From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

In the next few days, Feng Zhengming gave some of the activities arranged in Gangcheng to chefs from other places to participate.

He and Luo Qing followed Jiang Chengzhe and began to look around for the things he needed to cook.

Thanks to the help of Jiang Chengzhe, a famous young chef from Hong Kong, Feng Zhengming successfully found many very popular ingredients.

In particular, through some connections, they were able to get in touch with ocean fishing vessels, which allowed Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe to buy a lot of things.

However, although he bought a lot of things, Jiang Chengzhe still realized that Feng Zhengming didn't seem to find what he wanted.

"Zhengming, are you looking for something? I see you don't seem to be satisfied yet."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, I want to find a big fish to make a special dish."

Jiang Chengzhe thought for a moment and said, "I can take you to find some fish bosses. You can tell him in advance what fish you need and ask him to help you keep an eye out for and prepare them."

Feng Zhengming nodded immediately and went with Jiang Chengzhe to find the captain of an ocean-going fishing vessel whom he was very familiar with.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's request, the other party was very straightforward.

"So you are our top scholar. You want a big red sea bream, right? That's easy. I'll make the contact for you. Just tell me when you want one and I'll definitely find you a fresh one."

Feng Zhengming thanked him with a smile and agreed on the required time with the boat captain.

The other party agreed quite readily.

On the way back, Jiang Chengzhe was a little curious.

"Zhengming, you are going to use the big red sea bream. What dish are you going to make?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and replied: "I plan to make a separate map of our motherland as a comparison with the previous map of mountains and rivers of our motherland. The color of red sea bream is red, which is more in line with the color of our motherland."

Jiang Chengzhe vaguely understood Feng Zhengming's thoughts.

"You actually want to make a map of your motherland using a big red sea bream?"

Seeing Jiang Chengzhe's face full of surprise and disbelief, Feng Zhengming then told Jiang Chengzhe some of his thoughts.

After hearing this, Jiang Chengzhe was completely shocked.

Feng Zhengming has to use a big red sea bream alone, cooking it using different cooking methods from the east, west, south and north, and finally assemble it into a map of the motherland.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's description, Jiang Chengzhe suddenly thought of a cartoon.

"Zhengming, is this dish of yours a dish from a cartoon?"

Feng Zhengming looked at Jiang Chengzhe: "Oh? Have you seen it?"

Jiang Chengzhe nodded: "I have seen it, really seen it, it was in a comic book I saw in an eastern island country when I was on a visit to several Southeast Asian countries."

Feng Zhengming: "The inspiration does come from that comic, but if I were to do it, it would probably be different from the comic."

After hearing this, Jiang Chengzhe was naturally very much looking forward to Feng Zhengming's dish.

In the next few days, with the help of Jiang Chengzhe, Feng Zhengming further improved the Qi and Lu map.

This is different from the previous state banquets where only cold dishes were served.

This time, Feng Zhengming discussed with chefs from all over the country and decided to add some of the most distinctive hot dishes from various regions.

We need to create an upgraded version of the map of our motherland’s mountains and rivers.

Chefs from all over the country followed Feng Zhengming's advice and used the young chefs who followed them without any hesitation.

The young chefs who came here through connections from all over the place thought they would have a good time in Hong Kong.

Unexpectedly, all the state banquet chefs who were leading the team were arranged to help out.

Almost every day I have to work in the kitchen with the chefs.

This naturally caused some young chefs to complain.

However, these young chefs who used various connections to participate in this exchange had complaints.

But whenever they saw Feng Zhengming, they would immediately behave themselves.

On the one hand, Feng Zhengming had already educated them in person before he came.

On the other hand, after arriving in Hong Kong City, they soon discovered that in Hong Kong City, whether it was the chefs or tycoons, or even the people from the Special Administrative Region, they were obviously polite enough to Feng Zhengming.

Not to mention those young chefs who joined the team through connections from all over the country.

Even some of the chefs from all over the country who participated in the state banquets before the return of the country did not have much face in Hong Kong.

Many times, Feng Zhengming was needed to help stand by and support the team.

So that he won’t be looked down upon by some famous chefs in Hong Kong.

So in all aspects, young chefs are somewhat afraid of Feng Zhengming.

In the end, under Feng Zhengming's suppression, the young chefs who came from all over the place had to work obediently.

