From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Chapter 820 New Year's Day

New Year's Day 1999.

Feng Zhengming drove a rented car early in the morning to pick up Jiang Chengzhe, and the two rushed to the seafood market together.

For tonight’s New Year’s Day dinner, the menu designed by Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe includes a lot of seafood.

Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe had already soaked some of the dry goods in advance.

Today I went to the seafood market mainly to pick up the fresh goods they had ordered in advance.

On the way to the market, Jiang Chengzhe called the supplier there to confirm.

On the phone, Jiang Chengzhe sometimes spoke Cantonese and sometimes interspersed a few foreign languages.

Feng Zhengming listened to most of what was said and roughly knew what Jiang Chengzhe said to the other party.

After Jiang Chengzhe hung up the phone, Feng Zhengming asked while driving: "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the goods?"

Jiang Chengzhe sighed, "They originally wanted us to exchange the goods, saying that some of the goods we ordered were also wanted by other stores, and asked if we could give some to other stores?"

Feng Zhengming couldn't help laughing: "Are you kidding? We ordered the goods in advance, why should we give some to them?"

Jiang Chengzhe agreed: "That's right, so I told them no, if we go and the goods are not right, don't even think about buying from them next time."

Feng Zhengming knew that this situation was very likely to occur on a day like New Year's Day.

Most restaurants and hotels will have more customers on New Year's Day.

Especially in Shanghai, more consumers will appear on New Year's Day.

Some people who usually don’t want to spend money on food and drink in Shanghai may want to treat themselves well on New Year’s Day.

Therefore, on New Year’s Day, all kinds of premium seafood are often very popular.

The rest of the things are better prepared in advance.

It is indeed difficult for some small shops to stock seafood in advance.

For example, Feng Zhengming's store can only place orders with suppliers in advance based on the number of customers who have made reservations.

Then on New Year's Day, I would pick up the seafood and bring it back to the store.

Although Feng Zhengming is usually easy to talk to, he will never tolerate any mistakes in such an agreed matter.

I drove to the seafood market and went to the store that usually supplies the goods.

When the boss saw Feng Zhengming in person, he hurried out to greet him with a smile.

"Mr. Feng, I didn't expect you to come in person."

Feng Zhengming said calmly: "Are the goods ready? Don't play tricks on us. If you change the goods we ordered, or if the quantity is not enough, don't blame me for being angry."

The boss quickly said, "No, no, how dare we change the things you ordered?"

While Feng Zhengming was talking to his boss, Jiang Chengzhe had already gone in to check.

Jiang Chengzhe came out soon: "Yes, the quantity is right, the ingredients are right, and the seafood that was specially brought in is also in there."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Okay, let's load the car and go back. We will be busy today and can't delay here."

As he said that, Feng Zhengming took out the payment and handed it to the seafood supplier.

"Today is the new year. I hope everyone will be prosperous this year. I will pay you directly for this batch of goods."

The boss was also stunned when he saw the money Feng Zhengming handed to him.

You should know that most stores usually settle payments every six months.

For example, Feng Zhengming usually pays his bills once a month.

Even though today is the first day of the new year, many stores have come to us to request large quantities of goods, and they all have payment in hand.

Even the store owner who came in the morning had a new year's payment settled with the boss from the beginning.

The boss never expected that after Feng Zhengming came, he would pay for so much goods in person today.

The seafood owner took the payment and couldn't help but sigh: "The champion is the champion, he is really generous."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Let's go. Happy New Year."

The seafood boss followed him out of the store and said: "Happy New Year! I wish your store will be as prosperous as ever this year."

Feng Zhengming stood in front of the car door and waved: "Okay, let's get rich together this year."

After saying goodbye to the seafood restaurant owner, Feng Zhengming drove back with Jiang Chengzhe.

On the way back, Jiang Chengzhe couldn't help but praise.

"Zhengming, you are really righteous. You actually paid the boss all the money for today's batch of goods at once. I saw that the boss was so excited at that time. I'm afraid you are the only one who will pay him today."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said: "We are all doing business, and it is not easy for everyone. Days like New Year's Day are supposed to be days for family reunions, but we still have to run around and be busy.

At this time, even if it is just to settle today's bills, it can be regarded as a good blessing to others on the first day of the new year."

Jiang Chengzhe nodded: "That's right, it's a new year, and we should also have a new and good start."

Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe returned to the store, and Xia Hui, Sun Hai and Sun Decai had already arrived in the kitchen.

The young apprentices in the kitchen also came to the store one after another.

Feng Zhengming asked everyone to move the seafood and various ingredients into the kitchen first.

Then Jiang Chengzhe and I assigned tasks to everyone and asked everyone to process the various ingredients separately.

Some of the seafood will not be unpacked for the time being and will remain in oxygenated bags to keep them fresh.

The other part needs to be processed in advance, all of which needs to be unpacked, slaughtered, cleaned and processed in various ways in advance.

According to the menu designed by Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe, some of the seafood will be cooked using Cantonese cuisine.

Some of the seafood is cooked using traditional Shandong cuisine methods.

There will also be a third part, in which Feng Zhengming will use some fusion methods.

Combining the techniques and flavors of different cuisines are some relatively unique and innovative practices.

The innovative methods also include some Western cooking methods.

Even when designing the menu, Feng Zhengming asked Jiang Chengzhe to add some Southeast Asian flavors.

It can be said that Feng Zhengming really made a lot of bold attempts in this New Year’s Day dinner.

He and Jiang Chengzhe will lead the chef team to serve all the guests on New Year's Eve an unforgettable first meal of the new year.

In order to better prepare the ingredients, Feng Zhengming's Western Restaurant on the street was closed at noon.

Because it was New Year's Day and the restaurant was closed, there weren't many customers coming in at noon.

So at noon, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe worked together to prepare a sumptuous employee meal for everyone in the store.

For the staff lunch at noon, Feng Zhengming prepared several classic Shandong dishes.

The dish that surprised everyone the most was the braised yellow croaker.

Feng Zhengming has integrated the braised techniques of Shandong cuisine. Although the yellow croaker is not stuffed with soup, his unique seasoning, combined with some auxiliary ingredients, still makes the yellow croaker quite delicious.

Of course, the key point is that the yellow croaker is relatively fresh and is also the top product brought back from the seafood market this morning.

In addition to this big yellow croaker, Feng Zhengming also made a dish of braised abalone and pork.

It is a fusion of Shanghainese cuisine.

In order to make the abalone better flavored, Feng Zhengming also added abalone slices.

The braised pork is cooked until it is almost completely tender.

The employees in the store could eat several bowls of rice with the broth from the braised pork. Jiang Chengzhe used eels to make a homemade eel for everyone.

He also made a dish of sweet and sour shrimp balls with shrimp for everyone.

Every dish prepared by Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe is really popular with everyone.

A waiter in the store couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect to work in our national number one store and have the opportunity to eat employee meals made by the number one. It's really great."

The other waiters followed suit and all thought this meal was the most delicious one they had ever had.

"This time I can brag to my friends that I have eaten the employee meal prepared by the number one scholar himself."

"Hahaha, yes, that's right. I can tell my family that the top scholar's cooking skills are excellent."

Feng Zhengming corrected with a smile: "Not only the top scorer, you also had the staff meal for the third place."

Feng Zhengming even opened a bottle of champagne for this staff meal.

He raised his glass and said, "Let's all raise our glasses together and wish that our store will prosper and do better business in the new year."

When Feng Zhengming raised his glass like this, naturally everyone followed suit.

Everyone in the store was very happy with Feng Zhengming's generosity.

Everyone has more trust and loyalty to this store and Feng Zhengming.

After lunch, Feng Zhengming did not rush everyone to start work. Instead, he asked everyone to sit down and chat.

"Don't rush to work, let's sit down and talk, and by the way, let everyone get rid of the alcohol."

After hearing this, everyone naturally sat down.

At first everyone felt somewhat restrained.

After all, this is the first time I have met Feng Zhengming face to face like this.

Neither the waiter nor the kitchen apprentice dared to say a word.

Feng Zhengming spoke first: "Why aren't you talking? Today is the first day of the new year, don't you want to talk about your expectations for this year?"

Seeing that no one spoke, Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Okay, I'll speak first."

Everyone's eyes were on Feng Zhengming, waiting to hear what the top scorer had to say about his expectations for this year.

"I opened two restaurants in Shanghai last year, and the business is pretty good. I was able to showcase the Shandong cuisine that I had learned over the years on a bigger stage, and it was also recognized by most people.

