From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Feng Zhengming walked onto the stage, holding the microphone in his hand and bowed to everyone present.

“In fact, I was a little nervous when I was asked to go on stage.

Although I seem to have gained some fame in the past two years, I am actually just a small chef. Everyone here is my senior in business, so I have no right to stand here and speak."

When the entrepreneurs at the scene heard what Feng Zhengming said, all of them laughed.

Then Uncle San, who was sitting in the audience, started shouting.

"Speak now. You are the face of our Qilu cuisine. Speak boldly."

Hearing his uncle supporting him, Feng Zhengming also relaxed.

"Okay, thank you for your encouragement, Uncle San. Although I know you want to pretend to be a stranger, your voice is indeed too familiar to me, and I really can't pretend not to know you."

These words caused a burst of laughter at the scene, and the atmosphere at the scene was completely relaxed by Feng Zhengming's words.

“I think the reason why I was asked to come on stage is to share with you my experience of opening a store in Shanghai. Actually, I don’t have much experience to talk about.

I opened a store in Shanghai and was able to open four stores at once, probably mainly because I was the top student in the country.

This signboard encourages everyone to come to my shop and try out my cooking skills.
As a result, after eating at my restaurant, many people suddenly discovered that our Shandong cuisine is delicious.

So my four stores have gained a firm foothold in Shanghai.”

Having said this, Feng Zhengming paused for a moment.

"This shows that our Shandong cuisine still has a big market, and all my years of learning Shandong cuisine skills have not been in vain."

After saying this, Feng Zhengming then said something that won the approval of all the entrepreneurs present.

"It further proves that we Qilu people are honest. In my store in Shanghai, I will never fool any customer. In addition to Shandong cuisine, my store also serves some Shanghai local dishes. I will ask my chef to go with me to learn from the masters of local cuisine.

Since we are going to do it, we must do it conscientiously and do it well so that the locals cannot find any fault with us.

I think this solidity is the characteristic of Qilu and the key to our success in business.”

As soon as Feng Zhengming said this, the entrepreneurs present immediately felt comfortable listening to it.

This time, there was no need for Uncle San, who was sitting below, to take the lead. Some entrepreneurs in the front row took the initiative to applaud Feng Zhengming.

Amid the applause, Feng Zhengming said a few polite words.

Finally, he concluded: "Now that we have entered the year 2000, we have entered a new era. I believe that in this new era, we can all achieve our own success through our hard work and efforts."

After he said this, the audience applauded Feng Zhengming again.

Amidst applause, Feng Zhengming walked off the stage.

Returning to his seat, Zhao Chaoxing gave him a thumbs up.

"Well said."

Uncle San also came over and said, "Okay, Zhengming, you are getting better at speaking now."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "I am just being pushed into this. I haven't prepared anything beforehand, so I can only speak out whatever comes to mind."

Uncle San encouraged: "Well said, this kind of situation is nothing to you."

Zhao Chaoxing also said, "That's right. You spoke in front of so many big bosses in Gangcheng, and you dared to speak like that in front of those people in the national competition. What are you afraid of?"

Feng Zhengming felt even more embarrassed.

"Don't say that. I definitely can't give in in such an occasion. I can't bring shame to our Shandong cuisine chefs and our Qilu."

Other entrepreneurs at the table praised Feng Zhengming for doing the right thing.

"That's right, the top scholar can't be a coward in front of those people."

"Those tycoons in Hong Kong just started earlier than us. We are really on the same starting line. It is hard to say who will win and who will lose."

"Yes, that's what Feng Zhuangyuan said. We Qilu people run our business in a down-to-earth manner and don't do those empty things."

"Keep our feet on the ground and we will definitely do better and better."

Although the entrepreneurs present all understand that there is still a big gap between them and the tycoons in Hong Kong.

But everyone is unwilling to give up easily, and everyone wants to work hard on their careers and prove themselves.

Seeing the ambitions of the entrepreneurs present, Feng Zhengming seemed to understand why he was invited.

Perhaps the province also hopes to set an example for young entrepreneurs in the province.

There will be a dinner after the meeting.

Many people at the scene took the initiative to drink with Feng Zhengming.

Faced with the frequent toasts from this group of entrepreneurs, Feng Zhengming felt a little overwhelmed.

Fortunately, because the provincial leaders were present, no one urged us to drink too much.

