From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Wang Jialiang and his wife returned to Shanghai first. Before returning to Quancheng, Wang Jialiang took his wife to find Feng Zhengming's store in Shanghai.

"We should first try my junior brother's cooking skills and see how the food tastes in his shops in Shanghai."

Zhang Lili's face was full of smiles and anticipation.

"I heard that your junior brother has opened four restaurants in Shanghai. Which one should we go to?"

Wang Jialiang thought for a moment and said, "I heard that the most famous of the four restaurants is on a street full of Western restaurants. Let's go to that restaurant and try it."

Zhang Lili was surprised: "Opening a Chinese restaurant on a street full of Western restaurants?"

Wang Jialiang saw his wife's surprised expression and smiled.

"Are you shocked? I was also shocked when I heard about it, but you have to admire my junior brother's strength. His store is now a famous store in Shanghai.

I heard that there is a long queue every day, and those other western restaurants on the street are no match for his restaurant at all.”

Zhang Lili couldn't help laughing: "Your junior brother is really interesting. Does he think this is an insult to the restaurant in person?"

Wang Jialiang also laughed: "It shouldn't be considered an insult. As you know, most Western restaurants in China are not authentic."

Zhang Lili: "It's not authentic, but it's not like him, opening a Chinese restaurant on a street full of Western restaurants."

Wang Jialiang looked dissatisfied: "What's wrong? That shows that my junior brother is capable."

Zhang Lili: "Yes, yes, if we have the ability, shall we go over there?"

Wang Jialiang nodded, took his wife to call a taxi, and drove directly from the airport to Feng Zhengming's store.

Along the way, Wang Jialiang also chatted with the driver.

When the taxi driver heard that the two men had just returned from abroad, he was very polite to them.

I was asked about Feng Zhengming's store on the Western Restaurant Street.

The driver couldn't help but praise it.

"That restaurant? It's very famous in Shanghai. There are all kinds of Western restaurants around it, but even those foreigners who go to that street go to that restaurant."

Wang Jialiang pretended to be calm: "So, that national champion is very powerful? I heard that the national competition has been held for the fourth time. Why is he so famous as the previous champion?"

The driver laughed and said, "You don't know, for the fourth session, although there were three competition zones in three places, there were more participants than in the previous three sessions, and all kinds of publicity were carried out in advance.

But no one was satisfied with the final result of the fourth session, and they didn’t even dare to select the top scholar.”

Zhang Lili asked: "Why didn't they select the top scholar?"

Driver: "Why else? The chefs participating in the competition are not good enough."

Wang Jialiang still pretended not to understand and asked, "Shouldn't it be? The national cooking skills competition must have very high chefs, right?"

The driver smiled and said, "We all thought that the chefs who could participate in the National Cooking Skills Competition must be very skilled chefs.

The result was completely different. Our top judge Feng was so angry that he withdrew and no longer served as a judge.

Think about it, if there is a chef cooking skills competition and the chefs participating in the competition can't even pass the basic knife, fire and spoon skills, then what is the point of competing?"

Hearing what the driver said, Wang Jialiang and his wife looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.

The couple were abroad and heard about what happened at the 4th National Cooking Skills Competition.

Although the specific details are unclear, the scandal caused by the fourth session did spread widely.

Especially in areas influenced by Chinese food.

Some people sighed and felt that Chinese cuisine had degenerated to this extent.

Some people also took the opportunity to laugh at the joke, saying that Chinese food is not good, has no unified standards, and cannot compare to Western food.

As a result, the status and value of the chefs from the previous three sessions have also been raised.

In particular, the young national top scholar Feng Zhengming has attracted the curiosity and admiration of many people.

Of course, there are also many people who question Feng Zhengming's craftsmanship.

However, Feng Zhengming doesn't need to explain anything to those people.

Because the good business of his four stores in Shanghai was enough to shut everyone up.

Came to Feng Zhengming's store on Shanghai West Restaurant Street.

Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili got out of the car.

Looking at the scene on the street, the couple were really surprised.

The whole road is lined with Western restaurants on both sides.

Among these Western restaurants, there is one that has a very intuitive Chinese style from the outside, and is even decorated in a classical architectural style.

So when you come to this road, Feng Zhengming's store really stands out.

Zhang Lili couldn't help laughing when she saw it.

"Your junior brother is really capable. On a street full of Western restaurants, a Chinese restaurant like his really stands out. Just looking at it like this is a sight to behold."

