Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

The "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant" is bustling with people.

The waiter Xiao Zhao, with a big smile on his face, walked quickly to a table of customers and introduced enthusiastically: "Brothers and sisters, if you come to our 'Huanghekou Restaurant', you must try our sweet and sour carp.

Look, these fish are fresh carps caught from the Yellow River early in the morning, they are alive and kicking! Our chefs’ cooking skills are beyond words, the carps are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet and sour, and you will never forget the taste after taking a bite. This is our signature dish, would you like to try it? " Xiao Zhao gave a thumbs up, and the smile on his face became brighter.

The customer was still hesitant at first, but after hearing what Xiao Zhao said, he swallowed his saliva, was moved, nodded and said, "Okay, since you say it's so good, I'll give it a try."

Xiao Zhao immediately responded, "Okay, please wait, this dish will be served to you right away!" After that, he turned around and walked quickly towards the kitchen, humming a little tune as he walked, thinking that he had successfully sold another signature dish.

At the same time, in the office of Wang's Hotel, Wang Jianye was staring at the market research report in front of him with a frown, lost in thought.

After a long while, he raised his head and looked at Chen Yu who was sitting opposite him, and said in a firm tone: "Xiao Chen, the competition is getting more and more fierce now, we have to find a way to attract more customers.

I'm thinking about launching a 'Daily Specials' campaign, where I'll pick one signature dish every day and sell it at a discounted price.

This will not only attract new customers to the store, but also allow old customers to try new dishes. What do you think? " Chen Yu pushed his glasses, his eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement: "Boss Wang, this is a great idea! Nowadays, everyone likes to get a bargain. If there are special dishes, it will definitely attract a lot of people.

I will arrange it right away, including the selection of dishes, pricing, and publicity, and make sure everything is done properly."

Wang Jianye nodded slightly, and then continued: "It's not enough to rely on price alone, the service must also keep up.

I will personally go to the service training site tomorrow to give everyone a boost.

We need to make customers feel our enthusiasm and thoughtfulness as soon as they enter the door.”

The next day, Wang Jianye appeared at the service training site on time.

The waiters stood in several neat rows, and when they saw Wang Jianye come in, they immediately straightened their backs.

Wang Jianye glanced at each waiter and said seriously, "Everyone, listen carefully! When we run a restaurant, service is our hallmark.

You have to greet every customer with a smile and be warm and thoughtful.

Whatever needs the customers have, no matter how small, must be met immediately.

It would be unacceptable if customers were offended due to inadequate service! Our service must not lose to others, can we do that? " "Yes!" the waiters shouted in unison, their voices loud and clear, echoing throughout the training room.

Everyone clenched their fists, with determination in their eyes, and kept Wang Jianye's words firmly in their hearts.

Over at the "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant", the owner Zhang Dahai was also busy.

He knew that if he wanted to maintain his foothold in this business war, he had to think of some way.

After much thought, he decided to seek help from Mr. Liu, an authority in the local food industry, to promote the product.

Zhang Dahai, with a smile on his face, knocked on Teacher Liu's door, carrying a basket of carefully selected Dongying specialties.

As soon as the door opened, Zhang Dahai immediately said respectfully, "Teacher Liu, oh, I'm glad to see you! You are a well-known figure in the Dongying food industry, and your words carry weight.

We at 'Huanghekou Restaurant' have always adhered to the traditional Shandong cuisine skills, but we are in need of experts like you to give us some guidance.

So, I came here specially to invite you to come to our store to try it and give us your suggestions. "

Teacher Liu pushed up his reading glasses and said with a smile, "Boss Zhang is too polite. Since you are so sincere, I will go and join in the fun."

A few days later, Teacher Liu came to the "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant".

Zhang Dahai personally greeted Teacher Liu at the door, and was so enthusiastic that he almost hugged her.

Inside the restaurant, carefully prepared Shandong dishes were served on the table. Zhang Dahai stood aside, too nervous to breathe, his eyes fixed on Teacher Liu's every move.

Teacher Liu picked up a piece of scallion-fried sea cucumber with chopsticks, put it in his mouth and chewed it carefully, with an expression of enjoyment on his face.

