From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

The next day, Feng Zhengming first went to the store that Zhang Lei and Guan Wei were in charge of to take a look.

When he arrived at the store, Feng Zhengming found that Zhang Lei and Guan Wei worked well together.

Moreover, Zhang Lei and Guan Wei obviously do a better job in managing personnel than Sun Hai.

Through observation, Feng Zhengming felt that Sun Hai might need to be assigned a deputy.

He is the only one in charge of a store. He has to work in the kitchen and manage staff. It is indeed quite stressful.

Guan Wei and Zhang Lei were also very happy to see Feng Zhengming coming to the store.

I also asked Feng Zhengming for some advice.

Feng Zhengming told the two a lot of new things and also affirmed their achievements in running the branch.

Zhang Lei and Guan Wei were very happy to receive Feng Zhengming's recognition.

I have a feeling that I finally got good grades under the guidance of my teacher.

Feng Zhengming hardly said anything bad about the two of them, and gave them affirmation and encouragement throughout the whole process.

“You have done very well, and I hope you can keep it up. I heard Jiang Chengzhe tell me that your store will be listed by Hucheng in the future. I think this is the best affirmation for you.

I hope you two can continue to maintain this kind of tacit understanding in cooperation.

Another thing to remember is that both the kitchen staff and the front-of-house staff must be strict with themselves.”

Guan Wei and Zhang Lei also nodded in agreement.

If I hadn't gone to the store run by Sun Hai last night.

Perhaps Feng Zhengming would not emphasize to Guan Wei and Zhang Lei the need to strictly enforce personnel requirements.

Because I saw some problems in Sun Hai’s store.

Feng Zhengming doesn't want the same problem to occur in other stores.

In terms of recruiting new apprentices, Feng Zhengming also asked for the opinions of Guan Wei and Zhang Lei.

This made Guan Wei and Zhang Lei feel a little flattered.

In the past, Feng Zhengming would definitely not discuss such matters with them. Most of the time he made the decisions on his own, or he would discuss it with Jiang Chengzhe.

Today Feng Zhengming specifically asked for the opinions of Guan Wei and Zhang Lei, making the two feel valued.

It also made the two of them really feel like they were already store managers.

Zhang Lei and Guan Wei exchanged glances and each expressed their opinions.

Zhang Lei's views are slightly more conservative.

"Uncle, if we recruit new apprentices, it will indeed ease the pressure on the current store staff. They can take turns to let the store staff rest. But with new apprentices, will there be some problems during the shifts?"

What Zhang Lei meant was that he thought apprentices should be recruited in batches, and not several batches at once.

Guan Wei has a different view: "I think we can recruit a group of new apprentices. The old apprentices now have good skills. Recruiting new apprentices can just intersperse with the old apprentices.

This will also help new apprentices integrate as quickly as possible and relieve some of the pressure on our current kitchen staff.”

After listening to the different opinions of Zhang Lei and Guan Wei.

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, what you two said makes sense. It seems that you have made a lot of progress in the time you have been in charge of the branch. You know how to look at things from different angles."

This made Zhang Lei and Guan Wei look at each other and feel a little embarrassed.

Feng Zhengming saw that the two were in a bad mood, so he smiled and encouraged them to think more.

“You should think more. At your stage, you can’t just work hard, because this store has been handed over to you. Only if you think more can you run the store well.

Don't let me down, I'm expecting you two to become truly independent store managers and chefs."

Zhang Lei and Guan Wei looked at each other, and then nodded in agreement almost at the same time.

Feng Zhengming did not interfere with the cooking in the store, and he had absolute trust in Zhang Lei and Guan Wei's skills.

So I was mostly in the store, telling the two people some things about the kitchen and store management.

Teach two people to establish their own authority.

“You have to remember one thing, problems with cooking skills should only be raised between me and the guests, and there is no need for me to be responsible for anything to other people in the kitchen.

As long as the customers and I think your cooking skills are fine, then there is no problem, and you are the authority in the kitchen.”

These words made Zhang Lei and Guan Wei feel a little emotional.

In the past, both of them have always been somewhat lacking in self-confidence.

In this regard, they are the opposite of Sun Hai.

Sun Hai is confident in his craftsmanship, but he is a relatively honest person. Many times when he sees something wrong, he will probably redo it himself rather than scold others.

Zhang Lei and Guan Wei are somewhat unconfident in their cooking skills, so they require everyone in the kitchen to follow the rules set by Feng Zhengming and do everything exactly as they should.

