The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Ai Houkuan was busy managing everything.

Finally, after waiting for everyone else to finish talking with the old leader, he approached.

He presented two boxes of tea to Wang Qingyu.

The tea was brought back with the help of his relatives, genuine Maojian from that year, with exceptional quality.

After giving the gift, Ai Houkuan was at a loss for words.

The old office director Wang Qingyu looked at Ai Houkuan and sighed internally.

In truth, Ai Houkuan wasn’t quite suitable for this position.

He promoted him simply because he saw himself in the young man.

To say he’s considerate, after working together for several years, Ai Houkuan was indeed thoughtful.

He owed a lot to him, and their relationship was genuinely good.

However, this recommendation was just a matter of convenience, and he nominated two people in total, with Ai Houkuan getting through.

He got through smoothly and without issues.

From top to bottom, there wasn’t a single voice of opposition.

Even Wang Qingyu found this result quite surprising.

But upon reflection, Ai Houkuan was diligent, not fond of talking, and focused on doing real work.

After all these years, he could please himself this much, naturally, it was the same for others.

Understanding this point, Wang Qingyu valued Ai Houkuan even more.

He patted Ai Houkuan on the shoulder, gave a few instructions, and mentioned Xiao Peng’s stomach problem.

He also explained the location of the dinner gathering that evening.

”We are few in number, easy to arrange. In the evening, you drive, don’t bring a driver.”

Ai Houkuan quickly nodded and agreed: ”Sure, I’ll listen to you.”

Wang Qingyu added, ”Originally, actually, we could entertain in our canteen, but since Xiao Peng is returning from the provincial city this time, tonight’s meal will serve as a welcome for him, so eating at the canteen is not ideal.”

Upon hearing this, Ai Houkuan quickly suggested, ”How about we treat the leaders to some local specialty dishes, how about it?”

Wang Qingyu asked, ”Which one?”

Ai Houkuan said, ”If we talk about authentic old restaurants, it’d definitely be Qianlima, if not, then Four Seas Banquet. Their lamb spine pot counts as a local specialty.”

Wang Qingyu shook his head, directing, ”No, Qianlima is a seafood restaurant, the prices there are too high, and the setup is too grand, not suitable.”

”Four Seas Banquet, the dishes are not satisfactory. After all, they are leaders, you can’t just let them fish meat from the same pot with you, right?”

Only after hearing this did Ai Houkuan realize that the arrangement was indeed inappropriate.

So he sincerely inquired, ”Then where should we arrange it?”

Wang Qingyu thought for a moment and said, ”If it’s really not possible, let’s arrange to go to Shangshi Private Kitchen?”

Ai Houkuan had truly been there.

Shangshi Private Kitchen was quite famous, dishes were well-prepared, and they featured unique private kitchen dishes.

Moreover, the most crucial point was that the establishment was very low-key.

Suitable for hosting leaders.

Ai Houkuan nodded immediately: ”Alright, then we’ll book there, I’ll contact them now to reserve a spot.”

Wang Qingyu instructed, ”Don’t forget to first check today’s menu.”

At the Shangshi Private Kitchen, the dishes changed daily, and what dishes could be enjoyed depended entirely on luck.

Knowing in advance what dishes are available today makes it easier to decide later on which wine to pair, and how to entertain.

Ai Houkuan hurriedly went to make a phone call.

Upon returning, he handed the menu to Wang Qingyu.

Wang Qingyu looked over it and nodded: ”Alright, let’s arrange it like this.”

Then he also guided Ai Houkuan on future work, how to arrange leaders’ seating at events, and who is responsible for office procurement relationships.

After talking for a while, Wang Qingyu sighed: ”Oh well.”

After speaking, he pointed at a work log: ”Just follow what’s in here, how much hospitality expenses, who to get approval from, which department to submit for reimbursement, all according to precedents...”

After speaking, he patted Ai Houkuan on the shoulder: ”Xiaomiao, I’ve taught you up to here.”

After these words, Ai Houkuan almost shed tears.

Filled with overwhelming gratitude, he couldn’t express it, but he remembered the cultivation of the old leader deeply in his heart.

...

Fu Yu hurriedly took a taxi to Shangshi Private Kitchen.

