The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Head Chef Position Now Open

Fu Yu always knew that Boss Pang of the dessert shop had a solid family background.

Now, after listening to Xin Li, he realized that this man’s wealth is genuinely substantial.

Moreover, from the tone of Boss Pang, it seems that he’s now raising his daughter from a previous marriage.

With Boss Pang’s capabilities, it’s unlikely that he’s truly cut ties with his ex-wife.

But Fu Yu was just gossiping along and soon forgot about it.

After all, there wasn’t really any connection between him and Boss Pang.

Even if they had any future interaction, it’d at most be like last night, where he temporarily helped out.

Fu Yu was quite clear about his own position.

Interactions between people require some equality to have the foundation of friendship.

He was just a kitchen helper; what serious connection could he have with someone like Boss Pang?

...

The breakfast in the kitchen was organized by Zhao Meng.

After breakfast, as they were clearing the dishes, Gu Yunwu arrived at work.

He greeted Zhao Meng and then turned to look at Fu Yu.

Gu Yunwu smiled and said, ”Xiaofu, you must be exhausted from last night?”

Fu Yu knew he had stood out quite a bit last night, so he modestly replied, ”Not at all, everyone worked hard.”

His words were quite considerate.

Gu Yunwu, sharp as ever, nodded with a smile, ”Yes, it tired everyone out.”

Everyone chimed in and exchanged jokes.

Zhao Meng looked at Fu Yu with even more satisfaction.

Reliable, capable, talented, yet humble and tactful, he gave no reason for dislike and could handle situations smoothly.

A young person like this could easily stand out.

However, where there is appreciation, there is also resentment in others’ hearts.

Yao Yihang listened to Chef Gu’s concern for Fu Yu, not showing it on his face, but he was very dissatisfied inside.

Last night was because their side was scheduled for the night shift.

Their orders were too many to handle, so the takeout orders fell to Zhao Meng.

If not for that, how could Fu Yu have had the chance to stand out last night?

Using a frying pan to cook porridge was clearly a shortcut.

Chef Yao was meant to scold Fu Yu over this, yet Fu Yu managed to slip through without issue.

Yao Yihang thought angrily, if the boss hadn’t suddenly come over, this matter would not have been easily let go.

As for Fu Yu.

Yao Yihang had mixed feelings.

Because they followed different head chefs, their relationship was maintained well enough, greeting each other and partnering up at work, getting along fairly well.

However, in private, since they were often compared as Gu Yunwu and Zhao Meng’s apprentices, bit by bit, they started seeing each other as competitors.

At least, Yao Yihang was very conscious of others’ opinions, fearing being overshadowed by Fu Yu.

Moreover, Fu Yu’s background was simply lacking.

After graduating from culinary school, he directly applied to be a kitchen helper; he had never dealt with such work before.

Young, inexperienced.

Yao Yihang felt he had a much higher starting point than Fu Yu.

Except for being better-looking, Fu Yu had nothing to surpass him.

And, clearly, people around him shared this view.

But last night’s events really surprised Yao Yihang.

Unexpectedly, this kid Fu Yu had been hiding his talents!

Normally not showing off, but quietly impressing the boss all at once.

It left a bitter taste in Yao Yihang’s heart, feeling he was surpassed.

Yao Yihang glanced at Fu Yu.

Determined, this won’t do, he must find a chance to show off in the future!

Fu Yu’s experience had already proven to him that merely working silently isn’t sufficient; standing out is necessary to gain leadership’s attention.

Taking advantage of just starting work, before any customers arrived, Yao Shi gathered everyone for a small meeting.

He first briefly summarized last night’s matters, giving praise where due, and critiquing where needed.

Feeling that his earlier scolding of Fu Yu was inappropriate, Yao Shi adhered to the philosophy of giving a candy after a stick, and especially praised Fu Yu a couple of times.

Afterward, Yao Shi moved to the main focus of today’s meeting: ”However, last night also sounded an alarm for us. Despite having quite a few staff in the kitchen’s back end, there aren’t many who can actually handle a stove.”

”Therefore, I’ve decided that starting now, everyone must quickly master cooking techniques and practice handling the stove. In the near future, I will discuss with Chef Zhao and Chef Gu on how to implement this.”

The helpers instantly got excited.

Getting a chance to handle the stove?

This was a rare opportunity!

It’s known that in the kitchen, senior cooks tend to keep skills to themselves.

After all, there’s a saying ”teach the apprentice only to starve the master,” which is common in the industry.

There are only so many positions in the restaurant’s kitchen; if newcomers rise, what happens to the veterans?

However, likewise.

There are only so many stoves in the kitchen, with Chef Zhao and Chef Gu each occupying one.

When not busy, the two could manage the orders.

When extremely busy, along with Fu Yu and Yao Yihang on Gu’s side, they could still manage.

But for others.

The helpers glanced at each other.

Some had been working in the kitchen for a year, others half a year, but usually, they only did odd jobs.

Unless the head chefs allowed, there were no opportunities to practice, with most tasks being chopping and preparing ingredients or fetching supplies.

Now suddenly being told they can practice cooking at the stove seemed like a pie dropping from the sky.

Yao Shi was always succinct during meetings, and with that matter settled, he dismissed everyone.

But before he could reach his stove, his phone rang.

Boss Dong Jun Tian summoned several restaurant managers for a meeting in the office.

Once everyone was gathered.

Dong Jun Tian said, ”Last night, everyone cooperated very well, successfully completing the orders for the customers.”

”Of course, this matter also highlighted the need to expedite the restaurant’s renovations.”

Dong Jun Tian said to the accountant Xin Li, ”I’ve arranged to have dinner with the construction company’s boss tonight, you’ll come along.”

Xin Li nodded, ”Okay, Boss.”

Dong Jun Tian then looked at Yao Shi, ”Aside from the renovation, I noticed there’s also a considerable issue with our kitchen!”

Yao Shi quickly said, ”Boss, I just mentioned this during their meeting.”

Curious, Dong Jun Tian asked, ”Oh? What good ideas do you have?”

Yao Shi explained his plan to train the helpers to operate the stove, aiming for everyone in the kitchen to at least be able to step in with simple dishes when overwhelmed.

Dong Jun Tian nodded in agreement, ”Your idea is very good, but implementing it will be difficult. In our kitchen, aside from you, true chefs are only Old Zhao and Lao Gu.”

”From last night’s event, I think someone like Fu Yu, who has a good foundation, could be specially trained, to potentially select the best among them for solo cooking. The kitchen need not only have two head chefs; if there’s enough talent, it could definitely be adjusted to have three head chefs responsible for cooking.”

Everyone began murmuring upon hearing this.

The boss intends to expand the number of head chefs and promote another one!

Yao Shi was also taken aback.

Fu Yu was someone he intended to groom in the music restaurant.

He didn’t expect Fu Yu to catch Dong Jun Tian’s eye now.

This was tricky!

Dong Jun Tian continued, ”As for the testing and promotion opportunities, I think we shouldn’t wait. On a day with fewer customers, let’s directly have the kitchen staff demonstrate their cooking skills. If we say it’s a fair competition, let’s ensure it’s truly fair and just.”