However, many people exchanged contact information with Feng Zhengming and expressed their desire to invite him individually if they had the chance.

Feng Zhengming was also somewhat helpless and could only exchange contact information with everyone.

After all, whether he is opening a branch in Shanghai or in the province, if he has the help of these entrepreneurs, he can save some trouble and even have the opportunity to let them invest and cooperate.

This is also why some entrepreneurs take the initiative to exchange contact information with Feng Zhengming in order to obtain some opportunities.

It is a pleasure to work with Feng Zhengming, the now unique top chef.

Everyone knows that this is definitely a good thing.

Making money or not may not be very important to some businesses.

The key is to establish a better corporate image through Feng Zhengming.

Their business has contributed to the development of Shandong cuisine in their hometown.

In this way, a positive image can be created for their company and more publicity opportunities can be brought to them.

Feng Zhengming understood their thoughts, so he was thinking that if there was an opportunity, he could select some people to cooperate with.

While the dinner was going on, several provincial leaders also talked with Feng Zhengming individually.

The leaders hope that Feng Zhengming can train more Shandong cuisine chefs.

"Zhengming, I heard that your four restaurants in Shanghai are doing very well, especially the one on some Western restaurant street. It's the most popular and has made some foreigners fall in love with Shandong cuisine."

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "I made some small improvements. In fact, many times, we have a little stereotype about foreigners and always think that what they eat should be different from us.

There are definitely differences in taste, but the food we eat is not that different.

Our Shandong cuisine is not as strong as Sichuan cuisine. If we adjust the taste a little, foreigners will like it too.”

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, several provincial leaders were very happy.

This is also one of the reasons why they admire Feng Zhengming.

Because Feng Zhengming can promote Shandong cuisine better.

Even overseas people are accepting Shandong cuisine.

"Xiao Feng, if you need anything, just let us know. We will do our best to help you."

"Yes, the province will definitely support your development."

"The province also hopes that you can train more Shandong cuisine chefs. Young chefs can follow you and go out of our Qilu to see a wider world."

"Yes, I can also follow you to spread Shandong cuisine more widely."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "To be honest with you, I do have some plans. I want to train more young chefs so that they can go to some of my restaurants outside the city and bring authentic Shandong cuisine to various places."

"it is good."

The leaders were very satisfied and happy with this.

As long as Feng Zhengming is willing to do it, everyone knows that he will be able to promote Shandong cuisine.

Another aspect is the training of young chefs, which is very important. Although the old chefs are still alive, they are old after all.

It is somewhat difficult for the old chefs to take the young chefs out to explore the world now.

But there is a young, strong and famous chef like Feng Zhengming leading the team.

Everyone will feel more at ease and believe that Feng Zhengming can lead the team well.

Of course, the leaders are not just lip service in their support.

They also told Feng Zhengming that the province absolutely supports him and will fully support any reforms he wants to make to the provincial chefs association.

Feng Zhengming didn't have any idea about how to reform the provincial chefs association.

With the masters in charge, Feng Zhengming feels at ease.

If Feng Zhengming really takes the lead in the reform, he will have to divert his attention to management afterwards.

For the time being, Feng Zhengming doesn't want to bother with this matter.

After talking with the leaders, the dinner was almost coming to an end.

Feng Zhengming, Zhao Chaoxing and his third uncle left together.

After walking out of the venue, he saw Zhao Chaoxing's car coming to pick him up.

Feng Zhengming smiled and joked: "Boss Zhao is really a big boss now. He has a special car to pick him up."

Zhao Chaoxing also laughed: "Hahaha, what kind of big boss am I? Compared with Feng Zhuangyuan, I am nothing. There is a dinner party tonight, so we must drink. I asked someone to pick me up, and the driver is my brother-in-law."

Then Zhao Chaoxing asked, "Boss Feng, would you like me to take you there?"

Feng Zhengming and his uncle looked at each other and waved their hands to indicate that they didn't need it.

He waved goodbye to Zhao Chaoxing who got into the car.

Feng Zhengming and his uncle waited for a while.

A car slowly drove up to the two of them.

This car belongs to Feng Zhengming and the driver is Luo Qing.

"Uncle San, you are here too?"

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Uncle San will definitely be there. He is more qualified to participate than me."

Feng Jiandong immediately reached out and patted Feng Zhengming.

"You little brat, are you deliberately making up stories about your uncle? How am I more qualified than you? I just started my business a few years earlier than you, but my current business is not as big as yours."

