The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World-Chapter 41 - 40: Preparing a Table of Michelin Specialty Dishes
The banquet at the music restaurant starts at 4:30.
The kitchen prepared all the dishes before 4 o’clock, and the waiters began serving them gradually.
After Yao Shi checked everything one last time and confirmed there were no issues, he briefly gave some instructions and drove off.
He initially planned to go straight home, but halfway there, he remembered something about Fu Yu, so he decided to take a detour to Qianlima.
In the kitchen of Qianlima.
Gu Yunwu was busy flipping the wok, extremely occupied.
Yao Yihang was also working alone at the stove, with two assistants helping him.
The place was bustling with activity.
However, the stove area belonging to Zhao Meng was deserted, with only a few assistants preparing ingredients and occasionally helping the food runners pass plates to the servers.
Yao Shi was very confident in Zhao Meng, so when he knew a customer was looking for Fu Yu, he was at ease letting Zhao Meng handle it.
But now, seeing no one in the kitchen, Yao Shi’s heart sank for a moment.
"Where’s Zhao Meng?"
Yao Shi asked Gu Yunwu.
Gu Yunwu hurriedly replied, "He’s accompanying Xiaofu for on-site service at a customer’s home."
Yao Shi was taken aback.
Did he get that wrong?
Zhao Meng accompanied Fu Yu for on-site service at a customer’s home?
Implying that Zhao Meng was there to assist Fu Yu?
Gu Yunwu, busy with his work, knew little about this matter.
Yao Shi then went to the front hall to ask Gao Wenjing for details.
Gao Wenjing, quick with words, explained the situation in just a few sentences.
"The customer specially came to request Fu Yu for on-site service, saying they had tasted his butter-grilled lobster before, which was as good as at a Michelin restaurant."
Yao Shi was stunned.
Fu Yu actually made a butter-grilled lobster comparable to a Michelin restaurant?
This must be the customer just flattering him for favor, right?
Thinking about Gao Wenjing’s hints, it’s likely that the middle-aged wealthy woman is interested in Fu Yu, and aims to woo him.
Yao Shi frowned immediately.
How could this be allowed!
Fu Yu is still young, lacks life experience, and is not quite grounded.
Older women tend to be caring, and this one also has money.
With both a gentle approach and financial temptation, this is more powerful than a sugar-coated bullet.
Yao Shi found a quiet place and called Zhao Meng.
Zhao Meng received the call while sitting in the back seat of a Cayenne, listening to the middle-aged wealthy woman talking to Fu Yu.
The middle-aged wealthy woman was named Liu Yici, and her friend’s surname was Qin, named Qin Yue.
She came this time to help her friend Qin Yue invite Fu Yu to cook and host a family banquet.
Liu Yici was very kind to Fu Yu, as he made her earn some face in front of her friends, satisfying her vanity.
The last time she dined at Qianlima, she took a set of photos and posted them in her friend circle.
As a result, her friends all thought she had dined at a Michelin restaurant in Shanghai.
Besides feeling secretly delighted, she chatted about it with her friend Qin Yue.
She and Qin Yue were close friends since childhood, sharing everything without secrets.
Qin Yue was quite surprised to hear that she actually dined at Qianlima.
Liu Yici casually praised Fu Yu, and coincidentally, Qin Yue wanted to hold a family banquet, so she asked her friend Liu Yici to invite this skilled chef to her home to cook.
Liu Yici explained, "My friend doesn’t mind the cost, as long as you prepare the family banquet well; the service fee will definitely be generous."
Fu Yu felt unsure and asked, "Does your friend have any specific preferences regarding food?"
Liu Yici hurriedly replied, "No, she’s very easygoing; this is mainly to entertain her in-laws."
"My friend’s family made a fortune in logistics and is usually very busy with work, having no particular demands on food. However, her in-laws are different; they’re from a literary family background."
Liu Yici spoke with envy, "My friend’s family doesn’t have any cultured individuals, so it’s finally a chance to make a good impression upon meeting their in-laws for the first time."
"When she mentioned it, I immediately thought of you; your skills will surely suffice!"
"Just prepare a table of Michelin restaurant specialty dishes, and it will surely impress them!"
Fu Yu felt even more uncertain.
He had no clue about the specialties of a Michelin restaurant.
How was he supposed to impress the guests then?
Just then, Zhao Meng’s phone rang.
Zhao Meng glanced at the caller ID and quickly answered the call.
In front of Liu Yici, Zhao Meng gave a brief explanation, only telling Yao Shi that he was accompanying Fu Yu for on-site service at a customer’s home.
Yao Shi listened to Zhao Meng’s calm tone, sensing that there wasn’t anything urgent, so he felt relieved and, after advising a few things, hung up the call.
Zhao Meng ended the call and turned around, meeting Fu Yu’s eyes.
Fu Yu’s eyes pleaded for help: Chef Zhao, save me! What is Michelin?!
Zhao Meng rolled his eyes: Don’t even know Michelin, and yet dare to bluff to the customer! Foolishly unaware of your limits!!
Fu Yu determined that if things don’t go well later, he would adapt accordingly and rely on Zhao Meng to step in if needed.
Zhao Meng began browsing the internet, searching for Michelin restaurant specialties, going through pictures one by one, and quickly strategizing in his mind to assemble a table of impressive dishes.
The Cayenne headed west, bypassed Chang’an Bridge, turned past Green Forest Park, and finally stopped at the Golden Port Bay Villa District across the street from Bund Wetland Park.
Surrounded by greenery, with wide streets, checkpoints every few hundred meters, and houses with gardens and villas at every corner.
Fu Yu looked at the luxurious villas before him, stunned, as if it were a scene from a TV drama set.
While he still dreamed of affording a small apartment downtown with a loan, real wealthy people were already placing their homes in a park.
Liu Yici smiled and pointed at the two-story building ahead: "We’re here, that’s it!"
The group arrived at the villa entrance.
Upon learning her friend brought over the chef, Qin Yue personally came out to greet them.
In contrast to the flamboyant wealth of Liu Yici, the equally affluent Qin Yue was much more understated.
Wearing simple casual clothing with no sign of luxury brands, but as soon as she spoke, her status became clear.
Liu Yici, not used to seeing her friend so simply dressed, was momentarily taken aback before exclaiming, "Where did you dig up this outfit?"
Qin Yue was quite proud, chuckling as she said, "This is a Prada casual outfit from two years ago; I pulled many strings to get it!"
Liu Yici was shocked: "Prada has such clothes?"
Qin Yue’s outfit was so plain that despite the label, it had no recognizable branding.
"You don’t understand, do you? These days, the poor wear minks, the rich wear cotton, and the wealthy wear casual!"
Qin Yue smiled and explained, turning to glance at Fu Yu and Zhao Meng behind her.
Seeing Fu Yu, Qin Yue raised her eyebrows slightly.
Although she had heard from Liu Yici that Chef Fu was a handsome young man, he seemed even younger than expected.
By comparison, the middle-aged chef beside him seemed more reliable.
Liu Yici introduced, "This is Chef Fu, whom I mentioned; his culinary skills are exceptional!"
Qin Yue nodded at Fu Yu, setting aside her doubts out of trust in her friend, and warmly greeted them, "Thank you for coming such a long way; we appreciate it."
Fu Yu nodded politely with a smile: "You’re too kind."
Just as he finished speaking, Fu Yu suddenly noticed a [ ? ] above Qin Yue’s head.
Oh! Here comes the task!!
