From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

With Feng Zhengming's help, Gu Zhicheng demonstrated his cooking skills in front of Sun Suqiu.

From various stir-fries to some big dishes cooked in collaboration with Feng Zhengming.

I like Sun Suqiu very much.

Many times, love between men and women is just a matter of glance.

Maybe what the other party really values ​​may not necessarily be appearance.

It is something that impresses the other person, or some performance that impresses the other person.

Obviously, Sun Suqiu really loves cooking.

So after seeing Gu Zhicheng's performance in the kitchen, her impression of Gu Zhicheng did change.

In the next few days, Feng Zhengming allowed Gu Zhicheng and Sun Suqiu to gradually deepen their relationship.

He also gradually handed over all the affairs of the branch to Gu Zhicheng.

Let Gu Zhicheng learn how to manage a branch.

Of course, in order to allow Gu Zhicheng time to pick up Sun Suqiu from get off work.

Feng Zhengming would ask Gu Zhicheng to leave early after get off work and go pick up Sun Suqiu first.

At this time, only Feng Zhengming can take over.

Fortunately, the two of them get along very well and progress is very fast.

Sun Suqiu probably heard what Gu Zhicheng said about the situation.

So after a few days, Sun Suqiu no longer let Gu Zhicheng pick her up from get off work.

Instead, Sun Suqiu would come to the branch to find Gu Zhicheng after get off work.

Such a change indicates that the two people have confirmed their relationship and should be starting to discuss marriage.

Feng Zhengming thought this change was a good one, and he took the time to let Gu Zhicheng familiarize himself with the branch's affairs.

Especially, should he advise Gu Zhicheng on how to manage the staff in the branch?
Let Gu Zhicheng become familiar with everything about the branch.

Feng Zhengming slowly began to let go and let Gu Zhicheng take care of the branch, and he began to leave the branch from time to time.

Later on, Feng Zhengming only came to the branch to take a look every day and no longer came to the branch at other times.

Such gradual changes finally enabled Gu Zhicheng to support the branch.

While Feng Zhengming was still in the island city, he took the time to take Luo Qing to visit Yuan Wenzi.

I went to the restaurant opened by Yuan Wenzi in the island city to take a look.

The overall decoration style of Yuan Wenzi's restaurant in the island city is exactly like their country.

Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing were asked to take off their shoes after entering the door.

Luo Qing was a little surprised about this. How could there be such a rule?
Feng Zhengming smiled and explained it briefly to Luo Qing.

When you enter the store, you will see that all the decorations in the store are in the style of Yuan Wenzi's country, and most of them are decorated with wood.

Yuan Wenzi came out wearing their traditional costumes to greet Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing.

"Welcome Zhengming-kun and Qingqing."

Luo Qing smiled and responded: "You're welcome, we promised to come once before we leave."

Yuan Wenzi raised her head and asked in surprise: "Are you leaving?"

Feng Zhengming replied: "Yes, the branch in Daocheng is already on track. I will need to go to several other branches next and run them all."

Yuan Wenzi said with admiration: "Zhengming-kun, you are really amazing."

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, this is nothing. I just want people from all over the world to taste our braised pork, and make some extra money at the same time."

Yuan Wenzi then personally led Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing in and gave them a tour first.

At this time, there were already some customers.

The space of Yuan Wenzi's restaurant is relatively closed.

The sound insulation of each cubicle is also very good.

From the conversations between some guests entering and leaving the room.

Basically, the guests are mainly from Yuan Wenzi's country.

Yuan Wenzi finally led Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing to a more elegant small compartment.

Push open the door and enter the small compartment.

After Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing sat down, Yuan Wenzi handed them the menu.

And Yuan Wenzi recommended some of today's special dishes to the two of them.

Luo Qing took a look at the menu and was still a little surprised by the prices.

"Wow, Wenzi, the prices here are not cheap."

Yuan Wenzi smiled and said, "You can eat as much as you want today. I won't charge you any money."

Feng Zhengming immediately said, "No, we can't not charge you. If you don't charge us, how can we stay and eat? We must charge you."

Luo Qing also agreed: "Yes, you must accept the money."

Feng Zhengming then emphasized: "It's not that I can't afford it, so you really don't need to treat me."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing said, Yuan Wenzi had no choice but to nod and agree.

