NOVPUBChapter 827: 826
Chapter 827: 826
Qin Guisheng only invited Jiang Feng alone, and Wu Minqi along with Sun Jikai didn’t find it appropriate to accompany him. Hence Jiang Feng spoke to them beforehand, had them head back first, and stayed behind to catch a ride after Peng Changping and his team finished the rehearsal.
Upon hearing that Jiang Feng couldn’t return immediately to continue his study on thickening sauces, both Sun Jikai and Wu Minqi expressed great regret. They immediately took out their phones, hailed a car, and rushed off cheerily, appearing joyous like students notified by the school of an unexpected holiday and happily returning home.
Jiang Feng stayed at the rehearsal venue and joined Sheng Ming and a few others, watching the judges on the stage from afar while chatting idly.
“By the way, I heard that Michelin’s latest evaluation will be published in January. No doubt Taifeng Building will be listed. Let me congratulate you in advance,” Sheng Ming suddenly said.
“Published in January.” When Jiang Feng first heard this news, he was somewhat bewildered, perhaps because the Michelin circle seemed too distant for those restaurants in Beiping and the information they received was quite limited.
If I were to say that at the beginning of the year, people were still concerned about the so-called Michelin evaluations, with the opening of the top-tier restaurant and the strong presence of Chef Arno, everyone’s attention was mostly drawn to the top-tier restaurant, and they even forgot why the top-tier restaurant initially opened in Beiping.
Everyone either went to see the bustle or directly dealt with the top-tier restaurant, no longer caring about the so-called Michelin evaluations.
“Have they done the evaluations?” Jiang Feng asked, looking clueless.
“They finished evaluating a long time ago, don’t worry. The judges are reportedly very fair and esteemed food critics, and I believe they will provide a fair and objective review,” Sheng Ming said with a smile, seeing Jiang Feng still bewildered, he quickly explained, “You probably don’t have much related experience. These evaluations are like this, the selection for the Gourmet Records is the same. The selection process is kept so secretive precisely to keep us from finding out and preparing beforehand.”
Jiang Feng could understand and nodded. Only then did he belatedly realize that the Gourmet Records evaluation must have also concluded.
Unbeknownst to him, not many days were left in the year.
The rehearsal conducted by Peng Changping and his team went very smoothly, and Jiang Feng waited for less than an hour before it ended. It’s worth mentioning that Henry, the lean, serious-looking judge who seemed unapproachable and seldom spoke, appeared very interested in Jiang Feng.
As everyone was exchanging pleasantries and preparing to leave, while Jiang Feng was walking towards Peng Changping, he proactively approached Jiang Feng and extended his hand for a handshake and greeting. Although he didn’t say anything substantial, his attitude was very positive, clearly showing great admiration for Jiang Feng.
This surprised Peng Changping greatly, and on the way back, he couldn’t help but complain to Jiang Feng that it was rare to see Henry being so friendly towards a chef. 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓅𝓊𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
After Peng Changping did the introductions, only then did Jiang Feng learn that the unapproachable-looking Henry was indeed difficult to get along with, and was famously critical and harsh in his reviews, never mincing words which had offended many chefs. On this note, Henry and Chef Arno clearly spoke the same language, and Henry’s most admired chef was Chef Arno. In previous years, he often wrote articles supporting Chef Arno, claiming that with his culinary skills he should definitely rank in the top five on the Gourmet Records.
He could be considered a loyal fan of Chef Arno.
“By the way, I heard you’ve been pondering thickening techniques these past few days,” Peng Changping suddenly asked.
“Yes, whenever I made Jiang’s Sea Cucumber Soup, I always felt something was off, which resulted in the dish being hit or miss. I’ve been pondering this issue recently and thought I could start with the thickening process, so I wanted to give it a try,” Jiang Feng said.
Master Peng nodded in approval, “Jiang’s Sea Cucumber Soup is a type of thick soup, and starting with the thickening process is indeed a very good entry point. I previously didn’t realize you were so skilled at cooking porridge, and seeing you occasionally lose your touch with Jiang’s Sea Cucumber Soup, I didn’t pay much attention. Now it seems that Jiang’s Sea Cucumber Soup might be the type of dish you’re particularly good at and familiar with, and finding breakthroughs from your strengths is a very good approach.”
“Then do you think there is anything that can be improved in terms of thickening?” Jiang Feng asked.
Master Peng shook his head, “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that; thickening isn’t my specialty. If my younger sister were still alive, she could probably have given you a tip or two. She was very skilled at thickening, or as you young people would put it, ‘adding soul’ to it.”
“By the way,” Master Peng added as he remembered something about Cao Guixiang, “my younger brother has been experiencing some discomfort these past few days; he was discharged this morning but still has to be careful with his diet. If he asks you to recreate that wedding banquet we had before, definitely don’t agree. His old bones can’t handle that kind of strain.”
Jiang Feng nodded, indicating he understood.
That evening’s meeting, soon after Master Peng and Jiang Feng returned to Yonghe House, Master Peng left, having other matters to attend to. Accompanying Jiang Feng were Sheng Ming and another apprentice of Master Peng; their simple reason for being there was to keep an eye on Qin Guisheng and prevent him from being reckless.
An old person who decides to let loose regardless of seniority can indeed be a troubling matter.
Master Peng’s caution was necessary. Almost immediately after exchanging pleasantries with Jiang Feng, Qin Guisheng got straight to the point, requesting Jiang Feng to recreate the meal they had previously, insisting on having all the dishes with the right flavors, not to worry about leftovers since he had a big appetite and could eat plenty.
“Uncle master, Dad specifically instructed us to watch over you and prevent you from eating indiscriminately. You have just been discharged from the hospital, and didn’t the doctor tell you to watch your diet and follow the prescribed meal plan?” the strict inspector Sheng Ming, speaking out before Jiang Feng had a chance to respond, readily played the bad guy.
Qin Guisheng, undaunted as if he wasn’t the one who had nearly lost half his life due to the local conditions and jet lag these past days, said, “What’s there to be afraid of? I’m just eating one meal; it’s fine if it’s not according to the meal plan once.”
“You just said you wanted to eat it multiple times.” Sheng Ming was unyielding.
“You heard wrong!”
Seeing a major conflict about to erupt over a meal, Jiang Feng quickly stepped in to mediate, “Master Qin, I really can’t make it today, and with the semifinals coming up in a couple of days, I might not have time to cook for you. How about this, there is a long break after the semifinals. Once they are over, I’ll find a time to prepare the same meal that I made for Master Peng and the others, promising the same flavors as before.”
Qin Guisheng wasn’t unreasonable, just a bit rebellious. The older he got, the more rebellious he became, always unable to resist going against others.
“Fine, but the timing shouldn’t be too late, preferably at lunchtime. Zhang Chu, that old fellow, sleeps incredibly early, hits the bed at 9 pm, can’t believe he can sleep that early,” Qin Guisheng said.
“I need to video call him during meals too.”
