Rebirth: Starting from the Cafeteria

"Please take a seat! Young man, your cooking skills are not bad. You have mastered the essence of this dish, [Da Qian Dry-fried Fish]. Currently in China, there are no more than two hands of chefs who can cook this dish better than you."

The old man asked Du Shaojie to sit down first, and then he spoke.

As for the [Pickled mustard and shredded pork soup], he was too lazy to comment on it. It was just average and not as amazing as the [Daqian dry-fried fish].

"Thanks for the compliment! But the old man came to eat for several days in a row and criticized the chef in the restaurant. I'm afraid it's not a coincidence, right?"

Du Shaojie's expression did not change because of the other party's praise.

But when he said it, it sounded like he was calling for accusation. He didn't believe that the other party came to the restaurant just to eat. Based on the two comments he made earlier, the old man was definitely in the same industry.

When colleagues deliberately come to find fault with you, it is tantamount to tearing off your relationship.

“Young man, don’t get me wrong. I’ve been living nearby for a while and I’m too lazy to cook for myself, so I came to Xichuan Restaurant to eat.

However, I have always been a picky eater, and I will tell you whether a dish is good or bad, and I am not targeting you. I used to be a chef, but I am retired now. "

The old man smiled and waved his hand to indicate that he meant no harm.

Du Shaojie thought of a thousand reasons, but he didn't expect things to be so simple.

Speaking of which, I don’t know how this old man developed his character. He is so vicious even at his age. Isn’t he afraid of getting beaten?

"My last name is Du, and I'm the owner of this restaurant. May I ask what your name is, old man?"

Even though he secretly complained in his heart, he still wanted to find out about the old man's background.

"Don't be so polite. My last name is Zhou, Zhou Huai'en. I used to work at Rongcheng Catering Company. I came to Beijing to help my son look at houses."

Old man Zhou took the initiative to introduce himself without the other party asking him one question at a time.

After Du Shaojie heard him, he suddenly thought of someone. Sichuan cuisine master Zhou Huai'en, who has the same name as the other party, couldn't it be such a coincidence?

"Are you Master Zhou Huai'en?"

Hearing Du Shaojie using honorifics, Old Man Zhou grinned:
"Yes, I am the person you are thinking of. Before retirement, I have successfully been promoted to senior technician. Am I qualified to criticize you?"

Du Shaojie nodded, the other party was indeed the "clever hand and sharp tongue".

Sichuan cuisine master Zhou Huai'en is a highly skilled chef. As one of the bigwigs in the domestic Sichuan cuisine world, he is well-known for his cooking skills and sharp tongue, and is nicknamed "Skillful Hands and Poisonous Tongue".

There is no doubt about the old comrade’s level, but it is also recognized that he has a bad mouth.

Zhou Huai'en has a bad relationship with all his colleagues because he criticizes everyone he meets and never gives face to anyone.

But he is really capable and no one can do anything to him.

However, when Zhou Huai'en reached retirement age, the company did not try to retain him and just let him go.

If this person had a slightly better personality, wouldn't he have been rehired?

"Master Zhou, look at what you said. It's our blessing to get your comments. Well, take your time eating. I won't disturb you."

Du Shaojie didn't know what to say to such an old comrade with a strong personality, so he stood up and prepared to leave.

Although the other party had superb skills, he had not figured out how to deal with him.

Zhou Huai'en was confused. He had used honorifics in the previous sentence, but his attitude changed in the blink of an eye? Am I that scary?

"Xiao Du, don't leave. I haven't finished what I want to say."

The more Du Shaojie wanted to leave, the more Zhou Huai'en refused to let him go. He stretched out his hand and pulled him to sit down.

Du Shaojie was helpless. Facing such an old senior, he was really embarrassed to do too much. There was no other way, so he just listened to what the other party had to say.

"Xiao Du, it's not easy to achieve what you have now at your age. And the dishes you cook are almost impeccable, very good!

But there is a problem with your cooking, that is, it is too artificial, everything is very standard, and the result is that it lacks spirituality."

After all, he is a big shot and has a very profound view of things.

A large part of Du Shaojie's cooking skills come from simulated scenes. Whether it is knife skills, heat control, or seasoning, there are almost no flaws.

But this is exactly where the problem lies. As Zhou Huai'en said, it is too mechanical.

A word of advice suddenly woke Du Shaojie up and he found a way to make a breakthrough. If he could overcome this shortcoming, his cooking skills would definitely be improved.

"Master Zhou, how do you think I should solve this problem?"

At this time, Du Shaojie also forgot the other party's character flaws and asked for advice sincerely in person.

"I will stay in the capital for at least another month. If you can pay for my food for this month, I will teach you without reservation. What do you think? You're getting a great deal."

Zhou Huai'en admired Du Shaojie very much, but the truth is not easily passed on. If he wants to solve the other party's fundamental problem, he must teach him some real skills.

This would have been absolutely impossible in the past.

But he was ostracized and had no chance to stay in the unit to contribute his remaining energy, so his mentality changed a lot.

My son and daughter-in-law went abroad to study for a year. I asked him to look for a house, but actually I just wanted him to relax.

Unexpectedly, the old comrade still can't change his bad habits, and he can cause trouble even when he goes out to eat. To put it bluntly, he is just idle and can't stand the loneliness.

