Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 825 - 413: Zhao Cheng’an (Part 3)

When Zhao Cheng’an was transitioning from a summer job to a full-time position at Zhiwei Restaurant, Tan Wei’an was still a little kid, practicing basic skills at home without formal culinary training. At that time, Tan Wei’an always thought he would be the next Zhao Cheng’an, that as soon as he got serious, his skills would amaze everyone at Zhiwei Restaurant.

Then reality slapped Tan Wei’an in the face, reminding him he was thinking too much. Although everyone had connections, and Tan Wei’an’s connections were even stronger, some were born to be the main characters, while others were destined to be supporting roles.

This is also why Tan Wei’an could so calmly lie flat after meeting Qin Huai. Qin Huai was indeed more exceptional, but Tan Wei’an was used to it. He grew up in the shadow of talented people, and life is long; what if he encounters someone even more exceptional than Qin Huai in the future?

Qin Huai stood by Su Qian’s cooking station, yet his focus seemed to wander among several stations.

Su Qian, Zhao Cheng’an, Zhou Yan, and Wang Jiayi were all kneading dough.

Kneading dough is the most basic and most important skill for a pastry chef.

Though these 4 people were taught by the same master, Qin Huai noticed that they each had distinct features in their dough kneading technique.

Zhao Cheng’an, with the most lively personality, approached dough kneading with the greatest steadiness and concentration. As a typical talent, Zhao Cheng’an’s dough had almost no personal style and almost no detectable flaws. The few minor issues that might seem like problems could even be his personal touch, making it very standard, steady, and well-grounded.

In complete contrast was Wang Jiayi. As an upgraded version of Guli, his dough kneading was quite characteristic, with very exaggerated and bold movements, more like a performance than kneading. Moreover, his culinary skills were actually above Qin Huai’s, so Qin Huai simply enjoyed watching him knead dough, almost expressing disbelief at this level not yet being qualified to graduate. Master Zhou’s standards to graduate must be high.

Zhou Yan, as Master Zhou’s only female direct disciple, had smaller, gentler movements while kneading, very simplified, clean, and efficient, with no extraneous actions at all.

A certain personal style, but not much.

As for Su Qian.

He was the least skilled of the four, so much so that Qin Huai could easily spot multiple issues. Before, when Su Qian was at Zhiwei Restaurant, Qin Huai thought Su Qian’s culinary skills were decent enough to outshine many apprentices.

Now, however...

One could only say that without comparison, there is no harm; compared to his three future senior brothers and sisters, Su Qian indeed needs more practice.

Qin Huai enjoyed a soup dumpling with relish, watching with relaxed ease.

Master Zhou hadn’t told Qin Huai what he should observe, and Qin Huai wasn’t sure what he was supposed to watch, but whatever, he just kept watching.

If at that moment, someone completely clueless about the situation passed by, they’d likely think Qin Huai was the young master of Zhiwei Restaurant, then shake their head thinking Zhiwei Restaurant was doomed.

The young master being so leisurely as to watch the pastry chefs knead dough while eating breakfast, looking on with the cluelessness of not knowing what to look at, was probably also a spendthrift who couldn’t make pastries.

Qin Huai swallowed the last mouthful of soup dumpling, put down the plate, and prepared to eat noodles.

Master Zhou asked with a smile, "Want to eat a bit more? Old Hua’s chicken soup noodles are pretty ordinary, nothing much to eat. If you’re not full, Xiao Qin, I can make another batch of egg tarts later when I’m free, and you can have a few more to fill up."

Zhao Cheng’an, who was focused on kneading dough, couldn’t help but glance up at Master Zhou, his face filled with disbelief—was this still his master?

Back then, when I was a kid, I didn’t get such treatment. Why is it that in front of him, this Xiao Qin isn’t a kid anymore, yet still gets treated like one?

Master, am I still your most beloved third disciple?

Master Zhou didn’t even spare Zhao Cheng’an a glance.

"Master Zhou, there’s no need for all that trouble, I’ll just eat something casually," Qin Huai said a little embarrassedly with a smile, "Everyone’s busy, and I’m just here eating, I feel awkward. Maybe I should also..."

"No need," Master Zhou said with firm resolve, "Xiao Qin, you just watch today, just watch."

"Lao San, don’t be lazy, you’re daydreaming again," Master Zhou said sternly.

Zhao Cheng’an: QAQ