Chapter 344 - 187: The Taste, Unbeatable

Chapter 344: Chapter 187: The Taste, Unbeatable

Zhou Yan had prepared many small plates. Once the ingredients were ready, they had to be pre-portioned to ensure service was efficient.

The prep cooks and the expediters—in large restaurants, these were all separate jobs.

Zhou Yan had no choice but to handle both roles himself for the time being.

"An expediter is a chef’s most critical assistant. They’re responsible for bridging the gap between the prep cook and the main chef, getting all the required ingredients for each dish ready, and thereby increasing the chef’s efficiency." Zhou Yan called Zhou Lihui over and began explaining the ingredient quantities and portioning methods for a few dishes.

A chef’s grasp of ingredient portions is a fundamental skill. A great chef is also a great prep cook and expediter. Especially in smaller restaurants, one person often has to manage everything.

Zhou Lihui listened intently, beginning to portion out the ingredients as Zhou Yan instructed.

He came to the restaurant to help every morning now, and his tasks were actually quite similar to those of an expediter.

He was in charge of adding the seasoning to the noodles and ladling on the toppings. He grew more and more proficient, which freed Zhou Yan up to focus on pulling the noodles, drastically increasing the speed of their noodle service.

The kid had a knack for seasoning. He was also a steady, hard worker. He came to help at the shop early every morning and never once complained about being tired or the work being difficult. He arrived full of energy every day.

「In a flash, it was five o’clock.」

Zhou Yan lifted the lids from two small pots on the side. Inside, beef brisket and pork ribs were simmering, sending up puffs of steam. The aroma hit him full in the face. He picked up a piece of brisket; the glistening, reddish-brown meat quivered, its translucent sinew stained by the clear, shimmering broth.

"Try it," Zhou Yan offered, holding it out to Zhou Lihui.

Zhou Lihui opened his mouth and took it, wincing from the heat and panting. After a moment, he chewed, swallowed, and nodded. "It’s tender! The flavor is perfect. Delicious!"

Zhou Yan smiled and nodded. "I know. I just wanted you to be the first to try a piece."

Zhou Lihui grinned.

Zhou Yan closed the vent at the bottom of the honeycomb briquette stove, turning the flame down to low. He left the pots on top to keep warm, figuring they’d be ready to plate and serve very soon.

"Master, it doesn’t feel right for me to go. I just got off work, and I’m showing up empty-handed. It’s too embarrassing," a middle-aged man said with a smile as he walked beside Zhang Zhengping, holding his hands out apologetically.

"What’s the big deal? It’s just a casual meal. You don’t need to bring a gift," Zhang Zhengping said, pausing to look at him. "You’re so busy all the time, even working on Sundays. It’s not every day I get to come to Suji. The least you can do is have a meal with me, right?"

Ji Hongtao looked guilty. "Of course! I’m the one who’s been a poor host this time. Next month, when I’m on vacation, I’ll definitely come to Niu Hua to visit you and your wife. We’ll have a few good drinks then."

Zhang Zhengping waved his hand dismissively. "No need to wait for next month. We can have those drinks tonight, just the two of us. It’s not like you’re on duty this evening."

"Alright, whatever you say, Master," Ji Hongtao said with a smile and a nod. He resumed walking and asked curiously, "Is that restaurant by the factory entrance the one your grand-nephew opened? My colleagues have mentioned it a few times. They say the food’s great, but I haven’t had a chance to try it."

Zhang Zhengping looked at him. "You’re just too dedicated to your job. It’s all you think about. You don’t pay enough attention to your own life. I bet you eat all three meals at the cafeteria, day in and day out."

"Not entirely," Ji Hongtao said with a laugh. "When I’m not on duty on Sundays, I go home to eat. And I get a few days off for the New Year to go back to Rongcheng. My mother is a fantastic cook, too."

"You still need to find some joy in life. Go out and find something good to eat, for example. A good meal can improve your mood for the whole day," Zhang Zhengping said earnestly. "As doctors, we see so much life and death. It can take a toll on your state of mind. You have to learn to regulate yourself."

"I understand," Ji Hongtao nodded. Following behind Zhang Zhengping, he felt like he was once again that greenhorn intern just starting out at the hospital.

"Your grand-uncle is here!" Zhao Tieying announced, spotting them at the entrance. She hurried into the kitchen. "We can start serving the food!"

"Got it. We’ll start with the braised dishes, one plate per table," Zhou Yan said with a nod, placing the last slice of braised beef onto a platter.

Zhao Hong followed her into the kitchen and began bringing out the food.

"Huihui, light the stove and heat the wok!" Zhou Yan called out as he plated one of the braised dishes.

"Got it!" Zhou Lihui replied, immediately moving behind the stove to get the fire going. He lit some straw with a match, and soon had a proper fire blazing.

After this period of practice, he had become a qualified Fireman.

Zhang Zhengping led Ji Hongtao into the restaurant and introduced him to everyone. He, the matriarch, and the five Zhou brothers all sat at one table.

The children had their own table, while the cousins and their wives sat at another.

Zhou Yan came out carrying two platters of braised pork ribs.

Zhang Zhengping smiled and introduced him to Ji Hongtao. "This is Zhou Yan. He owns the restaurant. A couple of days ago, he and Zhou Ming even caught four thieves."

Ji Hongtao looked at Zhou Yan, surprised. "So accomplished for someone so young. Opening such a large restaurant at your age... I often hear my colleagues saying how fantastic the food here is. I never expected the owner to be so young and handsome."

’This was the truth. He’d assumed there had to be an old master chef presiding over the kitchen for the restaurant to have earned such a reputation.’

’But seeing him today, he was surprised to find it was a handsome young man.’

’A chef this young can actually cook well?’

’The hospital and factory cafeterias were separate. They had their own small one, where the chef was around forty, and his skills were merely average.’

Zhou Yan smiled. "You’re too kind, Dean Ji. I’ve often heard my grand-uncle mention you. He says you were his star student."

Ji Hongtao’s face lit up at his words. "I’m just glad I haven’t embarrassed him."

"Please, go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me," Zhou Yan said with a smile, setting down the platters of ribs. "The food will get cold in this weather, and it won’t taste as good once it loses its heat." He glanced over at Zhou Momo, who was already seated in the seat of honor at the children’s table.