Siheyuan: Starting as a Chef Apprentice

After hearing this, the man nodded and said, "Okay, let's try the clay pot chicken you mentioned."

Wang Jianye smiled and replied, "Okay, wait a moment, I'll do it for you."

Not long after, Pengcheng Earth Pot Chicken was served on the table.

The man took a bite and frowned even more. He put down his chopsticks and said, "Why is the chicken still boned? It's too troublesome to eat.

And it’s not spicy enough, the taste is too bland, I don’t like it very much.”

Wang Jianye's heart sank, and he quickly explained: "Sir, this chicken with bones can better lock in the aroma, and the seasoning of our Xuzhou cuisine is more subtle, focusing on showing the flavor of the ingredients themselves..." The man interrupted him: "But I think it is very inconvenient to eat, and there is no special taste.

Oh, forget it. "

After saying that, he hurriedly left the hotel.

Wang Jianye looked at his departing back with a heavy heart.

At this time, a conversation between a lady and her companion was heard.

The lady ordered Xuzhou pork belly, and after taking a bite, she said with disgust: "What is this? It's too greasy, and there is no flavor at all.

It feels even worse than the burgers we usually eat.”

My companion echoed: "That's right, this meal was a complete failure."

Wang Jianye stepped forward and tried to explain: "Madam, Xuzhou braised pork is carefully stewed, and its greasy texture is its characteristic..." The lady said impatiently: "Come on, we can't get used to this taste, and we won't come again."

Such negative reviews were common in the first week of opening.

Wang Jianye spent every day in anxiety and frustration. When he got home at night, he often tossed and turned in bed: "Why is it that what we think is delicious is not popular here? Did I think too simply about the market?"

Tony, the owner of the Italian restaurant next door, is tall and has the typical Italian enthusiasm and straightforwardness.

Seeing that Wang's Restaurant was deserted after opening, Tony would come over from time to time to inquire about the situation.

That day, Tony stood at the entrance of Wang's Restaurant with his arms folded across his chest, and said to Wang Jianye with a sympathetic and slightly sarcastic expression on his face: "Hey, Wang, I don't think your business is doing very well.

Oriental food takes half an hour to understand, but Americans only spend 30 seconds to order. You are going to fail.”

Wang Jianye felt a surge of anger in his heart, but he still managed to smile and responded: “Tony, this is just the beginning, we will find a solution.

Every local cuisine has its audience, and our Xuzhou cuisine needs some time for everyone to accept it.”

Tony shrugged: "I guess that's hard.

Look at our Italian restaurant. Pizza and pasta are simple, fast and suitable for American tastes. They are always full every day.

Your complicated cooking process and subtle seasoning will hardly attract local people."

Wang Jianye gritted his teeth and said firmly: "Although we are facing difficulties now, I believe that as long as we make changes, we will be able to make Xuzhou cuisine popular here."

Tony smiled and shook his head, then turned and left: "Then I wish you good luck, but I don't think there is much hope."

Wang Jianye looked at Tony's departing back and vowed to himself: "I must make achievements and make you look at Xuzhou cuisine with new eyes."

But at this time he also knew that the road ahead was full of difficulties, and if he wanted to break the situation, he had to make huge changes.

Wang Jianye knew that if he wanted Xuzhou cuisine to take root here, he had to have a deep understanding of American eating habits.

In the following days, he led his team of chefs to travel through the streets and alleys of Los Angeles.

They went into fast food restaurant after fast food restaurant, observed Americans' choices of different foods, talked with customers, and listened to their food preferences and needs.

At a busy burger restaurant, Wang Jianye saw customers quickly ordering, picking up, and then wolfing down their burgers, so he approached a young customer and said, "Hello, friend.

I want to know why you like eating hamburgers." The young customer said vaguely while chewing on a hamburger: "Hamburgers are convenient, you can just pick them up and eat them, and they taste good too."

I’m too busy at work to have time to eat leisurely.”

Wang Jianye asked again: "What is your taste preference for food? Do you like it spicy or sweet?" The customer replied: "I like sweet and spicy flavors, and the stronger the flavor, the better.

That kind of light food doesn’t taste good.”

Afterwards, Wang Jianye and the chefs went to a school restaurant.

During lunch time, students come in droves to buy meals, with pizza being one of the most popular items.

