From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After several days of preparation, the banquet showdown between Shandong cuisine chefs and Hong Kong cuisine chefs was ready.

The place where the two sides compete is a specially arranged venue.

Because of the experience from previous competitions.

The venue layout for this banquet showdown is also quite exquisite.

To facilitate chefs from both sides to showcase their respective skills.

Two double-burner stoves were specially prepared on site.

A fairly large working table is also specially prepared for the chefs.

As for the ingredients, we purchased the ingredients they needed according to the requirements of the chefs from both sides.

Of course, the funds for purchasing ingredients are provided by the sponsors of the competition.

This can be considered an attempt by the province and the culinary association.

Do some exploration in advance for the provincial youth chef cooking exchange competition.

Not to mention, as Feng Zhengming said when he proposed the idea of ​​attracting sponsorship, when the province publicly solicited investment for this banquet showdown, many commercial companies immediately contacted them to ask for sponsorship.

In the end, the province even went through a round of screening before finally finalizing the list of sponsors.

Since someone else sponsored this banquet showdown.

The event also allowed sponsors to conduct a lot of public publicity.

However, judging from the on-site layout, the companies that contributed the most funding were all from Hong Kong City.

When Feng Zhengming arrived at the scene and saw this, he couldn't help but sigh in a low voice to Luo Qing beside him.

"As expected, the bosses in Hong Kong are more business-minded. They know that such banquet competitions will attract a lot of attention, so they take the opportunity to promote their brands on the spot."

Luo Qing nodded: "That's true. I went to the south on a business trip before, and I felt that they were very good at using advertising to package themselves."

Without waiting for Feng Zhengming to speak, Luo Qing couldn't help but complain in a low voice.

"Many of their products are not of very good quality, but they are very good at advertising. The advertisements exaggerate the quality of the products, but in fact the quality is very poor."

When Feng Zhengming heard Luo Qing say this, he almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

He really wanted to tell Luo Qing that everyone would be troubled by various counterfeit and shoddy products for a long time to come.

But on second thought, if I tell Luo Qing now, she might not believe it completely.

Feng Zhengming decided not to tell her for the time being, and would tell Luo Qing how to be careful and identify it when they really encountered it.

Just at this time, Kong Xingli came to Feng Zhengming.

"Chef Feng, you have to help our Shandong cuisine today. Your vote today is crucial. After all, this is the Spring City, the hometown of Shandong cuisine. We cannot lose this battle here."

When Feng Zhengming heard Kong Xingli say this, he immediately laughed.

"Hahaha, Master Kong, what are you saying? You already think you are inferior to the chefs in Hong Kong before we even compare them?"

Kong Xingli glared when he heard this: "How is it possible? How can our Shandong cuisine be worse than that of Hong Kong chefs?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "That's right, Master Kong, keep your faith and play your best. I believe you will win."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, Kong Xingli felt as if he had been educated.

"Feng Zhuangyuan, you are the representative of our Shandong cuisine chefs."

Feng Zhengming continued to smile and asked, "So, I should favor you?"

Kong Xingli was stunned by the question. He felt that there was no need to say these words.

But Feng Zhengming just speaks his mind.

"I think that since this is an exchange between us and the chefs from Hong Kong, everyone should show off their own stuff. Master Kong, you should have firm faith and believe that our Shandong cuisine will not lose to the chefs from Hong Kong."

After hesitating for a moment, Kong Xingli couldn't help but whisper his concerns to Feng Zhengming.

"The things they use are lobsters, abalone, shark fins, bird's nests and the like. We are a little bit inferior in this aspect, so we are a little worried."

Feng Zhengming smiled and comforted him: "Don't worry, good dishes don't necessarily have to use those expensive ingredients. Our Shandong cuisine has always been based on techniques. As long as Master Kong and you show our techniques, it won't be much worse than the chefs in Hong Kong."

Kong Xingli doesn't think that Shandong cuisine is inferior to Hong Kong chefs in terms of techniques.

But he was still worried that their traditional Shandong cuisine might not be as good as that made by chefs from Hong Kong.

Thinking of this, Kong Xingli stared at Feng Zhengming and sighed: "Why can't you play?"

At this time, Kong Xingli began to think that Feng Zhengming should take action.

After all, Feng Zhengming is the champion of the national cooking competition.

During this period, Kong Xingli also learned a lot about Feng Zhengming through various means.