This time we have more manpower and we have the experience of having done it once.

Chefs from all over the country are making rapid progress.

On the contrary, Feng Zhengming's progress was a little slower despite the cooperation of Jiang Chengzhe and his people.

Although the progress was a bit slow, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe did develop some tacit understanding in cooperation.

Both learn something from each other.

Jiang Chengzhe learned some Shandong cuisine techniques from Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming also learned some seasoning methods from Jiang Chengzhe, especially from some places in Southeast Asia.

Of course, when it comes to seasoning methods, Feng Zhengming did not learn to simply copy other people’s seasoning recipes.

Feng Zhengming learned more about the underlying logic of seasoning from Jiang Chengzhe.

The two of them worked together to break down the underlying logic of various tunes.

A way to adjust the taste, how to adjust the taste to the right level.

What condiments should be added first?
What should the initial base taste be like?

These are the most basic foundation for seasoning a dish.

In this direction, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe learned from each other. Although they cannot be said to have fully mastered it, the two have created a unique seasoning logic.

While communicating and learning with Jiang Chengzhe, Feng Zhengming also slowly completed the Qi Lu map with the help of Jiang Chengzhe.

It was about two days before the actual presentation of the dishes.

Jiang Chengzhe was very excited to find Feng Zhengming busy in the kitchen.

"Zhengming, we got it. We really got it this time. The captain of the ship was very particular and made special arrangements for you. We finally found a big red sea bream. Let's go over and take a look now."

Feng Zhengming immediately put the final touches on the work at hand.

Then he didn't even change into his chef's uniform, and followed Jiang Chengzhe out to the sashimi pier.

The two men rushed to the dock and found the captain.

The other party immediately asked someone to take out the big red sea bream in the tank.

"Hahaha, we lived up to your expectations and got this one for you. This is definitely the biggest one you can get."

Feng Zhengming looked at the big red sea bream with excitement on his face: "Thank you, thank you so much." When Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe were about to pay, the captain of the boat was quite generous.

"No need. I heard that you are going to make a big dish for this big red sea bream to celebrate the return of our port city. I am giving this fish to you. You must not let it go to waste."

Although the captain was so enthusiastic, Feng Zhengming still insisted on paying.

The two sides had a tug of war, but were finally persuaded by the captain.

Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe thanked each other again and then returned with the big red sea bream.

On the way back, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe had already begun to excitedly discuss how to do it?
"I took a closer look at the comic a few days ago. The map of the sea bream continent in the comic is really amazing. Zhengming, are you also planning to make four types of east, west, south, and north?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "No, if we just reproduce the dish in the comic, it will be boring.

What’s more, the dishes in the comics are just the other party’s imagination of our dishes, which are completely different from the local Chinese cuisines.

My idea is to upgrade it and come up with an upgraded version that includes flavors from all over the country.”

"Encompassing flavors from all over the country?" Jiang Chengzhe was surprised by this.

He tried hard to form Feng Zhengming's words in his mind.

But it is hard to imagine how to cook a single sea bream and incorporate flavors from all over the country?

Seeing Jiang Chengzhe’s face full of confusion, he obviously couldn’t figure out how to season it?
Feng Zhengming smiled and explained to him.

"We can think about it this way. From south to north, from east to west, do all parts of our country have some different characteristics? And when it comes to eating fish, do all regions have their own characteristics?"

After hearing this, Jiang Chengzhe nodded in agreement: "Yes, it must be different in different places."

Feng Zhengming continued to guide: "Think about it again. The four methods in the cartoons, east, west, south and north, are not representative of the whole country. Even the sashimi roll with crab roe in the cartoons, can it really be considered a local specialty?"

Jiang Chengzhe laughed immediately: "Hahaha, the four methods in the comics do seem a bit sloppy, but after all, they are the Chinese cooking methods imagined by cartoonists from the Eastern island countries, so they are indeed not that rigorous."

Feng Zhengming: "So we can't just copy it. We have to follow our chefs' ideas."

Then Feng Zhengming gave Jiang Chengzhe an example.

"Take our three northeastern provinces for example, what is the most classic dish you can think of in the three northeastern provinces?"

