From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

While Cheng Guosheng and his investors were still planning how to use Feng Zhengming to elevate the status of Cheng Guosheng and Jubinyuan.

Feng Zhengming and his wife Luo Qing took their daughter and said goodbye to their family and flew back to Shanghai.

After returning to Shanghai, Feng Zhengming did not go to the Western restaurant on the street first.

He first went to take a look at the other three stores in Shanghai.

The business of the three stores is very stable.

Although the three stores are not as famous as the one on the Western Restaurant Street.

But the three stores have a very stable number of customers every day.

Moreover, in terms of daily profits, the three stores are even higher than the store on the Western restaurant street.

In terms of price, the other three stores are indeed cheaper than the store on the western restaurant street.

But the three stores have a lot more customers every day.

When Feng Zhengming and the current managers of the three stores talked about it, they couldn't help but sigh.

"Shanghai is indeed a big city with too many people. If you open a store in Shanghai, you will have too many customers."

The others also smiled and expressed their agreement.

"That's right, we really have to queue up every day."

"Yes, especially at noon, the queue is really long."

"We were so busy the whole afternoon that we wished we had two more hands."

Feng Zhengming laughed when he heard this: "We still need to take a break. If there are too many people at noon, we can reduce the supply appropriately. We don't have to work so hard."

A few people smiled and said it was okay.

"We exaggerated a bit. Although the queue is long, it's not life-threatening."

"Yes, that's right. It's really not a risk of life."

"In fact, most people still buy more braised pork, and not many people buy other stir-fried dishes at noon."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "You have to adjust yourself in this regard and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Your current business has exceeded my expectations.

I don't want my generals to be exhausted like this, so let the apprentices do the work properly."

These words still made the young chefs feel warm in their hearts.

They have been following Feng Zhengming for so long, and if you say it's hard, then it's definitely much harder than following a chef.

But their hard work on Feng Zhengming's side has brought them more substantial rewards.

The first thing is naturally the dividends Feng Zhengming gave them.

Secondly, Feng Zhengming’s recommendation guide in Shanghai gave them high praise.

It also made them gain a lot of fame.

They even arranged for television stations and newspapers to interview them.

It can be said that for Feng Zhengming, hard work can be highly rewarded in terms of fame and fortune.

This may be something that other chefs, even some top restaurants, cannot provide.

So whether it was Zhang Lei, Zhu Xu, Sun Hai, Guan Wei, Sun Decai and others, or Jiang Chengzhe in the Western Restaurant on Restaurant Street, they were all very willing to work with Feng Zhengming.

Feng Zhengming looked at Zhu Xu: "You know, right? Your master has returned to Quancheng and has reopened Jubin Garden."

Zhu Xu nodded: "I understand."

Feng Zhengming asked straight to the point: "What do you think? Do you want to go back?"

Before Zhu Xu could speak, everyone else's eyes were already on Zhu Xu.

Feng Zhengming took the lead and said, "If you want to go back, I will definitely not stop you, and I will also give you the compensation you deserve. You can come back anytime you want in the future."

After listening to Feng Zhengming's words, Zhu Xu looked at everyone's eyes looking at him, and he had almost no hesitation.

"I won't go back."

After these words were spoken, the other young chefs secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Feng Zhengming just nodded: "Okay, if you don't go back, then I will continue to be in charge of your store."

Zhu Xu nodded and agreed: "Okay, uncle."

Feng Zhengming didn't need to ask too much, he knew that Zhu Xu really didn't want to go back.

Not to mention whether Cheng Guosheng will continue to treat Zhu Xu as his eldest disciple after Zhu Xu returns?

Just looking at the current designs of Cheng Guosheng's Jubin Garden, I'm afraid that even if Zhu Xu returns, he may not be able to find a place for it.

Moreover, Zhu Xu might have many verbal conflicts with Cheng Guosheng when he returns.

Because Zhu Xu’s ideas are now completely different from Cheng Guosheng’s.

In the past, Zhu Xu might have been embarrassed to face his master and would not directly question Cheng Guosheng's ideas.

But now that Zhu Xu goes back, he will definitely question Cheng Guosheng's approach.

To Feng Zhengming, Zhu Xu is an outstanding young chef whose skills are respected.

If he returned to Cheng Guosheng, Zhu Xu would probably become a marginal chef, or even be used by Cheng Guosheng as a waiter.

Because the basic skills Zhu Xu learned from Feng Zhengming were quite solid.

