Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

An enthusiastic Chinese chef stood in front of the display area and introduced to a group of curious local customers: "Look, this is a traditional Chinese cooking tool. Like this iron pot, it has a long history. Chinese chefs can use it to make a variety of delicious dishes."

Customers gathered around, looked at the tools on display, and kept asking questions: "How do you use this? How is it different from ****?" The chef patiently answered: "This iron pan requires a very high heat. Chinese chefs have to keep turning the pan when frying, so as to ensure that each dish has good color, aroma and taste.

It is very different from your wok usage, and it is one of the key tools we use to make unique dishes.”

Then, the chef picked up a Chinese seasoning jar and said, "This is the star anise, cinnamon and other spices we often use. These spices can add a unique aroma to the dishes. They are different from your local spices."

A customer sniffed it curiously and said: “It smells so strange, but very special.

Will the dishes made with these spices really taste good?" The chef smiled and replied: "Of course, if you don't believe me, order a dish made with these spices today and you will know after tasting it.

The clever combination of these spices makes the dishes rich in aroma and unique in flavor.”

In addition, Wang Jianye also organized Chinese chefs to demonstrate traditional cooking techniques on site.

The chefs waved the spatulas and quickly stir-fried the ingredients on the high-temperature stove. The flames jumped in the pot. Their movements were skillful and smooth, attracting bursts of admiration from the customers.

A little girl, with excitement in her eyes, pulled her mother's hand and asked, "Mom, they are so good! I want to learn too."

The mother smiled and said to the chef, “Your presentation is so interesting, the children are fascinated by it.

Can you teach us ordinary people how to make these dishes at home?" The chef replied kindly: "Of course you can.

You can go home, buy some simple ingredients, and follow certain steps to make delicious Chinese food.

Our hotel will also launch some cooking teaching activities from time to time, you are welcome to participate. "

Through these cultural activities, more and more local customers have not only fallen in love with Chinese cuisine, but have also developed a keen interest in Chinese food culture.

The walls of the restaurant are covered with thank-you cards and photos sent by customers. In one of the photos, a group of local young people are holding chopsticks and laughing happily.

The card next to it read: "Thank you Wang's Restaurant for letting us taste such wonderful Chinese food and learn about the amazing Chinese culture."

Wang Jianye was filled with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when he saw these: "We have finally taken a solid step towards promoting Chinese cuisine to the world and spreading Chinese culture. There is still a long way to go in the future, but I will continue to move forward with determination."

After a busy day of business, Wang Jianye would always go to a corner of the restaurant and sit quietly for a while.

Looking back on the hardships and efforts along the way and looking at the warm and lively scene in the restaurant, he knows that this is just a small starting point for Chinese cuisine to go global.

In the future, he will continue to carry forward this passion for inheritance and exploration and convey the charm of Chinese cuisine to every corner of the world.

In São Paulo, a vibrant and multicultural city, all branches of Wang's restaurants are like a shining pearl, emitting the unique light of Chinese cuisine. They not only conquer the taste buds of local diners with delicious food, but also build a bridge to the world with culture. Wang Jianye is a firm guardian and active builder of this bridge.

Every day when he greets and sees off customers to his restaurant, he silently sets a great wish in his heart: to let everyone who tastes Chinese food feel the profoundness of Chinese culture.

Occasionally, Wang Jianye would receive calls from his hometown of Xuzhou.

On the other end of the phone, relatives and friends asked about the hotel's business situation with concern.

"Everything is good here. Chinese food is very popular here. I will continue to work hard to let more people know about our food culture."

Wang Jianye's voice was full of pride and confidence.

He believes that the charm of Chinese cuisine is endless and that one day it will shine on the world stage.

Over time, Wang's All-in-One Restaurant has become an iconic restaurant in São Paulo.

Tourists from all over the world come here to visit this city.

In the restaurant, one can often hear languages ​​from different countries interweaving together, praising the unique flavor of Chinese cuisine.

Wang Jianye stood in the middle of the restaurant, looking at the lively scene of multicultural integration, and his heart was full of emotion: "The spread of Chinese cuisine is like a key that opens the door to communication between different cultures, and I am honored to be the passer of this key."

