The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Wang Yulong has worked at Shangshi Private Kitchen for over twenty years, and he’s cooked this sea salt steamer chicken more than a few hundred times.

As he skillfully wrapped the chicken with gauze paper, he instructed Fu Yu: ”When wrapping the chicken, make sure the smooth side is inside, pinch the corners and wrap it inwards, from left to right... yes, start folding here, the angle must be perfectly parallel...”

Fu Yu’s hands were exceptionally agile, able to replicate Wang Yulong’s actions almost perfectly after just watching once.

This unknowingly changed Wang Yulong’s teaching attitude.

He remained calm on the surface but his tone became noticeably more amiable, and he explained in more detail.

”Once wrapped with gauze paper, use bamboo paper to wrap it again. When wrapping the chicken with gauze, brush a layer of oil to prevent the chicken skin from sticking to the paper. However, no need to oil the bamboo paper.”

Fu Yu nodded, and with his previous experience wrapping gauze, he quickly wrapped the chicken with bamboo paper, ensuring it was tight and smooth.

However, his hands were covered in oil and the two plates in front of him were wet, so he casually asked for help: ”Chef Wang, could you press the bamboo paper for me? Sorry to trouble you.”

Wang Yulong glanced back and readily helped.

Fu Yu quickly wiped the plates clean with a tissue before placing the wrapped chicken onto one.

The two had a pleasant rhythm going back and forth.

Liu Zhangpeng, multitasking, kept an eye on Fu Yu out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing Wang Yulong help press the bamboo paper upon Fu Yu’s request, Liu Zhangpeng couldn’t help but sigh.

Oh well, oh well!

Even the master hasn’t said anything, and here he is, worrying unnecessarily.

Instead of fretting, he should focus on finishing his task; it’s getting late, and it’ll be midnight before he’s home.

Thinking of home, his mind began to wander...

Seeing Fu Yu place the cast iron pot on the stove, Wang Yulong instructed: ”Preheat on low heat, place the chicken into the pot, and spread salt on the bottom, ensuring it’s at least two fingers deep.”

”And when placing the chicken, make sure the fold of the bamboo paper faces up to retain the chicken juice.”

Fu Yu complied, working with Wang Yulong to sprinkle the remaining salt around the chicken.

The cast iron pot was deep, with room to spare after placing the chicken.

Fu Yu eyed the pot then turned to Wang Yulong: ”Chef Wang, can we put in a couple of eggs?”

Wang Yulong was taken aback.

Liu Zhangpeng, who was keeping an eye on them, also blinked.

What’s the need for eggs?

Fu Yu replied: ”I’m a bit hungry.”

Just as Wang Yulong was about to ask why, he couldn’t help but chuckle at the response.

After all, he’s aged and his appetite isn’t what it used to be.

But Fu Yu, in his twenties, was at the peak of his physical potential, able to eat and drink heartily.

Approaching 11:00, it’s understandable to be hungry.

Moreover, Fu Yu... was impressive! He had some skill!

When making steamer chicken, if a pot’s capacity allows, experienced old chefs often make a small treat for themselves, like steamed eggs as a snack.

Fu Yu knowing about this was unexpected.

Wang Yulong, understanding, smiled and nodded, instructing the staff to bring some eggs, distributing several red-skinned ones among the three cast iron pots according to the number of people.

Cover the pots and let them simmer over medium heat until the lids are hot to the touch, then reduce to low heat to slowly steam.

As Wang Yulong worked, he reminded them: ”The cast iron pot seals well, skipping the traditional step of wet towels on the lid, and the heat for steaming shouldn’t be too intense to avoid burning the chicken skin.”

Fu Yu nodded.

This method of cooking sea salt steamer chicken in a cast iron pot was gradually developed by the Liu Family’s descendants.

Hence, Wang Yulong’s instructions were culinary wisdom passed down through generations of trial and error.

Extremely valuable!

During the wait, a server came with a message saying the customers had arrived, urging the kitchen to expedite serving the dishes.

In the pot, the steamer chicken was almost ready.

The three chickens had been placed into the pots at different times.

Wang Yulong began by handling his own.

He lifted the lid and specifically called Fu Yu over for a closer look.

”See that?”

Fu Yu nodded.

The pot lid was designed to condense steam into water droplets that returned to the pot’s bottom.

Beyond that, you could see the holes where the water droplets passed.

Wang Yulong said: ”This prevents the food from becoming dry and stringy.”

With a cloth, Wang Yulong poured out some salt from the pot, releasing a cloud of steam.

”Whoa!”

Wang Yulong took a breath: ”It’s really hot!”

Then he shook off the salt from the bamboo paper, used tongs to lift the whole chicken out.

Using chopsticks, he unwrapped the paper to reveal the tender chicken inside.

Wang Yulong deftly removed the paper and plated the chicken.

As he worked, he guided: ”Spread a little sesame oil while it’s hot, it enhances the flavor and gives the skin a bright sheen, keeping it moist up close.”

It’s a clever trick.

Fu Yu memorized it well.

Following Wang Yulong’s method, he unwrapped his own steamer chicken and brushed a thin layer of sesame oil over it.

The whole process was quick for Fu Yu.

After all, dismantling the paper and applying oil wasn’t too challenging.

Afterward, Fu Yu said: ”Chef Wang, it’s ready.”

Wang Yulong nodded, quite satisfied.

Meanwhile, Liu Zhangpeng, having just removed the hot paper wrap, overheard and instinctively glanced over.

He saw the plated chicken, already glazed with sesame oil.

Meanwhile, he was still a step behind.

The speed caught Liu Zhangpeng a bit off guard.

This was just too fast!

Couldn’t the young people work a bit more carefully, more steadily?

”Chef Fu, you’ve already finished oiling it?”

Fu Yu nodded: ”Yeah, it’s ready to be divided.”

Wang Yulong looked at Fu Yu, suddenly thoughtful, and said: ”Great job, by the way, dividing the whole chicken shouldn’t be an issue for you either, right?”

When they previously made gourd chicken, Fu Yu’s de-boning skills under Liu Yunong had been genuinely impressive!

If he could de-bone so proficiently, dividing a whole chicken should be no problem.

After all, once you master one, you often master them all.

[Ding! NPC Chef Wang Yulong’s stage task, second phase, cooking sea salt steamer chicken, has been successfully completed, with rewards: task experience +10, Wang Yulong’s favorability +5]

Huh?

They rewarded him even before the final plating was complete?

Before Fu Yu could think further, an electronic prompt sounded again:

[Ding! NPC Chef Wang Yulong’s stage task, third phase, whole chicken division, must reach perfection level. Task completion reward: Random]

There’s even a third phase task?

Whole chicken division, perfect level?

Fu Yu hesitated a bit.

He had done whole chicken division before and practiced diligently.

But all his experience was with raw chicken.

Now, these chickens were roasted, making the process different for dividing.