From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After lunch, Feng Zhengming picked up his things and drove the car left in Quancheng to visit his master and several old masters in Quancheng.

Before coming, Feng Zhengming called his master in advance.

I know that Master and his wife are at home.

When Feng Zhengming arrived, the moment the master's wife opened the door and saw him, she immediately smiled happily.

"Zhengming is back? Why did you come here alone? Where are Xiao Luo and the child?"

Feng Zhengming: "Master's wife, the child is taking a nap at home, and Luo Qing is taking care of the child at home."

While talking, Feng Zhengming walked in carrying something.

Show the things you brought back to your master and mistress.

"Master, Master's Wife, these are what I brought back from Shanghai. You can give these dry goods to my eldest brother's restaurant, or you can eat them at home."

The master was also very happy to see Feng Zhengming coming.

After all, in Master Yan's eyes, Feng Zhengming is his most proud disciple.

Master Yan also knows the achievements Feng Zhengming has made today.

Feng Zhengming was able to remember his master despite his achievements. The first thing he did when he returned to Quancheng was to visit his master and his mistress.

This is truly considered as a good disciple who cares about his master.

In Feng Zhengming's heart, his master and his wife are like his own parents.

So for him, returning to Quancheng to visit his master and his wife was like coming back to visit his own parents.

Master Yan asked Feng Zhengming to sit down, and then the master and apprentice chatted about some daily matters.

The atmosphere of the conversation also sounds like some teachings from an old father to his son.

"You bought that old house in Shanghai and publicly announced that you were going to open a top-notch private restaurant in the old house. That was a bit ostentatious.

Remember what I told you? Keep a low profile and don't think you're that great.

You have achieved results now, but you must always stay motivated, otherwise you will be surpassed by others, understand?"

Feng Zhengming would not refute his master's teachings at all.

Even in Feng Zhengming's heart, it was a pleasure to be able to hear his master's teachings.

He also didn't think there was anything wrong with his master educating him.

"Master, you are right. I was forced into a corner by some people in Shanghai. Shanghai is different from Quancheng. People here are more down-to-earth. They believe in doing things honestly and being a decent person.

Shanghai is a metropolis full of decadence and extravagance, where many people from all over the world gather.

Many of them have money, so they always like to do some crazy things and even more like to oppress others.

If I don’t show strength, they will really come to bully me.”

Feng Zhengming calmly explained the environment in Shanghai to his master.

Master can understand this aspect.

“Shanghai is indeed home to too many wealthy people, and there are also many arrogant people, but you must remember that you must stick to your original intention and not be blinded by their extravagant lifestyle.

We are chefs, so we must maintain our skills, cook well, and pass on our skills.”

Feng Zhengming nodded seriously to indicate that he had taken note of his master's teachings.

"Master, rest assured. I will remember it carefully, cook the dish well, and pass on the skills."

After talking about the situation in Shanghai, Feng Zhengming told his master about his return.

"Master, we may need you and a few uncles to help in the selection of restaurants for Qilu's recommended guide this year."

Master Yan: "Do you come here every year to give those restaurants a boost?"

As the master said this, he started laughing, and Feng Zhengming also laughed.

"Master, aren't we supposed to supervise everyone and make our Shandong cuisine better? We can't let some shoddy restaurants ruin the reputation of our Shandong cuisine."

Master Yan agrees with this: "We really can't let some shoddy restaurants ruin the reputation of Shandong cuisine."

Then the master asked, "Will we only select street restaurants this year, just like in previous years?"

Feng Zhengming: "This year I plan to publish two books, just like Shanghai. One is a recommendation guide, just like before, which only recommends various street restaurants and snack bars.

Another book is to evaluate various restaurants and high-end restaurants, and select some restaurants and high-end restaurants that can represent our Shandong cuisine. "

The master thought about this change and nodded in approval.

"Okay, this separation is good, it gives those restaurants and high-end restaurants a chance to participate.

Your recommendation guide is very popular nowadays, and those restaurants and high-end restaurants also need publicity. You just help them with some publicity and also give them some pressure. "

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Master also knows that we need to put pressure on them?"

The master also laughed and said: "Giving them some pressure can encourage them to cook better."

