From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

After the review of the four major restaurants and some eateries in Quancheng was completed, Feng Zhengming still held a summary meeting with the three groups of reviewers in the conference room rented by the hotel.

At the meeting, Feng Zhengming listed the scores of all the restaurants, big and small, in Quancheng.

Once again, give everyone a final confirmation.

After careful final consideration, everyone determined the final score.

Feng Zhengming saw the final confirmation and announced it very seriously.

"The review of Quancheng is over. Thank you all for your hard work."

Seeing Feng Zhengming bowing to express his gratitude, everyone applauded.

Finally, the comprehensive scores of the three groups of judges were considered.

The four major restaurants: Jufengde, Huiquanlou, Taifenglou and Jubinyuan all meet the five-star standard.

Just as Feng Zhengming had said before, he still gave face to the old masters in the first year.

He did not directly use the strictest standards to require the four major restaurants.

Apart from the four major restaurants, most other decent restaurants in Quancheng are rated one or two stars.

There are only five companies that can achieve a three-star score.

There are only two hotels with an overall score of four stars.

One of them is Yan's Restaurant.

There is also an old Fengjia dry rice shop.

After the old shop was converted into a restaurant, it was also included in the recommended guide to restaurants and eateries.

There really isn't much objection to this result.

Because from the reviewers' experience, the experience in most restaurants is indeed worse.

It's not just a problem with the service, there are also some problems with the chef's skills.

Especially when put together with the four major restaurants in Quancheng.

The gap is really too big.

Even though Jufengde is one of the four, its service experience is relatively poor.

However, Jufengde was able to rely on its most traditional and solid craftsmanship to maintain its score.

Similarly, whether it is Yan's Restaurant or Feng Zhengming's Feng's Dry Rice Shop, they both rely on the solid craftsmanship in the kitchen to achieve a four-star rating.

Master Yan looked at the final ratings of the restaurants and eateries in Quancheng.

He reminded Feng Zhengming: "You should write down the specific criteria clearly in the recommendation guide, so that others will not trouble you later."

Feng Zhengming smiled and nodded: "Master, don't worry, I will definitely write down the scoring criteria clearly in the recommendation guide."

Master Cui understands what Master Yan is worried about?
To put it bluntly, Huiquanlou was rated five stars this time, and even the old Fengjia Ganfanpu got four stars. More or less, some people would think that Feng Zhengming was deliberately inflating the reputation of his own store.

But if you really participate in the entire judging process, you will find that Feng Zhengming's store really got a higher score based on its strength.

Master Cui lamented: "If it weren't for this review, we might not have noticed that many restaurants in Quancheng City, which have always regarded Shandong cuisine as the mother of cuisine, have so many problems."

Hearing Master Cui's sigh, several other masters were also deeply touched.

During this review, several veteran chefs really saw a lot of chaos in the catering industry.

There are actually a lot of restaurants of all sizes on the streets of Quancheng.

But the food produced by many restaurant kitchens is simply hard to describe.

Even some famous restaurants cannot control quality well.

In the eyes of the old chefs, this was a problem that would never be allowed to occur in the kitchen.

How do you attract others to your house for dinner?
Isn't it because of your good craftsmanship?

But your chef can make two completely different dishes of the same dish. How did you develop your cooking skills?
It’s not that the masters favor Feng Zhengming.

It is true that the craftsmanship and quality control of Feng Zhengming's Fengjia Dry Rice Shop are really incomparable to ordinary restaurants.

Of course, this is also because the chef in the kitchen of the old shop is Feng Zhengming’s third senior brother Yang Bin.

However, in the kitchens of some other restaurants in Quancheng, the master chefs' apprentices are also in charge of the cooking.

At this time, the gap between him and his senior brothers Feng Zhengming was indeed revealed.

Master Cui looked at Feng Zhengming and said, "Zhengming, you don't have to worry about what others say about you. Your restaurants are very popular with everyone. You can tell the difference between a good restaurant and a bad one after you eat there."

Master Su also spoke up: "That's right, Zhengming, just boldly publish your recommendation guide, don't worry about what others say."

Master Sun: "There is no perfect ratings and rankings that can satisfy everyone. We all know that you have been very fair, so just publish it."

Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you for your support, uncles and uncles. Everyone, take a good rest for two days. Then I will arrange a bus to take you to various restaurants for judging."

Master Cui smiled again and said, "It's great. Let's just take it as a trip."

This statement was naturally recognized by other masters.

Feng Zhengming's two grandfathers also think that this kind of travel is really good.

"Yes, there are also several masters who will tell us about the characteristics of different places in Qilu along the way. What a wonderful trip this is!"

"Hahaha, we don't need to rush this time. We can just eat, drink and have fun at our leisure."

The other two groups of judges are also looking forward to this trip to eat all over the province.

After the meeting, Feng Zhengming asked everyone to go back and rest.

However, Feng Zhengming was still stopped by several masters.

The old masters stopped Feng Zhengming and wanted to talk to him about the process of the next review in various places.

Master Xia asked: "Next, should we go to our Qufu first? Start with Confucius Mansion cuisine?"

Feng Zhengming: "That's indeed possible. Going to Qufu first also shows respect for Confucius Mansion cuisine."

Master Cui: "Zhengming, you have to plan the route carefully. We are all quite old, and our old bones may not be able to bear this bumpy ride."

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Master Cui, rest assured, we have already planned the route and have driven it many times. We guarantee that it will not be too hard for everyone. In addition, I will extend the review time so that you can rest more when you get to a place and don't have to rush all the time."

Several chefs felt that this arrangement was very good as it would allow them to have more time to carefully review restaurants in various locations.

Master Su asked: "Then should we use the same standards as Quancheng for restaurants in other places?"

Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, it's still the same standard."

Master Sun couldn't help but smile: "Then I'm afraid that all the restaurants outside the city might be wiped out."

When Master Sun said "annihilation", he meant that other restaurants in Qilu might not be able to get five stars.

Feng Zhengming smiled: "Uncle Sun, that's not necessarily true. I think the restaurants in Daocheng and Yancheng still have a chance to compete for five stars."

When it comes to the two restaurants in Daocheng and Yancheng, the old masters feel that there are indeed opportunities.

The seafood restaurant in the island city is run by Gao Fengyi, and it is a joint venture with the port city.

Therefore, that big restaurant is indeed qualified to compete for five stars.

Yancheng is the restaurant where Feng Zhengming’s sixth senior brother Zhang Minghai works.

Zhang Minghai was about to leave the restaurant, but later the restaurant owner personally approached Zhang Minghai and politely invited him back.

And according to Zhang Minghai's request, some changes were made inside the restaurant.

Therefore, the restaurant in Yancheng does have a chance to get five stars.

Apart from these two, restaurants in other places are indeed inferior in scale and strength.

However, there are still quite a few who should be able to get four stars with their excellent skills.

Feng Zhengming's original intention in making the recommendation guide was to recommend restaurants and hotels from all over Shandong to outsiders.

Therefore, he naturally lowered the standards a little and tried to judge based on characteristics and taste.

That’s why we specially found two groups of non-professional food judges.

Under this tone, Feng Zhengming still wants to use recommended guidelines as much as possible to urge restaurants and hotels in various places to protect the brand of Shandong cuisine, pass on the craftsmanship, and make good dishes.

In fact, the competition in Qilu's recommended guide is much less intense than that in Shanghai.

During the review process in Feng Zhengming's Qilu area, the masters can also travel around the province.

The competition for recommendation guide quotas in Shanghai has entered a fierce stage.

It is true that Shanghai may not seem as big as the provinces of Shandong and Qi, but its streets and alleys are filled with too many restaurants and hotels of all sizes.

It is also the place where many domestic cuisines, including many overseas cuisines, converge.

Therefore, after Feng Zhengming came up with the Shanghai Recommendation Guide, the competition among everyone became very fierce.

Each store is constantly competing in service, food quality control, store decoration and various layout styles.

It can really be said that most of the restaurants in Qilu may not be very competitive when they move to Shanghai.

Kong Xingli was informed in advance by Feng Zhengming, and he also had the support of the investors behind him.

He is very strict with the service and quality control of his restaurant.

This also gives the on-site reviewers a very comfortable experience.

