From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Following Luan Bosheng into the restaurant's kitchen, Feng Zhengming conducted a very careful inspection.

Not only Luan Bosheng, but everyone in the kitchen did not dare to disturb Feng Zhengming's inspection.

Everyone already knows Feng Zhengming's identity and knows that he is the top winner of the national cooking competition.

He is now a nationally recognized master chef of Shandong cuisine.

So when he asked to visit the restaurant's kitchen and conduct some inspections on it, no one dared to raise any objection.

Feng Zhengming looked around and looked at Luan Bosheng with a smile.

"Senior Brother Luan manages the kitchen very well. It seems that Senior Brother Luan is indeed a good cook and his management of the kitchen is also good."

Luan Bosheng smiled modestly: "Zhengming, please stop praising me. My kitchen cannot be compared with your Huiquan Restaurant. My place is much smaller. It is not like your Huiquan Restaurant kitchen, which is a real big restaurant kitchen."

Feng Zhengming waved his hand and said, "What big restaurant chef? I think Senior Brother Luan's place is better. The small kitchen is well equipped and much easier to manage than Huiquan Restaurant."

Speaking of this, Luan Bosheng agreed.

"That's true. The kitchen is a little small, but it is much easier to manage."

Then Feng Zhengming saw some ingredients in the kitchen and was a little surprised: "Brother Luan, are you going to make fried meat with this meat?"

Luan Bosheng nodded: "Yes, when you came, I was leading my apprentices to prepare ingredients and prepare to make fried meat."

Feng Zhengming laughed and said, "Boshan fried meat is very famous. It seems that we have come to the right place and are in for a treat."

After hearing this, Luan Bosheng smiled with some pride.

"That's right, our Boshan fried meat tastes absolutely delicious."

As he spoke, Luan Bosheng asked his apprentice to take out the sausages as well.

"These are our Boshan sausages. You can try some tonight."

When they saw the Boshan sausages, Ding Yuan, Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong who came with Feng Zhengming were all a little curious.

"It looks a bit like it was smoked."

"Yes, and it seems that soy sauce is added?"

“But it smells nice.”

Feng Zhengming smiled and helped to introduce: "Boshan sausage is very famous. The pickling method is different. Moreover, Boshan sausage is stuffed with sheep intestines, so the casing is also very tasty. You will know it when you eat it tonight."

Luan Bosheng nodded: "Yes, you can try it tonight."

Feng Zhengming then ordered food from Luan Bosheng: "Brother Luan, we came here specially for this trip, can you give us some authentic Boshan dishes tonight? For example, can you give us a tofu box?"

Luan Bosheng agreed with a smile: "Okay, I will definitely treat you well with authentic Boshan dishes tonight."

Feng Zhengming nodded, took another walk around the kitchen, and led his people out of the kitchen.

As soon as they left, Luan Bosheng asked his disciples to continue preparing the ingredients.

"Cheer up, everyone. Didn't you all admire our top scholar before? Now that he's here, you must not let him down. You must bring out the characteristics of our Boshan cuisine."

After Luan Bosheng said this, all the apprentices in the kitchen immediately became alert.

This is indeed a good opportunity for them to perform.

Ever since Master came back from the national cooking competition.

These disciples always like to ask their master about Feng Zhengming.

Later, I watched Feng Zhengming's interviews on TV several times, which became an even greater motivation for these young apprentices.

For Luan Bosheng's apprentices, they all want to become a top chef like Feng Zhengming.

Some people even thought about becoming the champion of a national cooking competition in the future.

Luan Bosheng, who also participated in the national cooking competition, has absolute authority in the eyes of these apprentices.

In the past, some disciples may not have been very convinced of Luan Bosheng.

Now Luan Bosheng has returned from participating in a national cooking competition.

Let the disciples know the strengths and weaknesses of their master.

The apprentices were also able to patiently learn cooking from Luan Bosheng.

This time Feng Zhengming came to Boshan, Luan Bosheng felt that this was a very good opportunity.

This will allow the disciples to see how powerful Feng Zhengming is.

Or it should be said that Luan Bosheng even hoped that his disciples could suffer some blows.

Let the disciples recognize the gap between themselves and Feng Zhengming.

Thinking of this, Luan Bosheng announced immediately.

"Each of you will serve a dish tonight, and let our number one scholar give you comments and comments."

These words immediately caused a huge uproar in the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Luan Bosheng's disciples and apprentices were all surprised.

Then everyone became a little excited.

