After the competition, several masters found Feng Zhengming.
"Zhengming, you are wrong. The skills displayed by the young chefs in your internal competition far exceed those in the provincial young chef cooking exchange competition."
"Yeah, how are you going to hold the Provincial Youth Chef Cooking Exchange Competition in the future?"
"Zhengming, you should pay more attention to other young chefs in the province in the future."
"You are the president of the provincial chefs association. You must take charge of the training of young chefs."
"The key is to create more opportunities for young chefs to learn and communicate."
"I think that in the future, we should arrange for more young chefs from all over the province to come to your Huiquan Restaurant to learn."
Feng Zhengming was a little amused by the opinions put forward by the old masters.
It was obvious that the old masters were shocked by the strength shown by Feng Zhengming in the internal competition.
Whether it was Xia Hui who won the championship in the end.
It’s still Sun Hai, Gu Zhicheng and Bao Feng.
Or some other young chefs under Feng Zhengming, they all demonstrated strength far beyond the average level of young chefs.
The old masters were all jealous.
In the eyes of the old masters, the young chefs here from Feng Zhengming could be trained as true disciples if they were placed in other restaurants or hotels.
But on Feng Zhengming's side, they actually still need to compete with each other.
The old masters can understand it.
Who made them work under Feng Zhengming, the national top scholar?
Although Feng Zhengming may not be older than some of them, he has not officially started accepting apprentices.
But to be honest, these young chefs can all be considered Feng Zhengming's apprentices.
It’s because I’m with Feng Zhengming, or rather, in several of Feng Zhengming’s stores.
Only in this way can they fully unleash their respective potential.
The most typical example is Gu Zhicheng.
Before he came to Feng Zhengming, he had learned cooking from Gao Fengyi for many years.
He was also the first of Gao Fengyi's disciples to start working as a cook.
However, after following Gao Fengyi in the island city for many years, Gu Zhicheng has never made many innovations, and his cooking skills have always been just mediocre.
I have followed Feng Zhengming for several years now, helping him support Huiquanlou.
After being sent back to the island city to take charge of the branch.
Gu Zhicheng's cooking skills have clearly improved.
Even his master Gao Fengyi has to admit this.
So the old masters can see that Feng Zhengming is indeed training the chefs to a high standard.
Feng Zhengming looked at the expectant eyes of the masters.
“Master, and all the senior uncles and uncles, it’s fine to use Huiquanlou as a training base, and it’s fine to invite more outstanding young chefs in the province to come to Huiquanlou for exchanges and learning.
But I have to be frank up front.
After entering Huiquanlou, I didn’t care who my master was or what his background was.
Everyone has to start from the beginning, and all the miscellaneous work in the kitchen has to be done in turns.
If we don’t perform well, fail to gain recognition from my senior brothers, and fail to get the opportunity to study in the kitchen, it’s not our fault.”
Feng Zhengming's words made the masters feel a little amused and helpless.
The old masters understood that Feng Zhengming was already saving face for everyone by saying this.
In fact, everyone knows that the level of Feng Zhengming's young chefs is generally high, not because their starting point is much higher than others.
It’s just because they will be required to be more strict with Feng Zhengming.
Moreover, there is Feng Zhengming, the national number one chef, who is also a young chef who is not even 30 years old.
No matter how good other young chefs are, they cannot compare with him.
This also means that once a young chef comes to Feng Zhengming's side, no matter how talented he is, he has to be obedient.
Unless you can also win the top prize in the national cooking skills competition held every four years.
But now Feng Zhengming is more than just the national top scholar.
He participated in the state banquet upon his return and was invited to participate in exchanges in Hong Kong.
He can even compete with famous overseas chefs without losing.
All this has once again increased Feng Zhengming's popularity and recognition of his cooking skills.
How can other young chefs of the same age catch up with or even surpass his current achievements?
Therefore, every young chef who comes to Feng Zhengming.
You will always be suppressed by the mountain above your head.
Then it is natural that we must work hard with all our energy.
As long as it is Feng Zhengming's requirement, no matter how strict it is, we can only try our best to do it well.