A well-known local media heard the story of Wang's Restaurant and decided to interview Wang Jianye.

The reporter asked curiously: "Boss Wang, you encountered many difficulties in the process of promoting Chinese cuisine. What made you persist?" Wang Jianye raised his head slightly, with a firm light in his eyes: "It is the love for Chinese cuisine and the dream of promoting it to the world.

I always believe that Chinese cuisine has a profound cultural heritage. It is not just food, but also a carrier of culture.

No matter how many difficulties I encounter, I will let the world taste the unique charm of Chinese cuisine."

After the reporter left, sunlight shone through the windows onto the restaurant floor, forming bright spots of light.

Wang Jianye looked at this warm scene and began to plan the next step of development in his mind.

“In the future, we will open more branches to spread the voice of Chinese cuisine even louder.”

……

On the bustling streets of São Paulo, all branches of Wang's hotels are packed with guests.

The store is brightly lit and bustling with activity. Customers are laughing and chatting, enjoying the unique taste of Chinese cuisine.

Wang Jianye stood in a corner of the hall, looking at the lively scene with a gratified smile on his face.

However, he was hiding a worry deep in his heart. As the branch business gradually improved, the problem of food supply was becoming a huge obstacle to the development of the restaurant.

International logistics in the 1990s was far less convenient and efficient than it is today.

Transporting food from China is not only painfully expensive, but also incredibly time-consuming.

Every time we purchase ingredients, it seems like they have gone through a long and arduous journey before arriving at the restaurant.

The situation in the local market is even more grim. Chinese cooking has unique and strict requirements for ingredients, and most of the raw materials on the local Brazilian market are difficult to meet these standards.

On this day, the kitchen was filled with a tense and depressing atmosphere.

The chef ran to Wang Jianye anxiously, his forehead covered with sweat, his hands rubbing unconsciously: "Boss Wang, something terrible has happened! The star anise and cinnamon we urgently need to marinate the pork with pork belly are running out of stock.

The international flight that was originally scheduled to arrive today has been delayed again. What should I do now? "Wang Jianye's face suddenly became solemn. He took a deep breath and tried to keep himself calm: "How could this happen? This flight was delayed at a very bad time.

Without star anise and cinnamon, this pork stew cannot be made. Many of the restaurant's signature dishes will be affected. Will they really be forced to close down? " He was extremely anxious, pacing back and forth, his brain working rapidly, trying to find a solution.

Business was still booming, but the kitchen was in trouble due to a shortage of ingredients.

The waiters were anxiously running back and forth between the kitchen and the hall. The constant cries of customers urging for their dishes made the already depressing atmosphere even more tense.

"Chef, the guests at this table have asked for their order several times. When will the dish be served?" a waiter asked the chef in a crying voice.

The chef shook his head helplessly: "A good cook cannot cook without rice. Without the key ingredients, this dish cannot be made." Wang Jianye looked at the chaotic scene and swore in his heart: "I must not let this ingredient problem ruin my previous efforts. I must find a way to find an alternative solution in South America."

The next morning, Wang Jianye set out for the agricultural production area of ​​Brazil.

Along the way, vast farmlands and rolling hills passed by the car window, but Wang Jianye had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery. His mind was full of how to solve the problem of food.

After arriving at the agricultural production area, you will see a vast expanse of farmland with various crops thriving and farmhouses scattered among them.

Wang Jianye walked into a farm and found the farmer Carlos.

Carlos is a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man with a warm and simple smile on his face.

Wang Jianye greeted Carlos politely: “Hello, Mr. Carlos.

I am Wang Jianye, the owner of all Wang’s restaurants.

I am here today to discuss with you some possibilities of cooperation. "

Carlos looked puzzled: "Cooperation? What do you want to cooperate with me on?" Wang Jianye pointed to the surrounding farmland and said, "You see, our Chinese cooking requires some special spices, such as star anise and cinnamon.

These spices are more common in China, but it is difficult to find the right ones in Brazil.

