But...
If the dish names ordered by the customer are different, it means the cooking methods must be different.
It could also be that the preserved versions are the improved and innovated dishes.
After all, the taste of improved dishes would be more in line with modern dining habits and preferences.
Zhang Jinyu, following alongside, couldn’t help but peek at the order slip and was also taken aback.
What on earth are they ordering?
Does the store even have dishes like these?
"Chef Fu, what should we do?"
At the end of the year, the store scheduled a rotation for the kitchen staff.
Due to the tight schedule and the approach of the year-end, the number of resting staff was limited to two people rotating off each day.
Fu Yu was scheduled off yesterday, and today it was Zhao Meng’s turn.
Everyone knew that after this schedule, there would be no more breaks until the first day of the New Year, so everyone was eagerly anticipating it.
Fu Yu looked at the order slip, thought for a moment, and casually stuck it on the kitchen wall, deciding to first review the classic old recipes to confirm the cooking methods for these dishes.
Then, he’d give Zhao Meng a call to ask in detail. If there were any slight differences, they’d use the store’s cooking methods.
He said to Zhang Jinyu: "You go ahead and tidy up the kitchen counter, I’ll get in touch with Chef Zhao."
Zhang Jinyu nodded and turned to work busily.
Fu Yu took out his phone and moved to the side, discreetly pulling up the classic old recipes and flipping through them.
Fortunately, these dishes could all be found, and the cooking methods were very comprehensive.
However, this wine stew, fermented rice... braised eel glue— the ingredients look somewhat similar, yet the cooking methods aren’t exactly alike.
Using wine in cooking— Fu Yu really hadn’t encountered much of this type of culinary operation before.
But now, he suddenly received this order slip.
What does this mean?
Fu Yu’s mind raced, thinking of the daily task he received in the morning.
It seems this is another opportunity to learn a new cooking skill?
Fu Yu immediately perked up.
He reviewed the cooking methods for each dish one by one.
Since the steps were detailed, it didn’t appear very difficult.
These dishes were special because they were rarely seen.
Fu Yu then began to learn each cooking method one by one, carefully noting each step’s critical points and challenges.
For him, cooking according to the recipe was no longer a difficult task.
What he lacked was rich cooking experience and understanding and insight into various dishes.
Simply put, his exposure was too limited.
Culinary arts are broad and varied, with countless types of dishes.
To learn them all requires a long time of study and accumulation.
After memorizing all the cooking methods for a few dishes in detail, Fu Yu felt he had been exposed to a whole new cooking style.
The theory was mastered, now only the practice was lacking.
However, Fu Yu didn’t rush back to cook but first made a call to Zhao Meng.
After all, who could guarantee that the cooking methods in the classic old recipes were consistent with Qianlima’s signature dish flavors?
The tastes produced by different chefs often vary greatly.
Zhao Meng answered the call, clearly taken aback.
"These dishes ordered... they’re authentic!"
Hearing from Fu Yu that the customers were two old gentlemen, Zhao Meng added: "They must be old customers of the store. These dishes have been off the menu for so many years, if they hadn’t eaten them before, they wouldn’t be able to order them."
Zhao Meng explained the cooking methods for the dishes in detail and casually said: "These dishes were originally handled by Lao Gu. Although I’ve made them too, just not very often, so my experience isn’t as rich as his. If it’s not urgent, I could just let him handle these orders."
Had it been any other time, Fu Yu might have agreed offhandedly, as he wasn’t short of the bonus from one table’s worth of orders now.
But now, not to mention that this order was specifically assigned to him, with the daily task following him as well, it wasn’t an option for him to give up any order easily.
Life is unpredictable, who knows if refusing this order would result in some butterfly effect?
Nonetheless, Zhao Meng’s suggestion was indeed very reliable.
After all, Zhao Meng’s culinary skills were always focused on stir-frying and frying.
Whereas, braising and stewing were Gu Yunwu’s special skills.
Simply transferring the order wasn’t an option, but humbly seeking guidance was very possible.
Fu Yu hung up the phone and returned to the kitchen counter, first instructing Zhang Jinyu to prepare the ingredients while he went around to seek advice from Gu Yunwu.
"Chef Gu, I received an old customer order, could you help me take a look?"
Gu Yunwu, upon hearing this, was slightly taken aback.
He looked at Fu Yu with a bit of surprise, seeking advice from him?
When it came to his impression of Fu Yu, Gu Yunwu inevitably had mixed feelings.
The disparity between people is common.
But having such a large gap was still relatively rare.
Fu Yu’s progress in cooking was visible to all.
He mastered all kinds of cooking skills very proficiently.
Standing in front of the kitchen counter, showing off a random skill that wasn’t something an average chef could master.
Sometimes, when Gu Yunwu inadvertently watched Fu Yu’s cooking operations, he often felt from the bottom of his heart that he, the veteran, had long since been surpassed.
Fu Yu’s culinary skills might have already surpassed his own, as for how much stronger...
Better not to think about it!
Gu Yunwu took the order slip, glanced at it, and couldn’t help but be amazed.
Good heavens!
These dishes are ordered with skill!
Not one of these dishes wasn’t a hot seller back in the day, truly having had its moment of trendiness.
However, everything in life follows the principle of excess bringing reversal.
Trends are, after all, fleeting.
After a few booming years, people got tired of them, and then there wasn’t much interest left.
Additionally, as the years passed, those who knew these flavors got older and didn’t dine out frequently, causing these old-style dishes to gradually be neglected until they were removed from the menu.
Gu Yunwu took a careful look at the order slip.
After viewing it, he frowned slightly: "These dishes aren’t difficult to make, but they do test one’s culinary skills."
"You haven’t made these dishes before, and now just by listening to my verbal description, you want to make them directly? It might be a bit challenging."
Fu Yu, upon hearing this, quickly said: "Chef Gu, could you guide me a little?"
Gu Yunwu smiled as he looked at Fu Yu.
This kid does have some nerve!
Never making the dishes before, yet wanting to take the order.
Oh well.
As it doesn’t concern oneself, leave it be.
Even if he messes up in the end, it doesn’t have anything to do with me.
Gu Yunwu was always tactful in his dealings.
With Fu Yu’s current performance, this kid would surely become a candidate for head chef in the future.
Whether he becomes a colleague or ends up working under him.
Since Fu Yu sought him out, he couldn’t just disregard it.
Gu Yunwu, very amicably, smiled and agreed: "Sure, why not, although I’m a bit busy now, I can still talk you through the cooking methods. Listen carefully, and ask if there’s anything unclear."
Fu Yu was overjoyed and quickly nodded in thanks, staying by Gu Yunwu’s side to listen as he detailed the cooking methods for these dishes.
Actually, the methods of cooking don’t differ much from the fundamentals. During culinary operations, it varies slightly from person to person, mainly due to different personal habits.
Besides that, it’s about mastering the cooking details and specific understanding of them, which varies in depth.
Gu Yunwu, being eloquent and articulate, could explain cooking details very thoroughly when guiding someone, making it easy to understand and straightforward.
After all, it’s business for the store, and all the kitchen staff are like a single entity, sharing success and failure.
Gu Yunwu also wanted to show goodwill towards Fu Yu, so he guided him earnestly.
After carefully noting Gu Yunwu’s words and expressing his gratitude, Fu Yu prepared to combine Zhao Meng’s previous words with the classic old recipe instructions for cooking.
At this point, Gu Yunwu suddenly called out to Fu Yu: "I’m not finished yet, why are you in such a hurry!"