From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

Cheng Guosheng attaches great importance to this Qilu Restaurant Recommendation Guide.

Now Cheng Guosheng has accepted it. He knows that he is no match for Feng Zhengming. He can only accept Feng Zhengming as the president and accept his judgment.

Although several of his investors were somewhat dissatisfied with Cheng Guosheng's resignation to his fate.

"Chef Cheng, how can you just accept this? If Feng Zhengming can make that recommendation guide, we can actually make one too."

Cheng Guosheng was very straightforward: "We do it? Why should we do it?"

Without waiting for the investors to reply, Cheng Guosheng asked them directly.

“My current title as an excellent Shandong cuisine chef was given to me by others. What qualifications do we have to compile a restaurant recommendation guide?
Even if you increase your investment and give more money, do you think you can hire my uncles and uncles?

Instead of wasting time, we should run Jubin Garden well, improve our shortcomings, and strive to be featured in the restaurant recommendation guide."

Cheng Guosheng's words really left investors unable to refute.

Not to mention Feng Zhengming’s own achievements.

At least without him, it might be difficult for the chef industry to receive the attention it has today.

It seems that many people are paying attention to chefs and the quality of restaurants and hotels in various places?

In fact, this is because Feng Zhengming is always promoting it.

He issued various propaganda to everyone again and again.

More and more people will pay attention to the skills of chefs and the quality of the food in a restaurant.

Therefore, Feng Zhengming can get a lot of support and let the old masters help him serve as professional judges.

He can also select some enthusiastic people who are interested in food to participate in the judging.

If it were Cheng Guosheng, it would probably not be easy to get everyone to follow his arrangements.

Not to mention, getting the public to recognize the ratings they give to restaurants and hotels.

Cheng Guosheng finally said to his investors with a serious face.

“Since Feng Zhengming’s recommendation guide has been recognized by many people, we must enter the recommendation guide and let Feng Zhengming personally issue us the recommendation guide approval sign.

By then, with the approval of Feng Zhengming, the top scholar, our Jubin Garden’s business will definitely improve.”

During this period, Jubinyuan's business is indeed a little worse.

Although there are still some regular business banquets that actively make reservations at Jubin Garden.

There are also many people from other places who come to Quancheng to play, and they come to Jubin Garden specifically to have a good meal.

But compared with Jufengde, Taifenglou and Huiquanlou, Jubinyuan is obviously much worse.

Of course, this is also because Cheng Guosheng and his colleagues in Jubin Garden insist on taking the high-end route.

This is because the average price of most dishes is higher than that of other restaurants.

But in the final analysis, Jubinyuan's current reputation has not completely surpassed other restaurants in Quancheng.

Cheng Guosheng is very ambitious this time and hopes that Jubin Garden can become famous through this.

Jubinyuan received high scores in all aspects.

This will also help break some people's prejudices against Jubin Garden.

So Cheng Guosheng’s idea is: “This time, whether it is for the judges or other customers, we must provide good service and strictly control the quality of the dishes.

We want to make sure that no matter what kind of customers come into our store, they won’t be deterred.”

The investor was a little puzzled: "Why would anyone be deterred? We didn't stop people from coming in to eat, did we?"

"That's right, they themselves feel that it's not appropriate for them to come to Jubin Garden for dinner."

"Maybe many people feel they can't afford Jubinyuan, so they choose not to come."

"But our prices are not that high, and there are some relatively cheap dishes."

Cheng Guosheng: "So we also need to learn from Feng Zhengming, to launch more affordable menus, to encourage customers to come to our restaurant, and everyone who enters Jubinyuan should be respected."

Investors tend to agree with Cheng Guosheng's statement.

Several of them, the investors of Jubinyuan, also learned about Feng Zhengming's behavior in Shanghai through their own channels.

I learned that Feng Zhengming bought an old Western-style house in Shanghai and planned to run a high-end private restaurant in that old house.

Feng Zhengming's design is extremely rare and bold, not only in Shanghai but also in the whole country.

Perhaps only some hidden private restaurants in Beijing can be compared with the design of the private restaurant in Feng Zhengming's old villa.

Several investors of Cheng Guosheng Jubinyuan really admire Feng Zhengming's courage and vision.

The price of an old villa like that in Shanghai is definitely not low.

So Feng Zhengming must have spent a lot of money just to buy that old villa.