When it comes to Cheng Guosheng's current Jubinyuan, I'm afraid there is no one in the kitchen who is more versatile than Zhu Xu.

By the time Cheng Guosheng gets used to the job, Zhu Xu might indeed be treated as a kitchen helper.

If that were the case, Zhu Xu might really be ruined by Cheng Guosheng.

Even though Feng Zhengming didn't ask any more questions, Zhu Xu couldn't help but speak.

"Uncle Master, how is my master doing in Jubin Garden now?"

Feng Zhengming looked at Zhu Xu and did not tell him any of his doubts about Jubinyuan and Cheng Guosheng.

Instead, he praised Cheng Guosheng and Ju Binyuan.

“In fact, your master’s cooking skills have indeed become more sophisticated after he returned this time, and his fusion dishes, which combine the flavors of different cuisines from different places with Shandong cuisine, are also very good.

Jubinyuan is no longer what it used to be. Now the dishes at Jubinyuan are very exquisite.

It should be said that in Quancheng, Jubin Garden has recovered to the point where it can be as famous as Jufengde and Taifenglou. "

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, Zhu Xu smiled.

"That's good. At least Master won't do those things that damage the reputation of the company again."

This remark amused everyone including Feng Zhengming.

Zhang Lei: "No, is this how you think of your master?"

Guan Wei: "Zhu Xu, is your master not on good terms with you?"

Sun Decai: "I think they look alike."

Sun Hai: "It seems that Zhu Xu was brought up by Master Wang in the past?"

Zhu Xu was told this by four people.

He was also a little embarrassed.

“My master is a very nice person, and his cooking skills are indeed inherited from his master’s master. However, he always wanted to innovate, so many of the dishes he cooked were not that good.

Now the uncle said that Master has started to cook seriously, and I believe that Master’s cooking skills are fine.”

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but feel that Zhu Xu really understood his master very well.

Cheng Guosheng's cooking skills are truly beyond reproach, and he is definitely one of the best among Shandong cuisine chefs.

If they work hard, Zhu Xu and others may not be able to compare with Cheng Guosheng now.

But Feng Zhengming felt that Cheng Guosheng was always unwilling to stick to the old ways and always wanted to come up with something unique.

This was something Feng Zhengming really found difficult to understand.

Like this time, Jubinyuan was turned into a high-end restaurant.

Feng Zhengming was really worried that he couldn't hold on.

After visiting the other three restaurants, Feng Zhengming finally came to the restaurant on the street. Jiang Chengzhe was very happy to see Feng Zhengming.

"Hahaha, our chef is finally back. I can finally relax and unwind."

Feng Zhengming laughed when he heard this: "Why? Our Chef Jiang wants to desert so soon?"

Jiang Chengzhe asked: "What deserter?"

Feng Zhengming: "You want to throw this job to me, aren't you a deserter?"

Jiang Chengzhe immediately explained: "I'm not throwing everything to you, it's because you share the burden with me so that I can relax a little."

Before Feng Zhengming could speak, Jiang Chengzhe interrupted.

"The most important thing is that with you as the head chef back, I don't have to shoulder so much pressure. I've been under a lot of pressure cooking recently, for fear of ruining the reputation of our restaurant."

Feng Zhengming: "Thank you, Chef Jiang. Actually, you don't have to worry. Your cooking skills won't ruin our reputation."

After making a few jokes with Jiang Chengzhe, everyone else in the kitchen also started to laugh.

But then everyone got busy.

After all, Feng Zhengming is back, so it's natural for everyone to feel the pressure.

Feng Zhengming wouldn't let anyone do it, he just watched from the side.

He quickly joined in and led everyone to prepare and send out dishes one by one.

With this addition, Feng Zhengming was busy from noon until after two in the afternoon.

After the last table of guests left, Feng Zhengming asked someone to hang up a sign saying "resting".

Then Feng Zhengming asked everyone to walk out of the kitchen and sit down in the restaurant.

"It seems that everyone has gotten used to the rhythm of our kitchen recently. Our Chef Jiang has really put in a lot of effort. We should applaud Chef Jiang."

After Feng Zhengming said this, everyone smiled and applauded Jiang Chengzhe.

Jiang Chengzhe first expressed his gratitude, then muttered something.

"Just applause? No actual reward?"

Hearing Jiang Chengzhe's words, everyone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Feng Zhengming followed up by saying, "Chef Jiang, you have shares in this restaurant, do you still want to raise your own salary?"

Jiang Chengzhe was helpless: "Forget it, forget it."

