From selling box lunches to becoming a famous Chinese chef

When Cao Zhiguo returned to Jinan, he immediately distributed the gifts he had brought back to everyone.

They even made a special trip to visit the two grandfathers of the Feng family.

"Uncle Situ, Uncle Feng, you don't know, Zhengming's restaurant is really popular. Some of his regular customers from Shanghai go there every day."

When Cao Zhiguo visited the two grandfathers of the Feng family, he also talked to them about things in Shanghai.

Grandpa Situ chuckled and said, "Those old foodies in Shanghai are indeed very discerning. The fact that they're willing to eat at Zhengming's canteen shows that they appreciate Zhengming's cooking skills."

Grandpa Feng asked curiously, "Do those people eat there every day? Can they really afford it?"

Cao Zhiguo said excitedly, "They really can afford it; those people are very rich."

Grandpa Situ: "In the old terms, they could all be considered old capital."

Cao Zhiguo nodded in agreement: "That's right. I think they're all quite old. They go to Zhengming's restaurants by car, but they're not very particular about their clothes."

Speaking of this, Cao Zhiguo remembered something.

"By the way, Xia Hui told me that they all asked Zhengming why those regular customers who eat there every day are dressed so simply. They don't look like people who can afford to eat at their restaurant every day."

Then Zhengming told them that people treated their restaurant like their own canteen; who would change into a suit just to eat at home?

Grandpa Situ immediately laughed: "Hahaha, Zhengming is right, absolutely right."

Grandpa Feng couldn't help but laugh: "Zhengming, this kid, is quite good at using metaphors."

Cao Zhiguo then talked about his junior brother's trip to Jiangxi Province.

"This time, Xiao Luo was really brave, going there alone. I heard that if it weren't for Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong, who were soldiers from Zhengming, secretly following him, Xiao Luo might have gotten into trouble there."

Grandpa Feng: "Is everything alright? Is Xiao Luo okay?"

Cao Zhiguo: "It's nothing, it's nothing. The people from Jiangxi Province wanted to make a move, but they were stopped by Gao Yongfu and Hou Dong."

Grandpa Situ: "It seems that the other provinces aren't so friendly to Zhengming?"

Cao Zhiguo nodded: "Not to mention other provinces, when I was in Shanghai, I heard from them that some people in the Shanghai Chefs Association also had a lot of opinions about Zhengming."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zonggu's face broke into a proud smile.

"If no one is jealous of him, it means he's incompetent; only someone with real ability would be envied."

Grandpa Situ laughed: "Hahaha, Old Feng, you really trust Zhengming."

Feng Zonggu: "Don't worry, his skills and abilities are reliable now, so there's no need to worry about him being tripped up by others."

Cao Zhiguo: "That's true. I heard that his branch in Jiangxi Province has been doing very well since it opened."

Feng Zonggu asked in surprise, "Do people over there also like our braised pork?"

Cao Zhiguo explained, "I heard that Zhengming adjusted the flavor of the braised pork over there, making it spicier to suit the local taste."

Grandpa Situ: "Zhengming is indeed reassuring when it comes to seasoning."

Cao Zhiguo: "When he came back, he used the Three Cup Chicken from there and improved it into a dish, which tasted pretty good."

Feng Zonggu: "Every cuisine has its merits, which shows that he has begun to learn from the strengths of various schools. This should be considered his process of becoming a master."

Grandpa Situ laughed again: "Hahaha, are you bragging to your grandson ahead of time?"

Feng Zonggu: "What do you mean by 'bragging'? It just proves that he really does have that ability."

Cao Zhiguo agreed wholeheartedly: "Yes, yes, Zhengming is truly capable."

Grandpa Situ: "Zhengming has also used his own methods to establish some standards for Chinese cuisine, which can lead to changes in the domestic catering industry."

Cao Zhiguo: "That's right. In the past, there were too many messy little restaurants in various places. Many young people learned to cook for a few days and then started cooking, which ruined the reputation of us chefs."

After a pause, Cao Zhiguo said with righteous indignation, "Especially some chefs who are clearly capable of doing a good job, but in order to save time and effort, they choose not to do it properly, which makes many people feel that Chinese food is inferior to Western food."

Grandpa Situ: "Learning Chinese cuisine is hard work, and cooking Chinese cuisine is even harder. To do it well, like you and Zhengming, you have to work hard step by step with sweat."

Cao Zhiguo was moved by what Grandpa Situ said.