Someone told me that I should strike while the iron is hot and open a few more branches this year so that I can capture the entire market in Shanghai as soon as possible.

I think there is no need to rush into expansion like that. We should first run the two stores well.

So my idea this year is to run my two stores in Shanghai well.

We will strive to make these two restaurants the must-eat restaurants for everyone when they come to Shanghai.”

Feng Zhengming raised his head and then looked at Jiang Chengzhe.

Jiang Chengzhe immediately laughed: "Do I need to say more?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Say it all, say a few words."

Jiang Chengzhe also talked about his ideas for this year.

"I hope I can help the chef run the two stores this year. I also hope that I can have more dishes on the menu of our store and win more customers' favor."

After hearing what Jiang Chengzhe said, Feng Zhengming couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, why don't you have any aspirations? You just want to run the store with me?"

Jiang Chengzhe asked back: "Isn't this enough?"

Without waiting for Feng Zhengming to say anything, Jiang Chengzhe decisively took the lead.

"We help you run these two stores. Can you still treat us unfairly?"

Jiang Chengzhe's words were recognized by everyone present.

"That's right. If you follow the chef and run the store well, you will definitely not be treated unfairly."

"When the time comes, I can tell people that I work in the store of the top scholar. That will be very prestigious."

"I also want to learn some skills from the top scholar, and hope to learn some dishes so I can cook them for my family when I get home."

"Me too. There are many dishes in our restaurant that I want to learn and cook for my parents when I go back home."

Some people started talking about their plans for the new year, and everyone stopped being polite and spoke freely, telling about their various plans for the new year.

Some want to learn more skills in the store.

There are also apprentices who want to get the opportunity to cook in the store.

Others hope that the store business will get better and better so that they can get more bonuses.

Some people also want to save money for themselves in the new year so that they can live a better life in Shanghai in the future.

Everyone has their own expectations for the new year.

They all have their own direction they want to work towards.

However, most people still bundle up many of their expectations for the new year in the store.

This also made Feng Zhengming realize that the burden on his shoulders was heavier.

In the new year, he is not only responsible for himself, but also for everyone in the store. He needs to make his store attract more customers and help everyone in the store realize their expectations in the new year.

Everyone in the store chatted until three o'clock in the afternoon, and Feng Zhengming then clapped his hands and asked everyone to get ready for business.

"Okay, everyone, start getting ready. The waiters in the store in front, whether it's every table in the store or the table in the private room, must clean up and put everything in order as required.

The floor and chairs must also be cleaned thoroughly, and there must not be any places that make guests uncomfortable.”

After instructing the service staff in the front store, Feng Zhengming and Jiang Chengzhe led the people in the kitchen back to the kitchen.

After entering the kitchen, Feng Zhengming first asked everyone to put on their clothes and chef hats.

"Remember, today is the first day of the new year, so tonight you all have to be in high spirits, have the energy to welcome the new year, and all your clothes must be neat and tidy.

The assistant chef and I have already assigned you the tasks in the kitchen this morning, so go and prepare them on your own."

After Feng Zhengming finished giving his instructions, everyone in the store started to get busy.

Zhu Xu and others from the store at the train station also came to the store.

Feng Zhengming asked them all to go to the locker room to change their clothes first.

After Zhu Xu and the others changed their clothes, they stepped into the kitchen.

Feng Zhengming began to assign tasks to them.

After Zhu Xu and others joined, the kitchen seemed a bit crowded, but work efficiency was also improved.

While busy, Feng Zhengming also asked Zhu Xu about the situation of the store near the train station today.

Zhu Xu replied: "There are still a lot of people there at noon. When they found out that we were closing at night, many people felt it was a pity and said they wanted to bring their families to the restaurant to eat in the evening."

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, on New Year's Eve, let's go to a better restaurant to eat."

Zhu Xu took over the conversation: "I know that Master Uncle hopes to leave some business space for other stores over there on New Year's Eve. Otherwise, if we continue to open at night, I'm afraid that many people over there will still choose to go to our store."

"Alright, alright, you don't have to show off your ability to understand to us."

As soon as Feng Zhengming said this, laughter suddenly broke out in the kitchen.

Amidst laughter and joy, everything was quickly prepared in the kitchen.

As night falls, guests who have reserved tables arrive one after another.

(End of this chapter)