From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

The competition was still going on, but Feng Zhengming was more concerned about his senior brother.

The second dish was braised sea cucumber with scallions, and the eldest brother scored the highest.

When it came to the first dish, the eldest brother's score was also among the top few.

If the third dish can get a score in the top three, then the eldest brother should be able to get the first place in score this time.

Feng Zhengming felt that this was an honor that his senior brother deserved for his hard work over the years.

And if the eldest brother wins the title of top ten chefs.

Or if he gets the title of Top Ten Shandong Cuisine Chefs by scoring first.

Feng Zhengming felt that he could completely hand over Huiquanlou to his senior brother in the future.

I can focus on Shanghai.

Feng Zhengming wants to start planning to open a high-end restaurant in Shanghai.

After the high-end restaurants in Shanghai became famous.

His own brand "Zhengluxing" will also reach a higher level.

By that time, he should be able to return to Quancheng, take out the old sign of Yan Xilou, find a suitable place, and reopen Yan Xilou.

Of course, in addition to the eldest senior brother, Feng Zhengming is also very concerned about the other senior brothers.

Feng Zhengming even really thought in his heart, can all six of his fellow apprentices become top ten chefs?
But thinking about the score of the second dish, it seems that only the eldest brother, the third brother and the sixth brother have a chance.

This time, forty master chefs were invited to directly enter the top 100.

Feng Zhengming has six senior brothers, and the other senior brothers are famous disciples of several other masters.

There are ten master chefs who came out of Jufengde alone.

There are also eight master chefs from Taifenglou.

The only disciples of Master Wang from Jubinyuan who were invited were Cheng Guosheng and Lin Guofu.

It’s not that they are the only two disciples of Master Wang.

However, after Jubinyuan closed down, many of Master Wang’s apprentices were not so famous.

The remaining dozen or so Shandong cuisine chefs invited to enter the top 100 are all from Beijing.

It has to be said that although the reputation of the Eight Buildings in Beijing has declined over the years.

But the capital still has many talented Shandong cuisine chefs.

The second dish, braised sea cucumber with scallions, reflects the level of the Shandong cuisine chefs in Beijing.

Feng Zhengming couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"Sure enough, when comparing the dish of braised sea cucumber with scallions, the gap between the chefs who advanced from the three sub-competition areas and the chefs who were directly invited to the top 100 was clearly evident."

So in reality, the chefs who advanced to the third dish division today were more or less runners-up.

However, Feng Zhengming still saw their efforts.

Whether it is Sun Hai, Xia Hui, Zhu Xu, Guan Wei, Xia Mingye, Gu Zhicheng and others.

There are also other young chefs and those who have advanced from the sub-competition areas.

Everyone took the third course very seriously.

They also brought out the best skills they had.

Everyone just wants to show their best skills one last time in this competition.

Seeing their efforts, Feng Zhengming feels that they are all worthy of the honor of Top 100 Chefs, deserve to be known by more people, and deserve to be promoted as Shandong cuisine chefs.

So Feng Zhengming took the opportunity to chat with the five judges of the third dish.

“After this competition, I wonder if we can make a booklet introducing the top 100 Shandong chefs, list all the top 100 chefs, and publicize it to the outside world.

Of course, if possible, when some of these young chefs have achieved more success, they can also be included in the book.”

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, the two state banquet masters nodded in agreement with his approach.

"Zhengming, your idea is very good. Our chefs' skills should be respected enough. How can we gain enough respect? That is to give them enough fame and status."

"This International Shandong Cuisine Master Chef Challenge you organized this time is really a great competition. It gives all Shandong cuisine chefs a chance to showcase themselves."

"After the exhibition, how can we let more people know and understand them? Television and newspaper reports are definitely not as long-lasting as books."

"Yes, if I compile a book, I can introduce them in more detail."

The two tycoons expressed their willingness to make more investments so that Feng Zhengming can better publish the Shandong cuisine chef book.

"We must give more support so that Shandong cuisine can be known by more people and Shandong cuisine chefs can get more attention."

"Hahaha, let's give you another investment, Zhengming. Maybe in the future we can also invest in supporting some chefs to open restaurants."

Feng Zhengming smiled and thanked the two state banquet masters and the two tycoons.

"Thank you, everyone. Once we have finalized it, we will show it to a few of you first."

In the competition, each chef prepares a different dish, so the time to complete it will also be different.