They are not people who have truly worked in the culinary industry, nor are they chefs who have worked hard to make good dishes.

They may not be able to feel the impact of Grandpa Situ's words.

Cao Zhiguo's trip to Shanghai was ostensibly to cover for Feng Zhengming's restaurant.

It was only after he went there that he realized just how hard-working his junior brother was.

My junior apprentice really put a lot of effort into perfecting each dish.

It's not about doing it well, it's about doing it thoroughly.

Feng Zhengming not only needs to be able to cook a dish well himself, but also needs to break down all the steps and then assign them to everyone in the kitchen.

In this way, even when he is not in the kitchen, there can be someone in charge.

For example, during the ten days that Cao Zhiguo took over the restaurant.

He can give an order and everyone in the kitchen will do their job to make every dish perfectly.

Although when Feng Zhengming wasn't in the kitchen, those gourmets in Shanghai missed out on the creative fun he brought to the kitchen.

However, because Feng Zhengming broke down every step of each dish, even when he wasn't in the kitchen, the kitchen staff could still successfully make his dishes, with at least 70% to 80% similarity.

This seems simple, but in reality, it requires Feng Zhengming to devote a lot of time and energy.

He wants to master a dish and clearly understand the key to each step.

Do you want to know why we need to go through that step?
What changes will each step bring to the dish?
Because he thoroughly understands each dish, he can break it down and teach it to everyone in the kitchen.

How much hard work and effort went into this?
You could even say they racked their brains.
At least Cao Zhiguo felt that he probably couldn't do what his junior brother did.

But to some people who know absolutely nothing about it, everything seems very simple.

Isn't it just stir-frying and cooking?

Many people even believe that for Chinese food to taste good, all you need to do is be bold in using the ingredients.

Dare to use the materials?
For an average chef, it might be possible, as long as they have the guts.

For Feng Zhengming and his team, whether or not they dared to use the materials was a matter of absolute confidence in their skills.

Like many young chefs, they may rely entirely on their own cleverness when seasoning, without ever tasting the flavor themselves.

After the results are in, the same dish may taste different.

But whether it's Feng Zhengming or his fellow apprentices, even experienced masters like Master Yan and Master Cui.

When they cook, they always use a small spoon to taste the seasoning separately. Only after confirming that the taste is palatable will they decide how to season it further.

Where does diligence lie?
It's about being diligent in these details that many people might overlook.

Cao Zhiguo felt that Grandpa Situ had spoken out a bitter sentiment in his heart.

"Uncle Situ, you are absolutely right. Cooking requires diligence and hands-on experience. We may have to try a dish many times before we can create a new one."

Just like Zhengming, he put a lot of thought and effort into making each of his dishes.

He was truly one of the most diligent among us fellow apprentices.

Feng Zonggu asked with a smile, "Is the other one your senior brother?"

Cao Zhiguo nodded: "Yes, Senior Brother is indeed more diligent. In the kitchen of Huiquan Restaurant, Senior Brother really takes the lead in doing many things."

Feng Zonggu: "I'll have a talk with your senior brother later. Some things can be left to the younger chefs."

Cao Zhiguo smiled wryly: "The eldest brother is mainly afraid of ruining the reputation of Huiquanlou."

Feng Zonggu: "How could that be? Your skills speak for themselves, there won't be any problems."

Grandpa Situ: "And your third senior brother Yang Bin, he is also very hardworking. Many of Zhengming's apprentices were taught by him. And you, you have also provided Zhengming with a lot of apprentices."

Cao Zhiguo shook his head: "Compared to my senior brother and third senior brother, I still have some shortcomings."

Feng Zonggu: "No need to say that. Without you, Zhengming wouldn't have been able to go to Jiangxi Province this time. He sent you to Shanghai because he trusts you, his fifth senior brother, and knows that you can definitely cover for him."

Cao Zhiguo felt a sense of pride upon hearing this.

This trip to Shanghai, and his experience as the head chef on the last night, really helped him regain some confidence.

After visiting Feng Zhengming's two grandfathers, Cao Zhiguo then delivered the items that Feng Zhengming had bought for his master, eldest brother, and third brother to their respective homes.

The children from all three families were overjoyed to receive the gifts.

The master's wife couldn't help but sigh, "You brothers are always thinking of your master and me. You went to Shanghai and brought us back so many things."

Cao Zhiguo: "It's only right that I bring you these gifts, Master's wife. I have to bring you some gifts when I go out. Most of these were bought by Zhengming."