How could a chef who competes in such an environment not be better than other young chefs?
Master Cui said in a serious tone, "Okay, as long as you are willing to let them come to learn and exchange, they will definitely follow your arrangements once they are here. You have the final say."
As soon as Master Cui spoke, the other masters all nodded in agreement.
Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you for your support. I am not being harsh on young chefs on purpose. I just hope that they can shoulder the responsibility of promoting Shandong cuisine in the future."
The old masters also agreed with what Feng Zhengming said.
Master Yan laughed and said, "Zhengming, why are you talking more and more like a master now? How can you talk like a young man who is not even 30 years old?"
This remark amused the other masters present.
Feng Zhengming looked at his master with a smile.
"Master, I have no choice. Everyone praises me too highly, and I cannot let you down."
At this point, Feng Zhengming shared with the masters his experience of fighting with Kofman in Gangcheng.
"I later asked Jiang Chengzhe about Chef Kofman. He is not just an ordinary chef. He is a highly respected chef overseas.
For example, the overseas chefs I met in Hong Kong were all very respectful when facing Kofman.
Moreover, his cooking skills are not like the so-called delicacies overseas that are always made up of high-end ingredients.
I competed with him in making pig's trotters, and many of his methods are very similar to our Shandong cuisine."
Feng Zhengming then told the masters the details of the fight.
Master Xia was surprised at first: "A foreign chef can actually debone pig's trotters?"
Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, I was also surprised when I saw it."
Master Yan then said, "The way he prepares pig's trotters is similar to our Shandong cuisine. He cooks them with carrots, celery and onions, just like we use scallions, ginger, cooking wine and peppercorns to remove the odor."
Master Sun was a little surprised: "Don't they say that people overseas don't eat offal? He actually uses sheep pancreas to cook?"
Both Master Cui and Master Yan have participated in some exchanges abroad.
They explained that not all people overseas do not eat offal.
Master Cui even said: "It is not so easy to get the pancreas of lambs."
Master Xia nodded: "And the thymus is also very uncommon."
The masters looked at each other and soon couldn't help laughing. "Sometimes, what people overseas eat is really beyond our imagination."
"Hahaha, that's true. Sometimes they think the food we eat is weird, but what they eat themselves is even weirder."
"The key is the cooking method. The right cooking method will enhance the flavor of the ingredients."
"When you go to Shanghai in the future, I think you can learn to make his pig's trotter."
Several old masters agreed with this point and felt that Feng Zhengming could make some improvements.
Feng Zhengming also nodded: "I have also discussed this with Chef Kofman, and he also agreed that I could use his recipe, and said that he would give me a copy of his original recipe in the future."
Master Yan earnestly advised: "You need to read and learn more, some things don't have to be used directly."
Feng Zhengming nodded: "Master, don't worry, I know."
At this time, Master Cui suddenly asked: "Are you going to Shanghai after the New Year?"
Feng Zhengming answered seriously: "Yes, Shanghai has also given me a lot of support. I have already found a shop there, one of which is between some Western restaurants."
The old masters were all stunned when they heard this.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the old masters all laughed again.
How could the masters not see what Feng Zhengming was thinking?
The reason why he chose to open a branch of his own, a branch selling braised pork, in a street that is mostly filled with Western restaurants is because of his choice.
The purpose is very clear, which is to compete with the surrounding Western restaurants regardless of whether they are authentic or not.
Maybe no domestic chef would do this.
After all, most of the restaurants on that street are Western restaurants.
This means that most of the people who frequent that street are either from overseas, or they are some Chinese people who think the moon is rounder overseas.
No matter which type of person you are, you probably won't patronize a Chinese restaurant on a street that's mostly filled with Western restaurants.
But Feng Zhengming is different. He just needs to show off his title of champion in the national cooking competition.
In addition, there is his relationship with famous chefs in Hong Kong and even overseas chefs.
It will naturally have great appeal to everyone.
The old masters can all imagine it.
Maybe by then people in China will look down on the food made by Feng Zhengming's branch as being too rustic.
But Feng Zhengming's craftsmanship is comparable to that of Kofman, so it should be easy for him to attract many people from overseas in China.
