1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 80 The Chef Has Arrived! (Please Subscribe!)

Xiao Lei is 45 years old this year, about 1.7 meters tall, wearing a white chef's uniform that has been washed until it is fuzzy, and a pair of cloth shoes with many layers of soles.

He has a square face, his hair is neatly parted in a 2:8 ratio, there are a few gray hairs at his temples, and his hairline is a bit receding, but he looks quite energetic. His rolled-up sleeves reveal his strong forearms, which shows that he is a very authoritative figure in the culinary world.

This was the first time Zhou Yan had seen Xiao Lei since arriving here, yet the word "Master" came out of his mouth without any sense of incongruity, and he felt a sense of closeness when he looked at him.

In Xiao Zhou's memory, Xiao Lei was a strict master who had extremely high expectations of him when he was learning to cook. If he made a mistake, he would inevitably be scolded and then taught carefully again.

Xiao Zhou hasn't quite mastered the art of stir-frying and cooking because he's only been learning for a short time. However, his knife skills are quite high under his master's strict guidance, making him undoubtedly the best among apprentices of the same age in the cafeteria.

"The outdoor banquet tomorrow?" Xiao Lei looked at Zhou Yan and asked in confusion, "Which family is hosting an outdoor banquet and is only now looking for a chef?"

“It’s my brother’s wedding banquet. We originally hired a local chef, but he got into a collision with a tractor while riding his bike at noon and broke his hand. He can’t work anymore. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, and we’ve been trying to contact chefs everywhere, but none of them are available. We had no other choice, so I thought of you, Master.” Zhou Yan looked at him sincerely. “A banquet with thirty tables. No one but Master can handle such a scene.”

"Your mouth has become quite smooth; no wonder you're doing so well in business." Xiao Lei chuckled. The kid who used to be so quiet you wouldn't utter a sound even if you slapped him three times has now learned how to flatter people.

"I'm telling the truth, but running your own shop really does hone your skills. If you don't learn how to talk properly, customers won't even come in." Zhou Yan's smile faded, and he toned it down.

Over the past two and a half years, Xiao Zhou has spent more time with his mentor than with his family, and Xiao Lei is probably the person who understands him best.

Fortunately, after not seeing each other for more than three months since the shop opened, it's understandable that an apprentice could become a fully-fledged boss.

“A banquet for thirty tables is no simple matter. The pots, pans, and bowls all need to be prepared in advance. The helpers need to be contacted in advance, and the braising liquid for the cold dishes also needs to be prepared in advance. I only have two kitchen knives in my pocket, nothing else. I'm afraid I can't handle this banquet.” Xiao Lei opened his cloth bag, revealing two kitchen knives inside, and shook his head as he spoke.

"The cookware was provided by the village chef; it was already piled up on the threshing floor yesterday. The temporary earthen stove has also been built, and the host family has provided the bowls and chopsticks. The helpers are also readily available from the village; everything was arranged in advance. I can handle the braised dishes; I recently learned how to make them from my grandma." Zhou Yan glanced at the two gleaming kitchen knives in his pocket—a slicing knife and a cleaver—and asked somewhat doubtfully, "But Master, where are you going with these knives during working hours?"

"Why bother going to work? I quit today." Xiao Lei put his bag back on.

"Resign? Why so suddenly?" Zhou Yan was a little shocked. In the past two years, Xiao Lei had been suppressed by Wang Defa in various ways. He was demoted from head chef to kitchen helper but he did not resign. Now that Wang Defa has fallen, why did he suddenly resign?
"This job is boring, I'm quitting. I'm thinking of trying my luck at a big restaurant in Jiaozhou or Chengdu, or maybe I'll open my own restaurant like you." Xiao Lei explained with a smile, then looked at him with some doubt: "You learned how to make braised food from your grandma?"

“The economy is developing very fast now, and being self-employed is better than working a regular job.” Zhou Yan nodded, but he still felt that his master’s resignation was a bit strange, so he explained, “Zhang’s braised food stall at the Suji Bridge used to be run by my grandma, and it was very popular back then.”

“Is Zhang Ji Braised Food your grandma? Her braised food is the best in Jiaozhou, no doubt about it. Even your grandmaster loved her braised food when he was alive.” Xiao Lei’s eyes lit up when he heard this, and he nodded repeatedly: “You’ve found a really great braised food master.”

