Chef Hua
Chapter 323 - 185 episodes Excellent Craftsmanship_2

Chapter 323: 185 episodes Excellent Craftsmanship_2

While speaking, she pulled her to sit down in the courtyard.

Lei An’s wife and Chun Xi La Mei were different; she was not the cheerful and laughing type. Speaking softly and delicately, upon hearing Hua Xiaomai’s question, she answered methodically, "We’ve both looked over that list, and since it contains sauces commonly used in Provincial City’s eateries, we should follow it. But I was thinking that we should add some variety. For instance, though the Sichuan pepper soy sauce is not often used for everyday cooking, it uniquely enhances flavors and works excellently with both vegetable and meat dishes. We could make a small batch and send it to Provincial City to test it. If it gains popularity, we can always make more later."

Hua Xiaomai had always prided herself on knowing many types of sauces, yet she had never heard of the "Sichuan pepper soy sauce" that Lei An’s wife mentioned. She instantly became quite excited and clapped her hands, "That’s an excellent idea! I’m tied up with kitchen duties at the small restaurant daily and only get some free time in the afternoon. Why don’t you discuss it first with Lei, and tomorrow afternoon, I will come to see you so we can discuss it more thoroughly?"

Seeing Lei An’s wife smiling in agreement, she pondered for a moment and then said, "Right, starting tomorrow, all meals in Sauce Garden will be arranged by my restaurant; you don’t have to worry about them. Just have two workers come by to pick up the meals at noon. If there are any ingredients you cannot eat, please let me know early on."

"To work for others and have meals provided is already fortunate; how can one be picky?" Lei An’s wife said gently, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "However, starting from tomorrow, Zhenwei Garden will be officially opening, and there’s a special custom for the ’opening meal’; are you aware of it?"

Hua Xiaomai knew that on the first day of starting work, meals should be hearty to keep the workers energized, but she was unaware of these particular customs and asked curiously, "Really? What kind of custom is it? I have never heard of it before."

"In Qingping County, there is such a rule, but I am not sure about here," Lei An’s wife said with a smile. "This old saying has been passed down from years ago—on the first day of work, one must eat pork, but it cannot just be stewed; it needs to be as elaborate as possible so the workers feel strong enough to work their hardest for their employer."

Using pork dishes on the first workday seemed simple, but Hua Xiaomai felt slightly troubled.

She had planned on delegating the cooking duties for the Sauce Garden to Zhou Yunyun. However, the girl could only prepare some basic meat and vegetarian dishes and certainly couldn’t make the dishes too fancy; how could she manage? Especially since she herself had no spare time, as managing the small restaurant and the take-away stand was already overwhelming. Where could she find the time to manage this too?

It seemed that Lei An’s wife noticed her dilemma and smiled again, softly saying, "You need not worry about this. Sauce Garden has a well-equipped kitchen, and if you trust me, I can prepare the opening meal tomorrow. You just need to send the pork in the morning."

Before she finished speaking, Zhou Yunyun, standing behind Hua Xiaomai, seemed a little unhappy, her mouth pouting.

Hua Xiaomai turned back to look at her, frowned, and gently shook her head, before turning to Lei An’s wife and saying, "I was supposed to prepare the opening meal myself; how can I let you do it? This doesn’t seem quite right, I..."

"It’s just one or a half meal; what is the issue?" Lei An’s wife said gently, "Anyway, it’s only the first day of starting work, and there won’t be much to do; I’m just making this meal to lessen your burden."

Hua Xiaomai thought about it, and fearing no better solution was available, she stopped discussing it and nodded, "Then tomorrow morning, I will have someone send the pork to you. Please be kind enough to prepare the opening meal properly."

...

The next morning, Hua Xiaomai indeed had Chun Xi deliver half a pig to Zhenwei Garden, while she herself was busy as usual in the small restaurant, planning to find time in the afternoon no matter what to finalize the sauce types.

When it was almost afternoon, there were still two tables of customers in the lobby when La Mei entered the kitchen carrying a food box.

"This is the opening meal from Zhenwei Garden, and they asked if you would like to try it as well," she said with a smiling face and playfully asked, "I sneaked a peek earlier—the dishes look quite good. Shall I fetch a set of chopsticks to feed you?"

Hua Xiaomai had just finished cooking a dish when she heard this, stirring up some interest. She turned and smiled, "You are always running in and out of my small restaurant; you still fancy someone else’s cooking? Well, I have to check it out."

With that, she opened the lid of the food box and suddenly widened her eyes.

Inside the box were four small plates, indeed all made from parts of a pig—Hundred Fruit Trotter, Waist and Stomach Double Crispy, Drunk Marrow, and one more dish, all arranged properly with impeccable color and plating, and the cooking time was precise, leaving no room for criticism.

A sauce master could also cook this well?

Hua Xiaomai brought the plate of Drunk Marrow closer, sniffed the delicate aroma of the wine, and couldn’t help but take the chopsticks from La Mei, picking up a bit and putting it in her mouth.

"Were these dishes really made by Lei An’s wife?" she suddenly widened her eyes in disbelief and exclaimed, "Truly skilled hands!"

...

(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)