It is known that Feng Zhengming is particularly good at making dishes quite novel.

Kong Xingli felt that this was a powerful weapon against the chefs in Hong Kong City.

But the situation was different this time. Feng Zhengming was not allowed to participate in this duel.

This time he serves as the judge of this duel.

Kong Xingli knew that Feng Zhengming was indeed qualified to be a judge.

But this puts pressure on other Shandong cuisine chefs.

Feng Zhengming could probably imagine the pressure that Kong Xingli and others were under.

After all, it was under the watchful eyes of the public, and the province also invited national-level judges from Beijing.

There are also two tycoons from Hong Kong City serving as on-site judges.

This lineup of judges alone will put considerable pressure on the chefs participating in this banquet competition.

Feng Zhengming restrained his smile and seriously did some psychological preparation for Kong Xingli.

"Master Kong, don't worry. The other party is facing the same pressure as you. Maybe they don't find it difficult to cook those dishes normally, but today they must be more serious.

There were so many people watching at the scene, and there were two national judges from Beijing and two tycoons from Hong Kong as judges.
The pressure they are under is definitely no less than yours.

You just need to stay calm, use the Shandong cuisine techniques well, and cook the dishes well, and there will be no problem."

Finally, Feng Zhengming encouraged Kong Xingli.

"I believe, Master Kong, you are the best Shandong cuisine chefs. This duel will not be a problem for you."

With Feng Zhengming's psychological support and encouragement, Kong Xingli gradually relaxed.

He took in the scene and took a deep breath.

"Okay, Zhengming, don't worry. We won't bring shame to Shandong cuisine. In this banquet showdown, we will definitely show our best and prepare the best Shandong cuisine banquet."

Feng Zhengming smiled again: "Okay, I wish Master Kong and his team a successful start."

Kong Xingli relaxed and a smile appeared on his face.

Finally he said something to Feng Zhengming.

"It doesn't matter. Even if we lose this banquet duel, don't we still have you, the top scholar, to make a move? In the future, when you, the top scholar, make a move, you will definitely be able to suppress the chefs in Hong Kong City."

After hearing what Kong Xingli said, Feng Zhengming felt a little embarrassed.

Watch Kong Xingli walk towards the other chefs participating in this banquet competition.

Feng Zhengming unconsciously felt that the burden on his shoulders seemed to have become heavier.

Luo Qing, who was standing aside, looked at Feng Zhengming and couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Do you feel that it's not easy for you to be the top scholar?" Feng Zhengming came back to his senses immediately after hearing that.

He looked at Luo Qing, then responded with a smile: "Not bad, I will try my best to be a good one."

Hearing Feng Zhengming say this, Luo Qing laughed.

"You don't have to be so serious, right?"

Feng Zhengming immediately started laughing too.

"It's such a big event today, and I'm a judge, so I still have to remain serious."

Luo Qing held Feng Zhengming's hand and warned him affectionately: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You are already good enough. You should be a good judge today and relax yourself."

Obviously, in Luo Qing's opinion, Feng Zhengming has put too much pressure on her during this period.

It can be said that there are various things related to cooking in Quancheng and the province.

Feng Zhengming will seriously participate in any activities that are beneficial to the inheritance and development of Shandong cuisine.

In Luo Qing's opinion, this was too hard.

Feng Zhengming looked at Luo Qing seriously, smiled and comforted her: "Don't worry, I won't put pressure on myself. I am a judge today. After so long, I finally have the opportunity to be a judge. I must exercise my power as a judge well."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, Luo Qing couldn't help but laugh.

She knew that Feng Zhengming should be relatively relaxed in dealing with this judging job.

This made Luo Qing feel very relieved.

Separate from Luo Qing and let Luo Qing go to reunite with her two grandfathers.

Feng Zhengming walked towards the judges' seat.

When I came here, I met two tycoons from Hong Kong and the national-level judges who were invited from Beijing.

Feng Zhengming actually knew both judges and had met them when they participated in the national competition.

Feng Zhengming greeted the four judges with a smile.

When Master Hou, one of the judges, saw Feng Zhengming, he immediately laughed.

"Zhengming, I didn't expect that you'd already be a judge after such a short period of time."

Feng Zhengming smiled and responded, "Master Hou, I actually really want to participate in this banquet competition. This is a great opportunity to learn from the chefs in Hong Kong and improve the banquets at my Huiquan Restaurant.

