Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

After successfully gaining a foothold in the Linyi market after a fierce competition, Wang Jianye stood on the terrace of the hotel and looked into the distance.

In the mid-1990s, Weifang had a solid industrial base and its commercial activities were growing more and more active, like weeds growing vigorously in spring.

The streets are busy with traffic, the sound of bicycle bells and car horns, and the bustling crowds of pedestrians, some rushing to work, some strolling leisurely in the streets.

The catering market here has long been dominated by several well-known local restaurants, which have firmly occupied a large market share by relying on traditional Weifang cuisine and a good reputation accumulated over the years.

Wang Jianye knew very well that opening a store in Weifang was not an easy task.

But the courage to challenge in his bones, coupled with his eagle-like keen business sense, made him resolutely decide to enter Weifang.

On this day, the sunlight shone through the window into the hotel's slightly messy but energetic office.

Wang Jianye summoned Chen Yu and Master Li again, and an intense preparatory meeting began.

Inside the office, the walls are covered with maps of Weifang and densely packed market research reports.

On the map, the characteristics and potential value of each area are marked with pens of different colors.

Wang Jianye was wearing a neat shirt with his collar slightly open. He stood in front of the map with a serious expression.

He stretched out his finger and slid it slowly along the main street of Weifang, then said seriously: "Weifang is a market with huge potential. Although the current competition is as fierce as a battlefield, our fusion cuisine concept may be able to tear open a gap here and create a new world.

However, this is by no means an easy task, we must be fully prepared and not be careless in any aspect. "

Chen Yu pushed the pair of black-framed glasses on his nose, and his eyes behind the lenses sparkled with wisdom.

He walked to the map, stood side by side with Wang Jianye, looked at the map and analyzed, “Mr. Wang, you see, Weifang’s commercial center is mainly concentrated around several large shopping malls and factory areas.

There is a huge flow of people there, which is a piece of fat meat, but the competition is also fierce beyond imagination.

In my opinion, we can consider choosing a site on the edge of these areas.

In this way, it can not only radiate to the main source of customers, but also avoid overly fierce competition and reduce initial pressure.

Of course, it is also very important to understand the eating habits and taste preferences of Weifang people. We need to make targeted adjustments to the dishes based on these in order to truly capture the hearts of local customers.”

Master Li was wearing a clean white chef's uniform, which still had a hint of the kitchen's smoky air.

He nodded slightly and continued, "I asked around before and heard that people in Weifang have a special liking for pasta and seafood.

We might as well cleverly incorporate these elements into fusion cuisine and develop some unique dishes.

For example, by combining Weifang's traditional noodles, such as Gangzitou Huoshao and Jiya Hele, with our special sauces and pairing them with fresh seafood purchased directly from Weifang Fishing Port, I believe that we can create a brand new taste experience and bring unexpected surprises to customers."

After hearing this, Wang Jianye's eyes lit up instantly, and a relieved smile appeared on his face: "Okay, let's do it.

Chen Yu, you will be responsible for site selection and preliminary market research; Master Li, you will lead your team of chefs and focus on researching new dishes.

We are running out of time, so we must act quickly and strive to fire our first shot in Weifang as soon as possible."

After receiving the order, Chen Yu led his team to Weifang without stopping.

Their busy figures can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys of Weifang.

They moved among the crowd and communicated frequently with real estate agents.

Whenever he arrives at a potential store, Chen Yu will carefully look at the store's location, estimate the size, and inquire about the rental price.

On a sunny morning, Chen Yu, led by a real estate agent, came to a store located at the junction of the factory area and the residential area.

The store is of moderate size, neither too big nor too small, just right to meet their plans.

There is a small square in front of the door. There are a few old people sitting on the benches in the square to bask in the sun, and children are laughing and playing nearby, which is full of life.

The store has an excellent location, convenient transportation, and there are many residents and workers around it, so there is plenty of customer base.

Chen Yu stood at the door of the store, full of joy, as if he had already seen the future prosperity of the hotel.

He said to the agent next to him: "This store is pretty good. I'm very interested. Please contact the landlord as soon as possible. I want to talk to him about leasing it."

However, just as Chen Yu was eagerly waiting for news from the landlord, the agent brought him news that made him feel like he was falling into an ice cave.

