From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

The meal at Yuan Wenzi Restaurant really opened Luo Qing's eyes.

There were many things in the restaurant that Luo Qing had never seen or eaten before.

There are some more unique cooking methods.

After eating this meal, you can clearly feel the complete difference between a restaurant and a tavern.

Although Luo Qing didn't want to admit it, she had to admit in her heart that she quite liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, and there were some dishes that she also liked, including the sushi made by Yuan Wenzi.

On the way back, Luo Qing hesitated and was a little embarrassed to tell Feng Zhengming.

When Feng Zhengming saw Luo Qing hesitating, he probably guessed it.

"Don't you think that the food at Yuan Wenzi's restaurant is delicious? The decoration and atmosphere are also very comfortable? And you should like Yuan Wenzi's side dishes and her hand-made sushi, right?"

Luo Qing was exposed and felt even more embarrassed.

"You, you guessed it all?"

Feng Zhengming responded with a smile: "Because I like it too."

Luo Qing was a little surprised: "You like it too?"

Feng Zhengming asked back: "This meal is indeed very enjoyable, so why can't I like it?"

Luo Qing thought for a moment and said, "Didn't you say before that the restaurants in Wenzi's country will become very high-end in China in the future, and some restaurants in China will be suppressed by them?"

Feng Zhengming put his arm around Luo Qing's waist and laughed as he walked: "Hahaha, I'm telling the truth. Don't you feel that after eating tonight?"

Luo Qing hesitated for a moment, and could only nod: "I ate it tonight, and I really thought it was delicious. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very comfortable and gives people a high-end feeling."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "So actually we can learn a lot from them."

"Learn from them?" Luo Qing was surprised again.

Feng Zhengming expressed some of his thoughts.

"Perhaps we cannot learn from the decoration of restaurants and hotels because we need to have our own unique style, but we can still learn from them in terms of seasoning and the use of some materials."

Luo Qing immediately said, "Also, I can't copy their portion sizes. They give me too little. I'm embarrassed to pick up my chopsticks."

Feng Zhengming couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, right, that's right, we can't learn this. Our own dishes are to satisfy the customers. We can't learn their petty behavior."

Feng Zhengming then put away his smile and said: "In fact, we still have to work hard to make our dishes better. We can seek changes based on our taste and make various attempts.

We can even use their ingredients and try to make it delicious in our own way.

But we must always maintain our own characteristics, not just learn from others, and certainly not lose our own characteristics."

Speaking of this, Feng Zhengming's expression revealed worry.

“I am still worried that in the future, because other people’s products are so advanced, many chefs in our country will abandon their own products and learn from others, using their methods to make our own products.

You know, right? The chefs in Yuan Wenzi's country even use different knives than we do."

When Luo Qing was asked this question, she asked curiously, "Is it different? I didn't even notice it."

Feng Zhengming explained: "It's different. Their kitchen knives are not as wide as our kitchen knives. Their kitchen knives are narrower and have curved blades. It should be said that they are a bit like daggers."

"Like a dagger?" Luo Qing was even more puzzled. "Would a kitchen knife like that be comfortable to use?"

Feng Zhengming replied: "Maybe their chefs are used to using that kind of kitchen knife."

Luo Qing thought for a moment and said, "Then their knife skills must not be as good as our domestic chefs."

Feng Zhengming agrees with this.

"There is indeed a gap. They probably don't practice knife skills like us, nor do they cut the ingredients as carefully as we do in the kitchen."

Luo Qing felt quite proud after hearing this: "Our chef is still better."

Feng Zhengming continued talking with a smile.

"In fact, I think it doesn't matter who is better. Cooking skills should be the personal practice of each chef. Whether the dish is delicious or not does not depend on various skills, but ultimately on whether it tastes good."

Luo Qing also nodded in agreement: "Of course, the key is whether it tastes good or not."

Feng Zhengming said: “Therefore, food should not be divided into different levels, and there should be no distinction between high and low.

Nowadays, the quality of a dish, a restaurant, or even a chef’s cooking skills is often judged by the quality of all the ingredients.

This is not the right criterion. Should we look at how much effort the chef put in? And whether the food tastes good? "

Luo Qing asked curiously: "It's easy to judge whether it tastes good or not. You'll know after eating it, but it seems that it's hard to judge how much effort the chef has put in, right?"