So maybe in the end, Feng Zhengming's restaurant will really stand out among a bunch of Western restaurants.
It has become a must-eat restaurant on that road that has many people lining up to visit.
Master Cui asked: "Zhengming, does your shop also sell braised pork?"
Feng Zhengming nodded. "Yes, they have braised pork belly, five-spice braised pig's trotter, pork elbow, and four-happiness meatballs. I think that restaurant should learn from some overseas fast food restaurants and serve the dishes together with rice or noodles."
Master Sun couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, you are trying to defeat them by using their serving style and Shandong cuisine."
Feng Zhengming did not deny it: "Yes, I do have such an idea."
Then Feng Zhengming told the chefs about his ideas for improving some of the dishes.
For example, you can make Four-Happiness Meatballs by following the method of making meatballs in meat sauce overseas, and soak the Four-Happiness Meatballs in some thick soup.
As for the pig's trotter dish, Feng Zhengming would learn from Kofman and use the Kongfu bone-removing technique to completely remove the bones of the pig's trotter, then stuff some stuffing into it, stew it, and serve it on a plate with the soup.
It can be served with rice, noodles, or even mashed potatoes.
Of course, the rice and noodles that come with it are definitely Chinese style.
“I just want to let those who look down on Chinese food and think that Shandong cuisine is always black and sticky know that Shandong cuisine and Chinese food are not what they imagine.
And there will be many overseas people who they thought wouldn’t like our food, but they will also like our food.”
Feng Zhengming's words excited all the old masters.
Several master craftsmen have higher expectations for Feng Zhengming.
They expect Feng Zhengming to really do what he says.
Master Cui reminded: "We need to make some adjustments to the taste. We can't just use the taste of Shandong cuisine. After all, people from different places have very different tastes."
Feng Zhengming nodded to show that he understood.
"Don't worry, Master. I'm ready to make adjustments."
Master Xia hesitated for a while, but couldn't help but speak.
"Are you going to take Xia Hui with you?"
When the other masters heard Master Xia ask this, they laughed first.
"Hahaha, has Old Xia been waiting to ask this?"
"Old Xia, your granddaughter is the champion this time. She will definitely be taken to Shanghai by Zhengming."
"The dish your granddaughter cooked this time is clearly proving that she is capable of going to Shanghai."
Feng Zhengming answered Master Xia seriously.
"Yes, if Xia Hui is willing to go with me, I will take Xia Hui with me."
Master Xia sighed: "That girl finally took a different path. She doesn't want to go back and compete with her brother."
These words made the old masters stop smiling immediately.
Feng Zhengming: "Xia Hui has her own ideas, and we should support her. I believe that after experiencing more, she will return to Quancheng or Qufu, and she will grow again.
In the future, she will become a master and create her own brilliance.”
The old masters all nodded, thinking that what Feng Zhengming said was right.
Master Cui sighed: "The future is yours after all. Young chefs in the province should feel lucky that they have you, an unattainable ceiling, above their heads at their best age."
Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, Master Cui, you are exaggerating. I think if everyone works hard, there is still a chance to surpass me."
The old masters immediately smiled again.
Master Yan said, "I didn't expect that you would be humble."
Feng Zhengming immediately said seriously: "Humility makes people progress."
This is an internal competition among all the young chefs under Feng Zhengming. Many specific details may be difficult for the outside world to know.
The young chefs who participated in the competition could not be as dazzling as they were in the provincial young chefs cooking exchange competition.
But in the opinion of the old masters, the level of Feng Zhengming's internal competition is higher.
The young chefs in the company are also looking forward to getting good results in the competition.
The competition cannot make young chefs famous throughout the province.
But they gained a lot through the competition, and in the future they will use their cooking skills to gain a greater reputation.
After the competition was over, Feng Zhengming readjusted the staff of several stores based on the results.
The main changes are in personnel at several stores in Quancheng.
At the same time, Feng Zhengming also asked his seniors to be prepared, as they would need to recruit some new people after the New Year.
Almost everything is arranged, and it is the end of the year again. (End of this chapter)
"Zhengming, you are wrong. The skills displayed by the young chefs in your internal competition far exceed those in the provincial young chef cooking exchange competition."
