Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

Chapter 1200 574: Assistant Chef_2

The emotional value at Yunzhong Restaurant is immensely high.

This emotional value is not only derived from the diners but also from colleagues.

Driven by the elders in Yunzhong District, nearly every regular at Yunzhong Market is adept at praising the chefs. Compliments flow effortlessly, with each person having a reserve of over fifteen flattering phrases.

Moreover, the patrons of Yunzhong Restaurant don't just offer surface-level compliments. Led by Xu Tuqiang, the elders believe that simply praising how delicious the dishes are would soon lose its novelty. No matter how elegant the vocabulary or how beautiful the prose, such compliments are empty and unfeeling, devoid of love and warmth.

So, what kind of praise makes one feel love and warmth?

Of course, it's genuine concern and care.

A qualified patron of Yunzhong Restaurant not only remembers the names, ages, birthdays, tastes, hobbies, dressing styles, and habits of their favorite chefs, but also regularly applies this remembered information in practice.

Expensive gifts are not allowed. The elders strictly monitor anyone who tries to bribe chefs with money to make their favorite snacks and dishes, immediately enforcing justice on such misconduct. However, thoughtful small gifts are allowed, such as fruits, honey, home-made specialties, and little knick-knacks that cater to chefs' tastes.

The level of care and concern correlates with the chef's skill.

The diners' taste buds are the measure.

Among all chefs who have worked at Yunzhong Restaurant, Qin Huai undeniably ranks the highest. If any post he shares on a social platform doesn't get more than eighty likes within two minutes during peak hours, it's because of network lag.

Next after Qin Huai is Zheng Siyuan. Although this position theoretically should go to Zheng Da, Zheng Da disappeared too early and quickly, so many diners don't know him. As a semi-permanent pastry chef at Yunzhong Restaurant, Zheng Siyuan is easily convinced to work overtime, almost replacing Qin Huai during his absence.

Third is Su Qian. As Master Zhou's sure-to-be direct disciple in the future, Su Qian's skills are decent. He competes well, easily persuaded, and beloved by the elders.

Fourth is Wang Jun. Lately, Yunzhong Restaurant has been fully packed during the evening hours, with customers standing to eat and nearly running out of plates in the kitchen, all because of Wang Jun. He climbs up to fourth without fault.

Fifth is Zhao Cheng'an. Logically, Zhao Cheng'an's skills should put him above Su Qian, but Zhao Cheng'an is a bit of a slacker, and having lived eight lifetimes, he's quite cunning and unmovable. He welcomes care but refuses extra work, leaving many customers disappointed.

At this point, one might ask why, except for Qin Huai, all are random, temporary chefs. What happened to Yunzhong Restaurant's permanent chefs? The formal employees? Do they not have names?

Yes, they do, but they're ranked lower.

Pei Xing and Li Hua, originally snack chefs from Zhiwei Restaurant, have considerable skills; they'd be hot properties at any snack shop.

Unfortunately, they came to Yunzhong Restaurant.

They're from Zhiwei Restaurant, but every chef at Yunzhong Restaurant, except for Zheng Siyuan here on exchange, is from Zhiwei Restaurant. These two were eliminated, with many on exchange being direct disciples.

Pei Xing silently grits his teeth every day, but no one pays attention.

Li Hua watches Pei Xing silently grit his teeth daily, also unnoticed.

Sometimes Pei Xing feels he's not here as a chef at Yunzhong Restaurant, but rather participating in "Snack 101" for a talent show. After countless hardships, squeezing onto the debut stage and accumulating a fan base, only to have newcomers push him out, these newcomers come and go, and fans too.

As a veteran of this talent show, the first to sign a contract, Pei Xing naturally wants fame, debut, higher exposure, and more fans, but his abilities don't allow it.

He can only silently grit his teeth.

Seeing Zhao Cheng'an leave, Pei Xing thought he could finally stand out, only to have another from the red cooking talent show parachute in.