The agent said with embarrassment: "Mr. Chen, I'm so sorry.

A well-known local restaurant, Yuandu Restaurant, has also taken a fancy to this store, and their offer is much higher than the market price, so the landlord will most likely rent it to them."

Chen Yu was extremely anxious, and beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

He suppressed his anxiety and immediately called Wang Jianye: "Boss Wang, this is not good.

That excellent storefront has been eyed by 'Yuandu Restaurant', and their offer is so high that the landlord will most likely rent it to them.

This is how to do ah? "

On the other end of the phone, Wang Jianye was silent for a moment, then said calmly: "Xiao Chen, don't panic.

We can't give up easily.

You should go find the landlord and tell him in detail about the development potential of our hotel and the long-term plan for the store, and let him know that renting the store to us is definitely a wise choice.

At the same time, don't put all your focus on this one store, look for other alternative stores, we can't put all our hopes on this one."

Chen Yu took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He found the landlord again, who was an old man with gray hair and a kind face.

Chen Yu said sincerely, "Hello, uncle.

I am Chen Yu, the person in charge of all Wang’s hotels.

Our restaurant has achieved certain results in other places and has always adhered to the concept of integrating cuisines from all over the world.

If we can rent your store, we will definitely renovate it carefully and turn it into a unique food landmark. Then, the business atmosphere of our entire neighborhood will be improved.

Sir, please think about it again. "

The old landlord listened to Chen Yu's words, narrowed his eyes slightly, and fell into deep thought.

After a long time, he raised his head, looked into Chen Yu's sincere eyes, and nodded: "Young man, since you are so sincere, I will rent the store to you.

I hope you can keep your word and run this place well.”

Chen Yu heard this, and the big stone in his heart finally fell to the ground, and a bright smile appeared on his face: "Uncle, don't worry.

We will never let you down.”

In this way, after some twists and turns, Wang's full-line restaurant finally gained a foothold in Weifang, and next, they are about to face a more severe challenge - a head-on confrontation with the local catering giant "Yuandu Restaurant". On the side of Chef Li, he led the chef team to go deep into the vegetable market and fishing port of Weifang.

The vegetable market is very lively in the early morning.

The vegetable vendors were shouting loudly, and their stalls were filled with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Chef Li and his team walked around, carefully examining each ingredient.

"Master, how much are these Weixian radishes?" Master Li stopped in front of a vegetable stall and asked the stall owner.

The stall owner responded enthusiastically: "This is authentic Weixian radish, with a crisp texture and delicious taste. Please try it."

Master Li picked up a radish, took a bite, and his eyes lit up.

After much exploration, they identified Weixian radish as an important ingredient for developing new dishes.

Then they came to the fishing port.

In the fishing port, fishing boats have just docked and fishermen are busy unloading freshly caught seafood.

Master Li talks with the fishermen and selects the freshest fish, shrimps, crabs, etc.

Back in the kitchen, the chefs gathered around the workbench and began to experiment repeatedly.

"First, cut the Weixian radish into thin strips, making sure they are evenly thick."

Master Li demonstrated and gave instructions at the same time.

After the shredded radish is cut, put it into the pot together with the fresh seafood to make the soup base.

Master Li personally prepares the special sauce, putting onions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, spices, etc. into the stone mortar one by one, and crushing them vigorously with a pestle and mortar. After a while, the aroma of the sauce spreads.

Handmade noodles were added, and after repeated adjustments to the heat and ingredient ratios, a fusion dish - radish and seafood noodles was finally born.

At the same time, Zhao Dashan, the owner of "Yuandu Restaurant", sat in the quaint office of the hotel with a frown on his face.

After learning that all Wang's restaurants had successfully rented the store, he slammed the table so hard that the teacups on the table began to shake, with an exceptionally loud "bang".

"No, we can't let them take away our business easily!" Zhao Dashan shouted with his eyes wide open.

He quickly gathered the employees, and they all walked into the office, looking a little nervous.

Zhao Dashan stood up, paced back and forth in the room, and said in a louder voice: "We must act quickly and launch a series of preferential packages for local residents and workers.