"Yeah, how are you going to hold the Provincial Youth Chef Cooking Exchange Competition in the future?"
"Zhengming, you should pay more attention to other young chefs in the province in the future."
"You are the president of the provincial chefs association. You must take charge of the training of young chefs."
"The key is to create more opportunities for young chefs to learn and communicate."
"I think that in the future, we should arrange for more young chefs from all over the province to come to your Huiquan Restaurant to learn."
Feng Zhengming was a little amused by the opinions put forward by the old masters.
It was obvious that the old masters were shocked by the strength shown by Feng Zhengming in the internal competition.
Whether it was Xia Hui who won the championship in the end.
It’s still Sun Hai, Gu Zhicheng and Bao Feng.
Or some other young chefs under Feng Zhengming, they all demonstrated strength far beyond the average level of young chefs.
The old masters were all jealous.
In the eyes of the old masters, the young chefs here from Feng Zhengming could be trained as true disciples if they were placed in other restaurants or hotels.
But on Feng Zhengming's side, they actually still need to compete with each other.
The old masters can understand it.
Who made them work under Feng Zhengming, the national top scholar?
Although Feng Zhengming may not be older than some of them, he has not officially started accepting apprentices.
But to be honest, these young chefs can all be considered Feng Zhengming's apprentices.
It’s because I’m with Feng Zhengming, or rather, in several of Feng Zhengming’s stores.
Only in this way can they fully unleash their respective potential.
The most typical example is Gu Zhicheng.
Before he came to Feng Zhengming, he had learned cooking from Gao Fengyi for many years.
He was also the first of Gao Fengyi's disciples to start working as a cook.
However, after following Gao Fengyi in the island city for many years, Gu Zhicheng has never made many innovations, and his cooking skills have always been just mediocre.
I have followed Feng Zhengming for several years now, helping him support Huiquanlou.
After being sent back to the island city to take charge of the branch.
Gu Zhicheng's cooking skills have clearly improved.
Even his master Gao Fengyi has to admit this.
So the old masters can see that Feng Zhengming is indeed training the chefs to a high standard.
Feng Zhengming looked at the expectant eyes of the masters.
“Master, and all the senior uncles and uncles, it’s fine to use Huiquanlou as a training base, and it’s fine to invite more outstanding young chefs in the province to come to Huiquanlou for exchanges and learning.
But I have to be frank up front.
After entering Huiquanlou, I didn’t care who my master was or what his background was.
Everyone has to start from the beginning, and all the miscellaneous work in the kitchen has to be done in turns.
If we don’t perform well, fail to gain recognition from my senior brothers, and fail to get the opportunity to study in the kitchen, it’s not our fault.”
Feng Zhengming's words made the masters feel a little amused and helpless.
The old masters understood that Feng Zhengming was already saving face for everyone by saying this.
In fact, everyone knows that the level of Feng Zhengming's young chefs is generally high, not because their starting point is much higher than others.
It’s just because they will be required to be more strict with Feng Zhengming.
Moreover, there is Feng Zhengming, the national number one chef, who is also a young chef who is not even 30 years old.
No matter how good other young chefs are, they cannot compare with him.
This also means that once a young chef comes to Feng Zhengming's side, no matter how talented he is, he has to be obedient.
Unless you can also win the top prize in the national cooking skills competition held every four years.
But now Feng Zhengming is more than just the national top scholar.
He participated in the state banquet upon his return and was invited to participate in exchanges in Hong Kong.
He can even compete with famous overseas chefs without losing.
All this has once again increased Feng Zhengming's popularity and recognition of his cooking skills.
How can other young chefs of the same age catch up with or even surpass his current achievements?
Therefore, every young chef who comes to Feng Zhengming.
You will always be suppressed by the mountain above your head.
Then it is natural that we must work hard with all our energy.
As long as it is Feng Zhengming's requirement, no matter how strict it is, we can only try our best to do it well.
How could a chef who competes in such an environment not be better than other young chefs?
