Chapter 54 Crimson Dragon Breath Plum Blossom Brand
Chapter 54 Crimson Dragon Breath Plum Blossom Brand
Song You carried a plate and walked out of the kitchen.
He held a large blue-and-white porcelain plate in his hands, on which bright red diced meat was piled up like a small mountain, its surface glistening with an enticing sheen.
The dish is garnished with dark-colored pickled cabbage bits and chopped bayberries, giving it a rich aroma and a unique sweet and sour flavor.
"Senior Wang, Brother Wang, Assistant Li, please try this new dish, Crimson Dragon's Breath Plum Blossom Pancake." Song You placed the plate steadily in the center of the stone table.
Wang Guoming's eyes were wide open. He twitched his nose and took a deep breath of the fragrance, feeling as if his soul had been stolen away.
"This tastes amazing!" He couldn't wait to pick up his chopsticks, take a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.
The diced meat melts in your mouth, tender and chewy, bursting with sweet and sour juices that blend with the rich, savory flavor of wild boar, a sensation that tantalizes your taste buds. A warm current slides down your throat, warming you all the way to your stomach, and all your fatigue dissipates.
"Delicious! So delicious!" Wang Guoming didn't care about his image, nodding repeatedly and eating with his chopsticks.
Li Zhe also picked up a piece, chewed it a few times, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
The flavor of this dish is a step up from the previous braised chicken with mushrooms and braised fish.
The freshness of the meat blends perfectly with the sweet and sour flavors of the pickled cabbage and bayberries, creating a rich and unforgettable taste.
Wang Tong didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks. He just looked at the dish on the plate with a thoughtful expression in his eyes. He smelled the aroma in the air and carefully observed the color and shape of the diced meat.
"Young boss, where did you learn this dish from?" Wang Tong finally asked.
Song You smiled and said, "Senior Wang, this is something I came up with on my own, a dish I created myself."
Wang Tong finally reached out with his chopsticks. He picked up a piece of meat and savored it carefully.
The texture of the meat, the layers of flavor, and the control of the cooking time all achieved an amazing balance.
He closed his eyes, feeling that unique power spreading in his mouth.
"Great!" Wang Tong suddenly opened his eyes, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement.
He put down his chopsticks, suddenly stood up from his chair, and then slowly sat down again, his movements carrying an overwhelming sense of shock.
"Based on this dish alone, you're qualified to be a Level Two Chef in Hunan Province!" Wang Tong's voice was no longer flat, but filled with undisguised praise. "This dish has a soul!"
Wang Guoming and Li Zhe were both stunned.
Level 2 chef is the gold standard in Hunan cuisine. Everyone needs to have a signature dish that can dominate the province. Many people may not be able to reach this level even after a lifetime of hard work. Wang Guoming is aiming for this level.
And Song You, a farmhouse owner, is already at this level?
"You flatter me, Senior Wang," Song You said politely.
Wang Tong waved his hand, his expression serious: "I, Wang Tong, have lived for over sixty years. What kind of dishes haven't I seen? Your dish is not only technically superb, but it also has a touch of simplicity and authenticity, something that ordinary chefs can never grasp in their entire lives."
He paused, then changed his tone, saying with a hint of regret, "It's a pity I'm getting old. My main focus is on becoming a master chef, so I can't teach you much. Even if I were to take on an apprentice, I wouldn't have the face to accept one who has already mastered the craft."
Then, looking at Song You with anticipation in his eyes, he said, "Little Song, I have a favor to ask. Would you be willing to be my assistant while I'm striving to become a master chef?"
Wang Guoming looked up abruptly, realizing his master was serious. The evaluation for a top-level chef had extremely high requirements for assistants, and his master had actually taken the initiative to invite Song You.
"Senior Wang, I always perform a ritual when I use a knife. Don't you think that's inappropriate?" Song You asked, referring to the [Sacred Art].
Although Song You didn't care about other people's opinions, this was a crucial time for Wang Tong to strive for the title of master chef, and he couldn't let himself ruin someone else's good time.
Wang Tong laughed and waved his hand: "Hey, what's that! Every excellent chef has their own habits. Before I, Wang Tong, prepare a banquet, I like to mutter a few words to the Kitchen God in the kitchen, saying it's to boost my spirits, but actually it's just to vent my frustrations."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Wang Guoming couldn't hold back any longer.
"Master, you weren't just chanting to the Kitchen God, you were scolding your apprentice, saying I'll never learn your special skill in this lifetime," Wang Guoming muttered.
Wang Tong blushed and glared at Wang Guoming: "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting!"
Li Zhe stood to the side, head bowed, shoulders trembling.
After listening, Song You understood. It turned out that Wang Tong also had his own habits, which reassured him quite a bit.
He pondered for a moment, then began to make plans in his mind.
He has indeed made some progress in knife skills and heat control, but he still lacks a lot in basic cooking theory and knowledge of different cuisines.
If one could obtain handwritten notes from a master like Wang Tong, it would undoubtedly be a huge opportunity for improvement, and might even lead to the acquisition of more skills.
"Senior Wang, I do have some basic skills, but I'm still far from proficient," Song You said frankly. "It would be my honor to learn from you. However, I hope to receive some of your handwritten cooking notes, or receive some personal guidance on cooking theory."
Wang Tong's eyes lit up. He had thought Song You would agree immediately, but he hadn't expected this young man to be so pragmatic, knowing what he lacked. What was even more commendable was that he wasn't arrogant; instead, he took the initiative to offer to learn.
This humility and thirst for knowledge further increased Wang Tong's respect for Song You.
"Good! Good lad!" Wang Tong exclaimed twice. "Your temperament is far superior to Guo Ming's. The notebook matter is no problem! I, Wang Tong, am willing to teach you everything I've learned in my life, as long as you're willing to learn!"
Wang Guoming, listening nearby, felt as if he had been stabbed in the back.
"Senior Wang, it's already an honor for my humble agritainment business that you've come to visit. If I have the opportunity to learn from you, I would be more than happy to accept," Song You said sincerely. "If I can help, I will do my best!"
Wang Tong nodded, a smile spreading across his face: "You're a promising talent; you shouldn't be buried in this little mountain valley. How about this, I can help you promote it more, so that more people know about your agritourism business."
Song You was overjoyed; this was exactly what he had been hoping for.
Masters like Wang Tong have their own businesses, and their promotional channels are no longer just simple traffic, but high-quality connections.
"However," Wang Tong changed the subject, a sly look on his face, "I have one condition."
Song You's heart stirred: "Please speak, Senior Wang."
"I hope that the place where I strive to become a master chef will be right here at your farmhouse!" Wang Tong pointed to the surrounding courtyard, his tone firm.
Song You was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.
He knew that Wang Tong was helping him to become a master chef, which was a major event in the entire Hunan Province catering industry, and many media outlets and industry peers would pay attention to it.
If the location is set at a farmhouse inn, it would undoubtedly be a resounding slap in the face to the farmhouse inn.
"This...this is wonderful!" Song You blurted out, his face beaming with uncontainable joy. "Senior Wang, please rest assured, everything at the agritainment business will be handled by you!"
Wang Tong looked at his happy expression, but then waved his hand.
"Don't get too excited yet," Wang Tong's voice returned to its usual calm tone.
Song You was taken aback, a look of confusion flashing across his face.
Wang Tong's gaze fell on Song You with a meaningful look, and then he smiled.
"To become an assistant chef, you need to go to the Hunan Provincial Chefs Association and pass a certification exam."
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