The subsequent various repairs will also be a huge project that will require a lot of money.

Naturally, Cheng Guosheng's investors do not have the courage to do so.

Of course, this is also due to their lack of confidence in Cheng Guosheng's craftsmanship.

Cheng Guosheng’s Shandong cuisine is absolutely impeccable.

But compared with Feng Zhengming, it is indeed difficult for him to have as many sudden ideas as Feng Zhengming, and he is even less able to integrate other cuisines.

This is also why the investor allowed Cheng Guosheng to return to Quancheng and continue to run his former Jubin Garden.

In any case, Jubin Garden is where Cheng Guosheng has worked for half his life.

He still has feelings for Jubin Garden.

And as long as he is willing to work hard, investors think that Cheng Guosheng’s Shandong cuisine will definitely not be bad.

Facts have indeed proved that Cheng Guosheng's Shandong cuisine cooking skills are indeed very good.

Now Jubin Garden is entirely supported by Cheng Guosheng's craftsmanship.

In the next few days, Jubinyuan quickly made some adjustments.

Cheng Guosheng copied Feng Zhengming's strategy.

It’s not just about entertaining wealthy people, nor is it just about making high-end dishes at Jubinyuan.

Just like getting down to earth, Jubinyuan is launching more popular dishes.

The slogan of affordable meals was even put forward.

This trick was indeed effective and soon attracted some ordinary customers to Jubinyuan.

Even if they are ordinary customers, according to Cheng Guosheng's requirements, service staff must greet them with a smile.

Regardless of whether the other party wants to eat at Jubinyuan or not, there should be no discrimination against customers.

Jubinyuan's change in business strategy actually attracted a lot of customers.

The reputation of Jubinyuan also quickly improved significantly.

When Feng Zhengming heard the news, he was quite impressed that Cheng Guosheng could make changes so quickly.

"It seems that Cheng Guosheng has learned from his previous lessons and knows that he can't just run a high-end restaurant. He needs to make the restaurant more down-to-earth and accept more people's scrutiny." Luo Qing was a little surprised: "Why did Cheng Guosheng change so quickly this time?"

Feng Zhengming smiled: "He wants Jubinyuan to be listed in the Qilu Restaurant Recommendation Guide, and he wants a relatively high ranking."

Luo Qing asked: "Will you give it to him?"

Feng Zhengming: "Of course, as long as he can pass the judges' judgment."

Luo Qing: "Aren't you afraid that he will become Huiquanlou's strongest competitor?"

Feng Zhengming: "What's there to be afraid of? More competitors are a good thing. Don't we always have a lot of competitors in Shanghai?"

Luo Qing: "Really? Why do I feel like you can easily take control of other restaurants and hotels in Shanghai?"

Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, that's not true. Other restaurants and hotels also have their strengths. We also have a lot to learn from them."

Having said that, Feng Zhengming turned the topic back to the major restaurants in Qi and Lu.

"In Qilu, there are only one or two restaurants in other cities that can be included in the recommended guide, and some cities even have only one.

Quancheng and Daocheng account for most of the restaurant quotas, so this time our review is also to set a benchmark for restaurants in various places so that they can better manage their own restaurants. "

Luo Qing probably understood what her husband meant.

The reason why Feng Zhengming launched restaurant recommendation guides in Shanghai and Shandong respectively this time.

The purpose is to ensure that most restaurants in the two places can operate according to a standard.

This standard may be promoted to all parts of the country in the future.

It will drive improvements in all aspects of restaurants and high-end restaurants across the country.

In Feng Zhengming's opinion.

“The lack of clear domestic standards has caused many restaurants and high-end restaurants to look a bit haphazard, as if simply piling up all sorts of expensive imported materials can be considered high-end.

But such an approach ignores the hard work that the chef puts into a delicious dish.

At the same time, it also ignores the experience of guests in a restaurant.

It is more like a definition by a few individuals, telling us what is expensive and what cannot be sold at a high price no matter how delicious it is.”

Feng Zhengming said seriously: "This is wrong. Any chef who makes dishes carefully should be respected."

Luo Qing: "So in your judging criteria, you will separately mention 'color, aroma, taste, and shape' for scoring. Are you simply scoring based on the chef's skills?"

Feng Zhengming: “Yes, the hard work of chefs should be given enough attention.”

