Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

Wang Jianye nodded in agreement: "This is a good idea. However, we also need to consider the differences between the climate and consumption habits in Hokkaido and other cities. The winter there is cold, so we can offer some hot stews and soups to meet the local people's demand for warm food in winter."

Xiao Lin, who was in charge of the service, said: "Mr. Wang, Hokkaido has a developed tourism industry and many tourists. We can pay more attention to internationalization in our services, train our employees to master multiple languages, and provide more convenient services for foreign tourists."

Wang Jianye said: "Yes, the service must keep up. In addition, the decoration style must also reflect the characteristics of Hokkaido, such as incorporating some ice and snow elements and local folk culture."

Afterwards, the team split into several groups to conduct market research, negotiate with food suppliers, select store locations, and design interiors. The team responsible for market research came to Hokkaido, went deep into local markets, restaurants, and tourist attractions, and learned about the local food culture and customer needs.

They found that residents and tourists in Hokkaido attach great importance to the freshness and original flavor of ingredients. A local fisherman told the research team: "Our seafood in Hokkaido is all caught on the same day, so it is very fresh. People like to eat this kind of original flavor." The research team recorded this information and fed it back to Wang Jianye.

After Wang Jianye learned about this, he said to the chef team: "When we develop dishes, we must highlight the freshness of the ingredients, try to keep the original flavor, and then cleverly incorporate our own characteristics."

The team encountered some difficulties in the process of finding a store. Hokkaido's geographical environment and urban layout are different from other cities, and it is not easy to find a suitable store. Xiao Wang, who was responsible for site selection, traveled around Hokkaido for several days and looked at many places, but was not very satisfied with any of them.

He called Wang Jianye and said, "Mr. Wang, the stores here are either too remote or the rent is beyond our budget. In addition, the infrastructure in many places is not perfect, so it is difficult to renovate them."

Wang Jianye said: "Don't worry, keep looking. You can communicate more with local real estate agents to learn more about potential housing sources. At the same time, we must also consider long-term development and not just focus on the current difficulties."

After unremitting efforts, Xiao Wang finally found a suitable store near a tourist resort in Hokkaido. The store is surrounded by beautiful scenery, convenient transportation, and has enough space for decoration and renovation.

Wang Jianye personally came to Hokkaido and was very satisfied after checking out the store: "This is a good location, with many tourists around and a good environment. Next, the decoration team will design it according to the characteristics of Hokkaido, reflecting the local ice and snow culture and folk customs while maintaining the overall style of our hotel."

The decoration team began to design the decoration plan in full swing. They planned to use a lot of wooden materials in the store to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere, and draw some Hokkaido snow scenes and traditional folk patterns on the walls. In terms of lighting design, soft warm-toned lights are used to give customers a warm feeling.

In terms of food supply, the team negotiated with local seafood and dairy suppliers. At first, the suppliers did not quite understand their fusion cuisine concept and were worried about poor sales. Wang Jianye stepped forward again and introduced the restaurant's business model and development plan in detail to the suppliers.

He said: "We have successfully opened several branches in other cities, and our fusion dishes are very popular with customers. Hokkaido's seafood and dairy products are of high quality, and we hope to promote them to more people through innovative cooking methods. Cooperating with us will not only increase your sales, but also enhance the popularity of your products."

After Wang Jianye's patient communication, the suppliers were gradually persuaded and agreed to cooperate with all Wang's hotels.

As the preparations progress, the opening date of the Hokkaido branch is getting closer. The chef team is constantly improving the research and development of new dishes, and the service team is also undergoing intensive training, including language training and service skills training.

On the opening day, the Hokkaido branch attracted many customers with its unique decoration style and novel dishes. The ice and snow elements and folk culture decorations in the store made customers feel as if they were in a dream world. A tourist walked into the store and said in surprise: "Wow, the decoration of this store is so unique, it feels like walking into a fairy tale world in Hokkaido."

After the dishes were served, customers were full of praise for the dishes that combined Hokkaido's special ingredients. After tasting the seafood stew, a local resident said to the waiter: "This stew tastes really good, the seafood is fresh, and it combines different flavors, which is very creative."