After eating, he gave a thumbs up and praised: "Your Shandong cuisine is really authentic! Take this scallion-fried sea cucumber for example. The sea cucumber is soft, chewy and chewy, with a rich and mellow scallion aroma. The heat is just right. It can be seen that the chef has solid skills!" Zhang Dahai finally felt relieved after hearing this. He showed a gratified smile on his face and said, "I'm glad you are satisfied, Mr. Liu. This is all made by our chef with great care."

Not long after, an article written by Teacher Liu was published in the newspaper, praising the dishes of "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant".

As soon as the article came out, the business of "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant" became more and more popular, and the store was crowded every day.

Faced with this wave of counterattacks from "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant", Chef Li of Wang's full-line restaurants could no longer sit still.

He was wearing an apron, standing in front of the kitchen stove, brows furrowed, watching the "Yellow River Mouth Fresh Fish Soup" stewing in the pot.

While stirring the soup gently with a spoon, he said to himself, "The taste of this soup needs to be adjusted."

As he spoke, he picked up the pepper powder beside him and sprinkled a pinch into the pot, "This soup can also add some more pepper powder to enhance the flavor."

After many attempts, Master Li finally found the best seasoning ratio, and the soup tasted more delicious and rich.

He excitedly shouted to the chefs next to him: "Come on, everyone try it and see how the soup tastes!" The chefs gathered around, served themselves the soup to taste, and each of them gave a thumbs up.

At the same time, Chef Li and his chef team also launched new set menu combinations.

There is a "Family Set Meal" suitable for family gatherings, which contains a combination of meat and vegetables, rich dishes, and a full table, enough for the whole family to enjoy a happy meal; there is also a "VIP Set Meal" suitable for business banquets, with exquisite dishes and beautiful plating, showing the class.

In this fierce business war, Wang's restaurants and "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant" were fighting back and forth, neither giving in.

Wang Jianye and his team discussed countermeasures in the office day and night. The office was filled with smoke and the desk was piled with various information and documents.

Wang Jianye took a long puff of his cigarette and frowned as he said, "We can't just keep responding passively. We have to take the initiative and think of a way to attract customers."

Chen Yu scratched his head, thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Wang, I think we can do some promotion on social media.

The Internet is so developed nowadays that many people are looking for delicious food online.

We can post our special dishes, promotions, etc., which will definitely attract a lot of people."

Chef Li also said: "We need to continue to innovate our dishes, as customers like new things.

We have to keep giving customers new surprises to keep them.”

Wang Jianye listened carefully to their opinions, nodded as he listened, and began to think about the next action plan in his mind. At the "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant", Zhang Dahai was also sitting together with his employees for a meeting.

He knocked on the table and said, "Wang's entire restaurant chain has been making moves recently, so we can't let our guard down.

Everyone should think of ways to consolidate our market position and do better business.”

The employees talked one after another and put forward their own ideas.

Some said that they would strengthen service training to improve customer satisfaction; others said that they would launch new promotional activities to attract more customers.

……

In Dongying's catering market, Wang's full range of restaurants have gradually attracted many customers from "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant" with their unique dishes and high-quality services.

Zhang Dahai, the boss of "Huanghekou Restaurant", sat in his office with his brows knitted into a knot, his eyes fixed on the street in front of his door which was once bustling but now a little deserted.

He looked at the sparse customers in his own restaurant, then at the crowds coming in and out of the Wang's Hotel across the street, and the anger in his heart suddenly rose up.

"No, we can't just watch them take away our business!" Zhang Dahai slammed the table so hard that the teacups on the table shook a few times.

He called the manager Zhao Qiang into his office and said bluntly, "Zhao Qiang, look at the business now. All the business has been taken away by Wang's full-line restaurants! We have to think of a way to bring customers back."

Zhao Qiang pushed his glasses and said cautiously, "Boss Zhang, how about we do some promotions?" Zhang Dahai glared at him and said loudly, "You're right! I've decided to start a price war! We'll drastically reduce the prices of our signature dishes, such as sweet and sour carp and sea cucumber with scallions. We'll even launch a 'buy one get one free' promotion. I don't believe that we won't be able to attract customers this way."

Zhao Qiang hesitated for a moment and said, "Boss Zhang, this price reduction is too drastic, our profit will be reduced.

And the cost of ingredients…” Zhang Dahai waved his hand impatiently and said, “Don’t worry about it for now, just win the customers back first.

