Chef at the University Canteen-Chapter 489 - 276: Signature Snacks of the Seventh Dining Hall (Part 4)
The dishes like Jiangzhou specialty Three Cup Chicken, Lotus Blood Duck, and Steamed Fish Head, which had been improved by him, were deeply loved by diners and attracted many gluttons from all over to come and taste them.
Logically speaking, having such a highly skilled head chef working in such a renowned large restaurant is a rare opportunity for a young person like Xiong Zhengtao, who is in his twenties.
There are prospects for development and a stage for showcasing, with a bright future ahead.
But Xiong Zhengtao is quite dissatisfied in his heart.
The reason for this is that although he’s worked at Qingshan Restaurant for nearly three years, he finds that he’s made very little technical progress. This isn’t because Xiong Zhengtao is not diligent or unwilling to learn. In fact, most of his current culinary skills were honed through his own hard work.
The main reason for his slow progress is the lack of guidance.
According to common practice, besides dividing the work among chefs, a head chef is also responsible for leading the chefs in cooking various dishes, accurately using different cooking methods, and ensuring the quality of the products. However, the head chef at Qingshan Restaurant, He Donglai, is different.
When called upon to prepare exquisite dishes, He Donglai often works like a tiger but doesn’t say a word throughout the process.
He doesn’t explain to the other chefs why a dish is made in a certain way or how to master critical techniques like handling heat, and even if a chef asks, he won’t say anything.
Of course, not all chefs in the kitchen lack guidance. There are always a few chefs willing to flatter and please He Donglai, even sending gifts during holidays. In such cases, He Donglai might casually offer a few pointers when he’s in a good mood.
After staying in such an environment for a long time, Xiong Zhengtao feels like even breathing has become a bit constricted.
Actually, earlier, when he realized that his culinary skills were becoming increasingly hard to improve, he already wanted to switch jobs. But before he could find a suitable place, he suddenly saw the recruitment information from Jiang University Seventh Dining Hall, which sparked a flame of hope in his heart.
Earlier this year, he had the opportunity to dine at the Seventh Dining Hall with friends just once.
That one time left a lasting impression of Boss Xiao Jiang’s cooking and made him realize Boss Xiao Jiang’s exceptional skills, and even more so, how extraordinary Boss Xiao Jiang was.
More importantly, he also heard that Boss Xiao Jiang often guides his chefs without reservation and as long as you want to learn, he is willing to teach.
Isn’t a highly skilled chef with such an open heart and generous manner exactly who he’s hoping to encounter?
Besides, Boss Xiao Jiang’s culinary skills are far superior to He Donglai’s!
No matter how good He Donglai is, can his banquet fetch a high price of a hundred thousand yuan?
Now, Xiong Zhengtao is worried that with his current culinary skills, if he applies to the Seventh Dining Hall, what if Boss Xiao Jiang is not impressed?
"Brother Tao, the head chef is looking for you!"
While Xiong Zhengtao was thinking about these matters, an apprentice suddenly ran over and called out.
Xiong Zhengtao was startled and asked, "Huh? Do you know why the head chef is looking for me?"
"I don’t know, but from his looks, it seems like he’s not in a good mood, Brother Tao. You better go quickly."
"Okay."
Xiong Zhengtao nodded, having an idea why the head chef might be looking for him, probably because he’s planning to resign.
The kitchen can’t afford idle people, it’s always one radish one hole. Once he leaves, they’ll have to recruit another, and He Donglai dislikes the hassle.
Moreover, given He Donglai’s temper, which is well-known among Jiangzhou’s chef community, those who truly want to learn culinary skills won’t come here.
Xiong Zhengtao put down what he was doing, washed his hands, and then walked out of the kitchen to the head chef’s office.
As he entered, he saw Head Chef He Donglai sitting behind the desk, flipping through a computer while smoking.
When He Donglai saw Xiong Zhengtao come in, he stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and pointed to the chair opposite him, saying:
"Sit down and let’s talk."
"Thank you, Head Chef."
After sitting down in the chair, Xiong Zhengtao asked, "Head Chef, do you have any instructions for me?"
"It’s like this, I’m planning to hold a session of culinary skills training at the end of this month, and I plan to include you on the training list."
He Donglai raised his head to glance at him, smiled, and said,
"This chef training isn’t for everyone, only those who perform well usually qualify. Xiaoxiong, I still have high hopes for you."
"Thank you for your appreciation, Head Chef, but I have already submitted my resignation. I am truly sorry."
Xiong Zhengtao was taken aback, but then he realized, if it wasn’t too early or too late, training is planned now when I’m resigning?
However, once you draw the bow, there’s no turning back. Since he’s resigning, he obviously doesn’t care for this training.
"Xiaoxiong, I know you want to go to that Jiang University Seventh Dining Hall, but honestly, how can a university dining hall compare to our restaurant?"
He Donglai turned to look at Xiong Zhengtao and earnestly persuaded him,
"Are you really willing to spend your life frying large pots of food in a student dining hall?
You must know that once you fall into that pit, it’ll be hard to get out. No major hotel will value a chef from a dining hall."
"I’m sorry, Head Chef, but I have made my decision."
Xiong Zhengtao thought for a moment and then said, "Our restaurant is indeed good, but I have my own pursuits."
"Ah! You young lad!"
He Donglai shook his head, looking disappointed, and said, "You’ll regret it in the future."
Xiong Zhengtao didn’t say anything, his gaze wandered slightly, seeing through the window the sky was azure blue, and a few birds flapped their wings, soaring into the sky in an instant.
He thought silently in his heart:
Regret?
If I stayed here to join your organized chef training instead of seizing the opportunity to go to Jiang University Seventh Dining Hall, that would be real regret!