This is a particularly good opportunity for them.

You can ask Feng Zhengming, the real champion of the national cooking competition, for advice.

However, some people were a little worried that the dishes they cooked might be embarrassing in front of Feng Zhengming, and most importantly, it would bring shame to their master Luan Bosheng.

Luan Bosheng could naturally see that after the excitement, several people began to back off.

He smiled and encouraged everyone: "Don't be afraid of embarrassment. Who among us hasn't been embarrassed before? Perform well tonight. It doesn't matter if you make mistakes. As long as you do it with your heart, the top scholar can give you comments and it will improve you."

After hearing what Luan Bosheng said, everyone calmed down immediately.

Everyone also understood from the previous tension.

Everyone understood that tonight was definitely an opportunity that they might rarely encounter in their lifetime.

Maybe if Feng Zhengming had not come, they would have wanted to meet Feng Zhengming, the top scholar, so that they could have him comment on their dishes and even give some advice on their cooking skills.

That is really not an easy thing to do.

An opportunity like this tonight is really rare.

So everyone in the kitchen cheered up and told Luan Bosheng that they would do their best.

I saw that everyone in the kitchen was determined to give it their all.

Luan Bosheng couldn't help thinking: It seems that it is right to go out and communicate more. Zhengming's coming this time is really a good opportunity for us to improve. When I have time in the future, I should take my apprentices out for walks and communicate more.

Luan Bosheng handed over the kitchen to his apprentices, and he continued to greet Feng Zhengming and others.

A small private room was specially arranged in the restaurant for Feng Zhengming and his three companions.

Luan Bosheng also said that he wanted to let his disciples take action tonight.

Feng Zhengming said with a smile: "This is even better. We are here because we want to see the skills of other chefs of Boshan cuisine. If you, Senior Brother Luan, cook, then we can't see the true level, right?"

Luan Bosheng also responded with a smile: "Yes, that's right, young people should exercise more."

While waiting for the food to be served, Feng Zhengming continued to chat with Luan Bosheng about the 44th Seat. Feng Zhengming gave Luan Bosheng some ideas.

"Brother Luan, I think your Four-Four Seats should be restored to its past form as much as possible, and some rules should be restored as much as possible, so that the solemnity of the Four-Four Seats can be better highlighted.

For example, in the past, there were some rules for the Si Si Xi, such as no fried dough twists among the dried fruits, and no pears among the fruits. These rules had to be followed.”

Gao Yongfu couldn't help but ask, "Brother Feng, I know we can't have pears because pears represent separation, which is unlucky, but why can't we have twisted dough sticks?"

Luan Bosheng helped answer: "Because fried dough twist represents trouble, generally there can't be fried dough twist at the four-four table."

After listening to Luan Bosheng's explanation, several people suddenly understood.

Luan Bosheng agreed with Feng Zhengming's opinion.

"Yes, Zhengming, you are right. If we want to restore the four-four seats, we should indeed follow the traditional rules of the past."

Hou Dong thought for a moment and asked, "What exactly are the rules?"

Feng Zhengming looked at Luan Bosheng, and after the two of them looked at each other, Luan Bosheng began to introduce himself.

"The normal rule for a four-four banquet is to serve four dishes in four plates, and when the four dishes of each type are served, corresponding drinks should be served according to the different items. In our tradition, this is called the corresponding 'drinking head'."

Feng Zhengming gave an example: "Just like serving dried fruits, they should be paired with some tea.

If you serve dessert, you should pair it with almond tea.”

Luan Bosheng nodded: "Yes, these are usually eaten before the dishes and drinks are served, to fill the stomach first."

Luan Bosheng continued to introduce: "When serving fresh fruits, it may be necessary to pair them with some red wine."

After listening to Luan Bosheng's introduction, Ding Yuan, Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong also felt that it was quite complicated.

Feng Zhengming then gave some further suggestions.

"Brother Luan, it has to be the same as in the past. Whatever dish is served as the first course, the banquet will be served at the end. So when you restore the four-four banquets, you must make the first course well and it must have its own characteristics."

Luan Bosheng quite agreed with Feng Zhengming's suggestion.

"Very good, this is good."

Feng Zhengming then asked: "As I recall, generally the large items and the small items should be delivered alternately."

Luan Bosheng nodded: "Yes, large dishes and small dishes are usually served alternately."

Ding Yuan, Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong were a little confused again at this time.

This time it was Ding Yuan who asked.

"What are big and small items?"

