Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

After tasting the "Chinese-French Baked Lobster", a French customer said to her companion excitedly, "This dish is so creative. I have never tasted lobsters like this. It has the rich milky aroma and tender taste of French baked lobster, but also has a mysterious oriental flavor. It is really amazing."

Her companion nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, this restaurant always brings surprises. It is really amazing that it combines the cuisines of China and France so well."

Another table of diners from other cities came here specially to taste the food after hearing about the reputation of Wang's All-in-One Restaurant. After tasting several special dishes including "Chinese-French Baked Lobster", they all said that the trip was worthwhile.

A man smiled and said to the waiter, "We have never eaten such unique dishes anywhere else. It is a good decision to come to Paris. Your restaurant has really integrated Chinese and French food cultures to the extreme. Every dish is very impressive."

The waiter smiled and responded: "Thank you very much for your recognition. Our restaurant has always been committed to creating unique Chinese-French fusion dishes. We hope to bring a different dining experience to every customer. If you are satisfied, you are welcome to come again next time."

On the other side of the restaurant, a local old customer was introducing the changes in the restaurant to his friends. He pointed at the surrounding environment and the dishes on the table and said:
"You see, this restaurant is getting better and better. Not only are the dishes constantly being innovated, but the environment has also been kept so elegant. I used to come here often, and the dishes were very distinctive back then, but now it feels like it has reached a higher level, with a stronger sense of Chinese-French fusion. I can eat something new every time I come here, which is really great."

After hearing this, my friend looked around curiously, looking at the decorations with Chinese and French cultural elements and the exquisite dishes around him, and nodded and said:

"It really has a great atmosphere. I must try a few more special dishes today to experience this unique food culture."

As word of mouth spread, the business of Wang's All-Series Restaurant became more and more prosperous, and its reputation spread further and further. Customers still come to dine in an endless stream every day, and even need to make reservations in advance to ensure a seat. Looking at this lively scene, the hotel employees are filled with a sense of accomplishment, and are more confident and motivated.

……

As the restaurant became more and more popular, its unique business model and popular dishes attracted a lot of attention.

Some imitators began to appear in the surrounding area. They were either other Chinese restaurants trying to get a piece of the pie with similar Chinese dishes, or restaurants focusing on Asian fusion, borrowing the Chinese-French fusion style of Wang's entire hotel chain, hoping to gain a foothold in this highly competitive market.

For a time, the already highly competitive catering environment became even more competitive, and all parties were doing their best to win more customers and market share.

Faced with the increasingly fierce competition, Wang Jianye knows that he cannot take it lightly and must respond proactively to ensure that the hotel can continue to ride the waves and maintain its leading position in this red ocean of catering.

So he called a meeting of all employees again. A serious and tense atmosphere filled the meeting room. Everyone was aware of the importance of this meeting. They sat upright in their seats, their eyes focused on Wang Jianye, waiting for him to speak.

Wang Jianye looked calm and steady, and scanned the employees present with a determined gaze, then slowly said, "As you can see, the competition around us is getting more and more fierce, and many restaurants that imitate us have appeared.

But we are not afraid of competition, we have our own advantages, that is, the most authentic Chinese flavor and unique Chinese-French fusion style.

This is the foundation of our business. It is a characteristic that has been formed after a long period of exploration, practice, and joint efforts. We must continue to maintain it and cannot be affected by external interference. At the same time, we must continue to explore new dishes and service highlights. Only by continuous innovation can we keep customers choosing us and stand out from the competition. "

As soon as he finished speaking, the head of the service department bowed slightly, raised his hand and said, "Boss Wang, I have an idea. We can launch some theme dinners, such as one themed on different regional cultures in China, and hold them once a month. At the dinner,
We not only provide food with regional characteristics, but also decorate the hotel lobby to match the regional cultural atmosphere, and arrange for someone to explain the stories behind the dishes and the local customs and practices. In this way, customers can have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture while tasting the food, which brings them a full-scale dining experience and further highlights the cultural characteristics of our hotel. "

After listening to this, Wang Jianye nodded slightly, a glimmer of approval flashed in his eyes, and signaled the head of the service department to continue.

