Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

As the branches in Cairo, Cape Town and Nairobi in Africa were all on track and business was booming, Wang Jianye's gaze once again crossed thousands of mountains and rivers and focused on his hometown of Jinan, China.

As the capital of SD Province, Jinan has a booming economy and is filled with a blend of tradition and modernity. The local food culture has a long history, and Daming Lake's carp, sweet foam, and oil-fried fish are well-known. However, Wang Jianye keenly realized that there is also a broad space for embracing diverse food culture here.

Wang Jianye called Chen Yu and Master Li to his office again. In the office, next to the world map on the wall, there was a new map of China, with Jinan's location marked by a striking red pin. Wang Jianye stood in front of the map, his hands behind his back, his eyes firm and full of expectation, and said: "Chen, Li, our overseas branches have achieved good results, but the domestic market also has great potential. Jinan is a city with a profound cultural heritage and strong consumer vitality. I think we can open a branch there. What do you think?"

Chen Yu pushed his glasses and thought for a moment before saying, "Mr. Wang, Jinan is indeed a market with great potential. However, the domestic catering market is highly competitive, and Jinan's local food culture is very unique. We need to have a deep understanding of local consumers' taste preferences and eating habits, and adjust our dishes and business strategies in order to gain a firm foothold in this market."

Chef Li nodded slightly, with a solemn expression on his face: "Manager Chen is right, Mr. Wang. Jinan's cuisine is mainly Shandong cuisine, which emphasizes salty, fresh, mellow and original flavors. The selection of ingredients and cooking techniques are unique. We must retain the characteristics of our restaurant's fusion cuisine, while incorporating elements of Shandong cuisine, and develop dishes that suit the tastes of Jinan people. This is not an easy task."

Wang Jianye turned around, looked at the two of them, and said firmly: "I know there are many difficulties, but we have overcome so many problems along the way, and we will definitely be able to do it this time. Xiao Chen, you will be responsible for market research and preliminary preparations; Lao Li, you will focus on developing dishes suitable for the JN market; I will contact local business partners and relevant institutions in Jinan. Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" Chen Yu and Master Li answered in unison.

Chen Yu quickly plunged into the intense work. Through various connections, he contacted catering practitioners, market researchers and some scholars who had in-depth research on local food culture living in Jinan. He collected information and analyzed data day and night, and frequently called contacts in Jinan.

"Hello, Professor Zhang! I'm Chen Yu from Wang's All-Round Hotel. I'd like to learn from you about the catering market in Jinan, especially the local people's acceptance of exotic fusion cuisine. In addition, what are the characteristics of local consumers' tastes and dining habits?" Chen Yu was holding the phone while taking notes quickly in his notebook.

Professor Zhang on the other end of the phone answered enthusiastically: "Xiao Chen, Jinan's catering market is relatively traditional, and locals have a deep affection for local cuisine. However, with the development of the economy and the increase in foreign exchanges in recent years, people's acceptance of new flavors and new dishes is gradually increasing. Jinan people tend to have a heavier taste, like salty and fresh flavors, and require larger portions of dishes. In terms of dining habits, family gatherings and gatherings with friends are common consumption scenarios."

After Chen Yu asked in detail about the local food supply, rent levels, consumer habits, and competitors, he hung up the phone. After several weeks of hard work, he compiled a thick research report. At the report meeting, Chen Yu showed his research results to Wang Jianye and Master Li.

"Mr. Wang, Master Li, after my research, I feel that opening a store in Jinan will have both opportunities and challenges. Jinan people are very passionate about food, and our fusion cuisine concept has the potential to attract customers who are looking for novel experiences. But we must fully consider local taste preferences, incorporate the characteristics of Shandong cuisine into the dishes, while ensuring that the portions are affordable enough. In addition, I suggest that we choose a location in a busy commercial area in the city center or near a large community, where there is a large flow of people and many potential customers." Chen Yu pointed to Jinan on the map and said seriously.

After listening to this, Master Li said thoughtfully: "Then we can combine Korean-Singapore fusion cuisine with Shandong cuisine. For example, we can use Shandong cuisine's cooking techniques to cook Korean barbecue, combine Singaporean curry with Jinan's special ingredients, and develop some dishes based on Daming Lake carp. At the same time, we must pay attention to the portion and pricing of the dishes to suit the consumption habits of Jinan people."