Then Feng Zhengming didn’t order any dishes, basically just ordered a few dishes according to Yuan Wenzi’s recommendations.

Yuan Wenzi took the menu, stood up and went out to prepare.

After Yuan Wenzi left, Luo Qing looked around.

"The environment here is really good, but I feel uncomfortable when eating. It's better to go to a dry rice shop at home. However, a place like this may be considered high-end by many people."

Feng Zhengming nodded: “Yes, you see, when we come in and eat here, most of them are from Wenzi’s country.

Those people on our side are basically senior executives in companies. They already have a certain status and position, and they are not short of money to eat here.

So with their presence here, it will naturally enhance the sense of luxury here.”

Luo Qing nodded. After coming here, she understood Feng Zhengming's concerns better.

Yuan Wenzi's restaurant is amazing from its exterior facade to the interior decoration and the services provided by the waiters.

It really gives people a sense of luxury.

In addition, there are blessings from those who are either rich or noble.

It is easy to elevate the status of this restaurant.

Luo Qing suddenly said, "Although the items on the menu are indeed very expensive, they do look very beautiful. I think many restaurants should learn from them."

Feng Zhengming smiled and asked, "How do you learn? If you just make the menu look good but can't make the same dishes as on the menu, won't people think you're cheating? You might end up making things worse."

Luo Qing thought for a moment and said, "That's right. If we can't make the dishes look like what's on the menu, people will feel cheated."

Feng Zhengming said seriously, "So, if you want to run a restaurant well, especially if you want to run a high-end restaurant, it is not only about testing the chef's skills, but also the environment, staff, and service. "

Luo Qing agreed with Feng Zhengming's statement.

As they were chatting, waiters started serving food to Feng Zhengming and his friends.

First, there are some appetizers, which are basically some very small dishes.

Luo Qing couldn't help but murmur after seeing this: "It's not enough. Isn't this enough to fill you up?"

Feng Zhengming laughed and said, "Overseas, they do like to use a smaller amount of food, calling it leaving space when arranging the dish.

Maybe in the future there will be a lot of people who will buy into this, and it will become a little bit in the middle of the plate, with a line of sauce on the plate, and finally garnished with a few grasses or small flowers, and it will sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. "

Luo Qing couldn't help laughing after hearing this: "Hahaha, how is that possible?" Feng Zhengming pointed at the things on the small plate in front of him: "Look, this is already like this."

Having said that, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing still tasted it.

The appetizers are actually some cold side dishes.

Different from the cold dishes in China, not only is the quantity smaller, but the taste is also lighter.

After eating it, Luo Qing couldn't taste anything.

Feng Zhengming didn't say much, and he and Luo Qing waited quietly for the next dish.

Next, the dishes were served one by one.

The whole eating process does take quite a bit of time.

There are some more expensive dishes later.

For example, Luo Qing ordered a dish of tempura prawns.

It tastes really good.

Feng Zhengming even ordered a dish of venison.

The venison tasted good too.

There are also various sushi in the back.

Seeing the sushi, Luo Qing was a little surprised again: "Is sushi like this?"

Feng Zhengming knew what Luo Qing meant.

"The ones you had before were those rolled up with seaweed and rice, right?"

Luo Qing nodded: "Yes, isn't sushi like that?"

Feng Zhengming explained with a smile: "That can also be considered sushi, but it is not as authentic as this sushi. It is a small handful of rice, paired with various ingredients."

Luo Qing picked up a piece with chopsticks and, following Feng Zhengming's instructions, put it directly into her mouth to taste without dipping it in anything.

Although the taste was very light, Luo Qing could still chew it and tasted that the rice was very fragrant and the fish slices on top were also very smooth and delicious.

After eating this piece by piece, Luo Qing realized that the sushi she had eaten before was indeed not good.

The first thing Feng Zhengming took a bite of was tuna sushi.

In fact, this was also Feng Zhengming’s first time eating it.

The overall taste when he took a sip really surprised Feng Zhengming.

The tuna meat tastes very tender and has a certain oily aroma.

Then there is the rice used for sushi. The aroma of the rice grains lingers between your lips and teeth when you chew it.

After finishing the meal, Feng Zhengming couldn't help but mutter, "I feel like we can use better rice to pair with braised pork, and then our braised pork rice will become more upscale."

