The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Before the car reached Qianlima, Fu Yu received a call from Zhao Meng.

He was asked to go directly to the back kitchen to help out after returning.

Zhao Meng was on the late shift today and noticed that the business in the restaurant seemed to be getting better and better since lunchtime.

After a busy and tiring day, by evening, he suddenly received a pre-order list from the order taker.

Upon closer inspection, he saw that his name was clearly written on it.

Once again, it was four regular customers who specifically named him.

When he posted the order on the kitchen wall, he saw that the orders formed a complete list, totaling ten full tables, and all were scheduled for tomorrow’s banquet.

This caught Zhao Meng completely off-guard!

He understood what his situation was all too well.

Even if he completely ignored rotational orders, finishing these ten banquet orders by meal time would be quite challenging.

But the problem is, he simply couldn’t ignore all the rotational orders.

Gu Yunwu was also busy with regulars’ orders and taking all the rotational orders, making it impossible to manage.

Furthermore, the meal time was only three hours at lunchtime and three hours in the evening.

For a single banquet table, even with two people cooking together, it would take at least forty minutes, and it’s impossible to cook them all even if they were to cook non-stop!

If the serving time is delayed and customers complain, affecting their dining experience, who can bear such responsibility!

Thinking about this, Zhao Meng felt anxious.

The back kitchen was just starting to organize orders; if any issues arose on his end, it would be like putting eye drops into the boss’s eyes.

However, the order had already been received, and the only thing to do was to prepare the ingredients that could be made in advance.

So, Zhao Meng decided to work overtime in the back kitchen tonight.

He called Fu Yu, worried that, as usual, Fu Yu would rush to clean the house during his free time.

He specifically called him back to work.

Fu Yu thought the back kitchen was too busy with orders, so he hurried back.

Upon arriving, he saw Zhao Meng busy directing a few helpers in preparing ingredients.

Fu Yu rushed over and asked with concern, ”Chef Zhao, what happened?”

Zhao Meng instructed Sun Qingning and then turned back to Fu Yu, worriedly saying, ”We received an order tonight, and tomorrow four more tables of regulars are coming over, and it’s all banquet tables!”

Fu Yu was taken aback, ”Isn’t that a good thing?”

Zhao Meng pointed at the kitchen wall, ”The problem is they’re all set for tomorrow, plus six tables from yesterday, making it ten tables, all banquets!”

Fu Yu frowned, ”What a coincidence!”

”There have been regulars coming in before, but the most was only two tables, right? But... how come suddenly there are ten groups now!”

Fu Yu suddenly realized the problem was troublesome.

If these ten parties had a few small banquets, they could just be busy and get through it.

But the problem is, all ten tables are banquets!

The largest table ordered sixteen dishes, it must be a family gathering, right?

And the booking times are coincidentally all during peak meal hours.

Four tables at lunchtime, that’s okay, not taking rotational orders might still be manageable.

But for these six tables in the evening, three of them are scheduled at the same time, all at six o’clock.

It’s definitely not possible to finish them all!

Zhao Meng frowned, ”Exactly! If they were staggered, it would work, but what about tomorrow night?”

Fu Yu reminded, ”Chef Zhao, shouldn’t we notify the front? What if more orders come in tomorrow?”

The restaurant takes orders a day ahead at most, with most customers reserving for lunch in the morning and for dinner at noon.

If a couple more tables come in, it would be impossible to handle.

Zhao Meng nodded; Gao Wenjing, as the leader, shouldn’t have left yet.

Zhao Meng directly took out his phone and called Gao Wenjing.

During mealtime, Gao Wenjing was also busy.

Zhao Meng called once, no response, then called again.

It took a while before Gao Wenjing answered, sounding puzzled, ”Hello? Chef Zhao? What’s up?”

Zhao Meng rarely contacts Gao Wenjing during working hours.

Usually, if there’s a problem, it’s often Gao Wenjing who comes to the back kitchen to find someone.

Zhao Meng got straight to the point, ”Xiaogao, could you let the order-taking staff know that if any more orders for me come in, can they help schedule the date?”

Gao Wenjing was a little taken aback, ”Huh? It’s Luo Miao’s shift today, haven’t heard her mention anything? What’s wrong?”

Zhao Meng is always straightforward, and now since he wasn’t in a good mood, his tone was naturally a little harsh, ”They didn’t even check the back kitchen’s situation and just took orders directly. As a result, for tomorrow alone, I have ten orders for regulars, all banquets. We simply can’t keep up. If the serving time gets delayed, there will definitely be issues!”

Gao Wenjing was slightly stunned, ”Chef Zhao, the order staff are just responsible for recording and notifying. If you can’t manage, why not have Chef Gu help out, like always? Customers who call to reserve tables can’t be turned away, right?”

This made Zhao Meng angry enough to hang up the phone.

What was his relationship with Gu Yunwu right now?

Those not in the back kitchen are unclear, but who in the back kitchen isn’t well aware!

Getting Gu Yunwu to help take orders that regulars specifically come for?

This is obviously creating trouble!

But if he didn’t do it and two more orders come in tomorrow, he definitely won’t manage it.

If the serving is delayed and orders are canceled?

The regulars who come specifically for him have been slowly accumulated over the years; if they were offended and never returned, it would be a loss to the restaurant!

Zhao Meng hesitated for a moment, then turned to Fu Yu and said, ”Go change your clothes; we’re starting ingredient preparation early tonight. I’ll call Chef Gu in a bit to see if they can help with orders tomorrow.”

After Fu Yu changed into his work clothes, Zhao Meng stepped aside to call Gu Yunwu.

The call was connected quickly, ”Hello, Old Zhao?”

Zhao Meng lightly cleared his throat and asked, ”Not driving, right?”

Gu Yunwu: ”No, what’s up, is there something?”

”I have a few regular customer orders, and I probably can’t take rotational orders tomorrow.”

Once he started, the rest came naturally.

Zhao Meng: ”And several banquets are concentrated in the evening. I’m thinking if you’re able to manage tomorrow, could you help out here?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yunwu immediately understood and smiled, thinking: this is quite effective!

He readily replied, ”Sure, if I can manage tomorrow evening, I’ll help you out.”

Zhao Meng didn’t expect Gu Yunwu to be so accommodating, gratefully saying, ”Thanks.”

Gu Yunwu warmly replied, ”Hey, no need for such formalities between us.”

Zhao Meng chuckled, ”Alright, I have nothing else, I’ll hang up then.”

With Gu Yunwu’s agreement, Zhao Meng felt relieved.

At least, he had some added assurance.