I'm the Culinary God-Chapter 521 - 259: Dishes That Comfort Homesickness! Unexpected Gains from the Opening Ceremony? [10K Large - Vote Request]_6
The roasting started right on time, ensuring it wouldn’t delay the noon tasting.
Three whole roasted lambs, along with a few suckling pigs, comprised the menu for today’s guests.
"Wei Qian, is everything ready with the food?"
"Don’t worry, Lin Xu, everything is arranged. Today’s honored guests will have lunch in the private rooms on the third floor, while the first and second floors continue operating as usual."
As they were speaking, Chen Yan arrived upstairs, lifting the hem of her dress.
"Brother-in-law, what did the restaurant serve for breakfast this morning? I haven’t eaten yet!"
This question actually stumped Lin Xu.
"I ate at home today; I didn’t come to the restaurant. My mom made steamed pancakes, served with our homemade watermelon bean sauce, and I had millet pumpkin porridge."
Chen Yan was dumbfounded. He ate well behind my back again... It’s not even that the food was so amazing, but why do I get so hungry when my brother-in-law describes it like that?
"So, did you... finish everything this morning?"
"There’s a bit left. If you want some, have Yueyue take you."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan quickly lifted her dress hem and rushed downstairs.
She loved this kind of homey, everyday food, unlike at home where they always had things like fried eggs, toast, and jam, making it feel like a hotel buffet.
After steaming the Horse Hoof Cake, Lin Xu went to the cold storage, retrieved a piece of Mackerel, removed the fish bones, peeled off the skin, and then sliced it into pieces about half a centimeter thick.
Once sliced, he arranged the pieces on a baking tray and placed them in the oven to roast.
I promised Dundun I’d make dried fish, so I have to keep my word.
Unfortunately, there were no small river fish available for purchase at the moment, so he had to make do with Mackerel. After baking it until dry and fragrant, he would let it cool slightly until it softened a bit, then tear it into strips and store it in airtight bags.
This way, it would be convenient for Dundun to eat.
Of course, it would also be convenient for a certain big Baobao to sneak some in the middle of the night.
To prevent all of Dundun’s snacks from being eaten, Lin Xu planned to roast a larger batch this time.
Processing this type of sea fish was quite simple; no salt was needed, as it naturally had a mild saltiness after roasting.
At half-past nine in the morning, Lin Xu’s father-in-law, along with relatives from the Shen Family and the Han Family, had all arrived.
Old Mrs. Shen hugged Dundun the moment she entered and shared Dundun’s amusing antics with Old Mrs. Han, actually turning Old Mrs. Han, a re-employed professor from Xiehe, into a fervent cat lover.
"Listening to you, Dundun sounds smarter than a child! Dundun, dear, I’m your great-grandmother. How about you come home with me today? Great-grandma has fish for you at home."
Old Mrs. Han extended her hand towards Dundun, initially thinking the little creature wouldn’t pay her any mind. To her surprise, it immediately jumped from Old Mrs. Shen’s arms, landed in hers, and curled up like a baby. This made Old Mrs. Han so delighted she immediately went to show off to Old Mr. Han.
But at that moment, Old Mr. Han wasn’t paying attention to Dundun; he was wearing his reading glasses, engrossed in examining the calligraphy Geng Lishan had brought.
Last time, Geng Lishan had gifted "Harmony Brings Wealth" and "May Your Business Thrive."
Today, he had brought a transcription of Li Bai’s "Bring in the Wine" and a huge plaque inscribed with "May Wealth Flow In Abundantly."
The two calligraphic works made many present turn their heads in admiration. It was hard to imagine that such an eccentric and hard-to-please calligrapher could have such a good relationship with Lin Xu.
Heard about a renovation? He sent calligraphy. Heard about an engagement? He sent calligraphy. Heard about joining a TV program? He sent calligraphy. Last time the restaurant served roasted suckling pig? He sent calligraphy. And today, for the new restaurant’s opening, he sent calligraphy again.
Whenever Lin Xu had any kind of event, big or small, Mr. Lishan would promptly send over some calligraphy.
