From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

When everyone started tasting Feng Zhengming's fried chicken, they quickly tasted the difference in the flavor.

Feng Zhengming mixed sweet bean paste and soybean paste to add a sauce flavor to the fried chicken.

In addition, he used various seasonings to add a fresh and delicious taste to the chicken.

The most important thing is the stir-fry process to preserve the aroma of the chicken.

And because it is stir-fried raw, the surface of the chicken can have a unique roasted aroma.

Stewing the chicken with chicken broth makes up for the lack of chicken flavor in the chicken itself.

Because the chicken Feng Zhengming used was not the big rooster that was used to make fried chicken.

So the chicken itself lacks some flavor.

Feng Zhengming uses chicken broth when stewing, which just makes up for this deficiency.

Everyone in the kitchen enjoyed the delicious food.

Although the taste of Feng Zhengming’s fried chicken may not be authentic.

But the taste of what he made is also very delicious to everyone.

After eating, Li Huidong gave his junior fellow apprentice some suggestions.

"Zhengming, your fried chicken does taste good, but like you said, you should add some chicken fat when frying the chicken raw, which may enhance the chicken flavor."

Feng Zhengming laughed after hearing this: "Hahaha, brother, we really think alike."

Li Huidong also smiled and praised: "Your cooking skills are beyond reproach. After you came back from outside this time, I can feel that you have become even more skilled in seasoning."

Feng Zhengming quickly said modestly: "Brother, you are exaggerating. How can I dare to say that I can achieve perfection?"

Others said that Feng Zhengming was indeed very capable.

Xia Hui was the first to speak: "Master, your skills are really getting better and better."

Then everyone else nodded.

This is a dish of fried chicken that Feng Zhengming seasons himself.

It really lets everyone taste a different flavor.

Maybe Feng Zhengming’s recipe is not authentic.

But the seasoning is so delicious that people can't help but want to continue eating after eating a piece.

Of course, these are also some of the advantages of Feng Zhengming Huiquanlou’s kitchen.

Because he has a lot of things in his kitchen, including plenty of spices and seasonings.

You can make more attempts to make the fried chicken more delicious.

Feng Zhengming then told everyone about his feelings about this trip.

“In the past, I might have told everyone that we still need to stick to some old traditional things and make them better and more refined.

I still insist on this point now, but I think that while we should improve the traditional craftsmanship, we should also make some appropriate innovations and not stick to the old things.

Another thing is that we cannot pursue so-called authenticity.”

This made everyone feel a little strange?
Cao Zhiguo asked: "Are we not pursuing authenticity? Then we might be criticized by other colleagues."

Feng Zhengming explained with a smile: "Not pursuing authenticity means not always talking about authenticity or not, and not arguing about authenticity or not.

Our goal is to make the dishes delicious and show our cooking skills to all the diners.

We stick to traditional craftsmanship and use traditional techniques to make every classic Shandong dish.

At the same time, we can also make some adjustments to the seasoning to make the taste more suitable for everyone’s taste preferences today.”

These words made everyone fall into deep thought, and everyone gradually understood Feng Zhengming's thoughts.

When he said not pursuing authenticity, he didn't mean changing the cooking methods of classic dishes.

Just don’t fight for the title of “authentic”.

This point has indeed been fought over by many chefs in the past.

In the end, many people may be caught up in the struggle for authenticity.

When they are fighting over the reputation of authenticity, they may have forgotten the true meaning of food and the original intention that a chef should stick to.

Authenticity or not doesn't matter at all.

Just cook the food well.

Show your craftsmanship seriously.

And it can also make the taste delicious to most people.

Then this is a delicacy.

Feng Zhengming talked about Grandpa Zhang whom he met in Dezhou before returning to Quancheng.

"Grandpa Zhang gave me his craft in the end. Is his craft authentic? Maybe he doesn't care at all, but his Da Liu noodles and braised chicken are indeed delicious, and I think that's enough."

Li Huidong nodded: "Yes, as long as it tastes good, that's enough."

Cao Zhiguo then asked: "Zhengming, are you planning to open a branch of the dry rice shop in Dezhou? And then let that old man Zhang take charge? And add his skills to the store?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, my feeling after this trip is that every place has its own unique cuisine, and we should respect and integrate their habits."