The advantage of doing this is that it actually sets rules in the kitchen so that everyone in the kitchen can work according to the rules.

But the downside is that the two of them are not confident enough and tend to be too rigid when cooking.

This point is even more solidified than Sun Hai.

This is also what Feng Zhengming does not want to see.

Feng Zhengming hopes that Zhang Lei and Guan Wei can be more calm.

Don’t always cook like you’re taking an exam.

With the encouragement and affirmation of Feng Zhengming.

It has indeed made Zhang Lei and Guan Wei more confident.

As for whether the two can go further?
Become the kind of chef that Feng Zhengming hopes they will be, who can support a restaurant?
It still depends on the subsequent efforts of the two.

Feng Zhengming was in the store at noon, eating staff lunch with everyone.

Some suggestions were also made for employee meals.

"We should make the staff meals better in the future. We run a restaurant, how can we not have food to eat? Besides, everyone has been busy all day, so what's the harm in having a good staff meal?
Remember, you can use leftovers for employee meals in the future, but you must provide enough other ingredients.

Beef, mutton, prawns, fish, chicken, duck, and eggs are all available for employee meals. "

After saying this, Feng Zhengming pretended to be distressed and reminded: "Use less of those expensive ones."

These words connected with the previous ones immediately made everyone laugh.

Zhang Lei and Guan Wei also agreed.

After eating the staff meal, I took a look at the business situation at noon in the store.

Feng Zhengming gave the entire store a score in his mind, then he left and went to the store at the train station that Zhu Xu was in charge of.

When we drove to the train station, we could see queues in front of the store from afar.

The store near the train station is arguably the busiest of the bunch.

Almost from the moment the shop opens, there are customers everywhere all day long.

Even if it wasn't closed at night, there might still be customers even in the middle of the night.

Therefore, in this store at the railway station, Feng Zhengming also assigned the most people to Zhu Xu in the kitchen.

He really tried his best to ensure that Zhu Xu would not suffer too much alone.

Moreover, the staff in Zhu Xu's kitchen were all apprentices selected by Feng Zhengming.
Although they are called apprentices, they are actually already capable of cooking.

They are in the kitchen and can provide timely support when needed.

Feng Zhengming did not enter through the main entrance, but entered the store through the back supply channel.

After entering, I saw Zhu Xu directing and dispatching things in the kitchen with ease.

Compared with Sun Hai, Zhang Lei, Guan Wei and others, Zhu Xu does have to perform better.

He was already the eldest senior brother in Jubin Garden. He could cook independently and lead his fellow junior brothers to cook for their master Cheng Guosheng.

Zhu Xu’s ability to coordinate and manage kitchen staff is better than others.

Feng Zhengming arranged these apprentices for him with this in mind. Now it seems that Feng Zhengming is very satisfied with his decision.

Without disturbing the kitchen, Feng Zhengming exited through the back door for purchasing goods.

Then he went back to the front door and lined up.

Without making it public, Feng Zhengming was pushed further and further back in line.

Because he doesn't want to disturb those who need to eat, Feng Zhengming always gives his seat to those who come later.

The line got longer and longer, and he waited in line outside the door for more than an hour before he was able to get in.

Of course, this is the case when Feng Zhengming always gives in to others.

He also checked his watch and found that under normal circumstances, the waiting time would be about half an hour.

Feng Zhengming felt that this efficiency was already very fast.

After all, the dishes are freshly cooked in the kitchen, so there is no way to make it faster.

After Feng Zhengming entered the door, he walked to the counter.

I was immediately recognized by the waiter at the counter.

"Mr. Feng, you are back."

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Yes, I'm back. Doesn't your chef know about it? Didn't he tell you?"

Zhu Xu heard the sound inside and also looked over here.

"Uncle Master, I haven't told them yet. I'm afraid if I tell them, they will deliberately act better because you're back, so that you can't see the real situation on our side."

Feng Zhengming was delighted when he heard this.

"Sure, Zhu Xu, are you confident enough now to let me check like this?"

The conversation between the two people amused the waiter and everyone in the kitchen.

Even the customers in the store were curious when they heard the conversation between the two people.

Of course, some of the store's old customers also sensed what was going on and started laughing.

Some people who don't understand ask the old customers next to them.

After the old customer explained, some people came up to Feng Zhengming to identify it carefully.

"It really is Feng Zhuangyuan."

