From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 743: Instructing the Branch Chef to Find a Partner

The first night of the opening of Feng Zhengming’s Island City branch.

After closing the business, Feng Zhengming spoke highly of Gu Zhicheng's performance.

"Old Gu Xing, you already have the reputation of a great chef."

Gu Zhicheng was praised by Feng Zhengming, but his eyes turned to his master Gao Fengyi.

Gao Fengyi came here specially tonight just to check on his disciples.

He especially wanted to see whether his disciples had really learned anything from Feng Zhengming?
Judging from today's business, Gao Fengyi is quite satisfied with his apprentice.

"Zhicheng, your performance today was really great. It seems that what you learned from your junior uncle was not in vain."

Gu Zhicheng finally felt relieved when he heard his master's affirmation.

"Thank you, Master, Junior Uncle-Master, for your affirmation."

Feng Zhengming then told Gu Zhicheng some things that he needed to pay attention to.

"Old Gu, remember, you must cook the braised pork according to my instructions every day. No matter what time it is, the braised pork is the foundation of this restaurant, and you must not change the recipe casually."

Gao Fengyi nodded and said, "Yes, the pork belly must be cooked well."

Gu Zhicheng knew very well that the steamed buns were indeed the signature dish of the branch.

If the braised pork is not cooked well or the taste is off, the reputation of the restaurant will definitely be damaged.

"Understood, Junior Master and Master, don't worry, I will definitely keep an eye on the making of the steamed buns every day."

Feng Zhengming added: "Also, regarding the foreigners who come to eat here, you don't need to change the dishes just to please them. Stick to your own food. Remember, you are in China."

After saying this, Feng Zhengming looked at Gao Fengyi again.

"Brother Gao, let me remind you that Yuan Wenzi, who came here today, has a restaurant in the island city. You must be careful because their restaurant specializes in seafood and will have a certain impact on your seafood restaurant.

Especially those executives who come from their countries to invest and build factories in the island city.

Those people will definitely prefer restaurants in their own country.

So maybe they will bring some domestic bosses, or even some middle-level managers hired domestically, to their restaurants to eat.

Gradually, they will create an atmosphere that their restaurants are more upscale.

Once they form that kind of mentality, Senior Brother Gao, your seafood restaurant will face huge challenges."

Gao Fengyi was a little surprised, he himself had not thought about these things.

What he didn't understand even more was why Feng Zhengming was so sure that the restaurants coming from Japan would bring about a more high-end atmosphere for their restaurants?

Feng Zhengming could see that Gao Fengyi didn't quite believe what he said.

He then gave Gao Fengyi a careful explanation.

The restaurants in Fuso may now only target the executives who come to invest in Fuso companies.

But precisely because of this, it brings a sense of mystery to others.

In addition, those executives themselves have higher incomes and their status will be very different.

So gradually, the restaurants they often go to will inevitably arouse everyone's curiosity.

Driven by mystery and curiosity, people will gradually begin to yearn for it.

Wait until those executives start to bring some middle-level managers of domestic companies or some business partners to dine there a few times.

This will naturally further enhance the restaurant's status.

Ultimately, the restaurant gained an overwhelming advantage over domestic restaurants of the same level.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's explanation, Gao Fengyi was even more surprised.

He thought about it carefully for a long time, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Feng Zhengming's statement made sense.

There is a saying from the ancients: Foreign monks are good at chanting sutras.

Because people don't know much about foreign things, it's natural for them to look at them through a certain filter.

It will also inadvertently elevate the status of foreign products.

In fact, many things are not really that valuable.

Moreover, Chinese food in China is not bad at making many things.

It’s just that everyone has different approaches.

Chinese food can also make those things quite delicious.

But if a Chinese chef prepares the dish and sells it at a very high price, others may think it is not worth it.

Let foreign chefs cook it and add some of their stories.

It is natural that many people will feel that it is worth the price.

Feng Zhengming reminded Gao Fengyi with a serious face.

"Brother Gao, you need to be prepared. In many cases, price is not the key to winning customers. What is more important is that you learn the storytelling ability of others."

Gao Fengyi thought about it and felt that what Feng Zhengming said did make sense.

After thinking it over carefully, Gao Fengyi suddenly smiled and asked, "Is it the same as you, the national champion, opening a branch?"