Wang Jianye approached a student and asked, "Classmate, what do you think is the most attractive thing about pizza?" The student said excitedly, "Pizza has rich fillings, including various meats and vegetables, and it is very easy to eat, which is very suitable for us to eat during breaks."

Through a series of surveys, Wang Jianye and his team of chefs gradually understood the general trend of American eating habits: Americans pursue fast-paced, high-calorie, and distinctively flavored food.

If we want to integrate Xuzhou cuisine into the local market, we must innovate and improve it while maintaining its essence.

After returning to the restaurant, Wang Jianye immediately called a meeting of the chef team.

He stood in front of the conference room, his expression serious and firm: "Ladies and gentlemen, after this period of research, we know where the problem lies.

We have to improve the menu to make Xuzhou cuisine more suitable for American tastes and eating habits.”

The chefs all nodded, but some looked troubled: "How can we change this? We have to keep the characteristics of Xuzhou cuisine and make it popular with Americans. This is too difficult."

Wang Jianye patted the chef on the shoulder and said, “I know it’s difficult, but we have to try.

For example, for clay pot chicken, we can debone the chicken and cut it into pieces, which makes it easier to eat.

Then add American sweet chili sauce and corn kernels to increase the sweetness and rich taste, and make it into an 'American-style clay pot chicken fast food box' so that they can take it away and eat it."

A chef thought for a while and said, "Boss, this is a good idea.

What about the braised pork? How should it be changed?" Wang Jianye thought for a moment and replied: "Cut the braised pork into thin slices, put it in hamburger buns, and pair it with French fries to launch the 'Chinese braised pork burger'.

This way, you can enjoy the flavor of Xuzhou Baozi meat with the convenience of a hamburger.”

After hearing this, everyone expressed their agreement.

After several days of trial and error and adjustments, the new dish was finally ready.

"American-style clay pot chicken fast food box" makes a grand debut.

Open the fast food box, and you will see the tempting boneless chicken pieces covered with sweet and spicy sauce, exuding an enticing aroma, with golden corn kernels dotted on the side like gems.

The "Chinese Braised Pork Burger" is also unique, with crispy hamburger buns filled with thin slices of fatty but not greasy pork. The unique aroma of the braised pork and the wheat aroma of the bread blend perfectly, and it is paired with golden and crispy French fries.

In addition, in response to the current trend of healthy eating, Wang Jianye and his team of chefs have also developed a low-oil and low-salt "light version of Xuzhou fried noodles".

The noodles are chewy and paired with fresh vegetables and a special healthy sauce, which is refreshing and delicious.

After the new product was launched, Wang Jianye was both nervous and excited. He asked the waiter to set up a tasting table at the entrance of the store and provide free tastings of the new product to passers-by.

A student-like girl passing by was attracted by the tempting aroma. She walked over and took a bite of the "American-style clay pot chicken fast food box". Her eyes lit up immediately: "Wow, this tastes so good! Is this a new flavor? It's so convenient to eat, and it tastes amazing."

Wang Jianye introduced with a smile: "This is a modified Xuzhou dish called American-style clay pot chicken fast food box, which combines the flavor of Xuzhou clay pot chicken with American taste."

The girl said excitedly: "That's great. I will bring some to my friends to try."

As more and more people tried it, it received rave reviews.

The "Chinese Braised Pork Burger" is also very popular. Many office workers stop to buy it after seeing it.

"This burger is different. The meat inside is so fragrant and has a unique flavor. It's much better than ordinary burgers."

one office worker praised.

The "light version of Xuzhou fried noodles" has also attracted many people who pay attention to health.

A fitness enthusiast gave a thumbs up after eating: "This fried noodles is both healthy and delicious. I will buy it here after I finish working out."

The hotel's business gradually picked up, and more and more local office workers and students became regular customers of the hotel.

The store, which was once deserted, is now crowded with people and filled with laughter.

Tony, the owner of the Italian restaurant next door, was amazed at the changes in Wang's Restaurant.

He came to Wang Jianye again, gave him a thumbs up and said, “Wang, I never thought you could do this.

These improved dishes are really amazing and attract so many locals.

I really underestimated you before."

Wang Jianye responded with a smile: "Tony, the cuisine of every place has its potential. As long as we understand the market carefully and make changes, more people will accept it.

Now it seems that Xuzhou cuisine can also find its own place in Los Angeles.”