The first to finish were some of the young chefs.

The dishes they cook all have their own creativity and imagination.

Feng Zhengming did not participate in the tasting and scoring. In order to avoid suspicion, he did not even stay in the judges' seat after translating for Kofman. Instead, he left the judges' seat first to let the judges taste and score.

The dishes were divided into ten groups, with ten dishes in each group being displayed and tasted separately.

The list for the judges to score did not include the name of the chef who cooked the dish, only the number of each dish.

Moreover, the number of each dish is the order of a group of ten dishes.

So the judges have almost no idea which chef prepared each dish.
Doing so also avoids the influence of social interactions on the ratings.

The five judges gave their scores based on their own intuitive feelings.

The two state banquet masters and Kofman gave their scores from a professional perspective.

The two tycoons from Hong Kong and Macau simply rated each dish based on its “color, aroma, taste and shape”.

After the scoring of each group is completed, the score sheets will be sent out and Feng Zhengming will also have someone compare them specifically.

Confirm the dish that corresponds to the score to ensure that you will not make a mistake.

After each group finishes scoring, the final score will be sealed and calculated after all the tasting and scoring sessions are completed.

From the perspective of professional techniques, the two state banquet masters and Kofman were quite satisfied with the chefs' basic skills.

Overall, the basic skills of the hundreds of chefs are very solid.

Whether it is knife skills, heat control, or the skills of using the spoon for frying, cooking and stir-frying.

He truly lives up to his reputation as one of the top 100 Shandong cuisine chefs.

In terms of color, aroma, taste and shape, each dish is well presented.

It was difficult for the two tycoons to make a choice.

The last two can only be scored based on their most intuitive taste experience.

There are ten sets of dishes in total, and the scores are handed in one by one.

After that, it is time to count the final scores of the game.

During this period of time, everyone can finally take a break.

All the chefs who participated in the competition reunited with their families, relatives and friends.

Everyone is also talking about whether they can make it into the top ten in the end?
Originally, Lin Guofu wanted to ask Cheng Guosheng to get together with his master.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Guosheng left the scene after the game.

Lin Guofu could only return to Master Wang by himself.

"Master, Senior Brother..."

Master Wang sighed and interrupted his apprentice. "It doesn't matter. He has his own choice. He should be able to get what he wants in this competition. He should be one of the top ten chefs in the end."

Lin Guofu was a little surprised: "Master, how did you know? The scores have come out?"

Only then did Master Wang tell Lin Guofu the score of the second dish.

After hearing what his master said, Lin Guofu was even more surprised.

"Brother Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions, did he score second?"

What surprised Lin Guofu even more was: "Li Huidong's scallion-fried sea cucumber scored first?"

Master Wang nodded and said, "Yes, Li Huidong's scallion-fried sea cucumber is very traditional, but he also has his own understanding and innovation in tradition, especially the taste of his scallion-fried sauce, which is the most palatable among you."

Lin Guofu was silent for a while: "Master, what about me?"

Master Wang looked at Lin Guofu and was quite satisfied with this apprentice.

Lin Guofu is the most patient disciple.

At the beginning, Guo Fu could help Cheng Guosheng in Jubin Garden all year round.

It was obvious that Cheng Guosheng went out for communication more often, so Lin Guofu was the chef in the kitchen of Jubinyuan most of the time.

But Lin Guofu was still willing to work under his senior brother.

Later, Jubin Garden closed down, and Lin Guofu was not able to achieve very good results in the national competition.

When Feng Zhengming and Jufengde both extended an olive branch to him.

Lin Guofu still chose to go to Jufengde.

In fact, if Lin Guofu had chosen to follow Feng Zhengming at that time, his development might be better now.

But Lin Guofu ultimately chose to stand with the conservative Jufengde.

We can’t say that Lin Guofu didn’t work hard, nor can we say that there was anything wrong with his choice?
Because it is impossible for everyone to follow Feng Zhengming to do something innovative.

There still needs to be someone who sticks to tradition and continues to pass on traditional Shandong cuisine.

Therefore, Master Wang has complicated feelings towards his apprentice Lin Guofu.

Lin Guofu worked very hard, but he lacked a little talent and the courage to step out of his comfort zone.

Master Wang patted Lin Guofu gently on the shoulder.

"Have you ever thought about leaving Jufengde? Going to the capital with Master?"