Feng Zhengming answered confidently: "It's actually pretty easy to judge. If you put in enough effort, it won't taste bad."

This time Luo Qing agreed again: "Yes, if you put enough effort into it, it shouldn't be bad."

Just like going to Yuan Wenzi's restaurant today.

Luo Qing could also feel that Yuan Wenzi must have put a lot of effort into preparing each dish.

The seasoning of some of the dishes is clearly inspired by Shandong cuisine.

This shows that Yuan Wenzi had indeed studied seriously when he went to Quancheng for exchanges before.

Feng Zhengming held Luo Qing's hand and said, "I hope that in the future, our chefs can also work hard and make our dishes even more delicious."

Luo Qing smiled and looked at Feng Zhengming after hearing this: "With a top scholar like you here, it will definitely work. You will definitely elevate the status of our dishes once again."

Feng Zhengming laughed at what he said: "Does this count as helping me brag?"

"What bragging? I'm telling the truth." Luo Qing said seriously.

Feng Zhengming saw Luo Qing’s serious expression and knew that her words must be from the heart.

She really felt that with Feng Zhengming around, she could defeat all chefs.

Even the top chefs from abroad, Luo Qing didn't think they could be Feng Zhengming's rivals.

Knowing Luo Qing's intention, Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Okay, I will work hard."

After eating at Yuan Wenzi Restaurant, Feng Zhengming handed over the affairs of the Island City branch to Gu Zhicheng. Then he took Luo Qing and drove north from Island City to Taicheng.

Although Feng Zhengming did not come to Taicheng during this period, the Taicheng branch is still under renovation in full swing.

So when Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing returned to Taicheng, they went to visit the branch together again.

I found that the interior and exterior of the branch have been basically renovated.

Different from the more modern decoration in Yancheng and Daocheng.

The Thai city branch is decorated in a completely antique style.

If you don't touch the whole store with your hands, it will look like a wooden building just by looking at it.

In fact, it is not a wooden building at all.

Only some doors and windows have to be custom-made by carpenters.

There are no delicate carvings on it like the real wooden buildings in the past.

The patterns on the wooden beds and wooden doors are simple and common.

Especially on wooden windows, many of the seemingly beautiful carvings are actually glued on.

In this branch in Taicheng, there is a counter like those in ancient taverns.

All the tables and chairs are made of wood.

If you really compare the branch in Taicheng with those in Yancheng and Daocheng, you can tell the huge differences between the three stores at a glance.

Not to mention Luo Qing, after seeing those two stores, she suddenly came to Taicheng with Feng Zhengming and saw such an old branch.

Luo Qing felt very incredible.

"Wow, isn't it a bit too fancy to decorate your store like this? I feel like these decorations here should be used in some big restaurants."

Feng Zhengming laughed after hearing this: "Hahaha, this is the effect I want."

Luo Qing was still a little confused: "Why is it decorated like this?"

Feng Zhengming asked back: "Where is this?"

Luo Qing replied: "Taicheng."

Feng Zhengming asked again: "What is there in Taicheng?"

"What is there?" Luo Qing listed many specialties of Taicheng.

Feng Zhengming listened for a long time and couldn't help but interrupt her.

"What you mentioned are all specialties, not the most important things in Taicheng. The most important thing in Taicheng is Mount Tai. We are at the foot of Mount Tai."

Luo Qing suddenly realized: "Oh, I forgot about this."

Feng Zhengming continued to explain the decoration: "Since it is at the foot of Mount Tai, the decoration must be a bit retro, which can be regarded as a kind of resonance and echo with Mount Tai."

"Resonance? Echo?" Luo Qing was a little confused.

Feng Zhengming could only give some more explanations.

"We want our branch to have the characteristics of Mount Tai, so that when people see our branch, they will remember that it is at the foot of Mount Tai."

Luo Qing finally understood after hearing this.

"Oh, is that so? You still want to make the different branches in different places have their own local characteristics, not only local snacks and delicacies, but also some local architectural features."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, this is how I truly settled in different places and integrated into their communities."

After visiting the branch, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing went to meet Liang Fen and her husband.