Wang Jianye nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, let's proceed in this direction. Xiao Chen, you continue to follow up on the store site selection and related procedures in Jinan; Lao Li, you start developing new dishes as soon as possible. I will contact the local business partners in Jinan."

……

After the three reached a consensus, they quickly devoted themselves to their respective work.

Master Li returned to the kitchen with great enthusiasm. The kitchen was clean and tidy, with all kinds of ingredients neatly arranged and classified. The brand-new kitchen utensils shone with metallic luster under the light. The chefs had already heard about the new market development and were waiting for Master Li's instructions with great anticipation. They sat around a large table, talking to each other.

Master Li stepped forward, cleared his throat, and said loudly: "Guys, we are going to enter the JN market. This is a big challenge! We have to perfectly integrate the characteristics of Korean and Xin cuisine with Shandong cuisine to make dishes that will make Jinan people praise. Everyone, use your brains and speak freely. Feel free to put forward any ideas you have."

Chef Xiao Wang scratched his head, a trace of doubt appeared on his face, and said: "Master, Shandong cuisine and Korean barbecue are two styles that are so different, can they be paired together? I'm really a little unsure."

Master Li smiled and patted Xiao Wang on the shoulder, saying, "It is precisely because of the big differences that there is room for innovation. The charm of food lies in constant experimentation, and you may be able to create unexpected delicacies. Don't hesitate, let's get started!"

The kitchen was immediately bustling with activity, becoming a testing ground for creativity and exploration. The chefs took action, placing the spices commonly used in Shandong cuisine, such as onion, ginger, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon, on the workbench, and also took out Korean barbecue sauce, kimchi, and Singaporean curry, coconut milk and other special seasonings.

Chef Xiao Zhang stood in front of the stove, looking focused. He first cut the fresh pork belly into evenly thin slices and put them into a large bowl. Then, he picked up the spice jar containing Shandong cuisine spices and carefully sprinkled an appropriate amount of star anise and cinnamon powder into the bowl, then poured in some onion, ginger and garlic juice, and carefully stirred it with his hands so that each piece of pork belly could fully absorb the flavor of the spices. Then, he added a large spoonful of Jinan's local sweet noodle sauce and stirred it again.

"Master, please try this Korean barbecue marinated with Shandong cuisine spices. I added some sweet noodle sauce from Jinan, and the taste is very special." Xiao Zhang walked up to Master Li with the marinated pork belly, looking expectant.

Chef Li took the plate, picked up a piece of meat, and chewed it carefully. His eyes lit up instantly and he said, "Not bad, the taste is very unique! The addition of sweet noodle sauce adds a mellow flavor to the barbecue, and it goes perfectly with the spices of Shandong cuisine. However, the proportion of spices can be slightly adjusted to make the taste stronger."

On the other side, Chef Xiao Zhao is trying to combine Singaporean curry with tofu, a classic ingredient in Shandong cuisine. He puts the curry cubes into the pot, adds an appropriate amount of water, and simmers it slowly over low heat. When the curry melts and the aroma is overflowing, he gently puts the tofu cut into small pieces into the pot. "Master, look at my curry tofu, which uses the brine tofu in our Shandong cuisine. I wonder if it will have a different taste." Xiao Zhao asked Master Li while stirring the tofu in the pot.

Master Li walked over, observed the situation in the pot, and said, "It's a good idea. The brine tofu has a firm texture and should be able to absorb the taste of curry well. However, you have to control the heat and stewing time well, so as not to break the tofu."

In the process of everyone's active attempts, it was not all smooth sailing. Once, Chef Xiao Liu tried to combine Korean kimchi with the sweet and sour carp from Shandong cuisine. He first fried the carp until golden and crispy according to the Shandong cuisine method, then spread a layer of chopped kimchi on it, and then poured sweet and sour sauce on it. However, when he served the finished product to everyone, he found that the sour and spicy taste of the kimchi was too strong, covering up the original deliciousness of the carp, and the overall taste was a bit unbalanced.

"Oh, it looks like this attempt wasn't very successful." Xiao Liu said somewhat frustratedly.