"They say this shop was opened by Feng Zhuangyuan. I didn't believe it before, but today I saw the real person."

"So Mr. Feng is really going to come to the store?"

"Mr. Feng, the craftsmanship in your shop is really good."

"Yes, your pork belly is very delicious."

After hearing what everyone said, Feng Zhengming turned around, smiled and bowed to thank the customers.

“Thank you for your love. It’s true that I opened this restaurant. The recipe for braised pork belly is my own, and some of the dishes are also my designs. But the current manager and head chef of this restaurant is Zhu Xu.

I think everyone should be very satisfied with his craftsmanship, right? "

When asked this question, the customers naturally nodded in satisfaction.

Feng Zhengming: "As long as everyone is satisfied, it means our chef Zhu Xu has great cooking skills. Please continue to support him in the future. As the boss, I thank you all."

Zhu Xu had just finished a dish and was walking from the kitchen to the front counter carrying the plate.

Then he saw and heard what Feng Zhengming said.

At this moment, Zhu Xu's hands really couldn't help shaking.

He really didn't expect Feng Zhengming to introduce himself like this.

He didn't try to advertise himself at all; he was just introducing Zhu Xu to all the guests.

And Feng Zhengming promoted Zhu Xu to a very high position.

Gave him the reputation of store manager and head chef.

He also took the initiative to help him increase his fame.

This was a situation Zhu Xu had never thought of in the past.

Not to mention in other restaurants and hotels, even when he was in the kitchen of Jubinyuan, he didn't receive such treatment.

In the kitchen of Jubinyuan, Zhu Xu once cooked for his master Cheng Guosheng.

But Cheng Guosheng never gave Zhu Xu such affirmation.

Feng Zhengming then introduced it to everyone.

"Do you all know about the International Shandong Cuisine Competition held in Qilu?"

Someone immediately responded: "I know."

"Yes, yes, I watched it on TV. You don't look as handsome on TV as you do in person, Feng Zhuangyuan."

"That competition was really great. I remember the dragon boat made by Feng Zhuangyuan and those masters at the end. It was so beautiful."

"I remember that dragon boat, too. I really can't imagine that it was carved out of a watermelon."

Speaking of the competition, many people naturally still remember it vividly.

Feng Zhengming took the dish from Zhu Xu and asked the waiter to serve it.

Then he pointed at Zhu Xu and introduced him: "Our Chef Zhu Xu is one of the top 100 chefs in this competition, so now everyone knows the importance of my restaurant, right?"

This introduction really surprised many people.

After a long while, one person couldn't help but ask, "So does this count as, I've spent the money of a small restaurant, but I've tasted the cooking skills of a big restaurant chef?"

Feng Zhengming smiled and clapped: "Yes, yes, you are absolutely right."

Then Feng Zhengming announced it to everyone seriously.

"We are revitalizing Shandong cuisine, which means we want to revive Shandong cuisine, dispel some misunderstandings about our cuisine, and let everyone enjoy truly delicious and affordable food."

Hearing Feng Zhengming's announcement, everyone present was truly impressed.

“This is the big picture of our No. 1 pick.”

"It's really a big picture. I didn't expect our top student to care about us like this."

"I used to think that the things sold in Zhuangyuan's store were more expensive than those sold in other stores. Now I realize that I really got a great bargain."

"That's right. The craftsmanship in those other shops nearby can't even compare to that of the Zhuangyuan shop."

"Thanks to our top scholar, we were able to enjoy the delicious food at the restaurant."

Feng Zhengming corrected with a smile: "You can't just thank me, you should thank our Chef Zhu Xu, and also thank every young chef in my kitchen. It is their efforts that have made me famous."

After hearing what Feng Zhengming said, all the customers in the restaurant immediately thanked Zhu Xu and the chef in the kitchen.

At this moment, Zhu Xu and the people in the kitchen felt very proud.

They also gained something other than money from Feng Zhengming.

I gain respect from the thanks from the customers in the store.

In their hearts, their loyalty to Feng Zhengming naturally deepened.

Especially Zhu Xu, he felt that instead of returning to his master, choosing to continue following Feng Zhengming was really the right choice.

After Feng Zhengming's introduction and encouragement, many customers in the store became excited, and some even asked for more dishes.

Feng Zhengming also took the opportunity to introduce to everyone the locations of his other three stores in Shanghai.

It also gives everyone some choices.

So that people in Shanghai don't have to rush to the railway station restaurant just to have a meal. (End of this chapter)