Chapter 150 - 149: Can He Become the Best Chef in the Country?
By now, Jing Wenbo and Liang Shui were almost completely convinced by what Wei Yang had said earlier.
The three of them sipped fine wine and ate crayfish, feeling an indescribable sense of contentment.
Although Zhang Tian wasn’t drinking, he was just as content with such delicious crayfish.
Soon, two orders of mapo tofu were also brought to the table.
Wei Yang quickly said, "Alright, the mapo tofu is here. Yesterday at the hotel, I said their mapo tofu was very authentic and delicious. But I also mentioned that, compared to the mapo tofu from a certain restaurant, there was still a very clear gap. You didn’t believe me then. Now, try it for yourselves and see if what I said yesterday was true."
Jing Wenbo and Liang Shui looked at each other.
Of course, they still remembered what Wei Yang had said yesterday.
At the time, they truly hadn’t believed a word of it.
’The mapo tofu at the hotel yesterday was already incredibly authentic and delicious. Could there really be a mapo tofu that was noticeably better?’
’It seemed almost impossible, didn’t it?’
However, now that they had eaten the spicy crayfish, they already believed most of what Wei Yang had said yesterday.
Now, seeing the mapo tofu on the table, they were almost one hundred percent convinced.
Because this mapo tofu truly looked more delicious than the one from yesterday.
So, Jing Wenbo said, "No, Old Wei. We actually already believe you."
Liang Shui added, "That’s right. We already believe you."
After hearing this, Wei Yang felt it was a bit of a shame. He said, "You’re already sure you believe me, without even trying it?"
Jing Wenbo nodded. "Of course. With a true culinary masterpiece, its appearance is often enough to give you the answer. Don’t you agree, Old Wei?"
Wei Yang nodded helplessly. "Well, that’s true. So, are you still going to eat it?"
Jing Wenbo and Liang Shui didn’t answer. They simply picked up their spoons.
’What a stupid question.’
’How could they possibly not eat it?’
Each of them scooped up a spoonful of mapo tofu and popped it directly into their mouth.
A moment later, they were once again filled with delighted surprise.
It really was noticeably more delicious than the mapo tofu from the hotel yesterday.
’So this was the pinnacle of mapo tofu?’
’Was it really the pinnacle?’
Just like before, the two weren’t completely certain, but they thought the possibility was very high.
At that moment, they completely and utterly believed everything Wei Yang had previously said about this restaurant.
Both of them were very glad that they now knew about this place too.
Zhang Tian was also feeling fortunate.
He was fortunate that Jing Wenbo had asked him to drive today.
Otherwise, he might never have discovered that such a magical little eatery was hidden in such a remote place.
Although he still didn’t know what the wine actually tasted like, the spicy crayfish and mapo tofu alone were enough to prove how magical this restaurant was.
’Who could have imagined or believed that the pinnacle of these two dishes would be found in a small eatery located out in the wild?’
’Incredible things really do happen in this world.’
Zhang Tian had been determined to find out why three major directors would set out at the crack of dawn, unafraid of a long journey, just to eat at that restaurant.
Now, he had his answer.
An incredible answer, yet it was so undeniably real.
Zhang Tian grew excited just thinking about it.
Next, four more dishes—Huoxiang Crucian Carp, Twice-cooked Pork with Garlic Sprouts, Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes, and Cabbage in Boiled Water—were brought to the table one after another.
These dishes brought more delight to Jing Wenbo, Liang Shui, and Zhang Tian. And, not surprisingly, they felt that these were all likely pinnacle-level as well.
The dish that they found most incredible was the Cabbage in Boiled Water.
This was because it was a high-end, famous dish. It typically only appeared in upscale hotels, and its price was rather steep.
It would have been one thing if this place simply served Cabbage in Boiled Water.
But for it to also be a pinnacle-level version of the dish...
That was just incredible!
’Probably no one would believe that the pinnacle of Cabbage in Boiled Water could be found in an inconspicuous and very remote little eatery out in the wilds, right?’
’I wonder what the Special Chefs who specialize in Cabbage in Boiled Water would think if they found out?’
’Would they believe it?’
’Whether they believed it or not, their reaction would surely be interesting to see.’
Jing Wenbo, Liang Shui, and Zhang Tian all had the same thought.
...
All the guests’ dishes had been served.
Li You emerged from the kitchen and walked over to the table with Wei Yang, Jing Wenbo, Liang Shui, and Zhang Tian.
Seeing him, Wei Yang said happily, "The owner is here."
At these words, Jing Wenbo, Liang Shui, and Zhang Tian all quickly turned their heads to look.
They had long wanted to see what the owner with such masterful cooking skills looked like.
Now, they saw him.
Despite being mentally prepared, they were still taken aback.
’He seems even younger than Wei Yang described!’
It was one thing for him to be so young, but on top of that, he was also very handsome.
’How could such a young man possess such masterful cooking skills?’
’It was truly unbelievable.’
"Director Wei, Director Jing, Director Liang, and you, sir, welcome to my restaurant. Your presence honors my humble establishment," Li You said with a smile.
Wei Yang also smiled. "Looks like I don’t need to introduce Lao Jing and Lao Liang. Owner, this is Zhang Tian. He’s currently working as a director’s assistant and often collaborates with Lao Jing."
Zhang Tian smiled. "Hello, Owner! It’s a great honor to be able to eat here today."
Li You replied, "You’re too kind, Mr. Zhang. The honor should be all mine."
Next, Jing Wenbo and Liang Shui each greeted Li You as well.
The group exchanged pleasantries for a moment.
Afterward, both Jing Wenbo and Liang Shui expressed their great admiration for Li You’s cooking. They said he was likely the most skilled chef in the entire country, merely lacking the official title of Special Chef.
Hearing this, Li You quickly protested, "Director Jing, Director Liang, you really mustn’t say that. There are so many chefs in this country. There are hidden masters everywhere. The few Special Chefs are the true pinnacles of the craft. I’m just relatively good at these few dishes; I’m far from being able to compare myself to them."
Both Jing Wenbo and Liang Shui said that Li You was being too modest.
But in truth, Li You wasn’t just being modest.
Although his own cooking skills were constantly improving, if he were to cook dishes for which he hadn’t studied a recipe, he might not even surpass an intermediate-level chef. He was certainly far from the level of a senior chef, let alone a Special Chef.
’So, he still has a long way to go to become a truly top-tier chef.’
’Perhaps only when his cooking skills have progressed to the point where, even without studying a recipe, the dishes he makes are no less delicious than those for which he has—only then might he truly be qualified to be called the greatest chef in the country, bar none.’
’If he could only ever rely on studying recipes to produce top-tier flavors, he would never be qualified to be called the most skilled chef.’
Li You understood this point deeply.
’So, the road ahead was truly long.’
’So, could he really become the number one chef in the entire country, bar none?’
’Perhaps.’
And Li You himself was rather confident that he could.
...