Chapter 144: Chapter 144 He is indeed formidable, just like me when I was young.
Jiang Feng occasionally paid attention to the district’s food rankings.
Owing to the overwhelming number of positive reviews, Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant quickly became the top-rated and most popular restaurant in the district.
For him, that wasn’t enough. He aspired to make Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant the top in the city. However, this required time and accumulation.
For lunch, he made White Braised Four Treasures, and in the evening, braised intestines in brown sauce. He had made braised intestines in brown sauce before, and it wasn’t too difficult.
Around two in the afternoon, Zhang Hu suddenly came to look for Jiang Feng.
"Boss, a Shandong Cuisine chef came today, along with a big V with ten million fans. They said they wanted to meet you," said Zhang Hu.
Upon hearing Zhang Hu’s words, Jiang Feng was somewhat taken aback.
"A Shandong Cuisine chef?"
"Yes, his name is Zhao Guoli. He’s a national-level Shandong Cuisine master who has cooked for state banquets. I know him; his disciples are now all masters of Shandong Cuisine at the provincial level. He’s a very impressive individual," explained Zhang Hu.
"Alright, so that’s the situation," replied Jiang Feng.
Seeing that the orders for White Braised Four Treasures weren’t many, Jiang Feng agreed to meet them.
Soon after, he saw Li Qiu, Zhao Guoli, and a few others enter the kitchen.
"Boss Jiang, hello. We’ve made a special trip here today to taste the Shandong Cuisine you’ve prepared," Li Qiu greeted as he approached.
"Hello, Jiangyue Terrace welcomes you," Jiang Feng replied hospitably.
When Li Qiu and Zhao Guoli saw Jiang Feng in person, they were both a little surprised.
He was so young. In the culinary industry, chefs as young as he were a rare sight.
"This is Master Zhao Guoli, the Shandong Cuisine state banquet chef. I specially invited him over," introduced Li Qiu with a smile.
"Hello, Master Zhao," Jiang Feng greeted Zhao Guoli again.
Zhao Guoli laughed heartily and said, "There’s no particular reason for coming to the kitchen, other than feeling that the White Braised Four Treasures you make is exceptionally authentic. I wanted to ask who taught you your culinary skills. Perhaps I might know them."
Hearing Zhao Guoli’s words, Jiang Feng genuinely didn’t know how to respond.
He had learned cooking from the system, which provided all the recipes.
"Master Zhao, I researched this myself. Nowadays, recipes for most ingredients are available online; you just have to follow them," Jiang Feng replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guoli seemed to sense something and said with a laugh, "If one could learn to make authentic dishes from the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast just by looking them up online, there wouldn’t be so many apprentices spending years learning from master chefs."
"For example, your technique for slicing abalone, your control of the heat during stewing, the proportioning of seasonings—those are definitely skills honed over many years. Otherwise, you wouldn’t possess such craftsmanship."
"Handling high-end ingredients is even more difficult."
"I guess you must have your reasons, and I won’t pry."
"But your master definitely isn’t part of the Shandong Cuisine Association. Otherwise, someone would have started boasting about you by now."
Jiang Feng could only smile and nod.
This was really something he couldn’t explain.
"Alright, I see you’re quite busy, so I won’t bother you further."
"The White Braised Four Treasures are very authentic. Keep up the good work, and present the true characteristics of Shandong Cuisine."
"Nowadays, many Shandong Cuisine restaurants are not authentic at all."
"Shandong Cuisine greatly needs people like you to carry on its heritage," remarked Zhao Guoli as he looked at Jiang Feng appreciatively.
To possess such culinary skill at such a young age was truly remarkable.
The group left the kitchen.
On their way out, Zhao Guoli lamented, "He truly is impressive. He reminds me of myself when I was young."
Hearing that, Li Qiu almost couldn’t keep a straight face.
He knew Zhao Guoli’s background. At Jiang Feng’s age, Zhao Guoli was still a kitchen apprentice, not even qualified to practice his knife skills. He slowly worked his way up, only getting a spot at the stove in his late twenties, and didn’t start gaining fame until after he turned thirty-five.
And now, his claim, "He reminds me of myself when I was young," genuinely made Li Qiu feel embarrassed for him.
However, it’s common for the older generation to enjoy bragging a bit and relishing the feeling of being an elder, so it wasn’t entirely blameworthy.
Still, Li Qiu replied, "This boss truly has genuine skills; that’s clear for everyone to see."
The group left Jiangyue Terrace.
After returning, Li Qiu’s team started editing the video, fulfilling a promise made to his fans.
The video featured Zhao Guoli’s high praise for Jiang Feng’s White Braised Four Treasures.
This evaluation didn’t make much difference to ordinary netizens.
But in the Shandong Cuisine industry, it had a significant influence.
All the chefs involved in Shandong Cuisine knew who Zhao Guoli was, but they didn’t know Jiang Feng. Even if they had heard of him, they likely just saw Jiang Feng as a restaurant owner who happened to know how to cook.
Now that a state banquet master of Shandong Cuisine had vouched for his authenticity, this was a significant form of recognition.
However, for Jiang Feng, it didn’t matter.
It was just fleeting fame. The approval of the common people was enough for him. He never cared what other chefs thought of him.
Inside Executive Chef Jiang’s foodie group chat:
Customers who had tasted his delicacies were once again showing off their photos.