Master Cui said in a serious tone, "Okay, as long as you are willing to let them come to learn and exchange, they will definitely follow your arrangements once they are here. You have the final say."
As soon as Master Cui spoke, the other masters all nodded in agreement.
Feng Zhengming smiled and said, "Thank you for your support. I am not being harsh on young chefs on purpose. I just hope that they can shoulder the responsibility of promoting Shandong cuisine in the future."
The old masters also agreed with what Feng Zhengming said.
Master Yan laughed and said, "Zhengming, why are you talking more and more like a master now? How can you talk like a young man who is not even 30 years old?"
This remark amused the other masters present.
Feng Zhengming looked at his master with a smile.
"Master, I have no choice. Everyone praises me too highly, and I cannot let you down."
At this point, Feng Zhengming shared with the masters his experience of fighting with Kofman in Gangcheng.
"I later asked Jiang Chengzhe about Chef Kofman. He is not just an ordinary chef. He is a highly respected chef overseas.
For example, the overseas chefs I met in Hong Kong were all very respectful when facing Kofman.
Moreover, his cooking skills are not like the so-called delicacies overseas that are always made up of high-end ingredients.
I competed with him in making pig's trotters, and many of his methods are very similar to our Shandong cuisine."
Feng Zhengming then told the masters the details of the fight.
Master Xia was surprised at first: "A foreign chef can actually debone pig's trotters?"
Feng Zhengming nodded: "Yes, I was also surprised when I saw it."
Master Yan then said, "The way he prepares pig's trotters is similar to our Shandong cuisine. He cooks them with carrots, celery and onions, just like we use scallions, ginger, cooking wine and peppercorns to remove the odor."
Master Sun was a little surprised: "Don't they say that people overseas don't eat offal? He actually uses sheep pancreas to cook?"
Both Master Cui and Master Yan have participated in some exchanges abroad.
They explained that not all people overseas do not eat offal.
Master Cui even said: "It is not so easy to get the pancreas of lambs."
Master Xia nodded: "And the thymus is also very uncommon."
The masters looked at each other and soon couldn't help laughing. "Sometimes, what people overseas eat is really beyond our imagination."
"Hahaha, that's true. Sometimes they think the food we eat is weird, but what they eat themselves is even weirder."
"The key is the cooking method. The right cooking method will enhance the flavor of the ingredients."
"When you go to Shanghai in the future, I think you can learn to make his pig's trotter."
Several old masters agreed with this point and felt that Feng Zhengming could make some improvements.
Feng Zhengming also nodded: "I have also discussed this with Chef Kofman, and he also agreed that I could use his recipe, and said that he would give me a copy of his original recipe in the future."
Master Yan earnestly advised: "You need to read and learn more, some things don't have to be used directly."
Feng Zhengming nodded: "Master, don't worry, I know."
At this time, Master Cui suddenly asked: "Are you going to Shanghai after the New Year?"
Feng Zhengming answered seriously: "Yes, Shanghai has also given me a lot of support. I have already found a shop there, one of which is between some Western restaurants."
The old masters were all stunned when they heard this.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the old masters all laughed again.
How could the masters not see what Feng Zhengming was thinking?
The reason why he chose to open a branch of his own, a branch selling braised pork, in a street that is mostly filled with Western restaurants is because of his choice.
The purpose is very clear, which is to compete with the surrounding Western restaurants regardless of whether they are authentic or not.
Maybe no domestic chef would do this.
After all, most of the restaurants on that street are Western restaurants.
This means that most of the people who frequent that street are either from overseas, or they are some Chinese people who think the moon is rounder overseas.
No matter which type of person you are, you probably won't patronize a Chinese restaurant on a street that's mostly filled with Western restaurants.
But Feng Zhengming is different. He just needs to show off his title of champion in the national cooking competition.
In addition, there is his relationship with famous chefs in Hong Kong and even overseas chefs.
It will naturally have great appeal to everyone.
The old masters can all imagine it.
Maybe by then people in China will look down on the food made by Feng Zhengming's branch as being too rustic.
But Feng Zhengming's craftsmanship is comparable to that of Kofman, so it should be easy for him to attract many people from overseas in China.