Feng Zhengming agrees with this: "I am also in Shanghai, constantly putting pressure on other stores. During this period, many time-honored stores in Shanghai have been conducting self-inspections and improvements.

I have always followed your teachings, Master, and I take all the work in the kitchen seriously."

Master: "You have done a good job. You don't need to strive for others to be as good as you. As long as the customers think it is good, it's fine."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, so this time in Shanghai, I asked Junior Master to arrange three groups of people, one group is Junior Master and his professional judges, and the other two groups are ordinary customers.

Allow them to give more intuitive evaluations based on their real experiences from the customer's perspective.

Finally, we combine the professional evaluation scores of the junior masters and the scores of the customers’ real experience of hiding their identities to give a comprehensive score.”

Master agrees with this approach.

“This is good. The customer experience is the most intuitive. The best restaurants make every customer feel good.”

Then the master told Feng Zhengming about the situations in various places in Qi and Lu.

The focus was on the Xia family's Confucius Mansion cuisine.

"Your Master Xia and his men have taken back the reputation of Confucius cuisine. Moreover, your Master Xia listened to your advice and recruited more apprentices, letting Xia Hui and Xia Mingye's father teach their skills."

Feng Zhengming: "This is very good. If we want to pass on good skills, we need to recruit more apprentices. Only when more people learn can better apprentices emerge."

Master: "Yes, there are also several good newcomers emerging in your Huiquan Building."

Feng Zhengming was a little surprised: "Really? So, Senior Brother and his friends have accepted a new disciple?"

Master: "Yes, your eldest and fifth brothers have both received very good apprentices. They haven't mastered their skills yet, but at least their attitudes are very good and they are both willing to learn."

Feng Zhengming: "Just be diligent and willing to learn. In our industry, the key is to be diligent, willing to learn, and not afraid of hard work."

The master suddenly asked: "Does Huiquanlou also want to participate in your recommended guide selection this time?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, Huiquanlou will also participate in the selection this time."

The master smiled and said, "You are trying to increase the strength for your brothers."

Seeing his master smile, Feng Zhengming knew that his master approved of his approach.

"I believe in what my brothers and sisters can do. There will be no problem." The master did not say anything, but a smile appeared on his face. It can be seen that the master also believes in the craftsmanship of Brother Feng Zhengming.

After visiting his master, Feng Zhengming went to visit Master Cui, Master Su, Master Sun and several other masters in Quancheng.

The old masters were very happy to see Feng Zhengming come back.

When chatting with him, I always asked about his situation in Shanghai.

Feng Zhengming shared his experience in Shanghai with the old masters without reservation.

Master Cui couldn't help but sigh: "Every time I talk to you, Zhengming, I always gain a lot."

Feng Zhengming: "Master Cui, you are too polite. I still have a lot of skills to learn from you. What I have figured out in Shanghai is also a summary based on my past writing."

Master Cui: "Zhengming, that's what you are good at. You are good at learning and summarizing."

When visiting Master Su, Feng Zhengming also went to take a look at Jufengdeli.

It was seen that Jufengde had not changed much after Kong Xingli took his disciples away.

Feng Zhengming was also impressed by Jufengde’s heritage.

"As expected of Jufengde, even if Senior Brother Kong and the others leave, it will not be affected much."

Master Su smiled and said, "There is definitely an impact. Kong Xingli's departure is a certain blow to Jufengde. Fortunately, Jufengde has many past apprentices, so it can recover quickly."

Feng Zhengming: "Jufengde is still a well-off company. If it were Huiquanlou, I'm afraid it really wouldn't be possible."

Master Su: "Why? Your senior brothers are leaving Huiquanlou?"

Feng Zhengming: “That’s not the case.”

Master Su: "I think so too. If you help them, they will not leave Huiquanlou."

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "I can't say that I helped them. My brothers and sisters were already very skilled, but we encountered a manager who didn't do his job well at Yanxilou."

Master Su sighed: "It is indeed a pity for Yanxilou."

Then, without waiting for Feng Zhengming to speak, Master Su asked, "I heard that the old plaque of Yanxilou is in your hands?"

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, I bought it back, but I haven't had the chance to put it up again yet."