Wang Jialiang was a little puzzled: "Why do all these Western restaurants have to be clustered on this road?"

This question also stumped Zhang Lili.

Wang Jialiang saw someone coming out of a western restaurant.

He stepped forward decisively and took the initiative to talk.

Or maybe it’s because Wang Jialiang came back from overseas, and there are always a few foreign words in his speech.

The person who walked out of the western restaurant had a very good impression of him.

After Wang Jialiang inquired, he learned that the other party was the owner of this western restaurant.

"Oh, you are the boss? Then why do you run a western restaurant on this street?"

The boss replied: "Because this road has always been a cluster of Western restaurants, it is quite famous in Shanghai. Many foreigners who come to Shanghai will also come here to eat."

Wang Jialiang pointed to the shop where his junior fellow apprentice lived.

"I see that store, it looks like a Chinese restaurant? Why is there a Chinese restaurant on this street full of Western restaurants? And it seems to be doing very good business?"

The boss's face changed when he asked this question.

After hesitating for a while, the boss had no choice but to tell the truth.

"That restaurant is a Shandong cuisine restaurant, but the dishes they make are a combination of Chinese and Western flavors. The way they serve food is also the style of overseas fast food restaurants, so it is very popular with foreigners."

Wang Jialiang pretended to be surprised: "Is it that amazing? A Chinese restaurant can be liked by foreigners?"

The boss nodded and said, "Yes, their seasoning is really great. The boss is the champion of our national cooking skills competition. His cooking skills are really amazing. I am also very impressed.

The key is that they have combined the characteristics of many domestic and foreign dishes, using Shandong cuisine techniques as the foundation, and have created many innovative dishes that are indeed very delicious.

Don’t say foreigners are the only ones who know the taste. I’ve tried it once and I have to admit that it’s really delicious.”

Wang Jialiang expressed his gratitude to the boss.

"Thank you boss for explaining it to me. I also want to try that store."

The boss nodded in understanding.

"Of course I should. To be honest, if you ask me to recommend a must-eat restaurant in Shanghai, I would also recommend that restaurant. Once you have tried it, you will know that it is really a special restaurant."

Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili, a couple, came to their junior brother's shop together.

Because the two of them entered after lunch time, there were seats inside the store.

Seeing the two people come in, the waiter hurried forward to greet them and led them to a table.

After sitting down, Wang Jialiang asked directly: "What are the specialties of your restaurant?" The waiter immediately replied: "The specialties of our restaurant are stuffed pig's trotters with mashed potatoes. If you two want rice, you can also have rice or fried rice."

While answering the waiter, he handed the menu to Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili.

When they saw the menu, Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili really felt like they were sitting in a Western fast food restaurant.

The food here really has a Western fast food feel.

Wang Jialiang soon saw that there was a very sumptuous set meal.

It is stuffed pig's trotters with pork belly, and the staple food is fried rice.

Wang Jialiang thought this combination was good, so he ordered this set meal.

Zhang Lili chose a set meal that included tomato meatballs, stuffed pig's trotters and noodles.

The couple ordered these two sets of meals respectively.

The waiter took the order and sent it inside first.

Then they were given some snacks and some homemade Chinese drinks from the store.

This drink changes according to the season.

It is summer now, so the drink served is iced sour plum soup.

Zhang Lili felt very refreshed after drinking it.

“It tastes good.”

Wang Jialiang nodded: "It is indeed delicious, it is the kind of sour plum soup that I made myself."

The two waited for a while and the food they ordered was served.

Seeing the presentation, Wang Jialiang couldn't help but smile.

"This presentation is very much in the style of my junior fellow apprentice."

Zhang Lili was a little surprised: "Junior brother likes this? Is he in the kitchen? But shouldn't he be in Quancheng?"

Wang Jialiang replied: "He is definitely not in the restaurant, but the kitchen should do everything according to his instructions."

Zhang Lili looked at the chopped pig's trotters and the four-happiness meatballs that had been cut after being drizzled with tomato juice.

"This tastes really good. This tomato has a really strong flavor."

Wang Jialiang gave his wife some braised pork, and then picked up some four-happiness meatballs from his wife's plate.

"I haven't eaten the four-happiness meatballs topped with tomato sauce yet."

Wang Jialiang was a little surprised after taking a bite: "Wow, it's delicious, you are right, the quality of this tomato is great, and the tomato flavor is particularly strong."