So maybe in the end, Feng Zhengming's restaurant will really stand out among a bunch of Western restaurants.
It has become a must-eat restaurant on that road that has many people lining up to visit.
Master Cui asked: "Zhengming, does your shop also sell braised pork?"
Feng Zhengming nodded. "Yes, they have braised pork belly, five-spice braised pig's trotter, pork elbow, and four-happiness meatballs. I think that restaurant should learn from some overseas fast food restaurants and serve the dishes together with rice or noodles."
Master Sun couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, you are trying to defeat them by using their serving style and Shandong cuisine."
Feng Zhengming did not deny it: "Yes, I do have such an idea."
Then Feng Zhengming told the chefs about his ideas for improving some of the dishes.
For example, you can make Four-Happiness Meatballs by following the method of making meatballs in meat sauce overseas, and soak the Four-Happiness Meatballs in some thick soup.
As for the pig's trotter dish, Feng Zhengming would learn from Kofman and use the Kongfu bone-removing technique to completely remove the bones of the pig's trotter, then stuff some stuffing into it, stew it, and serve it on a plate with the soup.
It can be served with rice, noodles, or even mashed potatoes.
Of course, the rice and noodles that come with it are definitely Chinese style.
“I just want to let those who look down on Chinese food and think that Shandong cuisine is always black and sticky know that Shandong cuisine and Chinese food are not what they imagine.
And there will be many overseas people who they thought wouldn’t like our food, but they will also like our food.”
Feng Zhengming's words excited all the old masters.
Several master craftsmen have higher expectations for Feng Zhengming.
They expect Feng Zhengming to really do what he says.
Master Cui reminded: "We need to make some adjustments to the taste. We can't just use the taste of Shandong cuisine. After all, people from different places have very different tastes."
Feng Zhengming nodded to show that he understood.
"Don't worry, Master. I'm ready to make adjustments."
Master Xia hesitated for a while, but couldn't help but speak.
"Are you going to take Xia Hui with you?"
When the other masters heard Master Xia ask this, they laughed first.
"Hahaha, has Old Xia been waiting to ask this?"
"Old Xia, your granddaughter is the champion this time. She will definitely be taken to Shanghai by Zhengming."
"The dish your granddaughter cooked this time is clearly proving that she is capable of going to Shanghai."
Feng Zhengming answered Master Xia seriously.
"Yes, if Xia Hui is willing to go with me, I will take Xia Hui with me."
Master Xia sighed: "That girl finally took a different path. She doesn't want to go back and compete with her brother."
These words made the old masters stop smiling immediately.
Feng Zhengming: "Xia Hui has her own ideas, and we should support her. I believe that after experiencing more, she will return to Quancheng or Qufu, and she will grow again.
In the future, she will become a master and create her own brilliance.”
The old masters all nodded, thinking that what Feng Zhengming said was right.
Master Cui sighed: "The future is yours after all. Young chefs in the province should feel lucky that they have you, an unattainable ceiling, above their heads at their best age."
Feng Zhengming laughed: "Hahaha, Master Cui, you are exaggerating. I think if everyone works hard, there is still a chance to surpass me."
The old masters immediately smiled again.
Master Yan said, "I didn't expect that you would be humble."
Feng Zhengming immediately said seriously: "Humility makes people progress."
This is an internal competition among all the young chefs under Feng Zhengming. Many specific details may be difficult for the outside world to know.
The young chefs who participated in the competition could not be as dazzling as they were in the provincial young chefs cooking exchange competition.
But in the opinion of the old masters, the level of Feng Zhengming's internal competition is higher.
The young chefs in the company are also looking forward to getting good results in the competition.
The competition cannot make young chefs famous throughout the province.
But they gained a lot through the competition, and in the future they will use their cooking skills to gain a greater reputation.
After the competition was over, Feng Zhengming readjusted the staff of several stores based on the results.
The main changes are in personnel at several stores in Quancheng.
At the same time, Feng Zhengming also asked his seniors to be prepared, as they would need to recruit some new people after the New Year.
Almost everything is arranged, and it is the end of the year again. (End of this chapter)