Feng Zhengming also laughed: "Hahaha, that's right, Yancheng, Daocheng, and later Taicheng, Dezhou in the north, and the branches in other cities in the province will naturally use my fame."

Gao Fengyi nodded: "Junior Brother Feng is right. It's not just about having good skills, but also about being able to tell a good story."

Seeing Gao Fengyi agreed with him, Feng Zhengming nodded and said, "I hope Senior Brother Gao will take this seriously. I hope your seafood restaurant will get better and better."

Gao Fengyi smiled and agreed to Feng Zhengming's words: "Okay, I will pay attention to it and make some changes."

Gao Fengyi then asked, "By the way, would you like this branch to send you some high-end seafood?"

Feng Zhengming did not answer directly, but looked at Gu Zhicheng next to him.

Gu Zhicheng listened for a long time and had some thoughts of his own in his mind.

Now seeing Junior Master looking at him, he felt a little strange: "Junior Master, are you looking at me?"

Feng Zhengming asked with a smile: "Of course it depends on you. You are the chef of this restaurant, shouldn't you be the one to make the decision?"

Gu Zhicheng was a little slow to react.

"Is this shop yours, Junior Master?"

Feng Zhengming responded: "This restaurant is mine, but since you are the chef, you have the final say."

Gu Zhicheng was still stunned.

Gao Fengyi smiled and reminded his apprentice: "This is your uncle Feng's trust in you."

Only then did Gu Zhicheng think about it seriously.

He finally made a decision.

"Our branch still focuses on pork belly and small seafood. We cannot use those more expensive seafood, because that would lose the characteristics of our store. So Master, our store will not use them for the time being."

Gao Fengyi nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you, the chef and store manager."

Feng Zhengming also agreed: "The store manager has said so, so we should listen to him."

After hearing what his master and junior uncle said, Gu Zhicheng felt even more embarrassed.

"Master, Junior Uncle, please don't say that. I really don't think I can handle it."

Feng Zhengming smiled and changed the subject: "Okay, let's not talk about it anymore. You can handle the things in the store later. If you don't understand anything, call me or ask your master. Show me the confidence you had in the kitchen of Huiquanlou. I still expect you to run the branch well.

When I come to Daocheng to open a restaurant in the future, you will be the chef for my Daocheng restaurant."

Gu Zhicheng nodded seriously and agreed: "Don't worry, Junior Master, I will definitely work hard."

Then Feng Zhengming asked, "How is the person your family introduced to you?"

When Gao Fengyi heard Feng Zhengming ask this question, he suddenly became curious.

"Yes, I met your parents before, and they told me that they introduced a girl to you. How are you guys doing? Have you met her?"

Gu Zhicheng felt a little embarrassed when asked personal questions.

"Yes, I have. I think he's pretty good. I don't know what he thinks of me. Besides, I'm pretty busy."

Feng Zhengming immediately said, "If you think it's a good idea, go and make an appointment with them. The stores here are all open. If you can't do it in the future, you can leave early at night and make an appointment with them to go shopping at night, watch a movie, or go to the beach to play."

Gao Fengyi, as a master, was even more direct: "If you really can't get away, I'll take over the branch for you for a few days, and you can go and find the right person."

Gu Zhicheng was shocked by what his master said.

"Master, how can this be possible?"

Gao Fengyi made a prompt decision: "Why not? I'll come over tomorrow. Are you still worried that your master won't be able to make braised pork? With your uncle Feng's recipe, your master will definitely be able to make it well."

Feng Zhengming laughed when he heard this: "Hahaha, Senior Brother Gao, have you forgotten? I haven't left yet. I can take over for a few days. Let him get the girl first."

Gu Zhicheng felt even more embarrassed after being repeatedly addressed by his master and junior uncle.

He was very grateful to his master and junior uncle.

Although Feng Zhengming is not older than Gu Zhicheng.

But Feng Zhengming is indeed much more mature than Gu Zhicheng in many aspects.

Gu Zhicheng has been devoted to cooking since he started learning cooking.

This is why he is still unmarried in his thirties.

His parents were very anxious about this matter.

Feng Zhengming also learned about it through Gao Fengyi.

That's why he transferred Gu Zhicheng back to the island city.

Allow him to solve his personal problems in the island city.

Moreover, returning to the island city will be good for Gu Zhicheng's future development.

After all, his family is in the island city, and he learned cooking from Gao Fengyi in the island city.

It can be said that Gu Zhicheng knows the Island City better than the Spring City.

