The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The two customers both booked the Eight Dishes and Eight Bowls feast.

Fu Yu had done it twice before, so he was already familiar with it.

Yao Shi checked today’s work at the restaurant and discussed with Fu Yu: ”Today, I arranged for you to take a day off, initially to take on this in-home service job. Now, the restaurant can manage without you being busy. What do you think, how about setting up a table for them tonight?”

Fu Yu naturally had no objections.

He came to the music restaurant for work today, so he would follow however the boss arranged.

Seeing Fu Yu agree, Yao Shi was quite happy.

Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and after today’s day off, there likely won’t be another break until after the holiday.

Over on the customer’s side, although the time was arranged by the restaurant, it wouldn’t be good to delay for too long.

If he can manage one order now, the other one could be done in the next few days without much issue.

Then Yao Shi contacted the two customers separately.

Wang Nuannuan agreed immediately, sounding quite pleased.

The couple usually lived with the parents-in-law, so if Fu Yu could come provide service, then there wouldn’t be a need to cook at home tonight.

The other customer had things happening at home, so they relinquished the opportunity.

After arranging the time for the in-home service, Fu Yu proactively headed to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients needed for tonight.

It was still early; if he could prepare in advance, he could also help out in the kitchen.

Yao Shi stopped him: ”No need, go to the dressing room first, I’ll have someone bring you two sets of chef uniforms to try on for size.”

Fu Yu was puzzled. He was already wearing his recently changed work clothes. Why did he need to try something else?

Yao Shi smiled and said, ”This is something you might not understand, do you know what packaging marketing is?”

Fu Yu felt like he understood a bit.

”Packaging marketing, like the dishes at this music restaurant are considered packaging marketing, right? Change the dish name, alter the plating style, and the price can more than double.”

Yao Shi, hearing him finish, thought to himself: this kid is quite straightforward too.

But he said, ”That’s right, if dishes can be packaged, so can people.”

”The first impression customers have of a chef starts with their attire. If their clothes are untidy or outdated, it’s hard for them to truly gain the customer’s respect. Even if the food is delicious, they will only get labeled as ’a cook who can make good food’ and not ’a chef with excellent culinary skills.’”

Fu Yu nodded, acknowledging it made sense.

Even at Qianlima, there were exclusive chef uniforms for everyone, and each had two sets to switch out for washing.

However, style-wise, it was quite ordinary without any special features.

Unlike the music restaurant, where both style and materials were evidently custom-made and very attractive.

When he got to the dressing room and saw the chef uniform that Yao Shi asked him to try on, Fu Yu suddenly understood what was meant by packaging marketing.

The set of chef uniforms Yao Shi had sent included not just clothes, but also an apron and hat.

The clothes were white, and the apron was long and black.

The cuffs, collar, and front placket were trimmed with black embroidery.

The material was pressed to give it a certain stiffness, with distinct edges.

The buttons were black, and the hat was particularly tall, estimated to be at least 30 cm high.

The whole outfit on him looked exceptionally high-end and classy.

Both sets of chef clothes brought over were of the same style, just different sizes.

Fu Yu tried on both and decided on the one that fit best.

All dressed, Fu Yu stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself.

It’s no wonder they say clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse.

This custom-made chef uniform made him feel like his worth increased significantly.

Yao Shi saw this and nodded with satisfaction: ”Each chef in our kitchen has one of these, ready for any in-house service jobs.”

”The chef uniform with a good design and fabric leaves a professional impression on customers. A well-tailored fit gives one a better mental outlook.”

Yao Shi pointed to the uniquely designed in-house restaurant logo on Fu Yu’s chest and smiled: ”Moreover, tailored chef uniforms fit the body better, providing a clean and sanitary impression and highlighting the restaurant’s culture, emphasizing each chef’s personal style and elevating personal status from a local level.”

How reasonable!

Fu Yu nodded in agreement.

Then Yao Shi arranged: ”When you go in the afternoon, take an assistant. I’ve already chosen—Tian Lei will go with you.”

Tian Lei is one of the leading cooks at the music restaurant.

Due to his short time in the industry and recently starting on the stove, he was assigned under Chef Lin to take orders together.

He was not tall but very sturdy, usually quiet and meticulous in his work.

Sending him with Fu Yu for in-house service, Yao Shi felt assured because Tian Lei left a reliable impression.

Fu Yu also knew Tian Lei. Though they hadn’t talked much, the impression was positive.

But, having an assistant with him for in-home service—was that okay?

After arranging, Yao Shi joked: ”You’re my top chef going out, you need to have some flair, right?”

Hearing this, Fu Yu understood.

His service fee was raised by Liu Yici, and his appearance finally met the standard—how could he not have an assistant?

No matter who actually does the cooking in the kitchen, the setup has to look right.

Whether he enters a place awkwardly with everything in tow or accompanied by an assistant carrying a bag,

Comparatively, the latter certainly adds more value to his image.

Liu Yici could boast for him once but not every time depending solely on her help.

Fu Yu wanted to establish his reputation in Bei’an City by first establishing his image and reputation.

Yao Shi was an excellent example!

Already having the basic conditions, good physique, and image, with some marketing packaging, he completely embodied a top chef from a high-end restaurant seen on TV.

As he accepted their service fee, Fu Yu naturally aimed to provide the most perfect service in return.

In short, Yao Shi’s career plan for Fu Yu was to start with his image and then position himself with his culinary skills.

Sometimes, properly building and maintaining a personal image can often determine how others perceive you, affecting their judgment of your professional ability and employment qualification.

In Yao Shi’s view, with Fu Yu’s original conditions all set, not utilizing it was a waste.

Fu Yu had no objections to Yao Shi’s arrangements.

So Yao Shi went to the kitchen and made a quick notification.

Others didn’t react much,

because it was customary for them that whenever a top chef took on an in-home service job, they’d pick an assistant from the kitchen to help out.

Only Tian Lei, who was selected, showed surprise.

What?

He was to assist Fu Yu!