Zhang Lili, who was originally planning to try the stuffed pig's trotters first, tried a piece of four-happiness meatballs after hearing what her husband said.

After eating, the meatballs look very solid and can be easily broken apart without much chewing.

And the tomato sauce gives the four-happiness meatballs a unique flavor.

While eating, Zhang Lili suddenly raised her head and looked at her husband.

"You came to my junior brother's store first. Are you here to learn from him? Do you want to replicate your junior brother's store overseas?"

Wang Jialiang was stunned for a moment, then looked up at his wife.

"Okay, I admit you're right. That's what I thought."

Then Wang Jialiang looked down at the food on the plate.

"If we make it, it doesn't have to be so exquisite, but we can learn from the form and the taste. It should be liked by many people overseas."

Zhang Lili also nodded: "Indeed, Junior Brother's tune really suits the tastes of the overseas public."

Wang Jialiang smiled: "It's not that it suits the tastes of overseas people, but its flavor is very suitable for the tastes of most people."

Then Wang Jialiang gave his wife a detailed analysis.

"Look at this tomato juice. He added some sugar, but it didn't take away the acidity of the tomatoes, nor did it make the tomatoes lose their flavor. This is actually a common flavor in Chinese cuisine and a golden mean in Shandong cuisine.

It has all kinds of flavors, but it doesn’t overpower the taste. It can be said that this flavor is the most acceptable to most people.”

After her husband's explanation, Zhang Lili nodded frequently, thinking it was right.

Just at this moment, Jiang Chengzhe came out from the kitchen and came to their table.

"You two should be Zhengming's fourth senior brother and fourth sister-in-law, right?"

Wang Jialiang looked up at Jiang Chengzhe in surprise.

"Are you Jiang Chengzhe?"

Seeing the other party nod, Wang Jialiang was surprised: "How did you recognize us?"

Jiang Chengzhe smiled: "Zhengming told me that his fourth senior brother will also return to China to participate in this international Shandong cuisine competition. He should pass through Shanghai and come to our restaurant. He asked me to keep an eye out for him."

Wang Jialiang also laughed: "This Feng Zhengming always makes preparations in advance."

Jiang Chengzhe asked: "Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law, are you satisfied with today's dishes?"

Wang Jialiang nodded: "Very satisfied, this should be the flavor you and Zhengming developed together, right? And this plating should be the work of you, a famous young chef in Hong Kong."

Jiang Chengzhe shook his head: "Actually, many things were thought up by Zhengming himself. I just gave him some suggestions and helped him improve these innovative designs."

Zhang Lili couldn't help but interrupt: "Zhengming is really amazing."

Jiang Chengzhe: "Yes, he is very good, and he is still making progress."

Wang Jialiang sighed: "He has always taken cooking seriously. None of us senior brothers can compare to him in this respect."

Jiang Chengzhe: "I am not as good as him in this aspect."

Afterwards, Jiang Chengzhe gave Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili another dessert.

Wang Jialiang smiled and said to his wife: "Look, this is Zhengming. He can combine these domestic and foreign things very well and present them in a way that everyone can accept."

Zhang Lili agreed: "Zhengming is indeed creative in this area."

After the two finished eating, Jiang Chengzhe came out and chatted with them for a while.

When talking about Feng Zhengming, Wang Jialiang and Jiang Chengzhe both praised him highly.

These two are considered to be skilled chefs, and they have nothing but admiration for Feng Zhengming.

In the evening, Jiang Chengzhe gave the key to the house left by Feng Zhengming to Wang Jialiang and his wife.

It was said that Feng Zhengming stayed to allow Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law to come back and live with him.

Wang Jialiang did not refuse and stayed at Feng Zhengming's house in Shanghai for one night.

After delivering the keys to the store the next day, the couple officially embarked on their journey back to Quancheng.

After returning to Quancheng, Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili saw that Quancheng had become more prosperous.

Obviously, this International Shandong Cuisine Master Chef Challenge has indeed attracted many people to come to Quancheng to sign up for the competition.

Wang Jialiang and Zhang Lili walked out of the airport and saw Feng Zhengming who drove to pick them up.

"Hahaha, Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law, you have worked hard along the way."

When he saw Feng Zhengming, Wang Jialiang also hugged him.

Zhang Lili stood beside them, and she could feel the sincere brotherhood between the two brothers. (End of this chapter)