Our Yuandu Restaurant has been rooted in Weifang for so many years, relying on affordable and authentic Weifang flavor. This time, we must show off our signature for many years! For breakfast sets, buy one get one free; for lunch and dinner, we offer family special sets, which are affordable and the dishes are guaranteed to be authentic Weifang flavor. "

The employees nodded and talked quietly.

Not only that, Zhao Dashan turned to the person in charge of the marketing department and said, "Go, contact local newspapers and radio stations and increase advertising efforts.

The slogan of the advertisement is "Yuandu Restaurant, authentic Weifang flavor, quality guaranteed!" We want to spread this advertisement throughout the streets and alleys of Weifang, so that everyone knows our advantages. "

The head of the marketing department immediately agreed and walked out of the office quickly to implement it.

Faced with this series of attacks from "Yuandu Restaurant", Wang Jianye urgently summoned team members in the hotel's conference room.

In the conference room, the lights were bright, but the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

Chen Yu stood in front of everyone with a determined look, scanning everyone present, "We must let more people know about our characteristics, and we must not fall behind in this competition.

We went to factory areas and residential areas to distribute flyers to promote our Wang's Full Line Restaurant, highlighting the radish seafood noodles, and wrote "Wang's Full Line Restaurant, bringing a new fusion food experience."

Radish and seafood noodles, taste the flavor of Weifang and the world in one bite! '" The employees agreed.

Afterwards, the employees split into several groups and headed to the factory area and residential area.

In the factory area, workers had just finished get off work and were walking out of the factory gate in groups.

The employees held flyers and introduced them enthusiastically: "Master, take a look at our Wang's All-in-One Restaurant. We have launched a new radish and seafood noodle. It has a unique taste and combines flavors from all over the world. You must try it.

There are big discounts for the opening!" In the residential area, employees knocked on doors from house to house, handed flyers to residents with smiles on their faces: "Auntie, this is our restaurant's flyer. Come and try our special dishes when you have the chance.

Our radish seafood noodles are made with fresh ingredients and taste great.”

A display area was quickly set up at the entrance of the store.

In the display area, the chefs are skillfully preparing radish and seafood noodles.

The water in the big pot was boiling, the noodles were tumbling up and down in the pot, and the shredded radish and seafood were gradually becoming tempting in the heat.

The rich aroma wafted around, attracting many passers-by to stop and watch.

An old man passing by stopped and looked in curiously. The chef smiled and handed him a bowl of noodles that had just come out of the pot: "Uncle, please try it. This is our radish and seafood noodles. It tastes delicious."

The old man took the bowl, took a bite, and nodded repeatedly: "Well, this tastes really good, the radish is sweet, the seafood is delicious, and the noodles are chewy."

……

On the opening day, the sunlight was like a golden veil, gently shining on the streets and alleys of Weifang.

The street where Wang's full range of restaurants are located is already crowded and bustling with people.

On both sides of the hotel entrance, there are colorful flowers, red like fire, delicate and gorgeous; pink like clouds, gentle and graceful; yellow like gold, dazzling.

These flowers compete with each other in beauty and emit bursts of fragrance, and contrast with the colorful balloons fluttering in the wind, making the hotel look particularly festive.

On the red banner tied under the balloon, with the words "Good luck on the opening of all Wang's restaurants" written in large letters, it swayed gently in the breeze.

The employees, dressed in neat and uniform uniforms, stood at the door in high spirits, with warm smiles on their faces, greeting every customer.

"Welcome to Wang's Hotel, please come in!" Their voices were clear, loud and full of energy.

Whenever a customer approaches, the employees come forward quickly, some help to open the door, some guide the customer to their seats, and the service is thoughtful and considerate.

The decoration style of the store is unique.

On the ceiling, a modern and simple chandelier emits a soft and bright light, illuminating the entire space.

The floor is paved with smooth tiles, reflecting people's figures.

The tables and chairs are neatly arranged, and the styles are novel and comfortable.

On one side of the wall hangs a series of exquisite Weifang kite paintings. The kites are in various shapes, including eagles soaring in the sky, butterflies dancing, and lively goldfish. They are lifelike and seem to be ready to fly at any time, showing the rich traditional cultural characteristics of Weifang. (End of this chapter)