"Executive Chef Jiang’s special dish today: White Braised Four Treasures! The abalone and fish maw are super delicious!"
"I also had it! The abalone was particularly tender and fresh, and the dragon’s beard vegetable was really crunchy and fragrant!"
"I’m eating it right now, hahaha, so satisfying!"
"Executive Chef Jiang’s way of preparing abalone is truly exceptional. The flavor today is especially fresh. I wonder how he does it."
Seeing these messages, others in the group who couldn’t eat it immediately became envious.
"Damn, you know I can’t get any, and still you show off!"
"I’m working overtime today, can’t make it!"
"I also want to eat abalone!"
"I suggest everyone not come. There are 23 tables ahead of me in the queue!"
"Kick out everyone who’s showing off their food!"
The group was very lively.
It wasn’t just the foodie group; the fishing group and the local residents’ group were buzzing too. Many conversations revolved around the newly opened Jiangyue Terrace.
The restaurant’s fame was gradually spreading like wildfire throughout the city.
「Meanwhile.」
Li Xiangfo entered the restaurant and ordered five servings of White Braised Four Treasures, all to take away.
This man was the purchaser for the temple on Fengqi Mountain, responsible for the temple’s food supplies.
Truth be told, Jiang Feng had seen him quite a few times. He had even seen him back when he was selling lunch boxes.
At that time, Jiang Feng was curious and asked him what he needed so many servings for.
Li Xiangfo had simply said, "It’s best not to inquire into the affairs of monks."
Coincidentally, Jiang Feng had just finished a batch of orders and came out to use the restroom, taking the opportunity to check on the situation in the main dining hall.
He happened to run into Li Xiangfo.
Li Xiangfo was dressed in plain clothes and wore a hat, maintaining a very low profile.
"Master Li, what a coincidence to run into you here," Jiang Feng greeted Li Xiangfo with a smile.
Li Xiangfo looked at Jiang Feng.
Back when Jiang Feng was selling steamed buns up the mountain, Li Xiangfo would order buns from him every morning, so the two were somewhat acquainted.
At that time, Li Xiangfo had only thought Jiang Feng was a skilled street vendor. Who would have thought he was actually the owner of such a large restaurant.
"Boss Jiang, what a coincidence. I heard about Jiangyue Terrace’s opening and have been coming to support it every day," replied Li Xiangfo cheerfully.
"Packing so many servings of White Braised Four Treasures? Planning to take them back to eat?" Jiang Feng asked, a little curious.
"Boss Jiang, these are matters concerning monks. It’s best not to inquire," Li Xiangfo replied.
Hearing this, Jiang Feng understood his meaning and immediately laughed.
Jiang Feng’s cooking was simply too delicious, attracting many regular customers. This included a few individual monks from the temple. This was indeed a delicate matter to comment on. Monks enter temple life supposedly with few worldly desires, wishing only to cultivate their minds and achieve inner peace. Who would have thought that after tasting Jiang Feng’s steamed buns, they would immediately be reminded of the allure of the secular world? Their resolve for spiritual cultivation was broken. It seemed their spiritual cultivation wasn’t deep enough. It wasn’t entirely their fault; the food was simply too irresistible. After eating vegetarian food day in and day out, it was natural to crave a change of pace occasionally.
Jiang Feng saw through it but didn’t point it out. He exchanged a polite greeting with Li Xiangfo and then returned to the kitchen to get busy.
After Li Xiangfo had eaten his fill, he packed up the White Braised Four Treasures and headed back to Fengqi Mountain.
Li Xiangfo stealthily made his way to a side chamber. This chamber was located away from the main temple area, had no enshrined deities, and was quite secluded.
Several monks had prepared steamed buns and were already waiting eagerly.
In the room, they plugged in an electric rice cooker, added some water, and placed the take-out containers of White Braised Four Treasures inside to heat them up.
Not only was there White Braised Four Treasures, but Li Xiangfo had also brought some Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet.
The aroma quickly permeated the room.
The management of this temple wasn’t overly strict. As long as they adhered to the basic principles and didn’t break their vows within the main temple area, it was generally overlooked. Outside the main temple grounds, it was largely up to one’s own conscience. Once they left the mountain, there was even less supervision.
The group began to feast with gusto.
"This chef’s cooking is really delicious!"
"Let’s eat quickly. We can’t let the abbot find out."
Just then, a young monk suddenly spoke up, "After finishing this year, I might consider returning to secular life."
At this remark, the others were taken aback.
"What? You’re leaving the temple?"
The young monk said, "Yes. I really wanted to join before, and it truly was peaceful for a time. But now I’ve realized there are so many wonderful things in the outside world that I haven’t experienced. Actually, my family didn’t agree at first; I had to beg them for a long time. I’m planning to go home."
Hearing this, the others looked at each other, somewhat taken aback.
Seriously? Can eating abalone actually shatter one’s spiritual resolve? Of course, one could also say that eating abalone helped him find a new path to self-discovery. Not everyone is suited for this path. Some might take a wrong turn, but the important thing is to find their way out again.
"That’s good. As long as you’ve thought it through carefully."
"I definitely support you!" the other two young monks said with a smile.
Gourmet food affects different people in different ways. Sometimes, it’s just the simple pleasure of good taste. Sometimes, it makes one linger, reluctant to leave. For some, a meal might spark affection between a man and a woman. For others, a good meal can lift their spirits out of a slump.
However, renouncing monastic vows because of delicious food was indeed quite rare.