……

With the official opening of the Hokkaido branch, the store entrance was bustling with staff busy guiding customers. The store's unique interior decoration, wooden structure with warm lighting, and Hokkaido snow scenes and folk patterns painted on the walls, created a warm and regional atmosphere. Customers walked into the store with great anticipation to taste the novel dishes that combined Hokkaido's special ingredients. However, the joy of the initial opening did not last long, and some thorny problems quietly emerged.

Hokkaido's winter climate is extremely cold, which poses a great challenge to the transportation and storage of food. One morning, before it was completely light, Xiao Li, who was in charge of purchasing, rushed to the food receiving point. The cold wind was howling, and it hurt his cheeks. He wrapped himself tightly in a thick cotton coat and anxiously waited for the arrival of the seafood transport vehicle.

Finally, the transport vehicle slowly drove in. Xiao Li hurried forward and opened the compartment with the driver. When he saw the condition of some of the seafood in the compartment, Xiao Li's face instantly became solemn. The shrimps and crabs that were originally alive now had a thin layer of ice on their shells, and some fish also had signs of frostbite on their bodies.

Xiao Li immediately contacted the kitchen and informed the chef of the situation of the seafood. The chef sighed and said, "This won't do. The taste and quality of dishes made from frozen seafood will definitely be greatly reduced. If the customers are not satisfied with the food, the reputation of our newly opened restaurant will be ruined."

Xiao Li hung up the phone, extremely anxious. He knew the seriousness of the problem and dared not delay for even a moment, so he immediately drove to the hotel to report to Wang Jianye.

Wang Jianye was checking the branch's operating data in his office when Xiao Li hurried in with anxiety and self-blame on his face: "Boss Wang, there was a big problem with the seafood transportation this time."

Wang Jianye put down the information in his hand and looked up at Xiao Li: "Don't be impatient, tell me slowly, what's going on?"

Xiao Li took a deep breath and said, "The seafood shipped today has some frostbite due to the low temperature, which has affected the quality of the dishes."

Wang Jianye frowned, his expression serious: "This is indeed a serious problem. Ingredients are the foundation of our restaurant. If there is a problem with the quality, everything will be in vain."

Xiao Li lowered his head and whispered, "Boss Wang, I didn't do my job well and didn't think it through."

Wang Jianye waved his hand: "Now is not the time to blame ourselves, we have to find a solution quickly. You should communicate with the supplier first to see if the transportation method can be improved, such as strengthening the insulation measures. The temperature requirements for seafood transportation are extremely high. In the winter in Hokkaido, ordinary transportation methods will definitely not work." Xiao Li nodded: "Okay, Mr. Wang, I will contact them right away."

Wang Jianye went on to say, "At the same time, we also need to optimize the storage equipment in the store. We can't just rely on the transportation link. If there is a problem in the storage link, the ingredients will still go bad. You can arrange for people to go to the market to find out if there is storage equipment that is more suitable for low-temperature environments to ensure the freshness of the ingredients."

Xiao Li responded, "Understood, Mr. Wang. I'll do it right away."

After leaving the office, Xiao Li immediately called the supplier. After the call was connected, Xiao Li said anxiously: "Boss Zhang, there is a problem with this batch of seafood today. A lot of it is frozen. This is not good. We have to think of a way to improve the transportation method."

Boss Zhang, the supplier, was also helpless on the other end of the phone: "Oh, Xiao Li, the temperature in Hokkaido this winter is too low. We didn't expect it to be so cold. What do you think we can do to improve it?"

Xiao Li thought for a moment and said, "Boss Zhang, I think we need to use more professional heat-insulating transportation equipment. For example, a refrigerated truck with multiple layers of insulation material, equipped with temperature monitoring equipment to monitor the temperature inside the car in real time. This will ensure that the seafood is not affected by low temperatures during transportation."

Boss Zhang hesitated for a moment and said, "This is more professional equipment, and the cost is not low."

Xiao Li said quickly: "Boss Zhang, we have been working together for such a long time, and you also know the development potential of our restaurant. If we can solve the transportation problem this time, we will definitely have more orders in the future. Moreover, we will also consider raising the purchase price appropriately. After all, high-quality ingredients and services are our common pursuits."

