From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

People from Beijing sat together with leaders from Qilu Province, people from the Provincial Chefs Association, and several master chefs.

Master Hou spoke frankly about the purpose of their trip.

"This state banquet for the return is a very important event. We have also received instructions from our leaders to gather famous chefs from all over the country to prepare a dinner for this major event of the return."

Both the provincial government and the several masters present looked at each other in bewilderment.

No one really expected that the state banquet for this return would be in this form.

However, when thinking about the major event of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, everyone felt that such an arrangement was indeed reasonable.

In particular, asking Feng Zhengming to participate is indeed in line with Feng Zhengming's identity.

After all, he is the top student in the country and is recognized as the best chef in the country.

Master Cui asked, "Is Feng Zhengming going to Beijing with his team this time?"

Chef Hou nodded: "Yes, because our design is to make the most authentic Shandong cuisine. Feng Zhengming is the representative of Shandong cuisine today and the champion of our national cooking competition.

So he must bring his own team of chefs with him. Of course, he needs to report the candidates first, and we also need to check the personnel to ensure that they can come to Beijing to participate in this state banquet. "

Everyone can understand what Master Hou said.

After all, a state banquet is a major event.

Therefore, some strict personnel screening must be carried out.

It is impossible to let just anyone participate in it.

We must ensure that the state banquet can be carried out very stably.

It is also necessary to ensure that the dishes prepared for the state banquet are sufficient and safe.

The masters looked at Master Yan.

In fact, the masters all hope to recommend their apprentices to join Feng Zhengming's team that is going to Beijing.

But the old masters were too embarrassed to say it out loud, and even more embarrassed to tell Feng Zhengming directly.

So the masters looked at Master Yan at this time, hoping that Master Yan could express his opinion.

Let Master Yan talk to Feng Zhengming and ask Feng Zhengming to take the initiative to invite other masters' apprentices to join his team.

Master Yan also understood the meaning of the master's eyes.

He smiled and looked at Master Hou and others.

"I don't know, is there a limit on the number of people this time?"

Master Hou nodded: "Of course there is. It is impossible for Feng Zhengming to bring so many people alone. We stipulate that it is best to control the number of people to about five to eight."

After hearing this, Master Yan smiled and expressed his opinion to the other masters.

"I'm sorry, but if you can only take five to eight people, I'm afraid Zhengming won't agree to take anyone else."

This made the old masters a little confused. No one understood why Feng Zhengming was unwilling to lead others among the five to eight people?
However, Master Cui quickly understood it.

"Zhengming wants the people in the kitchen of Huiquanlou to go with him, right? After all, they have worked together in the kitchen of Huiquanlou for a long time, so they have a better understanding between them.

If someone else were to cooperate with Zhengming, there might be some problems. If a conflict arose, it would be difficult to coordinate. "

What Master Cui said made all the masters present feel that it was very reasonable.

Master Yan smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your understanding, Brother Cui. Zhengming is not very good at handling interpersonal relationships. After all, he is young, so he is often more self-centered."

After hearing what Master Yan said, the other masters completely understood.

It would probably not be possible to ask Master Yan to help persuade Feng Zhengming.

Although the masters still had some ideas in their minds, it was not convenient for them to express them in public at this time.

The provincial leader who was present thought for a moment and asked, "So, Feng Zhengming is the representative of Shandong cuisine this time?"

Master Hou and the people from the capital nodded to indicate that this was the case.

Master Hou gave another explanation: "Feng Zhengming is now very famous, not only in your Qilu, but also in the whole country."

After a brief pause, Master Hou said with a smile.

"Many chefs in Beijing are very curious about Feng Zhengming. Many chefs are waiting for Feng Zhengming to come. They want to have a good exchange with him and see how capable this young champion is."

At this time, a man from the capital spoke with a smile.

"Last time, Feng Zhengming held an exchange with the chefs from the island city and Beijing. I heard from some of the chefs who came back that they had underestimated Feng Zhengming."