I would like to ask if I can try to grow these spices suitable for Chinese cooking on your farm?" Carlos frowned and said hesitantly: "I have never heard of this, and I don't know if the climate and soil here are suitable for planting.

And it takes a lot of time and effort to grow new crops, which is not an easy task.”

Wang Jianye hurriedly explained: “I understand your concerns, Mr. Carlos.

But think about it, if the planting is successful, it will not only meet the needs of my restaurant, but also open up new markets for you.

There are many Chinese people in Brazil, as well as people who are interested in Chinese cuisine, so these spices will have great market potential.

And during the planting process, I can provide some technical support and seeds.”

Carlos listened, thought for a moment and then said slowly: "It sounds like a good idea, but there are still risks.

Can you guarantee that these spices can be sold? I can’t let my hard work go to waste.”

Wang Jianye looked Carlos in the eye firmly and said, "I guarantee with my reputation that as long as you grow qualified spices, my restaurant will buy them all.

And we can sign a contract to protect your rights.”

Carlos was moved by Wang Jianye’s sincerity. He stretched out his big hand and held Wang Jianye’s hand: “Okay, Boss Wang, I believe you.

Then let's give it a try!" After leaving the farm, Wang Jianye went straight to the local Chinese supermarket.

The supermarket is bustling with people and filled with all kinds of Chinese products.

Wang Jianye found the supermarket owner, Lao Chen.

Old Chen was a kind and amiable elder. When he saw Wang Jianye coming in, he greeted him warmly: "Little Wang, what brings you here?" Wang Jianye quickly explained his purpose: "Uncle Chen, I came here today to discuss something with you.

My restaurant business was getting better and better, but the supply of food became a big problem.

Can your supermarket help me purchase some ingredients that can meet my basic needs? Like some common Chinese vegetables, seasonings, etc.

Old Chen looked embarrassed and said, "Xiao Wang, it's not that I don't want to help you.

My supermarket is limited in size, and the procurement channels for some ingredients are not stable, so it is difficult to ensure a long-term stable supply.”

Wang Jianye hurriedly said: “Uncle Chen, I know you are in trouble.

But how about this, we establish a long-term cooperative relationship, I will order the ingredients I need from you in advance, and you will try your best to help me purchase them.

I will also give you appropriate expenses subsidy, what do you think?" Lao Chen thought for a while and said: "Is this okay?

We are all Chinese, so it is only natural for us to help each other.

But you also know that I cannot guarantee that I can purchase some rare ingredients in time."

Wang Jianye said gratefully: "Thank you Uncle Chen, you have helped me a lot by agreeing to do this.

As long as I can meet some of my basic needs, I will be satisfied.”

However, the problem of meat supply also faced Wang Jianye.

Chinese cooking requires specific cuts and qualities of pork, and it is difficult for pork available in local markets in São Paulo to meet these standards.

Wang Jianye decided to go to a ranch on the outskirts of São Paulo to seek a solution.

In the pasture, there are herds of cattle and sheep, the grass sways in the wind, and the air is filled with a faint scent of grass.

Wang Jianye met the rancher David.

David is a tall man dressed in rugged, cowboy-style clothing.

Wang Jianye introduced his purpose to David: "Mr. David, I am the owner of Wang's All-inclusive Restaurant.

Our restaurant's Chinese cooking requires some pork cuts according to specific requirements.

Can your ranch meet our needs?" David scratched his head: "Cut pork according to Chinese requirements? I don't quite understand.

Could you please tell me in detail what kind of pork you need?" Wang Jianye patiently explained: "We need some specific parts of pork, such as pork ribs, pork belly, etc., and the size and thickness of the cuts have certain standards.

And the pork must be fresh and have no peculiar smell.”

David listened, thought for a moment and then said, "This request is a bit special.

We have always been breeding and cutting according to the needs of the local market.

To meet your requirements, we may need to adjust our breeding and processing methods, and costs will increase. "

Wang Jianye quickly said, “Mr. David, you don’t have to worry about the cost.

As long as you can guarantee the quality and stable supply of pork, the price is negotiable.

We can sign a long-term agreement so that you can arrange production with confidence. " (End of this chapter)