Master Yan asked, "How is Zhengming doing in Shanghai? He opened a branch in Hongcheng, Jiangxi Province. Did he offend some people there?"

Upon hearing his master's words, Cao Zhiguo immediately understood that someone had come to his master to complain.

“Master, let me tell you, if Zhengming hadn’t sent someone to follow Xiao Luo this time, Xiao Luo might have been in trouble in Hongcheng. They really don’t follow the rules there.”

Cao Zhiguo then told his master and mistress about some of the details.

Upon hearing this, Master Yan slammed his hand on the table in annoyance.

"This is outrageous! They dare to complain to me about this? Saying that Zhengming deliberately made things difficult for their local chefs? They have no shame at all."

Seeing that his master was indeed angry, Cao Zhiguo quickly tried to persuade him, "Master, please don't be angry. Zhengming has already been dealt with."

The teacher's wife was also a little annoyed: "Zhiguo, why didn't you say anything when you arrived?"

Before Cao Zhiguo could speak, his teacher's wife continued, "We absolutely cannot show mercy to those kinds of people. Tell Zhengming that we must teach them a lesson; they are simply lawless."

Cao Zhiguo comforted them, "Master, mistress, don't be angry. Zhengming has already resolved the matter."

Zhengming found the local police and had them arrested. Then Zhengming opened a branch there and hired a famous chef from the local Jianghu school to cook.

I heard that the business is booming and many locals love my junior brother's shop.

In particular, the junior apprentice made some adjustments to the flavor of the braised pork, adding chili peppers, which the locals really liked.

The master's wife laughed: "Good, good, Zhengming is really capable."

Master Yan remarked, "Zhengming is truly exceptional when it comes to cooking. You could say that among all of you apprentices, Zhengming has the best skills and his own ideas."

Cao Zhiguo wasn't jealous at all: "That's right, he's the junior brother, and Master, you passed on all your skills to him."

These words, spoken in jest, immediately amused Master Yan.

"Hahaha, I knew you little Wu would say that."

Cao Zhiguo: "Master, please don't be angry. I was just saying it casually."

Master Yan: "When I was teaching you, I taught you with all my heart, and I haven't interfered with your development since then."

"Little Wu, I even wrote you a letter of recommendation for the restaurants in Beijing."

Cao Zhiguo's face immediately turned red: "Master, let's not talk about that matter in the capital."

The master's wife was amused by the joke, and Master Yan laughed nonstop.

"Now you don't want to talk about it? Let me tell you, since you were forced back from the restaurant in Beijing, you have to fight back yourself. Sooner or later you'll get your revenge, understand?"

Cao Zhiguo immediately became serious: "Master, I understand. I will definitely get it back."

Then Cao Zhiguo mentioned that Feng Zhengming had said he wanted to open Yanxilou in the capital.

Master Yan listened and thought about it carefully, and agreed to open Yanxi Restaurant directly in the capital.

"Zhengming's idea is very good. If Yanxilou wants to grow big again, it is indeed not suitable to do so in Quancheng, because there are already many restaurants in Quancheng. The key is that Zhengming and you still have Huiquanlou in your hands."

If Yanxilou were to reopen in Jinan, it would be redundant with Huiquanlou, and they would actually influence each other.

Why not go directly to the capital? Back then, the eight famous restaurants in Beijing were all Shandong cuisine restaurants, but now they've almost lost their former fame.

Zhengming is the national culinary champion, so naturally he still needs to go to the capital and make a name for himself there.

Cao Zhiguo immediately nodded: "Master, you are right. We will open Yanxilou in the capital together with Zhengming. When you go to the capital, you can continue to lead us all to work together."

Master Yan laughed: "Hahaha, I'm afraid I can't go. I'm too old."

Cao Zhiguo: "Master, where are you old? You can definitely still cook now."

Master Yan shook his head: "No, it's not going to work out. The future belongs to you young people. Zhengming is the one who can truly revive our Shandong cuisine. Your senior brothers should help him out."

The master's wife also agreed: "Yes, with Zhengming leading you, you'll definitely be able to do it."

Cao Zhiguo: "Then you should visit often, Master. The capital is not far from our Jinan. You and your wife can visit often and give us your advice."

Master Yan agreed: "Alright, I'll oversee things for you then."

I also chatted with my master about my experiences in Shanghai, and about my junior brother's reputation in the city.

Master Yan was beaming with pride. (End of Chapter)