After hearing what the person from Beijing said, the provincial leaders were full of confidence in Feng Zhengming.

The old masters also showed proud expressions.

No matter what, Feng Zhengming is also the national champion representing Shandong cuisine.

Being able to impress chefs from other parts of the country is a matter of pride for all Shandong cuisine chefs.

Chef Hou continued, "Next, we will inspect Huiquanlou's kitchen to see if it is qualified. If it is, we will formally invite Feng Zhengming and his kitchen team to Beijing."

Master Su couldn't help but ask, "If you can only bring five to eight people, isn't that a little too few?"

Hearing Master Su say this, Master Sun also agreed: "Yes, five to eight people are indeed a bit too few. To participate in the state banquet and independently prepare a Shandong cuisine banquet, I think there must be at least more than ten people, right?"

When Master Su and Master Sun said this, Master Cui and Master Yan smiled at each other.

They naturally understood that Master Su and Master Sun were a little anxious.

They still want to recommend their apprentices to join Feng Zhengming's team.

After all, going to Beijing to participate in a state banquet is a rare opportunity for any chef.

And in the hearts of the masters.

Feng Zhengming will definitely have many opportunities in the future.

But some of their favorite disciples may not get that chance.

If Feng Zhengming had not already been chosen, the old masters might have also fought for it.

Now, Feng Zhengming is the national number one scholar, so there is no way to compete with Feng Zhengming for this opportunity.

Naturally, the old masters could only think of ways to deal with the members of Feng Zhengming's team.

Master Hou also understood what the two masters meant.

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "I understand how you feel, but this is a state banquet after all, and there will be a special team to assist Feng Zhengming and his team, so we also need to pay attention to safety in this regard."

After Master Hou said this, Master Su and Master Sun had no choice but to stop.

They also understood that the state banquet was no joke.

The most important thing about a state banquet is not how rich the dishes are, nor how great the cooking techniques are.

The most important thing at a state banquet is to ensure safety.

At that time, we may have to receive very valuable foreign guests.

If food safety cannot be guaranteed, it will cause serious trouble.

Master Su and Master Sun didn't say anything more.

Master Hou then left with the people from Beijing.

After they left, several master chefs and provincial leaders, including people from the Provincial Chefs Association, all looked at Master Yan.

Master Yan helplessly spread his hands and said, "Don't look at me. I can't make any promises to you about this matter. You all know Zhengming's temper. No one else can influence what he has decided."

Everyone sighed a little. Everyone had dealt with Feng Zhengming for a long time.

Everyone is indeed very clear about Feng Zhengming's character.

So it is almost impossible to get Feng Zhengming to accept other people to join his team.

Seeing that the situation was a bit awkward, Master Cui spoke with a smile.

"Well, Zhengming also represents our Shandong cuisine. If he succeeds in participating in the state banquet this time, the status of our Shandong cuisine will be further improved, which shows that Zhengming's efforts are effective."

Master Cui's words were also unanimously recognized by everyone present.

We are all smart people and are aware of the contributions Feng Zhengming has made to Shandong cuisine during this period.

He traveled all over the land of Qi and Lu on foot and collected some delicacies from all over the place.

He also opened branches in the province to support local specialty snacks.

Everyone has seen this and knows that Feng Zhengming is using his own way to make Shandong cuisine continue to improve.

In particular, he has opened branches in various places. Now the branches in Yancheng, Daocheng and Taicheng have solved the employment problems of many young chefs and apprentices.

He has made great contributions to the province.

And his next two branches will also become very important stores.

It will also boost the local economy and solve some employment problems for chefs and apprentices.

So if we look at the whole province and the development of Shandong cuisine.

Everyone present must support Feng Zhengming.

This little meeting is over.

Master Yan still rushed to Huiquanlou alone.

When we entered, Huiquanlou was already open for business.

When He Yunqing saw Master Yan coming, he quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Master Yan, you are here. Zhengming said you would come, so he asked me to tell you that when you come, change into your chef's uniform and go to the kitchen to find him. He will be waiting for you there."