Therefore, returning to the island city to work can be said to have many benefits for Gu Zhicheng.

When Gu Zhicheng's parents found out that he had returned to the island city to work and was in charge of a branch in the island city run by Feng Zhengming, the top scholar, they were very happy and proud.

And his parents immediately asked relatives and friends for help to introduce a partner to Gu Zhicheng.

Not to mention, as soon as the news that Gu Zhicheng had followed Feng Zhengming in Quancheng spread.

He really attracted a lot of people to act as matchmakers and boatmen for him.

Not to mention the matchmaking that broke down his doorstep.

There were indeed many matchmakers who came to introduce many girls to Gu Zhicheng's parents.

When the branch was being renovated before, Gu Zhicheng went to meet with several of them.

Gu Zhicheng was not very satisfied with most of them.

Tonight, Feng Zhengming and Gao Fengyi asked questions, and Gu Zhicheng confessed to them.

"Some of the girls I introduced were only after money. They kept asking me how much I could earn from my job and how much shares I had in the branch."

Feng Zhengming smiled and encouraged: "It's okay, just tell them directly, tell them the salary, and tell them that you own 30% of the shares in the branch."

For this branch in Daocheng, Feng Zhengming divided the shares into three parts.

Among them, Gu Zhicheng and his master Gao Fengyi each accounted for 30%.

Feng Zhengming himself holds 40% of the shares.

Feng Zhengming has always been very generous when it comes to giving shares to branches.

Lian Gaofengyi also admires him very much.

Gu Zhicheng was somewhat embarrassed to tell others.

"Uncle Master, how can I tell them this? We haven't even started dating yet, and all they talk about is money. I don't think we can get along at all."

Gao Fengyi nodded after hearing this: "We really can't agree on this."

Feng Zhengming asked again: "What about this girl you think is good this time? What job does she do?"

Gu Zhicheng answered very straightforwardly: "She works in the bank, in the savings office downstairs."

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "That's great, bank work isn't very hard, and I can complement you. Besides, bank workers should also know some financial management skills, and you will have someone to help you manage your family's money in the future."

Gao Fengyi also agreed with Feng Zhengming's statement.

"Yes, your uncle Feng said so. You must grasp this well."

I saw that both Master and Junior Uncle-Master approved of this.

Gu Zhicheng suddenly gained a certain degree of self-confidence.

"Okay, Master, Uncle Feng, I will definitely work hard."

Feng Zhengming made a prompt decision: "Is she resting tomorrow? If so, you can ask her out to play, and you can bring her to our branch to try our braised pork. We can also cook any small seafood you want.

Let her see your ability, show your strength, make her fall in love with you, and everything will fall into place naturally in the future."

Gao Fengyi agreed with a smile: "Your uncle Feng seems to be very experienced in this area. You'd be right to listen to him."

Feng Zhengming quickly waved his hands: "What experience do I have? Luo Qing and I are our first love, and I have never dated other girls."

"Xiao Luo is such a good girl. She fell in love with you at first sight when you were selling lunch boxes in front of the train station. At that time, her job was better than yours. It shows that she really has good taste." Gao Fengyi gave affirmation
Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, yes, she does have a great eye."

Gao Fengyi said to his apprentice: "Did you see that? A girl with good taste should be like your Aunt Xiao Luo, who can see your goodness and your charm at a glance."

Gu Zhicheng nodded seriously and listened humbly to the words of his master and junior uncle.

Then, Feng Zhengming and Gao Fengyi also made an appointment with Gu Zhicheng.

Let him go and make a date with a girl tomorrow and have some fun.

As for the branch, Feng Zhengming will stay in the island city for the time being and can help with the management for a while.

"Don't worry, I will stay in the island city for a few more days, because my third uncle will bring the two grandfathers over in a few days, and ask them to come and see the branch here.

So you should date and spend more time with girls these days. You can’t say that you have confirmed the relationship, but at least you should let the girls understand your feelings.

In this kind of situation, someone must take the initiative to move forward in order to improve the relationship between you two."

Gao Fengyi also nodded: "That's right, it doesn't matter if your uncle Feng leaves the branch, don't we still have Master? Now that you're back, can Master still prevent you from having a relationship?"

At this moment, Gu Zhicheng was really touched.

He also felt the support from his master and junior uncle, which made him feel warm in his heart.

(End of this chapter)