Master Li encouraged him: "Don't be discouraged, Xiao Liu. Innovation is a process of continuous trial and error. Let's analyze it together to see where the problem lies. We will definitely do better next time."

After some discussion, everyone thought that the excessive amount of kimchi and the lack of proper processing led to the overbearing taste. So Xiao Liu readjusted the recipe, reduced the amount of kimchi, and rinsed the kimchi with clean water to remove some of the sour and spicy taste. After trying again, the taste of the finished product was significantly improved. The deliciousness of the carp and the sour and spicy taste of the kimchi complemented each other, creating a unique flavor.

At the same time, Wang Jianye's business expansion in Jinan was also in full swing. Through the matchmaking of a long-time friend, he met Zhao Qiang, a local businessman who was quite influential in the Jinan business circle.

It was a lively business exchange event. The hotel's banquet hall was brightly lit. Elites from all walks of life were dressed in formal attire, holding wine glasses, exchanging business information with each other. Wang Jianye, wearing a neat suit, shuttled among the crowd, looking for Zhao Qiang with sharp eyes.

"Mr. Wang, please come this way. Mr. Zhao is just in front." The introducer Xiao Li led Wang Jianye enthusiastically.

Wang Jianye looked up and saw a burly middle-aged man standing in the crowd, smiling heartily and chatting happily with the people around him. This man was Zhao Qiang, who was wearing a simple Chinese shirt, with an exquisite gold necklace around his neck, and his face was full of confidence and heroism.

"Hello, Mr. Zhao! I have heard of your name for a long time and finally meet you today." Wang Jianye walked quickly forward and stretched out his right hand with a smile.

Zhao Qiang turned around and saw Wang Jianye. He immediately shook his hand and said in a loud voice, "Haha, Mr. Wang, nice to meet you! I've heard a lot about your Wang's entire chain of restaurants. They are all doing very well overseas. You're amazing!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two found a quiet corner to sit down and began a deep conversation.

Wang Jianye picked up the wine glass, took a sip and said, "Mr. Zhao, our restaurant has always been committed to integrating multicultural cuisine to bring customers a unique dining experience. Now, we hope to bring this concept back to China and open a branch in Jinan so that friends in my hometown can also taste different delicacies."

Zhao Qiang nodded and said, "Mr. Wang, your idea is great! Although Jinan has many delicious foods, fusion cuisine is relatively new and has huge market potential. However, there are many tricks to opening a store in Jinan. You have to be familiar with the local customs, consumption habits, and various personal connections."

Wang Jianye said quickly: "Mr. Zhao, you have been working in Jinan for many years, and you have a wide network of contacts and a lot of experience. We are new here, and we still have to rely on your care. If we can get your help, our development in Jinan will definitely be able to avoid many detours."

Zhao Qiang laughed heartily and said, "Mr. Wang, you are too polite! We are all businessmen. If we have a good project, we can cooperate and develop together. I can help you find a suitable store. With my connections, I will definitely find a location with high cost performance. In addition, I can also give you some advice and solve some practical problems in dealing with local suppliers and relevant departments."

After several in-depth communications, the two hit it off and reached a cooperation intention. Zhao Qiang took quick action and began to travel through the streets and alleys of Jinan to find an ideal store for Wang's full range of restaurants. He took his assistants and inspected one by one, from the bustling commercial center to the lively community surroundings, not missing any possible location.

When inspecting a store near the commercial pedestrian street in the city center, Zhao Qiang and his assistant carefully checked the store's area, layout, surrounding traffic flow, etc.

"Xiao Li, what do you think of this place? It has a good location and a large flow of people, but the rent is a little high." Zhao Qiang said with a frown.

Xiao Li thought for a moment and replied, "Mr. Zhao, I think this location is quite suitable. Although the rent is high, it has a large flow of people and high exposure, which is very helpful for the initial promotion of the new store. Moreover, we can talk to the landlord and try to get some preferential terms."

Zhao Qiang nodded and said, "Okay, go contact the landlord and arrange a time for a meeting."

However, in the process of finding a store, there were also some twists and turns. Once, Zhao Qiang took a fancy to a store located next to a large community, and all the conditions met his requirements. However, when communicating with the landlord, he found that the landlord had some concerns about long-term lease contracts, fearing that there would be some unforeseen problems after renting out the store. (End of this chapter)