The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Gu Yunwu was dumbfounded, unable to believe it.

But the facts were right before his eyes.

In the video, Fu Yu adeptly and smoothly cooked the salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp.

During the improvement process, both the angle and speed of his cuts were exceptionally precise.

In all honesty, Gu Yunwu reflected that he might also need repeated practice to achieve such a level.

Realizing this, Gu Yunwu fell silent.

How did Fu Yu hone such exquisite knife skills?

Moreover, how did he come up with the idea to improve this dish?

Mantis shrimp, unlike other seafood, have very hard shells.

If the cuts were made before cooking, it would inevitably cause the shell to warp, affecting the final presentation.

And the texture of the mantis shrimp meat would certainly be impacted as well.

Precisely because he was very familiar with and understood this dish, when he saw Fu Yu’s knife work, he instinctively considered to what extent he could achieve if it were him.

Just as he was concentrating on pondering this, Zhao Meng suddenly began to speak again.

”It’s through this matter that I had an idea. Our restaurant should actually focus on developing and promoting innovative dishes while preserving the original traditional dishes.”

”And the innovative dish Fu Yu launched this time is a very successful example.”

”According to my statistics, since the restaurant started promoting the innovative bountiful stew, its order rate has increased significantly. And since the improved salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp began to be promoted, it has become a recent popular dish, and customers will directly choose Fu Yu as the main chef when placing orders.”

”I think this matter is not a result, but an opportunity. As long as our restaurant seizes this chance, we will soon usher in another peak in customer flow!”

Zhao Meng finished speaking and instinctively glanced at Yao Shi, who was sitting calmly.

Yao Shi nodded slightly in satisfaction.

Zhao Meng felt relieved, knowing that his words had been eloquent enough.

And the others collectively fell silent.

Everyone was deep in thought.

The restaurant actually had quite a few innovative and improved dishes, and later even customized the menu because of this.

However, innovation in cuisines had always been overseen by Yao Shi, with Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu only joining in later stages.

But Fu Yu’s previous success suggested that perhaps this matter could benefit from collective brainstorming.

Rather than relying solely on Yao Shi’s prowess, insight, and experience, which made everyone instinctively feel that his presence was sufficient.

This new approach was indeed admirable!

Most importantly, if this method is implemented, it would provide the newcomers in the kitchen an opportunity to shine.

After all, in the current environment, to stand out and gain the attention of top chefs and leaders, one must have outstanding performances.

Even though Qianlima is somewhat renowned in Bei’an, outside the city, at the provincial level, and further beyond, it is not regarded as a particularly prestigious restaurant.

At most, it is seen as a local specialty traditional restaurant.

Even during festive seasons, efforts are needed to attract customers to place orders.

How could this be considered a renowned big restaurant?

Before Yao Shi came, Qianlima was just a two-story storefront restaurant, despite being a family legacy, it had never expanded.

Back then, Elder Dong’s idea was to firmly hold onto one restaurant, not seeking great wealth, just stability.

But when it came to Dong Jun Tian, he was bent on expanding with new branches.

Until Yao Shi returned to take full charge of the kitchen matters and eventually persuaded Dong Jun Tian to use the funds initially intended for expansion to reconstruct the restaurant.

Only then did Qianlima Restaurant truly establish itself, becoming a household name in Bei’an, and even known to a few outside the province.

But even so, beyond Bei’an, it is not on the radar.

Mainly because the restaurant’s longstanding emphasis has been on traditional flavors, which have limited appeal.

Young people might taste it once and check-in online, but will not have enduring affection for it.

And this encouragement to innovate and promote innovation was put forward at just the right moment and could very well bring new clientele and even competitiveness to Qianlima.

As the owner, Dong Jun Tian is naturally keen to see this succeed.

After carefully listening to Zhao Meng, Dong Jun Tian suddenly asked, ”Old Zhao, do you truly think this idea is feasible?”

He asked this question even though he felt it was redundant, yet he instinctively asked it anyway.

Because he actually had concerns about these innovative dishes.

Back when Yao Shi wanted a massive innovative improvement, Dong Jun Tian tried promoting it but didn’t achieve the expected effects.

This is why he feared this matter might not be smoothly executed.

Zhao Meng nodded: ”Yes, I have conducted initial statistical assessments, and the acceptance of innovative dishes by customers is very high, including the frequency of orders, post-dining reviews, and repeat visits, all summarized!”

Surprised and delighted, Dong Jun Tian slapped the table: ”Excellent!”

Then, as everyone’s attention shifted to him, Dong Jun Tian solemnly said: ”Old Zhao’s proposal is really good! In fact, we had previously tried to promote innovative specialty dishes, but since the effects weren’t ideal, we gradually reverted to promoting our traditional flavors.”

”But as Old Zhao stated, with the changing times, customers’ tastes and their demands for menu styles are changing too. We must go with the flow to retain more customers and bring more revenue to the restaurant!”

”The implementation and promotion of this matter naturally require the attempts and efforts of everyone in the back kitchen. Since everyone agrees on this proposal, then I believe we can have systematic and comprehensive discussions and negotiations to develop a specific implementation plan.”

All the while, those who hadn’t expressed an opinion: ”...”

Dong Jun Tian inquired: ”What do you all think?”

Everyone nodded.

To put it bluntly, the arms can’t twist the thighs, if the boss has decided on something, who dares to oppose it?

If the boss thinks it’s good, then it is good.

The boss orders it, they just have to execute it.

Moreover, it doesn’t concern the front service staff anyway!

At this point, Zhao Meng suddenly said: ”The reason I apologized to Chef Gu earlier was based on this very point.”

”These few orders were not something we proactively snatched, but rather customers voluntarily switched after finding out, and paid deposits.”

Zhao Meng continued: ”However, one fact is that we’ve indeed been getting quite a lot of orders lately. In fact, Fu Yu’s old customer orders have also seen a slight increase.”

”So, in terms of taking orders, we’re indeed somewhat overwhelmed, but since customers have already placed orders, we can’t refuse them.”

”Alas, to put it, we had no choice... but regardless, we indeed didn’t handle this well on our side, and I must apologize to Chef Gu!”

Zhao Meng, while speaking, suddenly smiled slightly at Gu Yunwu: ”However, I believe, with Chef Gu’s generosity and vision, he surely understands our difficulties, and in the future, he will proactively offer his help when we are overwhelmed, right?”

Gu Yunwu: ”!”

Tsk!

Zhao the idiot, Zhao the fox, you heartless scoundrel... blah blah blah...