The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Nostalgia Reigns Supreme

A steaming bowl of noodles in broth with two plates of refreshing side dishes.

The aroma of the noodles was compellingly warm, evoking an ordinary yet comforting sense of homely life.

Every last bit of the broth and noodles was eaten up.

Zhao Meng and Yao Shi exchanged a glance, and the same thought arose in both their minds.

A bit unsatisfied!

Being used to gourmet meals in the restaurant daily, suddenly eating an ordinary bowl of noodle soup felt surprisingly appetizing.

The customer who came seeking homestyle flavors probably was also tired of rich food and occasionally craved a simple bowl of noodles, bringing back memories.

After dining, Fu Yu quickly began to clear the dishes.

As he headed to the dishwashing area to deliver the dishes, Yao Shi turned his head and couldn’t help but say to Zhao Meng, ”Old Zhao, your apprentice sure is both bold and meticulous!”

Zhao Meng nodded, ”That brat is just lucky, and it’s a good thing that customer wasn’t really looking to cause trouble, otherwise if he kept messing around, who knows what might have happened.”

Yao Shi waved his hand, ”You’re wrong there, Xiaofu’s noodle soup was quite authentic, especially the presentation. Didn’t you notice in the private room? He didn’t use the usual bowls for plating.”

Zhao Meng was taken aback, ”What?!”

Yao Shi pointed to the condiment dishes on the kitchen counter, ”He used a round-mouthed white porcelain bowl. Although he’s not that adept at the noodle station, his ability to understand customers’ psychology is quite high. Let me ask you, if you were there and the customer requested a new bowl of noodles, what would you have done?”

Zhao Meng recalled the customer’s requests as Fu Yu had mentioned, frowning, ”Without shrimp and crab, just scallions for fragrance, I might have opted for fish instead. Although fish is more suited to congee, it’s also quite good for noodles, with a fresh and tasty broth that should satisfy the customer.”

Yao Shi nodded, ”That’s why I said Xiaofu is bold and meticulous. The customer mentioned her grandmother used to make seafood noodles. Older folks usually prefer simple preparations. Fish and seafood are cumbersome and tricky. You make seafood noodles known for freshness and aroma, but the customer emphasized it wasn’t like that, indicating the noodles she had were fundamentally different from yours.”

”And think about when he served the noodles. From the height of the broth to the portion of the noodles, and the garnishing with dried shrimp and scallions, don’t you think he did it remarkably well?”

Zhao Meng thought back. When he saw Fu Yu handing over the bowl of noodles, his first impression was one of pleasing aesthetics; the plating looked very comfortable.

Since he was used to paying attention to plating effects, it seemed natural that ingredients coming off the stove should look appealing, so he had subconsciously overlooked it.

Thinking about it now, that plating really was quite excellent!

Yao Shi continued, ”True skills show in the details. Xiaofu has basically mastered your plating technique.”

Zhao Meng felt quite pleased, though he said, ”Compared to me, he still has a long way to go! But this kid is quite something, very steady and immensely gifted.”

Yao Shi nodded in agreement, ”I think Xiaofu is quite righteous. From this incident, it’s evident Xiaofu has your back!”

Zhao Meng couldn’t suppress his grin this time, a smile curving his lips, ”That’s true, unlike those few ungrateful ones.”

Yao Shi sincerely stated, ”You do have a good eye for picking people. Cultivate Xiaofu well, and in the future, we’ll have someone to succeed in the kitchen.”

Zhao Meng dismissively said, ”That’s a long way off! A good blade needs honing, let him practice at his own pace for now.”

Then, shifting his tone, he continued in a voice only meant for two to hear, ”Regarding the issue of regularization, I still need your help. The kid’s family conditions are average. If he can’t become a regular soon, he might have to pack up and head back home in less than two years.”

Yao Shi didn’t immediately agree but squinted his eyes, turning to look at Fu Yu’s diligent figure as he cleaned up the kitchen tools.

Zhao Meng urged, ”This is a rare opportunity; if you can secure it, make sure to leave a spot for me.”

Yao Shi refocused, gave Zhao Meng a glance, and casually replied, ”Don’t rush the regularization issue; we’ll see how things look at the end of the month!”

Zhao Meng froze, ”See what?”

Yao Shi raised an eyebrow, ”To see whether he will stay or go with you to my place; I need to observe further.”

Zhao Meng was astonished, ”You want to recruit him to the music restaurant?”

Yao Shi indicated for him to glance at Gu Yunwu, who wasn’t far away.

Gu Yunwu was on the evening shift today, busy cooking and tending the stoves.

Yao Yihang was assisting on the side, working in harmonious tandem with him.

”Two tigers can’t occupy the same mountain,” Yao Shi whispered, ”Eventually, Lao Gu will stay here, and it’s just fitting for you to head over to my place. With you there, I’d be more assured. If you think highly of Xiaofu, take him along.”

Yao Shi had an old connection with the owner of Qianlima, tying him to this place for life.

But Zhao Meng was different.

His culinary skills were excellent, and his character was reliable. Guiding the kitchen in the music restaurant in the future, and grooming a dependable head chef, gave assurance.

With these two around, Yao Shi could also rest easy.

It’s better not to have been regularized!

Without regularization, there would still be choices!

Zhao Meng remained silent.

He knew Yao Shi’s suggestion was the best path for him at present.

Gu Yunwu joined Qianlima before him, practically a founding member.

During holidays and festivals, Gu Yunwu often got invited to gather with the boss’s family, like one of them.

The business was thriving, and the kitchen was understaffed, with he and Gu Yunwu attending to their respective duties, not interfering with each other.

But no flower blooms forever.

Nowadays, countless new concept restaurants and fast-food places were springing up everywhere, noticeably reducing dine-in visits.

Seeing the trend, the restaurant’s business would likely decline in the near future.

If a day came when kitchen downsizing was necessary, he would undoubtedly be the first choice to go.

Instead of waiting for difficulties to arrive, it was better to take Yao Shi’s advice and move to the music restaurant as head chef beforehand.

Getting a promotion and a raise while having more freedom at work.

Why not enjoy it?

Zhao Meng followed Yao Shi’s gaze towards Fu Yu, who was diligently working.

Once he became the head chef, he’d certainly need to nurture two reliable subordinates who jelled well with him.

Fu Yu was quite suitable. After nearly a year of collaboration, they had already achieved seamless cooperation.

The young man was energetic, perceptive, hardworking, and had his heart in the right place. With proper mentoring, he could become a significant support, an indispensable right-hand man.

Thinking this way, Zhao Meng also found his eyes lighting up.

As Fu Yu skillfully finished cleaning the kitchen tools, he turned back to find Zhao Meng and Yao Shi looking at him.

Fu Yu paused, smiling, and asked, ”So, how’s the noodles? Are they to your liking?”

Zhao Meng said, ”They’re alright!”

Yao Shi replied, ”Very good!!”

[Ding! Received a +10 favorability from NPC Chef Zhao Meng]

[Ding! Received a +20 favorability from NPC Head Chef Yao Shi]

Fu Yu: ”...”

What exactly happened?

Could it be that Zhao Meng and Yao Shi also have a grandmother who makes seafood noodles at home?

Fu Yu felt he had comprehended another culinary truth.

Nostalgia is king!