The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

After finishing his words, Gu Yunwu looked at Fu Yu, feeling truly overwhelmed with emotions!

”If Feng Xiaoxiao were here to help you, I really think there’s a ten to one chance your competition video would get selected. After all, she’s an expert in food streaming; it’s her forte.”

Fu Yu smiled awkwardly, still not too sure about it.

After all, the cooking video he recorded wasn’t edited by any professional company; it was entirely modified by Liu Yuqing.

What it’s really like, he truly doesn’t know.

...

That evening, Fu Yu hosted a dinner inviting Yao Shi and Zhao Meng.

Although it was Fu Yu who organized the dinner, the location was chosen by Zhao Meng.

It was set at a lamb restaurant on Zhongshan Bridge South Street.

The owner of this restaurant is a genuine Xinjiang native, and all the mutton used in the shop is transported from his hometown, big-tailed sheep.

The texture and taste of the meat is quite different from here, with a strong gamey flavor and aroma.

When it comes to food, Fu Yu admires no one but Zhao Meng; even Yao Shi isn’t as discerning as Zhao Meng.

The three sat around the table.

Zhao Meng didn’t need to look at the menu; he just rattled off the dishes: ”Braised lamb with carrots; big plate chicken; a serving of grilled lamb ribs; bring twenty lamb skewers first, six roasted buns, and three portions of lamb shank pilaf, alcohol...”

With a sumptuous spread, the three exchanged toasts, having a lively conversation.

The three hadn’t sat down to eat and chat like this for a while.

In the past, Fu Yu would always be following Zhao Meng like a sidekick.

Now, he’s cooking independently every day, rushing to Shangshi Private Kitchen at night, and on his days off he has to go to the music restaurant, busy as a spinning top.

Yao Shi is even busier, almost impossible to find on most days.

Zhao Meng now has a family, no longer a bachelor, and besides working, he has to manage the household and take care of the kids and elderly, also very busy.

”Chef Yao, about buying the house this time, thank you so much.”

Fu Yu raised his glass, stood up and respectfully toasted: ”I toast to you.”

Yao Shi smiled, clinking his glass with Fu Yu: ”We’re all family, no need for such formalities.”

Both of them downed their drinks in one go.

Fu Yu then refilled Yao Shi’s and his own glass, raising the glass again, facing Zhao Meng: ”Chef Zhao, I also want to toast to you. Ever since I joined the kitchen, you’ve taken special care of me. I’m truly grateful, some things are pointless to say aloud, I’ll keep them in my heart, just watch how I perform in the future.”

At this remark, they both exchanged smiles.

Zhao Meng chuckled, also raising his glass, looking at Fu Yu with some emotion: ”Kid, you’ve truly matured. Looking at how you speak now, I actually find it a bit hard to adjust.”

”Honestly speaking, I’m used to having you around, and for the past couple of months when you suddenly weren’t, I did miss it sometimes.”

Fu Yu smiled without saying a word, but internally he resonated greatly with Zhao Meng’s words.

Just as Zhao Meng said, at first, Fu Yu also found it a bit unadjusting, but he was so busy during the time when he needed to adapt independently, he didn’t have time to overthink it.

Later, he always wanted to find a time to sit down with Zhao Meng, have some drinks, and chat like before, but he couldn’t find the time it seemed.

Zhao Meng let Fu Yu refill his glass with a smile and said, ”You’re now considered the new force in our kitchen.”

Fu Yu refilled his own glass with a laugh, flattering Zhao Meng: ”Thanks to your great teaching, Chef Zhao.”

This time Zhao Meng didn’t laugh, instead putting his hand on Fu Yu’s shoulder: ”To forge iron, one must be strong oneself, you have talent, you learn everything quickly. To be honest, I regret not directly taking you under my wing when you first joined the kitchen.”

”You’re born to be a chef, besides Chef Yao, I’ve never seen anyone with more talent than you. I really should have made you an assistant earlier, maybe you’d be taking over my job by now.”

”But even now, your cooking techniques are fantastic. You’re quick to adapt to any dish’s cooking, and you precisely grasp the essence of cooking in execution, this is particularly rare.”

”And honestly, I’ve carefully observed your skills in knife work and heat control, in many ways, you’re better than I am.”

Zhao Meng was really complimentary towards Fu Yu.

But immediately, Zhao Meng shifted his tone and seriously advised, ”However, you must remember, a good dish reflects good character. Good dishes come from good integrity, always be down-to-earth in cooking, never lose sight of what’s important.”

A sentence left Fu Yu stunned, what does it mean?

Zhao Meng said, ”Culinary skills are just a means, not an end, I hope you understand this point.”

Fu Yu always listened to Zhao Meng’s words.

Because he knew Zhao Meng genuinely cared for him.

But this sentence’s meaning...

Fu Yu carefully pondered over that statement: Culinary skills are just a means, not an end.

After repeatedly mulling it over, suddenly, Fu Yu felt many things he hadn’t deeply thought about before surfacing in his mind.

Zhao Meng continued, ”The goal of cooking is to create dishes that customers love, and techniques are just a means to achieve cooking. Your culinary skills are solid, and you’re talented, I know this very well, but always remember, cooking is not just about showing off your skills.”

”What I’m sharing with you is to ensure that you don’t lose yourself in your future culinary studies.”