The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

”Let’s get the preliminary preparations done on our side first. Fu Yu will come over tomorrow to prep the ingredients, and then we can start cooking in the afternoon.”

”That’s the best plan!”

”This way, we can ensure the most authentic Kaijiang Banquet without delaying the final serving time! So, this is the best approach. Of course, we in the kitchen must fully cooperate. Aside from assisting, we must quickly learn the cooking methods for the Kaijiang Banquet.”

At this point, Zhang Zhen said seriously, ”Old Liu, Old Lin, I understand what you’re thinking, but at this moment, smoothly completing this whole banquet setup to satisfy the customers is more important than anything. This is a major issue, not something else...”

Chef Lin still wanted to say something, but Chef Liu stopped him, saying, ”All right, Chef Zhang, we understand.”

Zhang Zhen glanced at Chef Liu, nodded, and said, ”You guys go ahead. Once the recipe is sent over, I’ll inform you.”

After giving instructions, Zhang Zhen began dealing with the various issues arising from the emergency recall, arranging staff to take their positions, explaining the reasons, soothing emotions, and assigning work.

In fact, Zhang Zhen was quite strong in emergency coordination.

Moreover, he was very rational and accurate in his self-awareness and psychological grasp of Yao Shi.

If today’s situation were handled by some other self-interested chefs and leaders,

they could completely use this as an opportunity to stir up trouble to solidify their position.

But when Zhang Zhen encountered this issue, his first thought was not about this but rather how to smoothly complete the task assigned by the boss.

This ability to get things done and the level of obedience is most commendable.

Even if he admits to himself his shortcomings, acknowledging his own culinary deficiencies, there is always a domain where he excels, which others cannot reach and is irreplaceable by him.

This is Zhang Zhen, a head chef with limited culinary skills but excellent management skills, adept at solving problems, who can ease the boss’s worries, have his subordinates obey assignments, manage everything neatly, and run the kitchen in perfect order.

...

Zhao Meng hung up the phone and stopped Fu Yu, who was about to slip away.

”Chef Yao wants you to list the Kaijiang Banquet recipes, so he can prepare the ingredients accordingly.”

Fu Yu paused.

Listing recipes, huh!

No problem.

He copied the Kaijiang Banquet recipes from the classic traditional flavor cookbook and reported them to Zhao Meng.

Zhao Meng quickly typed it up and sent it to Yao Shi.

While sending the message, Zhao Meng reminded him, ”Although Chef Yao didn’t say anything, you should still go there early tomorrow.”

Tomorrow’s appreciation event is quite a big deal.

The music restaurant is taking orders quite urgently, likely with many things that can’t be arranged in time.

Yao Shi didn’t mention having Fu Yu help overnight, but in areas where he needs to be aware, he still needs to be mindful.

Fu Yu nodded, ”I understand, don’t worry.”

Yao Shi soon sent over the specific arrangements for tomorrow after receiving the recipes.

The customer has reserved for a starting time of 5:30 p.m.

The event at the venue starts at 4:30 p.m.

The banquet consists of seventy tables, with twelve additional tables for preparation.

Seventy tables constitute a large banquet.

If following the traditional Kaijiang Banquet arrangement, each table consists of 19 dishes.

By one batch, that’s over a thousand dishes.

Yao Shi’s intention is for Fu Yu to take charge, independently preparing one table initially, with Zhang Zhen and two other chefs assisting and learning the cooking methods.

Once others can also handle cooking independently, work can be distributed among them.

The music restaurant’s kitchen still has sufficient manpower, and going through one assembly line of seventy tables is manageable.

Understanding the work arrangement for the next day, Fu Yu also felt relieved.

No matter how busy tomorrow might get, at least tonight he can rest easy.

Having time to prepare everything in advance made Fu Yu feel relieved.

He knew the system never took futile actions.

Since it gave him the classroom key to the Whole Fish Feast teaching, it was bound to give him the opportunity to showcase his culinary skills.

Leaving Zhao Meng’s room, Fu Yu returned to his own dorm.

He chose to use the key, unlocked, and went inside.

[Ding! The Whole Fish Feast teaching practice classroom is now open!]

[Whole Fish Feast: Also known as the Hundred Fish Feast, it is named as such because it primarily uses aquatic products as raw materials, employing various cutting and cooking methods to create over 500 banquet dishes. It brings together the essence of river and lake delicacies, meticulously cooked.

After being plated, it appears colorful, exudes a tempting aroma, and impresses with its delicacy. The ingredients are emphasized for their freshness, cuts are varied and delicate. It often uses its own juice or original soup to preserve the fish’s original flavor, while focusing on good appearance and nutritional balance. It contains both the light and tender southern flavors and the fresh, fragrant, salty, and spicy northern flavors.]

[First Lesson: Gutting the Fish]

...

Fu Yu blinked, looking at the familiar kitchen counter of Qianlima’s back kitchen, at the live fish placed on the cutting board by a shadowy figure.

The fish was unmistakably alive, but seemed paralyzed, lying still on the cutting board.

Fu Yu picked up the scissors and skillfully started cleaning the live fish.

...

With over 500 dishes, each one needs to be repeatedly cooked numerous times until the system is satisfied with a perfect score before moving on to the next dish.

Fu Yu felt like he was being manipulated by the system somehow.

Every time he left the teaching practice classroom, he always felt drained.

He especially wanted to smoke a cigarette.

But today, although Fu Yu felt somewhat mentally exhausted, his heart felt particularly full and satisfied.

The feeling of clearing a level bit by bit was actually quite enjoyable.

Fu Yu happily stepped into the room.

Instead of rushing to rest, he first made a phone call home.

Then, prompted by his mother, he called Lin Minghao.

At this time, Lin Minghao was busy with a live broadcast, answered the phone, and just said, ”Brother, I’m streaming now, let’s talk later when I’m free.”

Fu Yu understandingly hung up the phone.

They say enthusiasm leads to willingness to strive.

Looks like his younger brother truly found a major he loves this time.

...

The next morning, Fu Yu specially went early to the music restaurant.

But even so, when he changed clothes and went to the back kitchen, the others had almost all arrived.

Zhang Zhen hurriedly arrived at the kitchen counter with Chef Liu and Chef Lin, holding the stock inventory list and the procurement list just sent over by the buyers.

”Xiaofu! All ingredients are ready; check if anything’s missing,” Zhang Zhen said hurriedly.

Fu Yu nodded, followed Zhang Zhen into the pantry to check over all the ingredients he needed and even selected tableware for serving dishes in the bowl and plate area.

Nineteen dishes, each needs matching tableware based on the cooked dish’s characteristics.

This was originally a troublesome task.

However, with the classic traditional flavor cookbook as a reference, selecting tableware was relatively easier for Fu Yu.