Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Continuing to stir things up? What a talent!
High-end ingredients often only require the simplest of cooking methods.
The preparation of steak boils down to pouring oil to pan-fry, then adding a piece of butter, letting the flavors of the butter and beef meld together.
Jiang Feng held a pair of tongs, controlling the cooking of the steak. The steak was pan-seared until slightly charred on both sides, looking exceptionally beautiful.
Soon, the stall attracted a large crowd of customers.
The owner of the neighboring fried skewer stall looked at Jiang Feng’s appearance, feeling somewhat puzzled. Man, we’re both running a stall, why are you so handsome? Swag at its fullest.
Despite being on a street food lane and cooking on a food truck, Jiang Feng’s demeanor was simply outstanding. He stood there, extremely upright with a good posture, and many customers kept glancing his way. The skewer stall owner watched him, thinking, Can’t compare, just can’t compare.
Then he sighed. When I was young, I must have been about as handsome as him. It’s just that I’m older now. Alas, time spares no one! He silently lamented.
Steak on the snack street was a first for many passersby, who curiously crowded around. The steak sold for 35 yuan a serving, not cheap. But in such a place, a few skewers of grilled squid cost 15 yuan, and stinky tofu cost 10 yuan, with ingredients far less substantial than beef. Moreover, Jiang Feng’s steaks were genuine beef; a purchase that wouldn’t disappoint.
More and more customers came.
Sun Zhuangfei, dressed in a suit, weaved through the crowd, serving steak to customers. Who knew if he was influenced by watching too many TV dramas. Typically, a waiter holds a plate with both hands in a regular way. He, however, flipped his right hand upward, palm facing up, and carried the plate in such a manner. Then, upon reaching the customer’s side, he twisted his wrist and set the plate down on their table. It actually looked quite professional.
In the beginning, Jiang Feng found it somewhat awkward, as hiring such an unconventional employee wasn’t his intention. He’d hired the guy because he seemed dependable, not because he expected him to be quite *this* committed to the role. Jiang Feng found himself missing the days of hiring aunties. The aunties were pragmatic and wouldn’t make any superfluous moves.
However, the customers seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. There was a supermarket nearby selling beverages, and Sun Zhuangfei occasionally suggested the customers purchase a bottle of grape-flavored Mirinda or grape juice. The food truck was equipped with disposable cups. The customers sat on small stools, holding disposable forks capable of spearing pieces of steak, with a disposable paper cup on the side, filled with grape-flavored soda. When drinking the soda, they had to gently shake the paper cup. The level of class was through the roof.
More and more customers arrived. Eating steak like this alone might feel embarrassing, but a group doing it together isn’t, and it actually makes others especially curious to try. Indeed, it’s no longer embarrassing with a crowd.
The steaks Jiang Feng made were indeed delicious. Eating them gave a light bursting sensation. The beef had an especially good texture, showcasing the deliciousness of the meat in an exquisite way. The secret recipe made the steak very tender and smooth, marinated with egg wash, ground pepper, and onion, producing a flavor that was neither overcooked nor dry – simply perfect.
Upon tasting the steak, the customers were astoundingly impressed.
"My goodness, it’s so delicious!"
"It really is very tasty! Is this a new street food category?"
"I’ve never eaten steak this way before!"
"This is so much better than any steak I’ve had in a Western restaurant! How does he do it, how can it be this delicious!"
While people were engrossed in discussion, a table of three girls seemed to have a realization.
"Ah! It’s him! I remember now! He’s that handsome young chef, remember? The one who has been really popular recently!" One of the girls pointed at Jiang Feng with a face full of delight, her eyes lighting up.
Reminded in this way, the others also remembered, and everyone turned their gaze toward Jiang Feng.
"It really is him!" a girl nearby confirmed.
"I was just thinking how great the temperament of the stall owner is," another girl whispered as well.
The customers were somewhat surprised. To casually come for a steak at a stall and end up getting one made by an Executive Chef? No wonder it tasted so delicious!
Everyone immediately pulled out their phones to take pictures. An Executive Chef cooking steak, a suited waiter, accompanied by a cup of grape-scented juice. This was truly a unique Western dining experience!
With the street already bustling with people coming and going, the sudden swarm of those photographing something naturally drew more attention.
"What’s happening over there, what are they taking pictures of?"
"Has a celebrity been spotted?"
"Is it a social media influencer with a million followers out for street food, as Chengdu has quite a few of those?"
Many passersby were inquiring.
"It’s an Executive Chef, named Executive Chef Jiang, not sure if you’ve heard of him, seems to be pretty famous for his cooking!"
"Last week he made Sichuan cuisine, and at that time it was hard to get a reservation at the Sichuan restaurant, so many people were queuing!"
"Holy smokes! It’s him! He’s running a stall here? Don’t block me, I need to get over there!"
"Really? I know him, I’ve heard his dishes are particularly tasty!"