As soon as he entered the back kitchen, he happened to hear Liu Zhangpeng gossiping with a younger worker.

”People haven’t arrived yet, they say the dinner starts at six thirty. Chef Liu, is it really the city’s leaders coming?”

Liu Zhangpeng nodded: ”Yes, that’s how it was stated during the reservation, asking us to help prepare the private room.”

”Who’s coming?” The young worker was incredibly curious, at the mention of city leaders, he felt it must be some big shots.

Liu Zhangpeng replied casually: ”Who cares who comes, we won’t meet them anyway. Even if you met them, could you tell which official it is?”

The young worker thought for a moment, chuckled, and went over to lend a hand.

Liu Zhangpeng turned around and saw Fu Yu coming over, quickly smiling and greeting, ”Xiaofu, you’re here!”

Everyone in the back kitchen knew that the boss specifically called Fu Yu back to learn how to cook secret dishes.

Thus, with great insight, they all gave Fu Yu a respectful look.

Fu Yu also felt it, everyone was especially warm and polite to him today.

That kind of politeness was different from the usual closeness, carrying an undertone of flattery.

Fu Yu was a bit surprised, but now he was somewhat experienced, and he didn’t ask even if he didn’t understand.

It’s a good thing when others show goodwill to you, something that can’t be sought.

The reasons would eventually become clear.

After all, there’s no wall in the world that doesn’t leak wind.

Among everyone, the happiest to see Fu Yu was Liu Yunong.

Even Wang Yulong noticed that Liu Yunong’s previously stormy face had finally cleared up.

After greeting everyone, Fu Yu approached Liu Yunong, smiling and asked, ”Master, what should I work on?”

Liu Yunong, for once, wasn’t in a hurry.

She glanced at the preparation situation and said, ”Today, just assist me in making the State Banquet Dongpo Pork, the other dishes are handled by Chef Wang and Chef Liu.”

With that, she handed the menu to Fu Yu.

Fu Yu looked through it one by one.

Familiar dishes noted in mind.

Unfamiliar dishes were carefully inquired about their general preparation methods.

After a look, Fu Yu was somewhat surprised. Of today’s ten dishes, there were seven semi-finished dishes, plus one soup.

This was a dish arrangement mode typically used when the two main chefs in the back kitchen were off.

Today with the full staff, such an arrangement could only mean that the preparation of the two current dishes required a lot of effort and time.

Besides the State Banquet Dongpo Pork, there was also a Crispy Yellow Dish.

Crispy Yellow Dish definitely needed to be made fresh and eaten fresh, though the process was a bit cumbersome, it was easy for a chef like Wang Yulong to handle this dish.

Thinking of this, Fu Yu began to look forward to the preparation method of the State Banquet Dongpo Pork even more.

Fu Yu could make Dongpo Pork.

This dish wasn’t something he learned from Zhao Meng at Qianlima, but rather practiced at banquets at a music restaurant.

The approach to Dongpo Pork varied from place to place, with the flavor crafted to the local’s taste preferences, resulting in slight differences in sugar and salt ratios.

However, regardless of the method, the main ingredient had to be pork, with the meat being fragrant, tender, fatty yet not greasy.

Liu Yunong had the assistant prepare blocks of perfectly rectangular pork, about two inches in size, half fat and half lean.

”This is pure home-raised pork I’ve purchased from the countryside, grown on beans, you’ll know once you taste it.”

”This is the best quality local pork I’ve come across. Their family raises pigs well, and I’ve already signed a long-term contract with them to source pork from them in the future.”

The procurement path was also facilitated by someone connecting them.

Liu Yunong wasn’t a local, unfamiliar with the area and lacking extensive connections.

But she knew two friends who were Bei’an people, and whenever she needed something, a phone call and they would handle it.

In the circle, reaching Liu Yuqing’s level of influence, she no longer needed to actively meet others.

Instead, others were eager to get acquainted with her.

Mutually assisting, benefitting each other.

Fu Yu reached out and touched the pork, confirming Liu Yunong’s statement.

The pork was indeed excellent and very fresh, especially suitable for making Dongpo Pork.

Good dishes, delicious flavor, the foundation of cooking is good ingredients.