The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 285: Chapter 284: Birthday Longevity Noodle

Zhang Qun just mentioned it casually, after all, the matter hasn’t been finalized yet.

Zhang Qun gave Fu Yu a heads up: ”This issue has been brought up several times, but those judges aren’t very inclined towards it. Currently, only Li Chongfu and Zhang Zhiyuan have nodded in agreement. However, they also stated that whether they will actually take apprentices in the end depends on the qualifications of the contestants this year.”

Fu Yu asked with interest, ”And Liu Yunong? Did she refuse?”

Zhang Qun felt a bit awkward when this was mentioned, ”She just started her own business, so she’s probably extremely busy. As soon as our leaders brought up the idea of taking apprentices, she clearly refused. But she does have good qualifications and is a beautiful celebrity chef. Our leaders still hope to collaborate with her because promoting with this could definitely draw more attention to this chef competition event!”

”For this charming city selection, our city is determined to win. There are strict orders from above to make the event well-known. Whatever it takes, get it done!”

”Liu Yunong is a promising talent. If the apprenticeship event is handled well, it’s a win-win situation. Our leaders are planning to invite her to invest and set up a branch in our city. On one hand, it’s part of attracting investment, and on the other, she’d definitely receive some preferential policies, as a sort of benefit from the apprenticeship event.”

”Right now, our leaders are actively communicating with these judges. Just before leaving work earlier, I overheard the leaders say that Dai Jinghe is already somewhat softening his stance. He also mentioned, like the other judges, that he could take apprentices if the candidates are truly suitable. Otherwise, there’s nothing that can be done.”

Zhang Qun took a bite of roasted skewered tendon and muttered, ”But I think these judges will eventually agree to participate in this event. After all, the city is investing heavily in the competition this time, and with the intention of using the apprenticeship as a gimmick for good publicity, they can’t let the opportunity slip. In the end, even if they have to force it, they have to get things done.”

Fu Yu nodded.

Arm cannot twist the thigh, as the saying goes.

And being ranked as a charming city is a source of pride for all the residents of Bei’an.

Fu Yu was also looking forward to it in his heart.

Unknowingly, Fu Yu had already started to consider Bei’an his second hometown.

Zhang Qun clinked his glass with Fu Yu’s and asked, ”Have you thought about it? If they let you choose a mentor during the competition, who would you choose?”

In Fu Yu’s heart, his mentor was Zhao Meng.

The issue with Yao Shi was tied to a system task. Once he gained Yao Shi’s approval, the apprenticeship would naturally follow suit.

Aside from that, taking on another mentor?

Fu Yu hesitated a bit.

He wasn’t sure if that would affect his task with Yao Shi.

Moreover, those four judges didn’t seem genuinely interested in accepting apprentices, probably just going through the motions.

After all, apprenticeship in culinary arts is different from other fields.

In trades where one makes a living through skill, learning under a master is how craft is passed down to future generations.

Without a master, it’s like ”water without a source, wood without roots,” strictly speaking, without a master, one hasn’t truly entered the field.

In the culinary world, it’s still believed that if you haven’t apprenticed, you’re ”not born from within the industry,” or informally, ”not formal.”

So both taking on apprentices and becoming an apprentice is a big deal.

Masters choose apprentices based on connection and talent.

Apprentices choose masters based on reputation and skill.

Once decided, it’s almost a lifelong commitment.

Deep down, Fu Yu took the matter of apprenticeship very seriously.

As a result, he instinctively rejected the apprenticeship event tied to the cooking competition.

Zhang Qun hadn’t experienced apprenticeship, nor understood the rules of master-student inheritance.

He enthusiastically suggested to Fu Yu, ”While there’s still time, you should prepare in advance, at least have a number in your mind and clearly decide who you want as your master. Since the higher-ups want this event, the lower levels will definitely find ways to cooperate. If the host suddenly asks you who you want to apprentice to, you should be able to choose immediately.”

Fu Yu agreed with his reasoning.

After all, it’s just a gimmick that ends once the competition is over.

Fu Yu casually said, ”Then I’ll choose Liu Yunong!”

At least she looks more pleasing to the eye than the others.

Just go with it, that’ll do!

When Zhang Qun heard this, he immediately said in disdain, ”Choose her? If you ask me, you’d be better off choosing Dai Jinghe or Zhang Zhiyuan! They’re much more famous! If you can leave an impression, you might be able to use that connection in the future.”

Fu Yu thought to himself, I wasn’t planning on apprenticing anyway.

Since it’s just a formality, who cares who you apprentice under!

Moreover, Liu Yunong is a descendant of Lady Liu, which brings a bit of celebrity effect.

Fu Yu was quite looking forward to meeting Liu Yunong in person.

...

After this gathering, Fu Yu threw himself back into his busy work.

Time moved on to the end of September.

No matter how hot the weather had been before or how intense the summer atmosphere was, a single autumn rain signaled that it was time for fall to make its entrance.

September 25th was Zhao Meng’s birthday.

Fu Yu specifically got up early, heading to the kitchen at 5:30 in the morning to start making dragon beard noodles.

The previous year, when he had just entered the kitchen, he and Zhao Meng weren’t as close as they were now.

No one knew it was Zhao Meng’s birthday until he suddenly organized a dinner in the evening.

At that time, Fu Yu happened to overhear Zhao Meng mentioning his birthday while chatting with Yao Shi.

Somehow, Fu Yu memorized this date.

Zhao Meng treated Fu Yu well, and Fu Yu wanted to personally make Zhao Meng a bowl of longevity noodles.

He specifically reviewed the classic old flavor recipes.

Fortunately, this cookbook contained various specialty dishes from the red side, as well as various specialty noodles from the white side.

Fu Yu chose to make this classic noodle dish: [Birthday Long Longevity Noodles].

With all the ingredients prepared, Fu Yu began cooking.

He mixed the flour into a dough and placed it into a bowl.

First, he stirred it with chopsticks into a fluffy texture before kneading it into a dough.

He covered the kneaded dough with plastic wrap to let it rest.

During this time, Fu Yu started preparing other ingredients.

He sliced the lean meat and cleaned the sea oysters and bok choy.

He soaked the dried mushrooms in warm water for ten minutes before slicing them.

During that time, he chopped the green onions into minced whites and scallions.

Since acquiring time management skills, Fu Yu no longer worried about wasting a single second during cooking.

He poured half a small bowl of oil into the pan. Once the oil heated, he added minced green onion whites, fried for a few seconds, then poured out half of the oil for later use, leaving half in the pan.

He added the shredded meat and mushroom strips to stir-fry, seasoning with a little salt.

Once the meat was cooked, he added the sea oysters and poured in three small bowls of clear water.

While the water was boiling, he went back to making noodles.