Daddy's Gourmet Shop-Chapter 227 - 219: Never Fails to Impress!

Time turns back.

International Hotel’s kitchen.

It’s mealtime, and the kitchen is bustling.

The stoves are burning hot, fire tongues happily licking the pot bottoms, oil-smeared dishes singing merrily in the blaze, while chefs in white uniforms deftly stir fry with their woks.

Maneuvering pots and pans.

Producing delicious dishes, which are then taken by the waitstaff to the diners’ tables.

As the Head Chef, Ma Qingxiong’s main duties involve coordinating various kitchen sections such as cold dishes, pastries, steamer, preparation, and stir-frying, yet he still maintains the habit of stepping in to cook whenever needed.

In his own words: he considers himself the kitchen’s fix-it guy, going wherever he’s needed.

At this moment.

He’s still weaving through the kitchen, checking on the chefs’ cooking progress, occasionally offering some guidance.

Suddenly, his phone rings.

It’s a takeaway call.

His heart skips a beat.

Could it be that he couldn’t get it again?

Surely he, Ma Qingxiong, couldn’t be so unlucky not to get it for several meals in a row?

He answers the call.

A familiar voice of the delivery guy comes through: "Hello, the Dongpo Pork you ordered, I’ve got it. I’m in your hotel lobby now, do you want to come down and get it, or should I leave it at the front desk for you to pick up later?"

"Just leave it at the front desk! They’ll send someone to deliver it to me. I’ll transfer the money to you later."

Ma Qingxiong hangs up and transfers the agreed delivery fee to the delivery guy.

Seeing that the delivery guy has received it, he puts his phone back in his pocket, waiting for his takeaway to arrive.

"Head Chef Ma..."

A staff member holding a food bag stops at the kitchen entrance, standing outside, calling out.

After all, the hotel kitchen is a restricted area, not allowing unauthorized entry, even for hotel staff.

Hearing the call, Ma Qingxiong comes over, stands outside the door, and smiles: "What brings you to me?"

The staff hands over the food bag, saying: "Head Chef Ma, this is sent over from the front desk for you."

"Oh, thank you!"

Ma Qingxiong didn’t expect the front desk to be quite efficient; they delivered it so quickly, he reaches out to take it and expresses his gratitude.

Watching the staff leave, he heads back to the kitchen with the food bag.

The other chefs, seeing this, curiously peek at the food bag in his hand.

Through the food bag, they can vaguely see that it seems to hold a takeout box?!

Hmm?

Is this takeaway ordered from outside?

Strange!

Head Chef Ma never ordered takeaway before, why did he change today?

Besides, the hotel serves meals at night too, there’s no need to spend extra on takeaway!

The chefs were puzzled by his actions, all turning into confused face emojis.

Some chefs who were on closer terms with him couldn’t help but tease:

"Head Chef Ma, you’re the head chef of our five-star hotel! Whatever you want to eat, you can just make it yourself, why order takeaway! Besides, how can those outside takeaways be as delicious as what you make..."

"Exactly! Even if you don’t feel like cooking, just say the word and we brothers would make it for you. It might not taste as good as yours, but it’ll definitely be better than outside food."

Ma Qingxiong chuckled and said earnestly: "This is not just any regular takeaway."

There’s a distinction between regular and non-regular takeaway?

The other chefs laughed at this.

Ma Qingxiong continued: "I specifically asked the delivery guy to go to Delicious Restaurant and bring me back some Dongpo Pork."

So it is packed from Delicious Restaurant!

Indeed not ordinary takeaway!

The chefs who had the fortune of tasting Delicious Restaurant’s braised dishes at the food festival also felt this takeaway was truly extraordinary.

After all, the braised dishes had enthralled them, remaining unforgettable!

If it weren’t for being tied up with work, they would surely visit West City Old Street every day to buy tasty braised dishes and other delicious food from Delicious Restaurant.

Oh, right!

They could also mimic Head Chef Ma and ask the delivery guys to buy it for them!

But just thinking about the not-so-cheap delivery fees made them feel it’d be better to work hard first.

Once they have money, they can have whatever they want, eat whatever they fancy!

Now that the busy service has passed, the chefs are free.

Ma Qingxiong invited: "I bought a lot of this Dongpo Pork, everyone come and try some!"

Everyone chuckled, rubbing their hands in anticipation: "Head Chef Ma, we were waiting for you to say that."

"You guys..."

Ma Qingxiong smiled, took the takeout boxes from the bag, and opened them. A mouth-watering aroma filled the air instantly.

Looking down, a stack of caramel-colored Dongpo Pork glistening within the boxes, the meat looked like agate, irresistibly tempting.

"Gulp~"

Everyone’s throats moved, unable to resist swallowing.

To alleviate the awkwardness, someone laughed, diverting attention: "Look, these Dongpo Pork don’t have any signs of being tied with strings, and they held together during cooking, which shows how skillful Boss Huang is at controlling the heat."

Ma Qingxiong and the others nodded in agreement, feeling their anticipation for the Dongpo Pork rise quickly, almost overflowing.

"Let’s dig in!"

The leader spoke, so everyone picked up their chopsticks and indulged in the Dongpo Pork.

The gelatinous skin was not greasy at all, and the inside was soft and tender, dispersing effortlessly with a bite,

the salty sauce clung to the meat, filling the entire palate with an exquisite sensation.

In no time, this Dongpo Pork garnered high praise from all the chefs.

"Beautiful and delicious, it makes me once again feel the charm of traditional cuisine."

"This Dongpo Pork is rich but not greasy, the meat carries a lingering fragrance of wine, not only is it visually enticing but also incredibly savory and juicy!"

After tasting it, Ma Qingxiong also expressed his satisfaction: "Yup, Boss Huang’s Dongpo Pork is indeed authentic! Made with wine instead of water, not only does it remove the meat’s fishy taste but also softens the meat, and the selection of pork belly is fresh and balanced with layers of lean and fat, spices are added all at once, which gives it such a rich flavor. During cooking, the heat control is excellent, boiling with high heat and simmering slowly, then steaming it with high heat until fully cooked, achieving the goal of tender meat that holds its shape, while also not being greasy,"

"Indeed, with the right heat, the meat naturally becomes tender and not greasy, but this really tests a chef’s skills."

...

Meanwhile.

The head chefs from other hotels and restaurants in Wenling City, with the repeated help of the delivery guy, finally tasted the Dongpo Pork made by Huang Tao.

Upon tasting, their eyes gleamed brightly.

Evidently amazed by Huang Tao’s Dongpo Pork, they were once again impressed by Huang Tao’s culinary skills.

They couldn’t help but sigh: "Boss Huang’s craftsmanship has never let anyone down!"

They ate joyfully, while Huang Tao felt puzzled.