Jiang Chengzhe thought for a moment and said, "It should be the iron pot stew they have there, right?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "Why are you thinking about iron pot stew? Northeast China is more famous for its palace dishes. There are four major stir-fried dishes in the palace dishes, one of which is stir-fried fish fillet.

So I can’t just use lettuce leaves to deal with the northeastern part of the True Sea Bream continent map, so I’ll just grab some fried fish fillets.

We need to use the cooking method of sweet and sour pork in Northeast China to make a fish fillet version of sweet and sour pork, and we also need to reflect the different flavors of the three provinces in the seasoning.”

Jiang Chengzhe looked at Feng Zhengming in surprise.

He really hadn't thought that this was the way to showcase the different local characteristics of different parts of the country.

Feng Zhengming then extended the idea from the Northeast to North China, still continuing with the same line of thought.

The comic shows the Peking duck method, so Feng Zhengming decided to make it in a similar way.

But the difference is that after Feng Zhengming wraps the roasted fish in ice skin, he also has to fry it to make the skin crispy and better blend with the sea bream meat inside, and he also uses Beijing sauce to season it.

Feng Zhengming continued to expand in this way, incorporating different flavors from all over the country.

Listening to Feng Zhengming's bold creativity, Jiang Chengzhe had to admire Feng Zhengming even more.

Because these are indeed things that Jiang Chengzhe would never have thought of.

In Feng Zhengming's design, both the fish head and the fish tail are also used.

It won't be like in the comics, where the fish head and tail are preserved.

After all, in reality, Feng Zhengming has no way to put the red sea bream back like in the comics.

Therefore, in his design, he simply used the fish head and tail as well.

It just so happens that the comics show a map of the True Sea Bream continent.

Feng Zhengming wanted to expand it to include the South China Sea and Taiwan.

The fish head and tail can also be used well.

Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe returned to the hotel while discussing.

After returning, the two of them immediately began to prepare.

Because the official cooking demonstration will begin in two days.

So there is not much time left for Feng Zhengming.

Fortunately, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe have already prepared the map of Qi and Lu.

Other chefs from all over the country in the kitchen were also busy with their final preparations, preparing everything that needed to be done in advance.

Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe were naturally the ones who worked overtime.

After all, Feng Zhengming's upgraded version of the True Sea Bream Continent Map is still a secret for now.

Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe planned to show it last to shock all the guests present.

It also made everyone truly understand that the craftsmanship of Feng Zhengming, the top scholar, is unquestionable.

When everything was almost ready, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe packed and preserved the things together. It was already late at night.

The two men, feeling a little tired, had a drink in the small bar in the hotel.

While drinking, Jiang Chengzhe couldn't help but sigh.

"Zhengming, I think your upgraded version of the True Sea Bream Motherland Picture will definitely become the focus again and will definitely shock everyone. And who knows, maybe that cartoonist will find you then."

Feng Zhengming laughed when he heard this: "Really? He also reads the news in Hong Kong?"

Jiang Chengzhe nodded: "Of course. Before Hong Kong returns, the ties with some countries in East Asia and South Asia should be closer."

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but joke: "For example, many of the hit songs in Hong Kong and Taiwan were actually composed by people from Japan?"

These words made Jiang Chengzhe laugh and cry at the same time.

"Can we not talk about this?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Okay, let's not talk about this. I know that many movies from Hong Kong are also very popular in many island countries and South Asian countries."

Jiang Chengzhe smiled and said, "Yes, so maybe Hong Kong and they have more cultural exchanges."

Feng Zhengming said: "In this regard, we need to have more cultural exchanges with them in the future. Just like that cartoon, although there are many unreasonable parts, it does describe our Chinese food in great detail."

“Hahaha.” Jiang Chengzhe suddenly couldn’t help laughing. “Let me tell you, the first time I read that comic, I really wanted to try to cook the dishes like those in it.”

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Try to make mapo tofu according to the comics? Or stir-fry Chinese cabbage with mushrooms?"

Jiang Chengzhe: "I have tried it. In fact, you need to add oil when blanching vegetables. Adding some animal oil will make the dishes taste better and make the vegetables greener."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "That's right, maybe the cartoonist didn't really understand the principle."

He then added: "To make vegetables more delicious, it is best to add broth and animal oil."

Neither of them drank much, because they would be very busy tomorrow, so they only drank one glass of wine and went back to their rooms to rest. (End of this chapter)