Master Su: "Zhengming, when will you come back and reopen Yanxilou?"

Feng Zhengming: "I think it's not the right time to reopen Yanxilou now."

Master Su was a little surprised: "Why isn't it the right time?"

Feng Zhengming explained: "Now there are already Jufengde, Taifenglou, Huiquanlou, and Jubinyuan in Quancheng. I heard that there is also Cuihualou, which came back from Beijing.

There is competition among each other, but they are also in a state of balance for the time being.

If I reopen Yanxilou at this time, it will upset the current balance, which may be bad for everyone.”

Speaking of this, Feng Zhengming smiled at Master Su.

"Maybe by then, all the uncles and seniors will regard me as an enemy and will no longer get along with me in a friendly manner."

Master Su was stunned by these words, and then he started laughing.

“Hahaha, by then you’ve taken away all our business, and we’ll come to your house every day to eat your big customers.”

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, great, then I will hire you all back to work in my restaurant."

This left Master Su speechless.

After Feng Zhengming visited his master, uncle and uncle.

The next step was to start making arrangements. Several old masters and his two grandfathers began to judge the stores in Quancheng.

At the same time, like in Shanghai, Feng Zhengming also found people from all walks of life in the local area, formed them into a review panel, and asked them to rate each store without exposing themselves.

After making arrangements in Quancheng, Feng Zhengming moved on to various parts of the province and made some arrangements there as well.

In fact, throughout the province of Qilu, there are not many stores that can actually be included in the recommended guide review.

Especially when it comes to restaurant reviews, there are only one or two in each city.

On the contrary, most of the restaurants that can be included in the recommended guide are concentrated in Quancheng.

However, there are still many specialty restaurants and snack bars everywhere.

When selecting those specialty restaurants and snack bars, Feng Zhengming tends to select local people as judges.

It can be regarded as a recommendation of each local cuisine to outsiders by locals.

Therefore, local chefs associations and restaurants do not pay much attention to or compete for the recommended guidelines for small restaurants and snack bars.

Everyone even tacitly agreed that all branches of Feng Zhengming's dry rice shops in various places would definitely be on the list.

However, this year, Feng Zhengming launched another recommended guide to high-end restaurants and hotels, which attracted more attention and everyone was actively trying to get it.

Feng Zhengming also informed everyone in advance that this restaurant recommendation guide is not divided by region.

Instead, the 10 best restaurants in all aspects were selected from across the province of Qilu.

Feng Zhengming went to various places to carry out publicity in advance and gave all the standards to restaurants in various places.

In terms of standards, the restaurant standards that Feng Zhengming set in Qilu are different from those in Shanghai.

Because all the restaurants in this province serve Shandong cuisine.

There are also Shandong cuisine master chefs in charge of the cooking in the kitchen.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming has more stringent requirements on the quality control of dishes when scoring restaurants in various parts of Qi and Lu.

Especially the application of some Shandong cuisine techniques and the details of seasoning for each dish.

Is it possible to truly achieve the level of effort required by Shandong cuisine?

If the quality control does meet the requirements, we can go back and score the overall restaurant decoration and service.

The rating on the overall restaurant experience and service will be considered a bonus item for the follow-up.

All the standards were announced in advance, and Feng Zhengming, in his capacity as the current president of the provincial chefs association, distributed the scoring standards to chefs associations in various places.

And local chef associations are required to notify all chefs.

With Feng Zhengming's set of standards, restaurants across the country have begun to make adjustments and improvements.

Because he had seen in the previous few years that the recommendation guide created by Feng Zhengming brought business to those recommended small restaurants and snack bars.

Therefore, restaurants in various places are actively making preparations in order to be included in the recommended guide this year.

Feng Zhengming did not rush to check, but returned to Quancheng first to participate in some provincial TV programs, in which he first recommended the new restaurant selection in the recommendation guide.

In this way, people from all over the province will know that there is such a recommended guide.

It also concerns the inheritance of Shandong cuisine in various places and the development of Shandong cuisine restaurants.

Naturally, it has attracted the attention of many people from all over the world, and even local governments in various cities are actively paying attention to it. (End of this chapter)