Hearing this, Gu Zhicheng couldn't help but interrupt: "No wonder you, Chef, keep emphasizing the word 'harmony'."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, harmony is the key to our Shandong cuisine."

Then Feng Zhengming briefly told everyone about his next plans.

"The first branch outside of Quancheng will be opened at Sixth Senior Brother's place. I think it shouldn't be a problem to open it in Yancheng. Let Sixth Senior Brother help take care of it and add some Yancheng specialty snacks to the branch."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's ideas, everyone in the kitchen felt really incredible.

Everyone is a little confused about how Feng Zhengming came up with these ideas?
Maybe if someone else were to run this chain of stores.

Maybe everyone just wants to keep things as simple as possible.

Maybe no one would even think of adding local specialties and snacks to branches across the country.

Maybe someone opened a dry rice shop in another place and simply made braised pork.

Others may even think of making the recipe into ingredient packets and sending them directly to local branches for them to follow.

But if that happens, many things may slowly start to change.

If you don’t even need to learn the craft.

Then how can the people in the branches stick to the most fundamental taste?
So Feng Zhengming used another method to open a branch.

His branches are not just branches with a sign hanging on them.

But to create different characteristics.

Li Huidong thought for a moment and said, "Your approach is good, but it is actually very labor-intensive. You may need to pay more labor costs."

Feng Zhengming smiled and asked, "Brother, can we make money by opening branches in various places?"

Li Huidong was stunned at first when asked this question.

Then Li Huidong said: "It is definitely profitable."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, since opening branches in various places will also make money, why bother about labor costs?"

Fifth Brother Cao Zhiguo also spoke up: "What the eldest brother means is that your approach may not necessarily make many skilled chefs willing to work in the branch."

Feng Zhengming was very confident: "They will be willing, because I will give them more opportunities." "Give them more opportunities?" Everyone didn't quite understand what Feng Zhengming meant.

Feng Zhengming explained with a smile: "I am the national number one culinary expert. The branches I opened in various places are not just dry food shops, but have independent kitchens that give chefs the opportunity to show their skills.

After that, when branches are opened in various places, I will organize regular training sessions for them every six months.

They will be taught some skills, including the chefs and apprentices in the store.

I will even organize competitions among them.

Whose skills can improve the fastest?
Who can run the store best?
These competitions are organized, and the winners will receive various rewards.”

After hearing Feng Zhengming's ideas, everyone was shocked again.

No one could have imagined that Feng Zhengming would have such a detailed idea.

But if you think about it carefully, you will find that Feng Zhengming's ideas are actually to expand the ratio among all chefs and apprentices between Quancheng Ganfanpu and Huiquanlou.

Feng Zhengming opened branches all over the province and also promoted this method of learning and communication through competition.

However, everyone was a little confused at the moment. What kind of business model was Feng Zhengming using this?
Because the branches he opened seemed to be different from the franchise model branches that everyone is familiar with.

I heard everyone raise this kind of doubt.

Feng Zhengming explained with a smile: "My model is to set up a catering company and directly manage branches in various places. In addition, the chefs and apprentices in the branches are all considered employees of the company."

Cao Zhiguo thought for a moment and exclaimed: "A catering company led by a chef."

Hearing what Fifth Brother said, Feng Zhengming immediately smiled and nodded: "Hahaha, that's right, Fifth Brother is right."

Then Feng Zhengming looked at everyone in the kitchen, and his eyes also swept over the apprentices in the kitchen.

"Are you willing to follow me and make our company a success?"

When asked this question, everyone in the kitchen looked at each other in confusion.

Soon they all raised their hands, expressing their willingness to work with Feng Zhengming.

Even the eldest and fifth brothers expressed their willingness to work together.

Although many of Feng Zhengming's ideas are still somewhat idealistic, some things require you to have ideals first and then realize them step by step.

Before it finally lands, it may go through many difficulties and obstacles.

As long as you work hard towards your goal, there will always be a reward.

After arranging the matters in the kitchen, Feng Zhengming asked everyone to get busy.

Then he called Xia Hui out alone.

In fact, Feng Zhengming should have called Qi Jiale first.