Tony nodded, “Indeed, but you still have a long way to go.

But I believe that you will get better and better.”

Wang Jianye looked at the bustling store with deep emotion: "This experience made me realize that food knows no borders, but to make it accepted by people from different regions, we must continue to innovate.

In the future, I will continue to promote Xuzhou cuisine and let more people know the charm of Xuzhou cuisine.”

As time went by, all branches of Wang's restaurants became more and more famous in Los Angeles.

People are not only attracted by the improved food, but also have a strong interest in the Xuzhou culture behind it.

Wang Jianye seized the opportunity to launch cultural exchange activities, placed exhibition boards on Xuzhou's history and culture in the hotel, and invited local people to participate in Xuzhou food making experience activities.

"I hope to let everyone know the stories and culture of the city of Xuzhou through food."

Wang Jianye often says this to his employees.

One day, an old man who was interested in Chinese culture came to the hotel.

While tasting the "American-style clay pot chicken fast food box", he curiously asked Wang Jianye: "Boss, I heard you say that this dish is related to Xuzhou. What kind of place is Xuzhou?" Wang Jianye enthusiastically introduced: "Xuzhou is a city with a long history and profound cultural heritage.

The dish of clay pot chicken originated from the folks of Xuzhou. In the past, people would cook rice by the stove, stick pancakes on the side of the pot, and stew them with the chicken, which gradually formed this unique flavor. "

The old man listened with great interest: "Wow, I didn't expect there are so many stories behind a dish.

In addition to clay pot chicken, does Xuzhou have other specialties?" Wang Jianye smiled and replied: "Of course, such as Peixian dog meat, Xuzhou baked buns, etc., each with its own unique flavor.

It’s a pity that the restaurant hasn’t made them all yet and displayed them to everyone, but it will definitely do so in the future when there is a chance.”

The old man said with satisfaction: "Not only can you eat delicious food in your restaurant, but you can also learn about Chinese culture. It's great.

I will definitely come here often in the future.”

With the deepening of cultural exchange activities, more and more Americans have developed a yearning for Xuzhou culture.

Some people even conducted research on Xuzhou specifically for this purpose, and others planned to visit Xuzhou to experience the charm of the city in person.

Gradually, all branches of Wang's restaurants have become a small window for cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

This is not only a place to taste delicious food, but also a platform to enhance mutual understanding and promote cultural integration.

The Italian restaurant next door was also inspired, and Tony decided to learn from Wang Jianye's experience, incorporating more Italian cultural elements into the restaurant and holding activities such as the Italian Food Culture Festival.

On a sunny afternoon, Tony invited Wang Jianye to his restaurant for a small gathering.

The two sat at the dining table, tasting the food and talking about restaurant management and cultural exchanges.

Tony raised his glass and said, “Wang, thank you for your inspiration.

Now my restaurant, like yours, attracts more customers by incorporating cultural elements.”

Wang Jianye responded with a smile: "Haha, this is all about learning from each other.

The cuisine and culture of different countries should communicate with each other so that they can develop together.”

Tony nodded: “Yes, our restaurants are growing and we will continue to work hard in the future.

I hope that one day Italian cuisine can be as popular in China as Xuzhou cuisine is in the United States.”

Wang Jianye said with a firm look: "I believe it will be possible.

As long as we work hard and promote cultural exchanges, food can become a bridge connecting different countries and nations.”

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the restaurant's windows, illuminating the two people's hopeful smiles.

Wang Jianye knows that the counterattack of Xuzhou cuisine in Los Angeles is just the beginning. In the future, there will be a broader world waiting for Xuzhou cuisine to explore, and more chapters of cultural exchange waiting to be written.

With this passion and persistence, he will continue to move forward on the path of food and culture, allowing the Xuzhou flavor to shine more brilliantly on the stage of North America and even the world, and making the cultural exchanges between China and the United States closer and deeper because of food.

As the days go by, the influence of all Wang's restaurant branches in the local area is growing.

It is not only loved by ordinary people, but also attracts a lot of media attention.

A reporter from a local TV station came to the hotel to conduct an interview.

The reporter took the microphone and asked Wang Jianye: "Boss Wang, can you share with us how you made Xuzhou cuisine, which was not well accepted by the locals, so successful through improvement?" (End of this chapter)