare not abide by these two points, Master will never come to your door again."

These words frightened Feng Zhengming, and he could only make a promise.

"Master, rest assured. I will definitely obey you. I will definitely fulfill the two requests you made."

Only then did Master Yan feel relieved and held Feng Zhengming's hand.

A look of pride appeared on the master's face.

"You are my master's pride. To have a disciple like you means that my life as a chef has not been in vain."

Feng Zhengming also held his master's hand: "Thank you for your affirmation, Master. I will continue to work hard."

At this moment, the master and disciple are master and disciple, but they are also like father and son.

Then the other masters at the same table couldn't help but feel jealous when they saw this scene.

"Old Yan, you really have a good apprentice. You will be the top master in the future."

"Yes, Old Yan is real. He accepted such a good apprentice before retiring."

“I’m really envious.”

The old masters all laughed, and it was obvious that they were joking on purpose.

Master Yan smiled proudly and said, "It can't be helped. My apprentice is so hardworking. We old guys have not been able to win the national cooking competition for so many years, but my little apprentice succeeded."

The old masters were also quite emotional.

They were really happy that Feng Zhengming won the first place in the national cooking competition.

Master Cui raised his glass and said, "Okay, let us old guys toast Zhengming together. This glass of wine is a legacy from us old guys to you. I hope you can carry on the legacy and carry forward Shandong cuisine."

Feng Zhengming stood up, holding the wine glass in both hands, and responded respectfully to the masters present.

"Master and all the uncles and uncles, please rest assured that I will continue to work hard to carry forward our Shandong cuisine to the best of my ability."

After saying this, Feng Zhengming raised his head and drank the full glass of white wine in one gulp. (End of this chapter)