Rebirth: Starting from the Cafeteria

Chapter 68: Love of Eggplant and Bean
"It's easy! I'm not busy right now. I'll come over when I'm free. You can also send someone to the Agricultural Science Academy to find me. I promise to tell you everything I know."

It was obvious at first glance that Sun Qiang was a researcher who would not do things in vain, so he agreed immediately.

Several other people then gave specific suggestions, one of which was the selection of winter wheat seeds, and the other was to strengthen field management.

Zhao Dajun asked the technical staff of the field office to take notes. The technical staff then raised some questions, and Sun Qiang and his colleagues answered them one by one.

"Everyone, it's almost lunch time. How about we go to the cafeteria and talk while we eat?"

Zhao Dajun looked at the time and invited Sun Qiang and others to have lunch.

In the cafeteria.

Du Shaojie has already prepared meals for the staff and is ready to cook some dishes.

Zhao Dajun had already sent word that there were five guests and three companions, a total of eight people.

The dishes arranged include [Fish-flavored Shredded Pork], [Dry-fried Carp], [Beef Stew], [Sautéed Lamb with Scallions], [Braised Eggplant with Cowpea], and [Stir-fried Lotus Root].

There is another soup, which is [Tomato and Egg Soup].

Six dishes and one soup, nothing fancy, but definitely plenty. Given the current conditions, this table of dishes is already full of sincerity.

After Zhao Dajun brought the guests to the cafeteria and walked into a separate room, Du Shaojie started cooking.

It didn't take long before various dishes were served on the table one after another.

"Manager Zhao, this is too sumptuous. How can we dare to come next time if you treat us like this?"

"We are in a remote area, how can there be good things in the corners? Don't be disgusted, come, let's drink the fish head and fish tail wine first, and then try this [Dry-fried Fish]."

After some polite exchanges between host and guest, Zhao Dajun and Sun Qiang clinked glasses, which is the so-called "fish head and fish tail wine".

Then everyone at the table started to eat.

"This [Dry-fried Fish] is really authentic and delicious! Director Zhao, where did you find such a great chef? His level is definitely that of a chef from a state-owned restaurant."

Sun Qiang took a bite of the fish and immediately had a basic assessment of the level of the farm chef.

Although he has a bit of a "nerd" vibe, it doesn't mean he doesn't like to eat or doesn't know how to eat.

"Master Du used to work in the canteen of the bureau, and was transferred to the farm this year. Master Du is young, but his cooking skills are superb. Now, within a hundred miles, anyone who has an important banquet will ask him to cook."

Zhao Dajun praised Du Shaojie for a few words, and then asked everyone to eat more vegetables.

Sun Qiang and others tasted the dishes one by one and felt that the trip was not in vain.

[Fish-flavored Shredded Pork] Salty, sweet, sour and spicy, smooth and refreshing.

[Dry-fried Fish] It has a salty, spicy and slightly sweet taste, and is a top-notch fish dish.

[Beef Stew] highlights the aroma of roast beef very well, while perfectly integrating the flavors of various side dishes.

The guests enjoyed the meal so much that they secretly wanted to meet the chef.

After Sun Qiang ate for a while, the host and the guest raised their glasses and drank the wine.

"What is this dish of cowpea and eggplant called? Fried cowpea and eggplant? Cowpea stewed with eggplant?"

The other dishes all had official names, and everyone could pronounce them, but this dish of cowpea and eggplant had no specific name.

Zhao Dajun couldn't say for sure, but he also roughly guessed what everyone was thinking, so he stood up and called Du Shaojie in.

"This is Master Du from our canteen. Master Du, these are technicians from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences."

Zhao Dajun introduced both parties, and then Sun Qiang and others insisted on toasting Du Shaojie with a glass of wine.

"I don't deserve that. So, I'll toast to you all."

Du Shaojie was not a person who did not know etiquette, so he took the initiative to toast the guests.

Then he said he still had work to do and prepared to go to the kitchen. "Chef Du, excuse me. What is the official name of this dish? We are all very curious."

One of the guests suddenly spoke up and pointed to the plate of cowpea and eggplant.

Du Shaojie was a little confused. This was just an ordinary vegetarian dish. You could call it whatever you wanted. Was there any need to be so serious? In his memory, only restaurants in later generations would give ordinary dishes a very literary name.

For example, this dish [Braised Cowpea and Eggplant] was later called [The Love of Eggplant and Beans].

Considering that today's guests are all educated people, Du Shaojie thought for a moment and replied: "This dish is called [Love of Eggplant and Beans]. Of course, it can also be called [Braised Eggplant with Cowpeas]."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a commotion.

"Eggplant and Bean Love? This dish has a really good name."

"It's both graphic and aesthetically pleasing, and the name alone makes you hungry."

Du Shaojie nodded to the guests and left the room.

No wonder these people are called "stinky old nine", sometimes when they get sour, they are really deadly. Of course, this is just a joke, he still respects these experts from the bottom of his heart.

Although Sun Qiang and others have a bit of "scholarly air", they are never careless in doing things.

After dinner, they gave a lecture to the farm staff on how to choose winter wheat seeds, the precautions for field management, and the importance of filling the fields with water before winter.
"Director Zhao, please inform me before you sow the seeds. I will come over and answer any questions you have on the spot."

Before leaving, several people took samples, including soil samples, water samples, etc., and said that they would help the farm to produce an analysis report free of charge.

the next day.

Zhao Dajun went to the bureau and asked for money under the pretext of reporting his work.

Money is needed to buy seeds, materials for building vegetable greenhouses, etc. The farm is extremely poor, and most of the products are handed over to the bureau, so the bureau should allocate funds for this matter.

Director Wu initially refused, but Zhao Dajun ended up playing tricks and said that if the bureau didn't support it, the target for next year's submission would have to be halved.

His reasons are also very good. He wants the horse to run fast, but he also wants the horse not to eat grass. How can this be justified? It's almost like wishing for something to eat.

Zhao Dajun was a straightforward man with a bold personality. He was also a good man when it came to persuading people. He not only looked for Director Wu and the old leader, but also all the leaders.

The bosses were almost annoyed by him all day long.

Near the end of the afternoon shift, the leaders held a meeting to discuss the issues of expanding production and the surrender plan of Lao Longhe Farm.

Finally, Zhao Dajun got what he wanted. The next day, he received the approval for the grant and returned to the farm happily after finishing his work.

Du Shaojie didn't have to worry about these things. The arrival of Sun Qiang and others gave him a chance to practice, and he naturally gained a lot.

【Bound chef: Du Shaojie】

[Level: First-class worker]

[Current works: Fish-flavored pork shreds, dry-fried fish, beef stew]

【Overall evaluation: medium to low】

[Bonus: Food Identification Encyclopedia (12) (13) (14)]

[Reward: venison (9 kg), simulation training time (90 hours)]

[Special Reward: None]

Of the six dishes made that day, three received an overall rating of “average to below average”.

The Food Identification Encyclopedia completes the last part, which is equivalent to an "encyclopedia of food ingredients." Everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, and swims in the water is covered in it.

He was also delighted by the reward. Venison was an uncommon food ingredient at the time, and he could let his mother and two younger sisters taste it when he got home.

(End of this chapter)