When Lin Guofu heard his master ask him this, he realized that his score for the scallion-fried sea cucumber would not be high this time.

Moreover, the fact that the master asked this question showed that his hope of entering the top ten was slim.

If you say that you don't feel lost, you are just deceiving yourself.

Lin Guofu also hopes that he can be among the top ten.

But the fact is already like this, and Lin Guofu gradually accepted it.

"Master, do you need anyone for your restaurant in Beijing?"

Master Wang nodded and said, "I am planning to expand my business in Beijing and open a high-end Shandong cuisine restaurant. If you are willing to come with me, there will definitely be a place for you in the kitchen."

Hearing this, Lin Guofu no longer hesitated: "Good Master, I am willing to go to Beijing with you."

Master Wang: "Okay, if you are willing to go to Beijing with me, then let your Uncle Su know after the competition."

Lin Guofu agreed: "I know, Master."

After hesitating for a while, Lin Guofu still asked.

"Master, who do you think will be the top ten chefs this time?"

Master Wang smiled and said, "There may be a tie in the scores. We may need to discuss it then. It should be possible that several large restaurants will have one person in the top ten."

Lin Guofu was a little surprised to hear his master say this.

"In this case, can Feng Zhengming agree?"

Master Wang: "We need to see the final scores first. Only when the scores are the same can we discuss it."

Lin Guofu nodded, he understood what his master meant.

Whether or not one can be included in the top ten chefs depends first on their personal abilities.

Especially the second dish, the braised sea cucumber with scallions, made a big difference.

It is indeed more difficult for young chefs to make it into the top ten.

The remaining chefs also need to compare their scores first.

Only when their scores are high enough to be in the top ten will they be eligible to let the senior masters fight for them.

Master Wang asked Lin Guofu to rest first as he was going to take a look at the final score statistics.

After saying goodbye to his master and preparing to go out for dinner, Lin Guofu happened to run into Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu was quite respectful and took the initiative to greet Lin Guofu.

"Hello, Uncle Master, have you finished it too?"

Lin Guofu smiled and nodded: "Yes, I'm going to eat something and take a rest. What are you doing?"

Zhu Xu was walking with Guan Wei.

"We are also going to eat something. We have been busy all morning and are really tired."

Lin Guofu: "Let's go, let's go eat something together."

Zhu Xu and Guan Wei walked with Lin Guofu.

At the beginning, all three of them felt a little awkward and didn’t know how to start a conversation.
It was Zhu Xu who hesitated for a while before speaking first.

"Uncle Master, how was your competition this time?"

Lin Guofu smiled calmly: "Anyway, I have used all my strength. It may be better than what I did in the kitchen, but there is still a gap compared to your master and others."

Zhu Xu: "Master uncle's cooking skills are not bad either, so I think there should be a chance."

Guan Wei couldn't help but mutter, "Our second dish must be a bit worse, there's definitely no chance."

Lin Guofu encouraged with a smile: "Don't be discouraged, your advantage is your youth. Maybe in the next competition, you will become one of the top ten Shandong cuisine chefs."

After encouraging Zhu Xu and Guan Wei, Lin Guofu could only smile bitterly.

"I don't think I have a chance. I'm too old to be younger than you."

Zhu Xu quickly said, "Uncle Master, you have a chance too."

Lin Guofu also smiled again and remained optimistic.

"Yes, we all have a chance. At least this time we have become one of the top 100 Shandong cuisine chefs. This is already a very high honor. With your Uncle Feng doing this, it is still very valuable."

Zhu Xu and Guan Wei also agreed with this point.

"Yes, Master Feng has attracted so many sponsors, and even invited two state banquet masters, which really makes the competition very famous."

"I am actually very satisfied to be one of the top 100 Shandong cuisine chefs."

Lin Guofu: "That's right, I am also very satisfied."

After this conversation, Lin Guofu, Zhu Xu and Guan Wei became closer.

Then the three of them talked a lot about craftsmanship.

Lin Guofu was somewhat curious about what Zhu Xu and Guan Wei had learned from Feng Zhengming.
After being asked this question, Zhu Xu and Guan Wei looked at each other.

The two people answered almost in unison.

“We must persist in practicing the basic skills well.”

Lin Guofu was stunned, but after thinking about it carefully, he could only nod in agreement.

"Really? We need to practice the basic skills well." (End of this chapter)