Feng Zhengming then evaluated the performance of everyone in the kitchen.

Point out some problems, but also give encouragement.

What surprised Feng Zhengming was that Lu Chongshan, who came here, really integrated well.

Lu Chongshan not only learned some Western-style pasta.

He also combined Chinese and Western pasta.

It is even paired with hand-rolled noodles and Western-style tomato meat sauce.

It turned out that it sold quite well.

It was promoted and became a signature dish of the store.

Many overseas regular customers in Shanghai order a plate every time they come.

Moreover, Lu Chongshan also taught himself how to make pizza.

It's done in a very professional manner.

He also makes some pies, which are also quite popular in the store.

I even heard from Jiang Chengzhe that some people would line up specifically to buy meat patties at night.

"Chongshan, you are really great. It seems that you have adapted to the rhythm of this store. I feel relieved. You will continue to stay in this store. I hope you can have more new ideas."

Lü Chongshan was also very happy: "Thank you, Chef. I am really happy that the foreigners like the dishes I make."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said: "Food has no national boundaries. As long as it is delicious, everyone will like it."

After chatting with everyone, Feng Zhengming asked everyone to have a good rest and prepare for the evening business.

He talked to Jiang Chengzhe alone.

"It looks like you've run into some trouble back home?"

Jiang Chengzhe spoke first.

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "It can't be considered a trouble, just a small episode."

Feng Zhengming did not hide anything from Jiang Chengzhe and told him the whole story of Cheng Guosheng and Jubinyuan from beginning to end.

Jiang Chengzhe listened carefully.

"He has a good idea and he is indeed very capable. Since he was able to find investors and get them to invest in him, and also invited so many celebrities to endorse him, they really think highly of him."

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Senior Brother Cheng is indeed capable, Zhu Xu is Senior Brother Cheng's apprentice."

Jiang Chengzhe was a little surprised: "Zhu Xu is his apprentice?"

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, when Jubin Garden closed down, Zhu Xu had nowhere to go, so I let him come to my store."

Jiang Chengzhe sighed: "You are really kind-hearted. Aren't you afraid that Zhu Xu will come to you to steal your skills and go back later?"

At this point Jiang Chengzhe asked, "Is Zhu Xu going to leave?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "I'm not going back without Zhu Xu."

Jiang Chengzhe was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it carefully, he finally understood.

"Zhu Xu really can't go back. There is no place for him either by his master's side or in the current Jubin Garden."

Feng Zhengming was a little surprised: "You really said it all at once."

Jiang Chengzhe smiled and said, "I have personal experience."

Feng Zhengming knew that Jiang Chengzhe meant that he couldn't go back to Hongcheng now.

The situation is indeed similar to Zhu Xu's.

Many chefs in Hong Kong are now rather averse to Jiang Chengzhe.

I feel that Jiang Chengzhe working with a Shandong cuisine chef makes the chefs in Hong Kong look a little cheap.

Moreover, it is impossible for Jiang Chengzhe to go back and continue to engage in self-packaging like the chefs in Gangcheng.

So in this respect he is indeed similar to Zhu Xu.

They can't go back to where they came from.

Jiang Chengzhe then gave Feng Zhengming his analysis.

"Next, they will probably find a way to force you back and make you participate in a competition with Cheng Guosheng. That competition must be organized by the investors behind Cheng Guosheng.

They will also try to make the competition as grand as possible and find outstanding chefs from all over the country to participate.

The ultimate goal is only one, which is to use your reputation as the top scholar and other famous chefs to promote Cheng Guosheng and Jubinyuan."

Feng Zhengming laughed after hearing this: "You are also very familiar with this set."

Jiang Chengzhe said helplessly: "Of course I am familiar with it, this is a common method used by many famous chefs in Hong Kong.

Or it should be said that many industries in Hong Kong have similar methods, such as packaging celebrities, promoting luxury goods, etc., all of which use these methods. "

Feng Zhengming: "Using other people's fame to raise your status."

Jiang Chengzhe nodded: "Yes, that's right."

Feng Zhengming asked: "What if I don't refuse to participate in their competition?"

Jiang Chengzhe sighed: "Whether you go or not, you will definitely lose, because they don't want you to participate, they just want to force you to express your position.

As long as you express your stance, even if you win the final championship, they will make Cheng Guosheng the second or third place.

Even if I'm bold enough to fight you to a draw, I can still raise Cheng Guosheng's status."

Feng Zhengming frowned slightly, feeling that this matter was indeed a bit troublesome. (End of this chapter)