But the province didn’t allow me to participate and insisted that I be a judge today. I think it’s not appropriate for me to be a judge at my age.”

Chef Hou smiled and waved his hand: "Zhengming, you are wrong to think so. You are already the champion of the national cooking competition. Your cooking skills have been recognized by everyone. You are qualified to sit here as a judge."

At this time, another national-level judge from Beijing asked with a smile: "Have you ever thought about being a judge in the future?"

"Just be a judge?" Feng Zhengming was a little surprised by this question.

Chef Hou smiled and explained: "Just like us, you are responsible for the chef rating and assessment. Even when your fellow seniors participate in the assessment or competition, you can be their judge."

Before Feng Zhengming could ask specifically, a Hong Kong tycoon smiled and said, "In this case, Feng Zhuangyuan will go to Beijing to work, right?"

Master Hou nodded: "Yes, we have to go to Beijing for training first. Since we are judges, we must be familiar with the various rating standards. We also need to learn different cuisines from different places and various cooking theories."

After listening to Master Hou's introduction, Feng Zhengming was actually a little moved.

He was not interested in going for the chef assessment and rating.

What excites him is that he can learn about different cuisines from different regions and study theoretical knowledge in a more systematic way.

Master Hou saw that Feng Zhengming was moved, smiled and told Feng Zhengming not to make a decision in a hurry.

"Don't rush to make a decision. You have to think it through. If you really want to become a professional judge like us, you have to give up a lot of things. For example, you may have to transfer the dry rice shop and restaurant you are running now."

Another judge also nodded: "Yes, after all, you become a national judge and enjoy national subsidies, so you definitely cannot have your own business."

When Feng Zhengming heard this, he immediately gave up this plan.

He didn't want to give up his business just like that.

He also has the idea of ​​opening a restaurant in Shanghai, and making it a leading restaurant in the country.

If he really gives up, he will definitely regret it in the future.

"Okay, I'll think about it."

Hearing Feng Zhengming say "consider it", it is obvious that he is unwilling to give up his business.

A tycoon in Gangcheng asked, "Mr. Feng, do you have any idea of ​​opening a restaurant in Gangcheng?"

Feng Zhengming was stunned.

He didn't expect that when he came to be a judge today, he was being wooed by both Beijing and Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong City tycoon continued to persuade Feng Zhengming.

“With your cooking skills, if you open a restaurant in Gangcheng, you just need to promote your brand. Gangcheng can provide you with more abundant ingredients. Then you only need to make slight improvements to the dishes to make the taste more suitable for the people in Gangcheng.

Add to that your title as the champion of the national cooking competition, and I believe you will be a great success in Hong Kong."

The Hong Kong tycoon also made it clear that he was willing to provide financial support to Feng Zhengming.

"If Mr. Feng is willing to go, we can give you financial support and ensure that your restaurant becomes the best restaurant in Hong Kong."

Going to Hong Kong City is indeed a good choice.

However, if he went at this time, Feng Zhengming felt that he had missed the good opportunity.

Because the domestic economic development will accelerate in the future.

It will naturally lead to the vigorous development of the catering industry.

If we could open a high-end enough restaurant in the country at this time.

Then Feng Zhengming will also become a person standing at the forefront of the trend.

Maybe I can have my own restaurant as an example.

In the future, we will be able to reverse the embarrassing situation where domestic restaurants and hotels have to rely on foreign standards for ratings.

As long as you can succeed, you can attract enough celebrities and professional masters to support you.

Then you can define your own domestic standards.

Thinking of this, Feng Zhengming smiled and expressed his gratitude to the two Hong Kong tycoons.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I still have a lot to learn. I’m still young, and I don’t want to confine myself to the kitchen so quickly. I still want to go out and see more and accumulate enough experience.

I have a deeper understanding of Shandong cuisine, which I am good at, and other cuisines that I am not good at.

Then I can open the best restaurant in the country, and I think I can do better then.”

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the two Hong Kong tycoons and two national-level judges all thought that his idea was a good one.

In the eyes of the four, Feng Zhengming was indeed as young as he said.

So he still has a lot of time and energy to go out and gain more experience and learn.

When he has accumulated enough, he will open a unique restaurant of his own.

We should have done better then.

The four of them all smiled and encouraged Feng Zhengming, as if they were looking at an ambitious junior. (End of this chapter)