The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World-Chapter 98 - 97: You Have to Know How to Get Things Done to Succeed
Yao Shi came out of the music restaurant and received a call from his boss, Dong Jun Tian, asking him to drop by on his way home.
Dong Jun Tian’s house was in Shanshui Garden, not far from Yao Shi’s place, basically just a ten-minute drive away.
After knocking on the door, Dong Jun Tian opened it for him.
Upon entering, he saw that there were already people sitting in the living room.
And upon closer inspection, well, they were all familiar faces.
Wang Jingrui, Gao Chongbo, and a new face, who seemed to be Wang Jingrui’s younger brother, the boss of Four Seas Seafood Buffet Restaurant, Wang Xinnian.
Quite a gathering!
Previously, over the phone, Dong Jun Tian only mentioned there was something to discuss, without going into specifics.
Looking at this lineup, one wonders if it’s something big?
Yao Shi thought to himself, but didn’t show it on his face. He smiled and exchanged pleasantries with everyone before sitting next to Dong Jun Tian.
In such a setting, his task was usually to listen to the boss’s instructions and occasionally help lighten the atmosphere.
Dong Jun Tian said to Yao Shi, "I was just discussing it with them, so you might as well listen in."
"Our current arrangement in the kitchen just isn’t working. I want to set up a new system for managing order distribution. Of course, it’s just an intention for now, as I haven’t worked out the specifics yet. But... although we have enough staff in the kitchen, the only ones who can really handle the cooking are Old Zhao and Lao Gu. So I discussed with Jing Rui about having Old Zhao and Lao Gu take orders independently. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, the expression on Yao Shi’s face almost slipped.
Setting up a new system for managing order distribution in the kitchen?
That would mean the kitchen would undergo a complete split.
From now on, Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu would no longer be collaborators but rather competitors.
Generally, in large restaurants, the kitchen will have both a head chef and an executive chef.
The head chef manages the kitchen’s personnel, plans menus, orders food supplies, directs and assists in cooking, and prepares specific dishes.
The executive chef is responsible for taking orders and cooking, as well as kitchen food preparation.
At Qianlima, though the kitchen is busy, Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu have always worked together.
Each is in charge of cooking their specialty dishes, ensuring the speed of service and the taste of the dishes.
So regardless of their personal relationship, at least work-wise, they were partners.
Once they start taking orders separately, the nature of their work changes completely.
From then on, the two of them have become outright competitors, and the kitchen’s internal structure would undoubtedly be split in two.
Such a clear-cut work environment doesn’t help with maintaining harmony among the staff.
However...
Every disadvantage has an advantage.
At least the junior cooks in the kitchen will have more opportunities to cook.
Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu, even for the sake of making their jobs easier and earning more, would have to seriously cultivate two assistant chefs.
Gradually, the number of people in the kitchen who can really handle orders will increase.
As for those without talent who can’t be trained, when new recruits enter from culinary schools, there can be a process of survival of the fittest.
After a few rounds, only the elite will remain in the kitchen.
This completely breaks Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu’s dominance.
Newcomers get a chance, the veterans feel the pressure.
Work efficiency should improve accordingly.
But comparatively, the orders will surely be divided into major and minor events.
Coordinating this will become a problem.
Understanding the pros and cons, Yao Shi furrowed his brows and couldn’t help but glance at Dong Jun Tian.
No wonder the Wang brothers were invited today.
These two run restaurants themselves; although one is a barbecue buffet and the other a seafood buffet, at least they have no competitive interest with Qianlima.
Dong Jun Tian could invite them with peace of mind to help with this discussion.
The Wang brothers, being bosses themselves, naturally understood Dong Jun Tian’s thinking.
In business, the biggest fear is employees taking advantage.
The more capable the employees, the more profit they can generate.
Wang Jingrui agreed, "I think it’s a good idea, although my kitchen management isn’t the same as yours, so if you think it works, it works."
Wang Xinnian nodded, agreeing, "Exactly, our operation type is different, and so are our management methods. However, I also think it’s a good idea. At the very least, it’ll boost the enthusiasm of the kitchen staff."
Dong Jun Tian smiled slightly and turned to Yao Shi.
Seeing him looking at himself, he asked, "What do you think of this idea?"
Yao Shi took a deep breath.
The chaos isn’t scary, it’s the boss being too directive that’s worrisome.
No matter how many concerns you have, if the boss gives an order, you’ll have to find a way to solve it.
The personnel relationships in Qianlima’s kitchen are quite complex.
The discord between Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu is just a thin layer away from being exposed.
The junior staff in the kitchen are clearly divided into two factions.
Recalling the issues caused by Gu Yunwu during the regularization assessments, he felt uncomfortable.
This time, his task was to cooperate with the boss to reorganize the kitchen management.
Breaking the stalemate between Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu is a good starting point.
Yao Shi rubbed his fingers, feeling a bit of a craving for a cigarette.
But since no one else was smoking, he couldn’t very well start.
Clearing his throat, Yao Shi said, "Actually, it’s a good thing that we’re considering training junior staff to cook. The business has been consistent, but the kitchen staff hasn’t increased. With both Old Zhao and Lao Gu keeping watch, everything runs smoothly for now, but with more and more influencer visits and check-ins, if we ever get two big urgent orders at once, they alone wouldn’t be able to manage." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
Hearing this, Dong Jun Tian chuckled, looking at Yao Shi, "Exactly, if it weren’t for the big order we took last time that threw the kitchen into chaos, I wouldn’t have had this thought. Speaking of which, Fu Yu really did a great job. A talent like him shouldn’t go un-nurtured."
Thinking of Fu Yu, Wang Jingrui nodded in agreement, turning to his brother, "He’s the one I mentioned before, the chef who made the innovative Harvest Festival hot pot."
Wang Xinnian realized and nodded along.
Listening to the three bosses praise Fu Yu, Yao Shi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; Fu Yu was indeed lucky.
The kitchen work is both dirty and tiring; after working all day, no one’s job is really any easier than another’s.
But how do you judge who’s working harder, who’s more reliable?
It all comes down to who knows how to work!
If someone doesn’t know how to work, they might toil away for years and never catch the leadership’s eye.
But for those who do, a single impressive performance before the boss can leave a lasting impression.