"Food and such are no big deal, Master Zhou. How about this? You can just come to my shop as a consultant. The salary and benefits will definitely satisfy you. You can work as long as you want and come and go freely. How do you think?"

Du Shaojie hesitated for a moment and didn't want to take advantage of others.

In fact, after he knew what his problem was, it didn't matter whether he had Zhou Huai'en's guidance or not. It was just a matter of practicing more.

With the simulation scene, he is least afraid of slow work. He has plenty of time to waste, and he can make mistakes and correct them. But for Yan Dabao, Yu Jianxin and others, it is definitely a good thing to have such a big boss willing to teach cooking skills.

"That's a good idea. I have nothing to do anyway, so I'll be your consultant for a while."

Zhou Huai'en didn't mention the salary and benefits, but agreed directly.

He actually didn't lack money, but he was unfamiliar with the place in Beijing and felt really lonely.

Du Shaojie now knew why the other party came out for a meal and made such a fuss. It was nothing else but he was bored.

Of course, he couldn't treat his old comrade unfairly, and he paid him generous wages, which even surprised Zhou Huai'en.

Afterwards, he asked Yan Dabao to cook a few more dishes and had a few drinks with Old Man Zhou.

Yan Dabao, Yu Jianxin and others stood aside with bitter faces. They knew very well that their good days were over and they would live in the shadow of Master Zhou in the future.

It would be strange if he wasn't sprayed to death by the other party.

Du Shaojie doesn't care about them. As long as they can improve their cooking skills quickly, he doesn't mind being scolded or beaten every day.

Anyway, he is not the one being abused, right?

The next day.

Zhou Huai'en entered the kitchen and put on the chef's uniform, like a different person.

The old man's requirements were stricter than the store's rules and regulations. If you made a mistake, scolding you would be the least of his responsibilities. He would really hit you with a big spoon and not be polite to you at all.

The key is that Du Shaojie is still on the side of Old Man Zhou, who dares to disobey?

"Xiao Du, your current ability has surpassed that of a first-class chef. If you calm down a bit, you will definitely be able to pass the exam to become a cooking technician.

I am now making a dish called [Stir-fried pork kidney and liver]. Watch carefully and come back to experience it. Spirituality is the feeling at that moment, which can only be understood but not expressed in words. "

Zhou Huai'en often communicates with Du Shaojie, but their communication methods are different. There is no need for long speeches, and the skills themselves can convey a lot of things.

Du Shaojie gained a lot from the master's words and deeds.

Sometimes Du Shaojie would cook some dishes for Zhou Huai'en to judge, especially some restored old dishes, which were also very instructive for Zhou Huai'en.

Zhou Huai'en had the attitude of giving instructions at first, but gradually, he found that Du Shaojie had many strengths, and the two began to communicate with each other.

Of course, Zhou Huai'en's real strength is still stronger than Du Shaojie's.

"Master Zhou, let's both take a break today. I'll take you to eat Beijing's roast duck."

Du Shaojie felt that Zhou Huai'en was easy to get along with as long as he got used to his sharp tongue.

The relationship between the two was getting better and better. He no longer treated the old man as a coolie. He would call Qi Yan from time to time and take the old man to eat some special food or go out for some fun.

He knew how to cure the old man's "boredom disease". The old man was a person who could not sit still and loved to eat, play and scold people.

Du Shaojie catered to Zhou Huai'en's interests, and Zhou Huai'en was very happy staying in Xichuan Restaurant.

Time flies, and winter vacation is here before I know it.

Qi Yan packed up her things, and then she and Du Shaojie went to his home carrying large and small bags.

Du Shaojie was also preparing to go home for the New Year, so the two of them could go together.

"Why do you keep looking at me?"

Qi Yan went into the house and took a shower first. When she came out, she found that Du Shaojie was staring at her.

"Yanzi, you are more beautiful than before."

Du Shaojie didn't think there was anything wrong. Since the other party asked, he told the truth.

Qi Yan was quite beautiful before, but after being nourished by the flowers, she looks even more beautiful.

"Really? Why do I feel like I've gained weight recently?"

Qi Yan felt very happy, but she kept talking about other things.

Du Shaojie firmly refused to admit that the other party had gained weight, and the two chatted and laughed, and stayed together again.

Qi Yan was tortured so much that night that she finally had to beg for mercy.

Du Shaojie discovered that the "Dali Pills" are really good stuff. They can strengthen the body and have a 360-degree effect, with great results.

morning.

Du Shaojie prepared breakfast for Qi Yan, but did not wake her up. After finishing his meal, he went to Xichuan Restaurant.

"Morning, Master Zhou!"

"Good morning! Xiao Du, are you going home to celebrate the New Year in the next two days?"

"Yes, I plan to book a flight for the day after tomorrow. After the New Year, I may go directly to Chengdu, and it will probably be a few months later for me to come to Beijing."

Zhou Huai'en arrived earlier than him, and the two started chatting as soon as they met.

Zhou Huai'en was hesitant to talk. His wife passed away a few years ago, his son and daughter-in-law went abroad, and his daughter married and moved to Shanghai. During this New Year, he had to stay alone in Beijing.

During this period, he and Du Shaojie got along very well, and he was really reluctant to let him leave. (End of this chapter)