The head of the service department cleared his throat and continued, "We can start with some regional cultures that are more familiar to everyone, such as the 'Jiangnan Water Village' theme, which is very representative.

Imagine decorating our lobby with a Jiangnan-style scene, with small bridges and flowing water, antique blue-and-white porcelain tableware on the table, and waiters dressed in traditional Chinese cheongsam or long gowns.

Serving customers dishes with Jiangnan characteristics such as "West Lake Vinegar Fish", "Dongpo Pork", and "Longjing Shrimp" will definitely be a very attractive scene. Customers will definitely find it very novel and can better experience the charm of pure Chinese culture beyond the fusion of Chinese and French cultures."

The marketing manager then made his own suggestion. He leaned forward, put his hands on the table, looked at Wang Jianye and said, "Boss Wang, I think we can also cooperate with local travel agencies and include our hotel in the recommended travel routes.

Paris is an international tourist city. Every year, a large number of foreign tourists come to visit and they have a strong interest in its special cuisine.

If we can reach cooperation with travel agencies and let tour guides recommend our hotel to tourists, we can attract more foreign tourists to dine here, broaden our customer source channels, and further enhance the popularity and influence of our hotel. "

Wang Jianye listened carefully to every suggestion, tapping the table lightly as he listened, thinking about the feasibility and implementation details of these ideas.

After everyone finished speaking, he showed a satisfied smile on his face, stood up, and said with confidence and determination in his eyes:
"These ideas are all very good and constructive. Since everyone has ideas, let's do it. All departments should start implementing them according to the plan and strive to implement these measures as soon as possible so that our hotel can move to a higher level in the competition."

The employees nodded one after another, their faces were filled with eagerness to try, and then they returned to their posts and began to work on these new initiatives. After a period of careful preparation, the first dinner with the theme of "Jiangnan Water Village" was finally held.

That evening, the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the exterior wall of the hotel, adding a unique touch of warmth to the hotel.

Before entering the hotel, you can see several pots of carefully trimmed green bamboo placed at the door. The bamboo leaves sway gently in the wind, as if waving to the guests.

Above the gate, there are several red lanterns hung with exquisite Jiangnan water town patterns painted on them. The light shines through the lantern paper, creating a soft and festive atmosphere.

Walking into the hotel lobby, customers are instantly attracted by the scene in front of them. They can't help but slow down their pace and take a closer look. In the center of the lobby, a small and exquisite wooden arch bridge is built. Under the bridge is a simulated gurgling stream. In the clear "stream",

Several red koi fish were swimming happily, jumping out of the water from time to time, splashing small water and making crisp sounds. On both sides of the bridge, there were some quaint Jiangnan-style potted plants, with green branches and leaves stretching out, adding a bit of vitality and elegance to the whole scene.

On the walls around are ink paintings depicting the scenery of the Jiangnan water village, with white walls and black tiles, swaying boats, and misty rain.
It was as if the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, thousands of miles away, was brought directly to this hotel in Paris. On the ceiling, a number of oil-paper umbrellas with Jiangnan characteristics were hung in an orderly manner, with various flower and bird patterns painted on the umbrellas, colorful yet elegant, creating a dreamlike atmosphere under the reflection of the lights.

The dining table is covered with a light blue tablecloth with a lotus pattern, and is laid out with sets of exquisite blue and white porcelain tableware. The patterns on the tableware are delicate and exquisite, complementing the entire Jiangnan theme.

The waiters were dressed in traditional Chinese cheongsams or long gowns. The silk fabric of the cheongsam had a soft luster and was embroidered with exquisite patterns of peonies, butterflies, etc. The long gowns looked simple and elegant, showing the Chinese charm when worn.

They walked briskly and with smiles on their faces, moving between the tables and serving customers in an orderly manner.