Boss Zhang thought for a while and said, "Okay, Xiao Li, for the sake of our cooperation, I will contact the equipment rental company to see if I can rent the insulated refrigerated truck you mentioned."

Xiao Li breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you so much, Boss Zhang. Please implement it as soon as possible, and I will follow up on the subsequent transportation arrangements."

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Li immediately started to contact equipment suppliers in the market. He called one by one to inquire about the performance and price of various low-temperature storage equipment. When communicating with an equipment supplier, Xiao Li said: "Hello, I am the purchasing manager of Wang's All-Series Restaurant. We have just opened a branch in Hokkaido and now need a batch of professional low-temperature storage equipment for storing seafood and other ingredients. Do you have any suitable recommendations?"

The supplier introduced enthusiastically: "We have a new type of ultra-low temperature freezer that uses advanced refrigeration technology. It can accurately control the temperature and keep it within the range of minus ten degrees to a few degrees above zero, and the insulation effect is very good. This freezer also has an intelligent monitoring system, and you can check the temperature and humidity inside the cabinet at any time through your mobile phone."

Xiao Li asked: "What about the price?"

The supplier quoted a price, which Xiao Li felt was a bit beyond his budget. He said, "The price is a bit high, can you give us a better discount? We are a chain restaurant, and if the cooperation goes well in the future, we may have more equipment purchase needs."

The supplier thought about it and said, "Since you are a long-term potential customer, we can give you a 10% discount. In addition, we also provide free installation and commissioning services to ensure that the equipment can operate normally."

Xiao Li felt that the price was still within an acceptable range, so he said, "Okay, I'll discuss it with the store first. If you're sure you want it, I'll contact you."

Xiao Li reported the details of the communication with the supplier to Wang Jianye. After listening, Wang Jianye said, "As long as the problem can be solved, the price can be relaxed appropriately. But the quality of the equipment must be guaranteed, and the situation of food being damaged due to equipment problems must not happen again."

Xiao Li said, "Okay, Mr. Wang. I will go and finalize the purchase with the equipment supplier right away."

In the following days, Xiao Li was very busy. On the one hand, he coordinated with the seafood supplier on the details of the rental and use of the transport vehicles, and on the other hand, he supervised the equipment supplier to install and debug the low-temperature storage equipment in the store.

In terms of transportation vehicles, suppliers rent refrigerated trucks with multiple layers of insulation and equipped with professional temperature monitoring equipment. Before each transportation, the driver will carefully check the operation of the equipment to ensure that the temperature in the car is stable within the range suitable for the survival of seafood.

The low-temperature storage equipment in the store was also successfully installed. Xiao Li followed the operating instructions provided by the equipment supplier, carefully learned how to use the equipment, and organized training for the kitchen staff.

After some efforts, the problem of food transportation and storage was finally solved. When a new batch of seafood was delivered to the restaurant, Xiao Li carefully checked and found that all the seafood was as fresh as before, without any frostbite. He breathed a sigh of relief and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

As the food problem was solved, the business of the Hokkaido branch gradually stabilized. Customers were increasingly satisfied with the hotel's dishes and services, and word of mouth spread among locals and tourists.

One day, a local food blogger came to the restaurant for dinner. He ordered a few signature dishes and praised them highly. He said to the waiter, "I am really surprised by your restaurant. The fusion cuisine is very creative, the ingredients are fresh, and the taste is excellent. I must recommend it on my social media."

The waiter responded with a smile: "Thank you for your recognition. We will continue to work hard to provide customers with better food and service."

Before long, the food blogger's recommendation article attracted widespread attention on social media. More and more tourists and local residents came to visit, and the restaurant's customer flow increased significantly.

In the restaurant, Wang Jianye looked at the satisfied smiles of the customers and felt relieved. He said to the manager beside him: "The problems encountered by the Hokkaido branch this time have taught all of us a lesson. In the process of expanding business, we will continue to encounter various problems, but as long as our team works together, there will be no difficulties that cannot be overcome."

The manager nodded and said, "Yes, Mr. Wang. Thanks to everyone's joint efforts, we solved the problem this time. And through this incident, our team's cohesion has become stronger." (End of this chapter)