Master Yan laughed and said, "This kid is quite good at guessing what others are thinking."

Without saying anything more, Master Yan changed into the chef's uniform in the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

After changing into the chef's uniform, Master Yan took a look at the uniform.

The old master really likes the chef uniform designed by his young apprentice for Huiquanlou.

When Master Yan stepped into the kitchen of Huiquanlou.

He saw his three apprentices and a group of young chefs and apprentices busy in the kitchen.

It really made the master chef feel like he was back in the kitchen of Yan Xilou.

However, it was Master Yan who was in charge of directing and dispatching on site at the beginning.

Now in the kitchen of Huiquanlou, it is the young apprentice Feng Zhengming who is in charge of the dispatch.

Watching Feng Zhengming's command and the various coordinations of the eldest disciple and the fifth disciple.

and the efforts of young chefs and apprentices.

Master Yan was completely relieved all of a sudden.

He understood that his disciples had truly become masters.

Now Feng Zhengming is already a master chef, he should be able to participate in the state banquet.

Master Yan stood aside and watched for a long time.

After the round of dishes was finished, Feng Zhengming saw his master.

He called his two senior brothers, and the three of them came before the master together.

"Master, you are here."

"Master."

"Master."

Looking at the three apprentices in front of him, Master Yan's heart was filled with pride.

I didn't expect that even though Yan Xilou was gone, my three disciples could still shine so brightly.

Especially the little apprentice, the one who was once highly expected by him, he has now truly become a top master.

Master Yan patted his little apprentice on the shoulder again.

It was just like when they said goodbye in front of Yan Xi Tower.

Feng Zhengming felt a pang in his heart when his master patted him on the shoulder.

When he looked at his master again, he realized for the first time that his master had grown old.

"Master, you must take care of yourself. You haven't seen your disciple rebuild Yanxi Tower yet. You must wait and see."

Master Yan laughed when he heard this.

"Hahaha, you little brat, your master is in good health, stop talking nonsense to me, do you want to be punished again?"

After hearing what the master said, Feng Zhengming and his two senior brothers all laughed.

The laughter also infected other people in the kitchen, and everyone greeted Master Yan together.

Master Yan smiled and waved to everyone.

Then Master Yan looked at Feng Zhengming.

"You should know, right? Someone from the capital is coming this time. We hope you can go to Beijing to participate in the state banquet. You may be the chef this time. Are you ready?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Master, I shouldn't be the chef, right? There are so many famous chefs in the capital. Although I am the top chef in the country, I have no experience in preparing state banquets. It's not a good idea for me to be the chef, right?"

Master Yan asked with a smile: "What's the matter? Are you scared?"

Feng Zhengming immediately said, "Don't be afraid, I just think I may not be suitable to be a chef."

Master Yan patted his apprentice and said, "Stop showing off in front of me. I have already met with Master Hou and the others. Even if you are not the head chef, you should be mainly responsible for the Shandong cuisine."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Master, rest assured, I will definitely cook Shandong cuisine well and will never let our Shandong cuisine lose face."

Master Yan then asked, "Who are you going to take with you to Beijing this time?"

Feng Zhengming looked at his two senior brothers and then answered his master.

"I'm going to ask my brothers to go with me. Fourth Brother can't come back. I've already notified Second Brother and Sixth Brother. We brothers are going to Beijing together."

Master Yan was a little helpless: "I guessed it, you are going to ask your brother to go with you."

After a brief pause, Master Yan asked, "Do you know that other people also want to go? This may cause some opinions from other Shandong cuisine chefs."

Feng Zhengming immediately said, "Master, this is a state banquet. I know everyone wants to go, but not everyone can go. If I go, I must make sure that the dishes are well prepared."

My senior brothers and I have been working together for so many years. We don’t need to say much to each other. Many things can be understood with just a glance.

What if I let some other chefs join our team and the dishes are not cooked well?"

Feng Zhengming showed an aggrieved expression while speaking, which made the two brothers want to laugh but dare not laugh in front of the master. (End of this chapter)