“My masters are all top-notch.” Zhou Yan grinned and continued, “Master, since you happen to be free these two days, why don’t you take on this banquet? My second uncle said that the labor cost will still be calculated at three yuan per table. You can also give the chef some money for the kitchen utensils. Wouldn’t that be a great start for starting your own business?”

"Three yuan a table? Isn't that a bit too high a price?" Xiao Lei pondered.

“This is the price that the local chef negotiated. His cooking skills are far inferior to yours, so he deserves this price. You definitely won’t be rigging it.” Zhou Yan said with a smile, “That’s how the market works. You have to charge a high price. If everyone enjoys the food and wants to invite you to host banquets next time, then you can command a higher price.”

After listening, Xiao Lei looked Zhou Yan up and down, then smiled and nodded, saying, "You've been out for more than three months, and you've seen more of the future than I have."

“Master, so you’ve agreed?” Zhou Yan smiled.

Xiao Lei nodded: "Okay, since we have nothing else to do, let's help your brother with this banquet first. There are already a lot of things to do at a wedding, and this kind of thing is even more stressful. Take me to Zhoucun, let's take a look at the menu the chef listed first, and prepare the dishes that need to be prepared in advance."

"Great!" Zhou Yan was overjoyed. He led his master to the restaurant and told Zhou Jie and the old lady about it.

"That's wonderful, Mr. Xiao, thank you so much." The old lady looked at Xiao Lei and thanked him.

“Aunt Zhang, you’re too kind. Zhou Yan is my apprentice, so it’s only right that I help him out.” Xiao Lei said with a smile, “My master has been asking for your braised dishes for many years. He always said he wanted to eat your braised beef intestines. If I had known that Zhou Yan was your grandson, I should have come to ask you to braise two catties of beef intestines for him to try again two years ago.”

"Is your master Chef Kong, the former head chef of the textile factory canteen?" the old lady asked. "How is his health?"

“Yes, I didn’t expect you to still remember him. My master passed away last year,” Xiao Lei said with a smile.

The old lady looked on with a look of reminiscence, “He used to come every three days. Each time he would buy half a catty of beef intestines and a pig’s ear. He would bring his own cup, go to Old Zhang’s place to get two ounces of wine, sit on the long stone at the head of the stone bridge, eat and drink, and then go home. I remember it very well.”

Xiao Lei laughed and said, "My teacher's wife doesn't allow him to drink, but when he's craving something, he sneaks over for a couple of ounces. After he finishes, he walks around the flood control embankment until he gets home and the alcohol has mostly dissipated, otherwise he wouldn't be able to get into his bedroom. He often mentions this to me later, lamenting that since he's no longer allowed to set up a stall, he can't eat your braised food anymore, and he drinks much less alcohol, always feeling like something's missing."

Zhou Yan listened with great interest. Stories about food should be full of life and human warmth.

After chatting for a while, Zhou Yan told the old lady about the business he had come to do with the braised food.

The old lady nodded after listening: "Tomorrow morning, take the pig's head and beef shank and bring me over. I'll watch you cook them."

"Okay." Zhou Yan nodded, and the matter was settled.

The braising liquid is nourished by the meat; the longer it's used for braising, the more fragrant and flavorful it becomes.

The amount of pork head meat and beef needed for a banquet of thirty tables is considerable, which can make his freshly prepared braising liquid even more perfect.

He's about to start selling braised food, and if he does well at this outdoor banquet, he'll immediately gain a good reputation.

This is still outside the textile factory circle, full of fresh-faced new customers.

"Will you come back to cook tonight?" Aunt Zhao asked, looking at Zhou Yan riding on his bicycle.

Zhou Yan turned around and said, "I'll come back as soon as I've arranged things. I'll definitely sell all the vegetables tonight." "Okay," Aunt Zhao nodded.

"Brother, I'm waiting for you to come back and cook!" Zhou Momo waved her little hand and called out in her childish voice.

"Okay." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile.

The group got on their bikes and headed towards Zhoucun.

In those days, resources were scarce and everyone was short of money, so it wasn't important to be extravagant, but people still wanted to have a lively atmosphere.

Zhou Jie's house is located at the entrance of the village. The field in front of the house has been leveled and set up with twenty or thirty tables.

Six makeshift stoves were set up at the entrance, and dozens of large steamers were piled up next to them, stacked up to a person's height.

