The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Liu Yunong greeted Shen the Third politely.

The two were not very familiar with each other.

It’s just that Shen the Third often came to the restaurant to dine, leaving a deep impression on Liu Yunong, and due to Shen the Third’s status, she was very attentive in service.

Shen the Third was also not very familiar with Liu Yunong; when he occasionally came by for a meal, he would greet her politely when they met.

This encounter in Bei’an was somewhat coincidental.

Because of the cooking matter, Liu Yunong secretly observed Shen the Third several times.

Shen the Third seemed to be out on business, dressed formally in a suit, his expression normal, showing no signs of dissatisfaction with the dishes.

Liu Yunong felt a bit uneasy, so she exchanged a few polite words.

Shen the Third casually said, ”I happened to be handling some business here, and I heard you opened a branch, so I came to try it out. The decor here is quite similar to the main store.”

Liu Yunong nodded, ”Yes, the chain stores replicate the décor of the main store.”

Shen the Third glanced down and smiled, ”But it seems you’ve got some new chefs? Are the chefs here skilled? The dishes are well-cooked; they’re not those modified ones. I find them quite authentic, truly the classic old flavors. Actually, your dishes taste more authentic when cooked in the old way, which you can hardly find elsewhere...”

Liu Yunong stood there, slightly stunned, listening.

Shen the Third said, ”When I came over, I was thinking that the branch here definitely couldn’t use the chefs from the main store, so you probably had to hire some new ones. I didn’t expect you to be going back to the old brand style, which is great. I’ve always craved that taste, which I haven’t had for many years...”

”The moment the duck meat hit my mouth, I could taste it—authentic, genuine. It’s the flavor I used to have back then...”

His gaze slowly shifted to the customers sitting by the rotating counter, watching their moving figures, filled with deep memories...

Liu Yunong didn’t say a word, waiting for Shen the Third to finish chatting, then smiled and took him to the front desk to settle the bill, specially giving him a discount and seeing him off.

She didn’t even bother to explain that there weren’t any new chefs in the kitchen here, and that today’s chef was just temporarily helping out.

As long as the customers are satisfied, nothing needs to be said.

After sending off Shen the Third, Liu Yunong hurriedly returned to the kitchen: ”Fu Yu, how did you cook the tender, saucy duck before?”

Everyone raised their heads to look at Fu Yu upon hearing this.

Liu Zhangpeng’s eyes widened: ”What happened? Is the customer unsatisfied?”

Liu Yunong shook her head and said, ”No, Shen the Third said Fu Yu’s tender, saucy duck isn’t the original store flavor, but it’s exactly the same taste as the classic old method he had before. This dish has been cooked this way since I took over. I’m curious about the classic old flavor’s cooking method; is the tender, saucy duck in the store a modified version?”

With this said!

Instantly, Wang Yulong and Liu Zhangpeng’s expressions changed.

They all knew that the cooking methods of Liu Family Cuisine have always been taught hand-in-hand by the master to the apprentice.

As the master teaches, the apprentice learns.

Thus, the cooking methods are naturally passed down from generation to generation.

And when a dish is made with modified cooking methods, it is meticulously recorded, and the staff in the kitchen would all know about it.

However, the tender, saucy duck has indeed been cooked this way since taking over.

Initially, it was only heard that Liu Family Cuisine’s tender, saucy duck was developed from a modification of the Thunder God Duck’s cooking method.

If there is truly a classic old cooking method for the tender, saucy duck, then it should be the method for Thunder God Duck.

Wang Yulong thought of this and couldn’t help but ask, ”Chef Fu, the tender, saucy duck you made... is it the classic old flavor?”

Fu Yu nodded, ”I guess so. Isn’t the tender, saucy duck cooked this way? This is the way I know how to cook it. As for whether it’s the classic old flavor, I really don’t know because I haven’t tried the store’s dish and don’t know what the taste difference is between the two methods.”

Liu Yunong and Wang Yulong exchanged a glance, their eyes lit up instantly!

This kid really knows his stuff!

Being able to make Shen the Third enjoy it and even praise it shows that this dish is indeed authentic.

In the chef industry, there is intrinsically a drive to learn and inquire.

Chefs are especially interested in cooking skills they have yet to master.

Liu Yunong asked with interest, ”Fu Yu, could you tell me how you make the tender, saucy duck? I want to see what’s different from our store’s method.”

If it were someone else, Liu Yunong certainly wouldn’t ask so lightly.

After all, cooking methods are extremely important to chefs.

However, in Liu Yunong’s view, Fu Yu is her apprentice, and she has every right to ask Fu Yu for the cooking method.

There is absolutely no intention of prying into another’s culinary techniques.

After all, comparatively speaking, it is evident that Fu Yu has learned more cooking methods from her.

Liu Yunong has no intention of appropriating Fu Yu’s cooking method because there is no need for that.

Liu Family Cuisine has its unique style, with all its cooking methods handed down from generation to generation within the family. No matter how good the external methods are, they definitely can’t surpass the creations and improvements made by their own family.

Liu Yunong is merely curious, wanting to know exactly how the tender, saucy duck is cooked and how the taste differs from their store’s flavors.

Fu Yu promptly nodded, ”Sure!”

He carefully recounted step by step how he cooked the tender, saucy duck.

After listening, Liu Yunong was silent.

She initially thought that no matter what, Fu Yu’s tender, saucy duck would differ greatly from her own dish.

For instance, in terms of ingredients, cooking methods, and even the selection of materials, there would be differences.

Yet unexpectedly, except for some differences in seasoning ratios and stir-frying heat, the two cooking methods were almost identical.

If Liu Yunong hadn’t inquired about Fu Yu’s background, she would have suspected that this kid had come to their store to steal their methods.

However...

Even though the methods were nearly identical, slight changes in key seasoning ratios can indeed change the taste of an entire dish.

Liu Yunong mused in her heart, thinking that she might try out the classic-tasting tender, saucy duck herself if she gets the chance.

Thinking this, Liu Yunong’s eyes were truly full of admiration when looking at Fu Yu.

Brave and resourceful!

These traits, coupled with decisive action to solve problems while confidently relying on one’s culinary skills to satisfy customers, are things that most people wouldn’t dare to do.

Especially Fu Yu’s cooking skills, they truly leave people in awe.

Talent is something that is always inexplicable.

And having such a talented and virtuous apprentice just gives one a sense of luck along with immense pressure when thinking about it.

The blessing is that there is an heir to follow.

The pressure feels like perhaps she might not be able to teach him for too long...