Feng Zhengming smiled and helped his uncle into the car.

After getting in the car, Feng Zhengming started chatting with his uncle about some business matters.

"Uncle, foreign trade is not so easy to do right now. Have you ever thought about doing some processing yourself? Uncle, you have some foreign trade clients. If you can process some things, you won't have to worry about selling them."

After listening to what Feng Zhengming said, Feng Jiandong's smell of alcohol disappeared almost instantly.

"Tell me, what should I do? What kind of processing can I do?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and introduced to his uncle: "In some cities in the south, they receive a large number of overseas processing orders, which are all processed by others and put on other people's brands.

Many people may feel that they can only earn a meager amount of hard-earned money that way.

However, since we don’t have our own brand and are relatively backward in technology, we really need to outsource our products to others so that we can better introduce their technologies.”

Feng Jiandong frowned slightly after hearing this: "You want me to do those OEMs too? Make those clothes and shoes?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "The profits from those things are too slim, and there is no technology involved. What I mean is, Uncle San, you can introduce some processed products with higher technological content."

Feng Jiandong was stunned by these words, but he quickly understood what Feng Zhengming meant.

Qilu has its own advantages and a relatively good industrial foundation.

Therefore, if we can introduce some overseas technologies, we should be able to build a factory in Qilu relatively smoothly.

Relying on Qilu's industrial foundation, accepting and absorbing better technologies from others, we can easily meet the needs of others.

"I see. You mean processing those industrial products."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, but you need to do some serious research in this regard, Uncle San. You can't use some technologies that others have eliminated, but you need to introduce some technologies with certain technical content."

There was no need for Feng Zhengming to say too much. Uncle San had been in business for so many years that it was easy to understand.

"I know. I'll go outside and take a look myself after the New Year."

Feng Zhengming smiled and encouraged his uncle.

"I believe that you can do it, Uncle San. The current predicament is only temporary. You will find your way."

Feng Jiandong also laughed after hearing this: "That's right, we Feng family members definitely can't give up easily."

Feng Zhengming also gave his uncle a recommendation: "If you really need anything, you can find Grandpa Situ. Grandpa Situ is willing to help us."

Uncle San nodded: "I know, don't worry."

Send Uncle San home first, then Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing go home together.

On the way back, Luo Qing told Feng Zhengming about the situation of her uncle's company.

In fact, even if Luo Qing didn't say it, Feng Zhengming could probably guess it.

Simply doing foreign trade will indeed encounter some problems.

So for Uncle San, he needs to transform and have something to show for it.

"Believe in Uncle San, he will definitely be able to get out of this predicament. If he needs anything, Grandpa Situ and I will do our best to help him. You can contact Aunt San from time to time and find out through her."

Luo Qing agreed: "I know, I have contact with my third aunt and my former colleagues in the company."

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Yes, yes, I forgot that you used to work in Uncle San's company, and there were colleagues of yours there."

Luo Qing also laughed: "You, don't worry, I will help you keep an eye on the house."

Feng Zhengming smiled and thanked Luo Qing.

"Thank you, honey. You help me take care of the family, which really makes me worry-free. I believe in your ability."

Luo Qing naturally felt a little proud of herself for receiving recognition from her husband.

The young couple returned home and heard their daughter making a noise before they even entered the door.

Probably because her parents were not at home, the little girl started crying.

My second aunt and my aunt helped to look after the little girl, but they couldn't coax her into submission.

Feng Zhengming and his wife opened the door and went in.

He smiled and came up to his daughter: "Hey, whose child is this? Why is he crying like a kitten?"

The little girl was still crying, but she stopped crying as soon as she saw her father.

Then, regardless of the smell of alcohol on her father, she immediately opened her little hands and asked her father to hug her.

Feng Zhengming smiled and reached out to take his daughter from his aunt's arms.

The second aunt gently patted the little girl's butt.

"This girl is really something. She was fine at first, but suddenly she became unhappy. No matter how we try to comfort her, it doesn't work."

Luo Qing looked at the father and daughter and responded to her second aunt with a smile.

"It's all because of daddy's spoiling me. When I want to sleep, I need daddy to hold me and coax me."

Feng Zhengming held his daughter in his arms and rocked her gently as he walked. The little girl hugged her father's neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and her face was filled with a happy expression. (End of this chapter)