Relatives and friends all came to help, some moving tables and chairs, others putting up "double happiness" characters and window decorations, making the small courtyard very lively.

However, a few people were sitting on the long stone at the entrance, smoking and looking worried.

The village cook suddenly broke his hand, and the preparation of the banquet, which was only half completed, suddenly came to an abrupt halt and could not continue.

The Zhou brothers are all trying to find connections and connections, and even their in-laws are helping to contact a chef.

The situation was sudden, and where could they find a suitable chef so quickly? The date was set, the invitations had been sent out, and the guests were arriving tomorrow, but they still hadn't found a chef, which greatly worried the family.

Zhou Ze, the second son of the Zhou family, stubbed out his cigarette. His dark, round face was full of worry. He stood up and said, "I'm going to Jiaozhou. I have a few friends there. I'll see if I can find a reliable chef to bring back."

“Dad, I’ll go with you. I have a few friends in Jiaozhou. If we’re looking for someone at the last minute, we’ll probably have to ask around at several places.” Zhou Hao, dressed in military uniform, stood up as well.

Zhou Ze shook his head, patted his shoulder and said, "You, as the groom, don't need to go. I'll go to town to find your brother and have him come with me. Don't worry, even if it costs a lot of money to hire a chef from a restaurant, I'll get him back and make sure this banquet is a success..."

"Isn't that Zhou Jie and Zhou Yan? There's a guy in a chef's uniform following behind them. They must have brought a chef back!" Zhou Hai, with his sharp eyes, pointed to the three old-fashioned bicycles riding towards them on the road in the distance.

"It really is them!"

Everyone stood up abruptly, turning to look towards the village road, their eyes lighting up.

An old lady was riding on Zhou Yan's bike. The road was too bumpy, so he didn't dare to ride too fast. When he finally arrived at his second uncle's house at the village entrance, the door was already full of relatives who had been waiting anxiously.

Everyone pulled the car over to the side of the road.

"Grandma." Zhou Hao stepped forward and greeted the old lady first, then patted Zhou Yan's arm with a smile, "Zhou Yan, you've grown taller and stronger."

"Brother Hao," Zhou Yan replied with a smile.

My cousin Zhou Hao is 26 years old this year. He has been in the army for eight years and hasn't been home for more than a year. He is 175 cm tall, with a strong build. Wearing his military uniform and with a buzz cut, he looks very energetic. His right hand is covered with calluses and scars. His temperament is similar to my uncle's, but he lacks some of the ruthlessness, which may be related to the scar near my uncle's eye.

"Zhou Yan, who is this master?" Zhou Hao asked Xiao Lei while taking out a cigarette.

Zhou Ze and the others also showed expressions of tension and anticipation.

"This is my master, Master Xiao Lei, the former head chef of the textile factory canteen, a national second-level chef, an expert in hot dishes, and the most popular chef among the textile factory workers." Zhou Yan got out of the car and solemnly introduced him to everyone: "My master happens to be free these two days, and at my kind invitation, he agreed to come and help take over this banquet."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Yan is still the most reliable!
They actually hired such a great chef.

The textile factory was the most profitable state-owned factory in Jiaozhou. If someone could be the head chef in the factory canteen, their culinary skills must be excellent!

Moreover, he is a national level-two chef, so there is no doubt about his skill level; he is far superior to ordinary rural chefs.

"Master Xiao, thank you so much for coming. I'm counting on you for this banquet!" Zhou Hao quickly took out two cigarettes and handed them to Xiao Lei.

Xiao Lei accepted the cigarette with both hands and said with a smile, "You're welcome. You're a soldier protecting the country, so it's only right that we lend a hand for such an important event as your wedding."

"Master Xiao, thank you so much! Otherwise, we wouldn't know where to find a suitable chef." Uncle Zhou Ze was also full of gratitude. He handed Xiao Lei a packet of red plum wine, then pondered for a moment and said, "It's just the wages..."

"Just pay the wages as the previous foreman said," Xiao Lei said with a smile.

"Okay! Thank you." Zhou Ze grasped Xiao Lei's hand, extremely grateful.

Time is of the essence; there's simply no way to get to Jiaozhou in time, and the price would definitely double. Having Master Xiao here is fantastic!

"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! Found him! Found the chef for you!"

Just then, three more bicycles came along the village road. The young man riding in the lead waved and shouted from afar.

　Sorry for the slight delay!
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(End of this chapter)