Luo Qing was stunned and turned to look at Feng Zhengming.

"Can braised pork with rice be made into something more sophisticated?"

Feng Zhengming laughed, "Why not? As long as it's made more refined, it'll be fine. And I think I can make it more refined than Yuan Wenzi's."

Luo Qing thought for a moment and said, "That's true, plus you're famous as the top scholar."

Feng Zhengming took over the conversation: "When the time comes, a serving of braised pork will be sold to people for 88."

"Hahaha." Luo Qing finally couldn't help laughing. "You're selling a serving of braised pork for 88? Isn't that too much?"

Seeing Luo Qing couldn't help laughing, Feng Zhengming also laughed.

"I think it's actually OK. Use better meat, pair it with better rice, and add some decorations to the dish. My reputation as the top scholar alone is worth 88."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, Luo Qing felt that it did make sense.

Why can dishes from other countries overseas be sold at such high prices?

Feng Zhengming is the national top scholar. Can’t the dishes he makes be sold at such a high price?

What's more, in Luo Qing's opinion, the dishes cooked by Feng Zhengming are delicious.

As the two were chatting, Yuan Wenzi came in again and brought the last dishes and desserts to Feng Zhengming and the others.

When Feng Zhengming saw Yuan Wenzi coming in, he repeated what he had just said to her.

Yuan Wenzi was a little surprised: "Ah? Zhengming-kun, are you going to sell your pork belly so expensive?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "What I mean is that in the future, we can package the meat more exquisitely and raise the price."

Yuan Wenzi nodded: "Indeed, it is possible. Zhengming Jun, your reputation is there, it is worth the price."

Then Yuan Wenzi asked: "Do you like today's dish Zhengming-kun?"

Feng Zhengming did not speak immediately, but let Luo Qing speak first.

“The taste is good, but the quantity of each dish is very small.”

Yuan Wenzi quickly asked: "Sister Qingqing, are you not full?"

Luo Qing waved her hands: "It's not that I wasn't full, I just looked at so many dishes and didn't eat much in the end."

Yuan Wenzi smiled and pushed out the last dish and dessert.

“This is also the uniqueness of our cuisine, that is, each dish is not too large, so that customers can taste more dishes.”

After the explanation, Yuan Wenzi looked at Feng Zhengming.

"Zhengming-kun, what do you think?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Very good, it can be seen that your cooking skills are really good. The venison you made is really tender and tastes very delicious."

After the praise, Feng Zhengming immediately changed the subject.

"But I think your venison dish may not have won the approval of your family, right?"

Yuan Wenzi was stunned, and then she was a little surprised: "How did you know that, Zhengming-kun?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "In fact, people in your country prefer raw food, so they also prefer food to retain some of its wild flavor.

Your venison is indeed well cooked, but in your country, it lacks the wild taste. "

Yuan Wenzi was surprised and said, "Zhengming-kun, you are right. My father and others also commented on it in the same way."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Do you want to know how to improve it?"

Yuan Wenzi nodded: "Zhengming Jun still asks me for advice."

Feng Zhengming gave some advice: "In fact, if you want a more wild taste, you can add some soup to the dish. The soup can be made with deer blood to retain a certain wild taste."

Yuan Wenzi looked at Feng Zhengming in surprise and disbelief.

Luo Qing was a little incredulous: "Can deer blood be used to cook?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "The so-called wild taste is, after all, the smell of blood. When we cook in China, we usually blanch the food, skim off the foam, and add a lot of onion, ginger, garlic, and cooking wine to remove the blood smell as much as possible.

But if you want the wild taste, you have to keep the bloody smell, and some people do like it.”

Luo Qing was still very confused: "But how do we make soup with deer blood?"

Feng Zhengming naturally understood that Luo Qing was asking this question on behalf of Yuan Wenzi.

He did not point it out, but gave his own answer.

"It's very simple. Make the soup first, then add some deer blood. Don't add it to the cooking process too early, because that will cause the flavor to evaporate."

Feng Zhengming also gave an idea: "There is another way. Clean the deer blood and then add a few drops of deer blood to the venison when pouring the soup. That will bring out the flavor."

Yuan Wenzi was greatly inspired by Feng Zhengming's suggestion. (End of this chapter)