After the dinner started, dishes with Jiangnan characteristics were served one after another. The first dish served was "West Lake Vinegar Fish". The waiter held the plate steadily with both hands, walked to the table, bent down slightly, gently placed the dish on the table, and then introduced it in standard French:

"This is our first dish tonight, 'West Lake Vinegar Fish', a traditional delicacy from the Jiangnan region of China. We use fresh grass carp and cook it carefully. The fish meat is tender and fresh, and then topped with a unique sauce made of sugar, vinegar and other seasonings. It is sweet and sour and has a unique flavor."

The customers' eyes were all attracted to this dish. The fish on the plate was beautifully shaped, with a complete body and a bright red sauce on the surface, like a fine work of art.

Everyone picked up their cutlery and began to taste the food. A French customer cut a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. After chewing it gently, a look of surprise appeared on his face. He turned to his companion and said:
"The fish tastes very special, the fish meat is very tender, and the sour and sweet taste of the sauce is just right. It's really delicious."

After hearing this, the companion hurriedly tasted it and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I didn't expect that the dishes in Jiangnan, China, have such a flavor. It's very different from what we usually eat, and very interesting."

Then, the "Dongpo Pork" was served. This dish was served in a special rustic ceramic bowl. The square pieces of braised pork were bright red and shiny, with the skin facing up and the texture clearly visible. It was also decorated with emerald green vegetables, making the whole dish more visually attractive.

After the waiter placed the "Dongpo Pork" on the table, he introduced it with a smile: "This is 'Dongpo Pork'. It is said that it was created by a writer and gourmet named Su Shi in ancient China. It has a history of thousands of years.

We use high-quality pork belly, which has been stewed for a long time, until the meat becomes soft and tasty, melts in your mouth, and has a mellow taste. It is a classic of Jiangnan cuisine.”

The customers listened to the introduction with curiosity and anticipation in their eyes, and couldn't wait to taste it. A lady picked up a piece of Dongpo pork with a fork, put it in her mouth and chewed it slowly.
An intoxicated look gradually emerged on her face, and she said to her friends around her: "This meat is so delicious, stewed to be so soft and glutinous, with a rich flavor, and not greasy at all. It is really a wonderful taste. China's food culture is indeed profound."

Then, the "Longjing Shrimp" also appeared. In the transparent glass plate, the fresh shrimp and the emerald green Longjing tea set off each other. The shrimp was crystal clear and plump, while the tea exuded a faint fragrance.
The waiter introduced: "This 'Longjing Shrimp' is a combination of fresh shrimp and China's famous Longjing tea. The shrimp is tender and smooth, with a light tea fragrance, fresh and refreshing. It is a unique delicacy in the Jiangnan region."

Customers savored the exquisite Jiangnan dishes, enjoying the taste feast brought by the food while listening to the explanation of the stories behind each dish and the customs and culture of Jiangnan by a specialist.

The staff member who was giving the explanation stood on a small platform in front of the hall. On the big screen behind him were displayed pictures of the Jiangnan Water Village and some relevant historical and cultural materials. He spoke in clear and fluent French:

"The Jiangnan region in China is a place full of poetry and romance, with dense water networks and rivers crisscrossing. People live by the water, forming a unique water town culture. These delicacies were born in such a cultural background, carrying the life wisdom and love of Jiangnan people for food..."

The customers were immersed in this unique atmosphere, as if they had really traveled to the Jiangnan water town in China thousands of miles away, feeling the charm and style there. After the dinner, the customers praised it endlessly.

An old customer who often tastes food in various places in Paris said to Wang Jianye: "This is so creative. It feels like traveling to the Jiangnan water village in China. The food and culture are perfectly integrated. It's great! Your hotel always brings different surprises to people. Such theme dinners are very meaningful. I will definitely come to participate often in the future."

Wang Jianye responded with a smile: "Thank you very much for your recognition. We will continue to work hard to launch more distinctive theme dinners so that everyone can have a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese culture. We also hope that you will continue to support our hotel."

Through this "Jiangnan Water Village" theme dinner and other regional culture theme dinners held in succession, coupled with the successful cooperation with travel agencies, Wang's entire hotel series attracted many foreign tourists to come, (End of this chapter)