If there is no business, what is the point of talking about profit! Hurry up and make arrangements, and start promoting tomorrow."

Early the next morning, a huge banner was hung at the entrance of "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant" with the words "Signature dishes are greatly reduced in price, buy one get one free, if you miss it, you'll have to wait another year!" The big words were particularly eye-catching.

The waiters in the store also became busy, standing at the door with flyers and handing them out to everyone they saw.

"Don't miss it if you pass by. Our 'Yellow River Mouth Restaurant' is having a big promotion. Buy one and get one free for our signature dishes. The taste is authentic and the price is affordable!" the waiters shouted at the top of their lungs.

This trick really worked. Soon, a long line formed in front of the "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant".

Customers were queuing and talking among themselves.

"I heard they're having a promotion, buy one get one free for their signature dishes, it's quite a good deal."

A young man said to his friends.

"Yeah, I've heard their food is good, but it's a bit expensive. I have to try it this time."

The friend responded.

Meanwhile, at Wang's All-Inclusive Restaurant, Wang Jianye was inspecting the store. Looking at the bustling scene in the store, he felt vaguely uneasy.

At this time, Chen Yu hurried over and said, "Boss Wang, something bad has happened. The Yellow River Estuary Restaurant is having a price war, offering a buy one get one free deal on their signature dishes. There's a long queue outside their door now, and many customers have been attracted there."

After hearing this, Wang Jianye's face darkened and he said, "Let's go and take a look."

The two of them came outside the store and saw the long queue and the eye-catching banner at the door of "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant" from afar.

Wang Jianye frowned, thought for a moment and said, "Let's go back to the store and call everyone to a meeting."

Back at the hotel, in the conference room, Wang Jianye, Chen Yu, Master Li and the heads of various departments were sitting around the conference table.

Wang Jianye looked serious and said, "Everyone knows that Huanghekou Restaurant is engaging in a price war, which has a big impact on us.

We cannot be led by them and cannot blindly follow the price war.

But we also can’t let customers think our dishes are expensive.

Everyone, what do you think?" Chen Yu pushed his glasses and spoke first: "Mr. Wang, we can launch a 'cost-effective package', combining special dishes and selling them at a more affordable price while ensuring the quality of the dishes.

This will not only make customers feel that it is a good deal, but also highlight our characteristics.

For example, if you combine Yellow River estuary fresh fish soup, braised Bohai prawns with Dongying pot cakes, and a few special cold dishes to form a family meal, the price will be more reasonable.”

Master Li continued, "Yes, Manager Chen, this is a good idea.

In addition, we will look for new channels for purchasing ingredients to reduce costs, but not to reduce quality.

I recently heard that there are several farms around Dongying. Their seafood and meat are of good quality and relatively affordable. I can contact them. ”

Mr. Zhang from the purchasing department also said, "Master Li is right. I can also visit several suppliers to compare prices and quality and try to get a more favorable purchase price."

At this time, Xiao Liu, who is in charge of marketing, said: "Mr. Wang, our marketing department can also increase publicity efforts to highlight our quality and special services, so that customers know that we are not only affordable, but more importantly, good food and good service."

Wang Jianye listened to everyone's speeches and nodded from time to time.

After everyone had finished speaking, he said, “Everyone has said very well, let’s do as you just said.

Chen Yu, you are responsible for the planning and promotion of the "value for money package"; Master Li, you contact new food suppliers; Lao Zhang, you cooperate with Master Li to do the purchasing work; Xiao Liu, in terms of marketing promotion, you should think of more ways to highlight our advantages.

Everyone should seize the time and make sure to keep our customers.”

Just when all Wang's restaurants were actively responding, problems arose at the "Yellow River Mouth Restaurant".

A customer found that the fish meat had a strange smell when eating sweet and sour carp. Upon closer inspection, it seemed that the internal organs in the fish's belly were not cleaned properly and it was a bit smelly.

The customer was immediately angry and called the waiter over, saying loudly: "What kind of fish is this? It's not fresh and it stinks. How can I eat it?" The waiter quickly apologized: "I'm so sorry, sir, I'll change it for you right away."

The customer was not satisfied: "Just change it? You are using stale ingredients to fool customers!" The customers around heard the noise and cast strange looks at him. (End of this chapter)