If he kept this up, Mr. Lishan’s calligraphy might even depreciate in value.
Soon, the crew from the TV station also arrived.
Everyone first presented their gifts at the ceremonial table, then filmed some footage, planning to insert it into the travel news segment as a news report.
Yanjing was a tourist city. Now that it had a new dining venue capable of accommodating tourists, it was perfectly reasonable to feature it in the travel channel’s news, right?
Not long after the TV station crew arrived, the head chefs from the Fishing Platform, led by Director Liao of the Dining Department, also came to the restaurant.
After each presenting their gifts at the ceremonial table, they voluntarily went upstairs to help in the kitchen.
After all, this was their area of expertise. If the dishes somehow failed today, it would tarnish not only Lin Xu’s reputation but also that of the Fishing Platform.
Guo Weidong stood before the roasting oven, looking at the whole lambs hanging inside and the suckling pigs marinating outside, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
Just last night, he had been amazed by Xie Baomin’s exceptional talent.
But now, looking at these suckling pigs, he truly recognized Lin Xu’s terrifying talent.
He had only taught him once, yet Lin Xu had managed to prepare the suckling pigs so professionally. With talent like that, he truly had the capital to be arrogant.
As he was musing, Dai Jianli came over and handed Guo Weidong some snacks.
"What’s this?"
"Baked fish slices. It seems Brother Lin made them for his cat. They taste pretty good and are quite suitable for pairing with drinks."
Guo Weidong was speechless. You even eat the cat’s snacks? Just how hungry are you?
Seeing that these fish slices were perfectly baked, Guo Weidong couldn’t resist tearing off a piece to try.
It was indeed delicious. The subtle savory taste and the fresh flavor of the fish complemented each other perfectly. If I had a bag of these fish slices while watching a football game at night, with a couple of draft beers, it would definitely be very relaxing.
"How is it? You think it’s tasty too, right? Everything at Brother Lin’s place is exquisite; even the cat’s food is this delicious. I plan to take some with me."
Guo Weidong shot him a look. "Stealing things at the Fishing Platform isn’t enough for you? You’ve come here to embarrass yourself too?"
"What do you mean, embarrass myself? I’m planning to trade my skills. Last time, Brother Lin said my dry dip was quite good. I’m going to teach him how to make it. Taking a few pieces of dried fish as a tuition fee is perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?"
It *is* reasonable. But hold on... that son of a bitch! Trading the recipe for the dry dip for just a few pieces of dried fish? How are we supposed to exchange techniques with Lin Xu in the future? With this pot-stirrer around, nothing good ever happens!
At ten o’clock, Liu Zhengyu also arrived with people from the Travel Association.
Huo Yifan, who had previously participated in the competition, also came with his father, Huo Yuanchao, bearing a gift. Upon seeing Lin Xu, Huo Yifan couldn’t help but complain,
"You didn’t even tell me about your engagement! Were you afraid I couldn’t afford a worthy gift?"
"The competition had just ended," Lin Xu said with a smile. "I was worried you wouldn’t be able to get away."
Once most of the invited guests had arrived, the grand opening ceremony officially began.
As the master of ceremonies delivered an enthusiastic speech on the canopied stage, Lin Xu suddenly heard the system’s notification in his mind:
"Lin Ji’s Food has officially opened! Reward: two Perfect Level Culinary Skill Cards and three Perfect Level Dish Lottery Draws. Draw now?"
There’s even a lottery? I didn’t expect hosting an opening ceremony would bring such unexpected rewards. Where’s Dundun? Which elder is holding that little fella now? I need to find that little fella quickly and make the draws. If I need to show off my skills at lunch, this would be the perfect chance to demonstrate them.
While searching everywhere for the little chubby cat, Lin Xu saw a man in studded shoes, a studded hat, and a studded denim outfit, hand in hand with a middle-aged woman, arriving at the venue.
He stared dumbfoundedly at the man.
Holy crap! Is that Master? He’s dressed even younger than Senior Brother!
At this moment, Xie Baomin also noticed the punk-dressed elderly man; he and Lin Xu exchanged a look and walked over to the elderly man together...