Feng Zhengming took them to visit the branch.

When the couple saw the branch, they were also shocked by its decoration.

They even felt as if they had entered the Dai Temple.

Feng Zhengming explained some of the branch's business strategies to the couple.

He even taught the couple some things step by step.

Of course, Feng Zhengming taught the couple how to make bazi meat.

Liang Fen and her husband were really amazed to learn the recipe and cooking method of the braised pork from Feng Zhuangyuan's family.

This was indeed something the couple dared not even think about.

Liang Fen was even a little embarrassed to learn at first.

"Feng Zhuangyuan, this is your family's ancestral recipe. If you teach it to me, it will be bad, right?"

Feng Zhengming couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Don't worry, I simplified this recipe so that you can learn it right away. Don't worry about learning it. Once you learn it, even if you want to work on your own, I won't stop you."

Liang Fen quickly stated: "Don't worry, I will never do it alone."

Feng Zhengming saw that Liang Fen was so eager to express her opinion to him.

He waved his hand quickly and said, "Sister, I believe in you and your brother-in-law, otherwise I wouldn't hand over this branch to you, so just learn boldly.

Think about it, if you don’t learn how to make it, who will make the braised pork in this branch after I’m gone?”

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, Liang Fen finally felt relieved.

"Okay, I will study hard and remember every step."

Liang Fen followed Feng Zhengming and learned how to make braised pork.

Feng Zhengming would also take time to correct some of Liang Fen’s husband’s cooking skills.

Taicheng is much closer to Quancheng than Daocheng.

Feng Zhengming also stayed in Taicheng for a while.

Occasionally he would go back to Quancheng to check on the business of several stores there, and also help the TV station record a cooking program.

The ratings of cooking shows are getting higher and higher now.

Especially as the fame spreads, many people from other places now watch the show.

This really made the TV station a little worried.

They were worried that if Feng Zhengming continued to teach in this way, would one day Feng Zhengming teach everyone how to cook all the dishes?
In response, Feng Zhengming smiled and said there was no need to worry.

"There are many dishes that can be cooked, and we will invite some other chefs to record the program later. After teaching Shandong cuisine, we also have Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, Huaiyang cuisine, and special dishes from other places. In fact, all of them can be taught."

Feng Zhengming's words made the TV station feel relieved.

In fact, Feng Zhengming feels that if he just teaches people how to cook on TV, he could teach for several years without repeating the same dish every day.

Many dishes are similar, except for some main ingredients and side dishes.

But you can't say that Feng Zhengming doesn't teach seriously and is just perfunctory with the dishes he taught.

In fact, although the two dishes seem similar, both the main ingredients and the side dishes need some adjustments.

So if we teach one dish at a time, there are indeed too many dishes to teach.

After running back and forth, we finally got everything ready for the Taicheng branch.

Liang Fen and Liu Zhongwei have learned how to cook steamed pork and some other main dishes.

Feng Zhengming also transferred a group of people from Quancheng who were prepared to be sent in advance.

Liang Fen and Liu Zhongwei met the personnel transferred from Quancheng.

The couple was a little bit afraid at first.

Out of fear, the couple did not dare to manage those people.

Or did Feng Zhengming take the couple to familiarize themselves with the family and give them some advice on how to manage the family?

Gradually, Liang Fen and Liu Zhongwei began to gain the status of store managers and chefs of some branches.

Able to control the people who were transferred from Quancheng to Taicheng branch.

In fact, many of these people also come from Taicheng.

Feng Zhengming arranged for them to return to the Taicheng branch, which was a way of taking care of them and allowing them to be closer to home.

Regarding this, people from the three branches in Yancheng, Daocheng and Taicheng are all very grateful for Feng Zhengming's arrangements.

I can work at home and the salary is very good.

The most important thing is that the boss is the top scholar in the country.

This may be the dream job for many people.

Of course, a lot of people were transferred from Quancheng to the three branches, and Quancheng also needs to supplement its staff.

After all, Feng Zhengming also has branches in Dezhou and Heze that need staff.

However, before going to those two places to prepare for the branch, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing returned to Quancheng first, because he received a message from the province that he needed to return to Quancheng Huiquanlou to prepare to receive some distinguished guests. (End of this chapter)