But in order not to make everyone nervous, he called Xia Hui out to talk first.

Xia Hui was somewhat nervous facing Feng Zhengming.

In Xia Hui's eyes, Feng Zhengming had changed a lot after returning from outside.

In the past, Feng Zhengming may have always maintained a humble attitude.

They tend not to show off their aura too much.

But this time when he came back, Feng Zhengming showed great momentum in front of everyone.

It's like he would never shy away from mentioning his status as the top scholar.

He will also make good use of his status as the top scholar.

All these made Xia Hui very happy for Feng Zhengming, but at the same time she was a little frightened by his unstoppable momentum, so she was a little nervous when facing Feng Zhengming alone.

Feng Zhengming noticed that Xia Hui was nervous, so he smiled and patted her shoulder gently to encourage her.

"Don't be nervous. I know you've been working very hard while I was away."

Then Feng Zhengming told Xia Hui about some of the things he had talked about with her grandfather in Qufu.

"Your grandfather said that he hopes to open a Confucius Mansion cuisine restaurant in Quancheng in the future. It will be a Confucius Mansion cuisine restaurant for everyone to showcase. He hopes you and your brother can run it together."

Xia Hui was shocked when she heard this: "What? My grandfather asked me and my brother to do this in Quancheng?"

Seeing Xia Hui's surprised expression, Feng Zhengming couldn't help laughing.

"Yes, your grandfather has such an idea."

Xia Hui thought about it and quickly refused: "I can't do that. I still want to continue to follow you, Uncle Master. I can't break the rules of our family. I'd better give the Kongfu cuisine to my brother."

Feng Zhengming thought for a while and asked, "What if I invest? In the name of my company, Quancheng Confucius Restaurant will be considered a restaurant specializing in Confucius cuisine under my company. Are you willing to run it with your brother?"

Xia Hui was surprised: "Uncle Master, you, what are you doing?"

Feng Zhengming asked again: "Do you remember the name of the company I founded?"

Xia Hui thought about it carefully and soon remembered the sign of Fengjia Ganfanpu's new store.

"Zheng Luxing."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, Zheng Luxing, why do you think it is called this name?"

Xia Hui pondered for a moment and guessed, "Do you want Zhengxing Shandong cuisine?"

"You're smart." Feng Zhengming praised with a smile.

This made Xia Hui unable to help but pout: "Uncle Master, can you please stop treating me like a child? I'm only a few years younger than you."

Feng Zhengming responded with a smile: "Okay, okay, I'm sorry."

Then Feng Zhengming continued to talk about his own ideas.

"Opening branches across the province is the initial start for our company. Later we will invest in Shandong cuisine restaurants and hotels, especially supporting your Confucius Mansion cuisine. This is what our company needs to do.

Since my company wants to promote Shandong cuisine, we can’t just focus on snacks, we also need to have authentic Shandong cuisine restaurants in various places.”

Xia Hui understood and also knew that her uncle had greater ambitions.

Just like what his uncle said, he invested in the Xia family and asked them to open a restaurant serving Confucius cuisine in Quancheng.

This is actually part of his company's business.

Zhengxing Confucius cuisine is naturally a part of Zhengxing Shandong cuisine.

Xia Hui did not hesitate this time: "Uncle Master, I am willing, and I think my brother will be willing too."

Then, without waiting for Feng Zhengming to speak, Xia Hui suddenly asked: "Master, in this case, are we considered the company's veterans?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and asked, "Do you still know the elders?"

Xia Hui grumbled again: "Uncle Master, I told you not to treat me like a child."

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry, I was just joking."

Feng Zhengming nodded and admitted: "Yes, you are all the veterans of the company. We at Zhengluxing want to make delicious snacks from all over the country, and also promote some time-honored brands from all over the country."

Xia Hui was very excited at this moment. She thought that her uncle's ideas were very powerful.

She believed that Junior Master would be successful in the future.

It will make Shandong cuisine prosperous.

"Uncle Master, I support you. When I have learned enough from you, I will go home with my brother to learn Confucius Mansion cuisine from my grandfather and my father. After I have learned it well, we will come back to help you open a Confucius Mansion restaurant."

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Okay, I believe you two will make the Kongfu cuisine better and better." (End of this chapter)