Luo Qing finally understood: "No wonder Cheng Guosheng and the others support you."

Feng Zhengming smiled: "They support me because I respect their efforts, and I also give them the opportunity to become famous."

Luo Qing: "That's right. You are the national champion, and there are those old masters endorsing them. As long as they can be included in the recommended guide, their stores will gain great popularity."

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, my wife really understands me. This is what I think."

Luo Qing: "Stop praising me here. What you did is so obvious, who can tell?"

Feng Zhengming: "Can everyone see that?"

Luo Qing: "Of course, you can tell from their preparations. They all understand your intentions and want to be included in the first issue of the Qilu Restaurant Recommendation Guide."

Feng Zhengming: "Hahaha, but it is destined that most restaurants may not be able to sell it."

Luo Qing asked: "Why? Just like you said, there are only so many Qilu restaurants, so it doesn't matter if they are all on the recommended guide, right?"

Feng Zhengming shook his head: "Of course it matters. We must introduce standards. Since we are introducing standards, we must all follow them. Those who do not meet the standards will definitely not be allowed to go online."

Luo Qing curled her lips: "If you do this, you will offend a lot of people again."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Why should I be afraid of offending people? As long as it is good for the future development of Shandong cuisine, it's fine."

At this time, Grandpa Situ came in and said, "Zhengming is right. What's the harm in offending people? As long as it's good for the development of Shandong cuisine, it's fine."

Hearing Grandpa Situ's voice, Feng Zhengming and Luo Qing looked towards the door together.

I saw two grandfathers walk in together.

"Grandpa Situ, why are you here?"

Feng Zonghe: "We are here to see you. You have been traveling around the province recently and you are quite busy. We heard that you came back from another place, so we came to see you."

Feng Zhengming stepped forward and asked the two grandfathers to sit down in the living room of his home.

"It's my fault for making Grandpa Situ and you worry about me."

Grandpa Situ smiled and waved his hand: "Seeing that you are working hard for the development of Shandong cuisine, your grandfather and I are very pleased."

Feng Zonghe: "Yes, we are very pleased. It proves that you have never changed your persistence."

Feng Zhengming asked, "Grandpa Situ, are you ready to go explore the store with my master and the others?"

The two grandfathers looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"Be prepared. We are not professionals. Isn't it a bit of a hindrance to explore the store with your master and others?"

"Yeah, Lao Yan and the others are more professional. We two old guys who are following the store inspections and ratings seem to be less professional."

Feng Zhengming: "Grandpa Situ, Grandpa, I want you to be less professional and use your most intuitive feelings to judge the quality of a restaurant."

Feng Zonghe: "You asked us to rate based on our most intuitive feelings. Doesn't that seem like a joke?"

Grandpa Situ quickly understood Feng Zhengming's arrangement.

"Zhengming wants us to rate it based on the most traditional aspects of Shandong cuisine, right?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, I hope Grandpa Situ and Grandpa can rate it from the perspective of traditional Shandong cuisine."

He then introduced two other groups of reviewers he had arranged.

"There are two other groups of judges. They are ordinary customers from all walks of life. We want them to rate from the most intuitive perspective and to be able to more objectively present their experience at the restaurant through scores."

Feng Zonghe: "Isn't this a bit too subjective?"

Grandpa Situ: "It is indeed very subjective, so Zhengming arranged three groups of people to visit the store and rate it separately."

Feng Zhengming: "Yes, the three groups of people scored separately, and finally took an average score."

Grandpa: "That's fair enough."

Feng Zhengming took out the specially customized scoring board and trophy that he had reported to the Chefs Association and showed them to the two grandfathers.

"These are samples. When the time comes, the names of the restaurants listed in the recommended guide will be engraved on them."

Seeing Feng Zhengming take out the medals and trophies he had prepared, the two grandfathers felt that he was really thoughtful.

"Zhengming, you did a really good job on this."

"The design is very beautiful. When those stores put it up, it will bring them more customers."

Feng Zhengming: "I just hope that after hanging this medal and winning the trophy, the restaurant can do a better job of making Shandong cuisine and carry forward our Shandong cuisine."

When Feng Zhengming had everything ready, his two grandfathers and his master, the masters, officially began to visit the stores and rate them.

All the restaurants in Quancheng and Qilu were preparing carefully at once, waiting for the judges to arrive. (End of this chapter)