The unique cultural charm of Qi and Lu also made the judges feel interesting.

Although compared with some Cantonese cuisine that has been served in high-end restaurants and hotels, it is still a little lacking.

But the judges still felt that Kong Xingli's restaurant was quite competitive.

Of course, in Shanghai, there is another person who is a little detached from the world.

That is Feng Zhengming’s “Zheng Luxing” on Western Restaurant Street.

The Qilu traditional style combined with Western elements specially designed by Feng Zhengming really sets it apart from other traditional restaurants in terms of decoration.

Especially in a city like Shanghai that values ​​openness, inclusiveness and a global orientation.

Feng Zhengming’s “Zheng Luxing” can be said to be a benchmark in the industry.

The various dishes in the restaurant, the interweaving of tradition and modernity, and the many incredible creativity are really something that other restaurants cannot compete with.

It can be said that it was really difficult for the reviewers to find any fault with Feng Zhengming's store.

The only problem might be that the queue is too long.

After Feng Zhengming's restaurant is removed, competition from other restaurants in Shanghai will become even more intense.

Some Western restaurants have also proactively applied to be included in the recommended guide.

Their joining will naturally further increase the intensity of competition.

Fortunately, Mr. Huang Tao, Mr. Cai and Mr. Wei Ling all have rich experience.

This kind of fierce competition is exactly what they want to see.

Because only when the competition is more intense can we finally select the most recommended restaurants.

Whether it is the service, the quality control of the dishes, or some small details in the plating.

Every detail is reviewed very strictly.

For example, the distance between tableware placed on the table also needs to be carefully evaluated.

These details are the standards that Feng Zhengming did not implement throughout the province of Qilu.

The reason is very simple. Some things cannot be copied completely. We must respect the different cultural habits of people in different regions.

Feng Zhengming also gave the old masters a general account of the situation in Shanghai.

After listening to Feng Zhengming's description, the old masters looked at each other in bewilderment.

Master Cui: "It seems that we are still not strict enough. Zhengming has already taken care of us."

Feng Zhengming smiled: "It's not considered as a favor. After all, the situations are different, so the requirements will also be different."

Master Su: "Zhengming, can your restaurant get five stars in Shanghai?"

Feng Zhengming was very frank: "If we follow the five-star standard in Shanghai, none of my four restaurants would be able to get five stars. Even my most exquisite western restaurant, Zheng Luxing, would not be able to get five stars."

Master Xia was a little surprised: "Is it that strict?"

Feng Zhengming: "It's not strict, it's just that my restaurant is mainly fast food, and I don't have the meticulousness to prepare banquets."

Master Yan was surprised: "Can't we also host banquets?"

Feng Zhengming: "Of course we can do it, but it's definitely not as high-end as the restaurants run by Senior Brother Kong."

"Besides, the service in my store won't be as meticulous as those in restaurants and high-end restaurants."

Feng Zhengming made it very clear that his restaurant could dominate the entire catering industry in Shanghai with the skills of its chefs and the quality of its dishes.

But since he has set the standards, it is not just about the food, but also about the decoration and service.

Then he would not take the lead in destroying the standards, and he would not give his own store five stars.

Master Sun: "So, don't the restaurants in Shanghai have lost a strong competitor?"

Feng Zhengming smiled: "It doesn't matter. When my private restaurant in my old house opens next year, I will let them know how powerful a competitor I am."

Hearing this, the masters present couldn't help laughing.

Everyone is indeed looking forward to the restaurant opened by Feng Zhengming in the old villa.

I really want to know what kind of amazing dishes Feng Zhengming will launch then?
The old chefs also understand that such a restaurant will become a true benchmark for domestic restaurants.

It’s not about the decoration or the address, the key is that the chef is Feng Zhengming, the top scholar.

He is also equipped with excellent young chefs.

Plus the highest quality ingredients available.

With such strong strength, not everyone is qualified to open a restaurant like this.

But with Feng Zhengming's proof, it can be said that it has raised everyone's standards for cooking skills.

If other restaurants want to replicate Feng Zhengming, they can only work harder on their cooking skills.

It can really be said that Feng Zhengming single-handedly raised the industry standard. (End of this chapter)