Feng Zhengming did not interrupt, but asked Luan Bosheng to explain the profession.

"The big dish is actually the main dish. For example, in a sea cucumber banquet, the main dish must be the sea cucumber, and the side dishes are some ordinary hot dishes that go with the big dish."

Listening to Luan Bosheng's explanation, Ding Yuan, Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong couldn't help but feel that the four-four seats in Boshan were indeed very exquisite.

Feng Zhengming then gave another suggestion: "Brother Luan, it would be best if you prepare different sets of tableware for your four-four banquets, and make some adjustments when serving the dishes. For example, what kind of tableware should be used for the sea cucumber banquet and what kind of tableware should be used for the shark fin banquet?
You also need to use a special set of tableware for the whole lamb banquet.

With this kind of differentiation, I believe that the 44-seat system will definitely become a very good traditional form again.”

Feng Zhengming's suggestions really opened Luan Bosheng's eyes.

So many details, like the different choices on tableware.

There are also some ideas for the order in which dishes should be served, and for preparing dishes at different levels.

It can be said that Feng Zhengming really pays attention to every detail and takes every detail into consideration clearly.

There are many things that Chef Luan Bosheng might usually overlook.

Feng Zhengming didn't say anything nonsense, he could always think of those things.

The more Luan Bosheng and Feng Zhengming communicated, the more they felt that Feng Zhengming was really strong in all aspects.

He is such a well-rounded talent.

Luan Bosheng even had an idea that if he handed the restaurant over to Feng Zhengming to run, it would probably take less than half a year for the restaurant to become the best restaurant in Boshan, or even in the whole Zibo, or even in the whole Qilu province.

Thinking of this, Luan Bosheng actually came up with the idea of ​​asking Feng Zhengming to invest in the business and take on the contract together with him.

If Feng Zhengming contracted this restaurant with him.

Luan Bosheng felt that he would definitely not do badly in the future.

Luan Bosheng is a straightforward person and he speaks out whatever he thinks of immediately.

"Zhengming, if I contract this restaurant, are you willing to invest in it? You don't need to pay money, and you don't need to come in person. I just need you to give some guidance, such as some decoration, and kitchen management, especially the restoration of the four-four seats. Can you give some advice?

When the restaurant is really running well, you can get dividends every year, and we can split the shares in half, how about that?"

Feng Zhengming was also a little surprised when he heard this.

He didn't expect Luan Bosheng to be so direct, and even the conditions he offered were so good.

Feng Zhengming thought about it, hesitated for a moment, and still did not agree immediately.

"Brother Luan, we can discuss this matter in detail sometime."

When Luan Bosheng heard this, he realized that Feng Zhengming did not want their discussion of the details of the contract to be heard by more interested people.

He decisively agreed to Feng Zhengming: "Okay, we'll talk about it in detail later."

A few people waited for a while, and finally the kitchen started serving them food.

The first dishes served were a few cold cuts, including Boshan sausage, a dish of braised food, and a dish of fried meat with a crispy crust.

There is also a dish of Boshan crispy pot, which is a very traditional crispy pot recipe.

I have to say, the cold dishes on the table looked really good.

Feng Zhengming could tell Luan Bosheng's ability in kitchen management just from a few cold dishes.

After tasting them one by one, Feng Zhengming was quite satisfied.

"I can tell from the food that Brother Luan's food is all homemade and fresh. The braising process is also very particular, very good."

Luan Bosheng responded with a smile: "These are our craftsmanship. It seems that cold dishes are just appetizers, but if the cold dishes are not well prepared, they will have a great impact on the entire table."

Feng Zhengming also agreed with Luan Bosheng's words.

"Brother Luan is right. Nowadays, many restaurants and hotels ignore cold dishes. Some restaurants and hotels even buy vegetables from street stalls, cut them up, and serve them on plates to customers.

These are actually ruining your cooking skills and intentionally destroying your reputation.”

Luan Bosheng agreed with Feng Zhengming's statement.

“Yes, making cold dishes is the most basic thing for a chef. If you need to buy these things prepared by others.

Especially some street stalls that sell stewed food, their craftsmanship is not good, so it is really cheap for restaurants and hotels to buy it and use it directly.”

Having reached a consensus with Luan Bosheng, Feng Zhengming raised his glass: "Come on, let's drink to celebrate the consensus reached between Senior Brother Luan and me."

Luan Bosheng also smiled and picked up his glass, clinking it with Feng Zhengming, and the two drank the first glass of wine. (End of this chapter)