Upon hearing this news, the passersby surged forward, lining up. They didn’t need any regulars to come over; just relying on passersby created a long queue in front of the food truck.
Luckily, frying steak is quite straightforward. Even Jiang Feng could fry two or three at the same time with his skills. Therefore, the queue didn’t take too long.
With more and more customers, the five small tables quickly filled up. Steak after steak was fried to a perfect crust on the outside and tender on the inside, glistening with oil. The rich aroma of meat wafted through the air. Anyone passing by couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Sun Zhuangfei was initially a bit busy. However, the customers later on were eating directly from their plates, so he no longer needed to serve the dishes. And since there wasn’t much cleaning to do, he found himself with some free time.
Then, something Jiang Feng never expected happened again. Sun Zhuangfei took a backpack down from an electric scooter parked nearby. And to Jiang Feng’s astonishment, he pulled out a violin.
"What the heck?"
What kind of employee did I hire, exactly? I hired him because he seemed meticulous and diligent in his work. How can he be so good at stirring things up? This guy is a talent!
Sun Zhuangfei even came over and asked Jiang Feng, "Boss, I don’t have much to do, so can I play the violin? I brought it just in case."
Jiang Feng was still somewhat flabbergasted. "You can play the violin?" he asked.
"Ah, self-taught. I can also play the guitar," Sun Zhuangfei replied somewhat awkwardly but with sincerity and earnestness. "When I’m free, I just practice the instruments by myself. I love music; it brings me peace."
Jiang Feng later found out that Sun Zhuangfei had been autistic since childhood and had gradually overcome it. And he was quite good at playing music.
"Go ahead, as long as you’re happy," Jiang Feng said while cooking steaks.
Hearing this, Sun Zhuangfei actually stood to the side, rested the violin on his shoulder, and slowly began to play a tune.
Not just Jiang Feng but all the surrounding snack stall owners were completely taken aback. Is this what it’s come to now? Having a musician accompany your stall? Are you trying to add a buff here? Go ahead and play, who can match your skill! Now we’re getting into music, huh.
The customers seemed pleased. A few of them were quietly discussing as they recorded videos:
"This has to be the work of an Executive Chef, so considerate, even including entertainment!"
"No wonder his stall is popular with such arrangements!"
"So thoughtful, a steak for only 40, I’m almost embarrassed."
"This is my first time at a stall like this; it feels even more upscale than a restaurant."
The voices of the customers reached Jiang Feng’s ears. Jiang Feng could only laugh helplessly. Would you believe me if I said I just found out about the entertainment? Who could have imagined hiring such a great talent!
Jiang Feng was a low-profile person who simply wanted to grill steaks in peace, earn some money to buy a restaurant. Now, keeping a low profile seemed impossible. Customers took out their phones one after another to film Sun Zhuangfei playing the violin, and they included shots of Jiang Feng cooking steaks as well. If nothing went wrong, these videos would soon appear online. Jiang Feng, a popular figure already, couldn’t avoid becoming a sensation with such a big event.
"Boss Jiang, your setup is perfect!"
"I’m a long-time fan, just ate your Sichuan food a couple of days ago!"
"So hospitable!"
A few customers greeted Jiang Feng. Jiang Feng responded with a smile. He took a deep breath and slowly calmed down. I’m tired, let it all crumble. Just run the stall, what else can I do?
Sun Zhuangfei’s violin playing was quite good; except for the occasional moments that were slightly rough, overall, it was rhythmic. The guests ate their steaks, sipped grape juice, and listened to the violin. They felt quite comfortable. The taste of the steak was excellent, lifting people’s spirits considerably. The atmosphere became relaxed and cheerful.
The food street was bustling with people, and more and more gathered around, eventually forming a circle around Jiang Feng’s food truck.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Sun Zhuangfei finished playing a piece on the violin. The customers broke into applause. He smiled bashfully, then put the violin away and continued to clear the leftover dishes from the tables, switching roles quite swiftly. Jiang Feng thought he was very interesting.
"Not bad, you’re well-prepared," Jiang Feng complimented with a smile.
Sun Zhuangfei, scratching his head, replied, "Boss, you said we were selling Western food, so I looked up what Western restaurant waiters are like and prepared accordingly."
Jiang Feng nodded. "My stall is just casual, not much different from snack stalls; no need to be so formal. Be more relaxed, just do whatever you want to do."
There was not much Jiang Feng could say at this point. If he couldn’t keep a low profile, then so be it. Let’s create a stir!
The steak stall business was exceptionally good. Generally, the profit margin on steaks isn’t high, certainly not as much as fried skewers or stir-fried cold noodles. That’s why no street vendors opt to sell steaks. But Jiang Feng wasn’t concerned about the stall’s profits; running the stall was quite alright with him. Customers, finding it unusual to see a stall selling steaks, often sat down to give it a try. And once they tried it, they were completely captivated by the flavor of the steak.