What can Pei Xing say? He can only continue to silently grit his teeth.

As for Chen An...

Chen An states that he's the only formally contracted breakfast chef at Yunzhong Restaurant, making cheap breakfasts daily, going to work early and leaving early, uninvolved in this dispute.

.

With Qin Huai perennially reigning at the top, steadily sitting on the sidelines like a fishing reveller, he observed Wang Jun's high work enthusiasm, tirelessly cooking at the stove, flipping pans without rest, almost creating sparks with the spatula, thinking that if Wang Jun continued working so hard, he'd defeat Su Qian and break into the top three given time.

After all, Su Qian won't fall soon, while Wang Jun is very likely to stay long.

Yes, even Qin Huai cares about these rankings.

Recently chatting with Zhao Cheng'an, Qin Huai discovered that Zhao Cheng'an was causing trouble to divert attention, daily spreading falsehoods to Master Zhou that Su Qian has much potential; now crucial moments can impact his future chef career. This shifts Master Zhou's focus to Su Qian, who receives daily scoldings from his future mentor.

Zhao Cheng'an: Master, after scolding Su Qian, you can't scold me!

"Brother Jun." During Wang Jun's break, Qin Huai approached him, "How have you been adapting at Yunzhong Restaurant these days?"

These days, Wang Jun was in good spirits, cheerful, smiling all the time, and said happily, "Very well, Little Ninth heard I can cook so many dishes every day with you, and he's incredibly envious, constantly shouting at Huang Ji, saying he wants to come to Yunzhong Restaurant for an exchange."

"Thank you, Brother Jun, for working so hard, cooking for us and making the staff meal. Actually, you don't need to make a special staff meal for us; normally, we just eat what's available." Qin Huai said.

Wang Jun's staff meals were specially prepared for Qin Huai, lavish Huaiyang dishes, with Yangzhou Fried Rice as the base every day, rotating through the variety of dishes he can make.

"It's necessary. Before coming, An Yao specifically instructed me to make more delicious dishes for you and occasionally speak on his behalf. Find a time to ask when Accountant Wang can come to Huang Ji to help with accounts; after seeing Accountant Huang's bookkeeping, everyone finds it hard to adapt to the current accounts." Wang Jun said straightforwardly, well-prepared.

Qin Huai: ...

Has Wang Jun been watching Shi Dadan dine in the kitchen these days, absorbing Shi Dadan's humble state?

Qin Huai felt Wang Jun's tone even resembled that of Shi Dadan.

"I'll consider it." Qin Huai could only chuckle.

As long as Uncle Wang is awake, everything is negotiable; if not, Qin Huai could dispatch Huang An Yao from Gusu to plead with Wang Gen Sheng.

秦淮相信少东家能做到.

"As long as Brother Jun adapts well, that's good. I'm just worried you might find life in Laishan City uncomfortable alone." Qin Huai said.

"Being a chef, what's uncomfortable about that?" Wang Jun laughed, "Especially knowing I came with a task."

"A task?"

"A task assigned by my mentor." Wang Jun said, "Since deciding to exchange at Yunzhong Restaurant, my mentor has instructed me. My level isn't significant at Huang Ji or in the whole red cooking circle. I have average talent, with a fixed ceiling. In a big restaurant, I'll never be the head chef, so I set my goal early to be an assistant to the head chef."

"Even as an assistant, I might not be the chef's favorite."

"But that's for red cooking chefs. Helping pastry chefs is entirely different."

"My mentor specifically sent me to be your assistant, Qin Huai." Wang Jun smiled, "I know you have many snacks needing assistance; Fire Control, Knife Skills, and soup preparation aren't your strong suits."

"Many snacks you can only make at Huang Ji and Zhiwei Restaurant, not at Yunzhong Restaurant."

"Running around is troublesome, so I came over."

"Originally, I should've helped you from day one, but having never been a head chef, I couldn't resist cooking here for the past few days."

"If there's anything you want me to do, just say; I can practice even if I don't know how."