The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: That ”Model Child” Feeling

Fu Yu took an extra early shift for someone else, clocking out early in the evening to rest.

Back in his dorm, he let the notifications from the gaming group chat buzz incessantly as he resolutely moved his mouse over the game icon to open the web browser instead.

Although the main aim was to earn money and level up his skills, Zhao Meng’s comment that his prep work wasn’t up to par really got to him.

He searched the web for prep work techniques and videos on plating various dishes.

Before he knew it, he had stayed up half the night.

However, these online tutorials really can’t compare to hands-on practice.

No matter how clearly you see it, it’s useless if your hands can’t keep up.

Fu Yu was quite confident in himself.

After all, being single for over twenty years, the title ”God of the Right Hand” didn’t come for nothing.

After diligently studying for half the night, the one regret was that his personal attribute task experience didn’t increase at all.

It seems that just observing without actual practice doesn’t count as progress.

Without an early shift, Fu Yu slept in the next day.

He made it to work by eight in the morning to clock in.

Just as he finished face-scanning, he heard an electronic prompt sound in his ear.

[Ding! Daily task: Complete five prep works. Task completion reward: 50 RMB, 10 prep experience points, 10 task experience points]

Fu Yu was delighted.

This daily task stayed quite up-to-date.

Did it know he was focusing on practicing prep work today?

Fu Yu walked with a light step toward the back kitchen, but before he even got inside, he heard a commotion from within.

Dishwasher Aunt Xu’s loud voice was sharp and piercing: ”Isn’t it just a strainer not washed clean? The lamb fat clinging on it is hard to scrub off, once the water cools a bit, it solidifies!”

Xiaofu’s coworker, Zhang Jinyu, furiously accused: ”What you’re saying are all excuses. With lamb fat left on this strainer, how are you going to make clear soup later?”

Aunt Xu was displeased: ”Oh, so not even a bit of oil should go into that clear soup? How interesting you are! I’ve worked in the back kitchen for so many years, and no one has ever told me that my work isn’t good! This strainer was last used by Chef Zhao for lamb soup, and I washed it last, so the water might have been a bit cool. If it’s not clean, just wipe it with a paper towel, why make a fuss here with me?”

Zhang Jinyu was almost amused with anger.

When someone gets unreasonable, it’s like playing music to a cow!

Fu Yu stepped forward and advised, ”Come on, it’s not a big deal. Aunt Xu, don’t be mad, Chef Zhao is still waiting to use the kitchenware, let’s check everything first, right? I heard we have a big order today, and we can’t delay things here, it’ll be hard to explain later. How about I rewash this strainer, does that work?”

After saying that, he turned and gave Zhang Jinyu a glance to signal him to leave.

Seeing Fu Yu, and most importantly, he looked vibrant and spoke politely without being aggressive, Aunt Xu’s expression softened.

However, she didn’t hand over the strainer directly to Fu Yu but turned and cleaned it again before stacking it with the other kitchen utensils.

”Really, let me tell you, Xiaofu, I’ve worked in the back kitchen for so many years and never had someone pick faults in my work! Does he have to talk like that? Hey, if it’s not clean, I’ll rewash it. Isn’t it just about me making excuses, and he’s always right?”

Aunt Xu couldn’t help but grumble.

Fu Yu didn’t respond, proceeding with business: ”Aunt Xu, are all these utensils cleaned? I’ll take them away then.”

Without waiting for Aunt Xu’s reply, Fu Yu carried the tray and left.

The tableware used by diners in the restaurant is sent to the disinfection room for sterilization and packaging after being washed.

Kitchen tools, however, are used immediately after being cleaned.

Without high-temperature disinfection, sometimes grease residues not thoroughly washed away can cause trouble for the chefs.

After all, occasionally there are guests allergic to beef and lamb, and also the clear soup used in vegetarian meals strictly prohibits meat residues.

Common kitchen tools like strainers, spatulas, and woks often don’t make it to the dishwashing area but are cleaned directly by assistants for continued use.

Spatulas and woks are relatively easier to clean, while strainers are wholly perforated, making them prone to leaving oil stains if not carefully cleaned.

Everyday cleaning tests the attentiveness and speed of the assistants.

They need to be quick-eyed and nimble-fingered to clean up before the chefs use the tools and to ensure the cleanliness of the utensils.

If a customer orders a dish, right after beef or lamb soup has been used and then orders clear soup, or specifically requests no meat contamination.

Then during washing, hot water mixed with detergent must be used to thoroughly clean the utensils.

Speed is crucial!

But the detergent must be rinsed off thoroughly, like with strainers full of little holes, which need careful scrubbing with a brush.

Since this is common practice, seeing dishwashers not paying attention to detail readily invites criticism.

Fu Yu moved the utensils to the kitchen counter, and Zhang Jinyu hurried over to help arrange them together.

Fu Yu didn’t mention the previous incident, and Zhang Jinyu also refrained from criticizing Aunt Xu behind her back.

When Zhao Meng arrived, the back kitchen got busy for the day again.

Today there were still customers with prior orders.

But with many guests dining, Zhao Meng didn’t ask Fu Yu to handle the wok; instead, he chose a few dishes that tested prep skills and handed them over to Fu Yu for plating.

The fact proved that watching videos was no substitute for hands-on practice.

Fu Yu meticulously arranged a plate of cold mixed bamboo shoots.

In the end, Zhao Meng gave him a side-eye and demonstrated it personally.

Watching the cold mixed bamboo shoots finely arranged into tofu block shapes.

Fu Yu was bitterly disappointed.

”Alright, this dish barely makes the cut. You practice more later!”

Fu Yu nodded, ”Okay.”

[Ding! Daily task: Completed prep work (1/5). Task completion reward: 10 RMB, 2 prep experience points, 2 task experience points]

He instantly felt healed.

As long as it’s affirmed, even if the work wasn’t done well, it’s considered task completion, this is a kindness from the system, right?

”What are you staring at? Go wash this quickly!”

Zhao Meng casually placed the used strainer into the designated basin for washing utensils.

The basin already contained used spatulas, soup ladles, and an oily pair of wooden chopsticks.

Fu Yu hurried over, picked up the basin, and went to the nearby sink to clean up.

The three sinks in the back kitchen stood closely together.

Gu Yunwu’s assistant, Zhang Jiaxin, was also cleaning utensils on the side.

The two nodded to each other with a smile, busy with their tasks.

Fu Yu skillfully took out the utensils, filled the basin with warm water and detergent.

Just as he was about to place the utensils into the water basin, he noticed the clean, brand-new strainer looking completely out of place among the dirty utensils.

Damn!

Fu Yu was shocked!

So the benefit of the oil-free strainer was this?

This attribute is incredible!

If he could earn a few more oil-free kitchen tools as rewards, wouldn’t he never have to worry about cleaning again?

Though inwardly shocked, Fu Yu calmly placed the strainer into the clean spare basin, then quickly finished cleaning the other utensils.

Without the time-consuming and laborious strainer to clean, the other utensils were a breeze.

Fu Yu finished cleaning all the utensils twice as fast as usual.

He picked up the basin and called to Zhang Jiaxin, ”I’m done, I’m leaving first.”

Zhang Jiaxin looked up at the clean utensils in Fu Yu’s basin, silently speeding up his own work.

Yesterday, he had listened to Gu Chef praising this young man a few times, and the feeling of a ”someone else’s child” was driving him crazy.

But today, before he could come to terms with his feelings, he was already overwhelmed in dishwashing!

Oh, come on!