It can be clearly felt that Chen Wei and Shi Jinbin have different ideas about the future development of Su Ji.
Chen Wei agreed with Feng Yifan's suggestion to his father-in-law Su Jinrong that there was no need to expand Su Ji, but instead to stick to the business route of running a boutique private kitchen with its own characteristics.
However, Shi Jinbin has a different idea. He believes that Feng Yifan should go out more often while he is still young, gain some experience in big hotels, and strive for higher reputation step by step.
It is obvious that Shi Jinbin's thinking is the same path he took at the beginning, and also the path that Mr. Su Quansheng once took.
Shi Jinbin even said directly in front of everyone: "As long as Yifan is willing, I can take him to the Red Maple Hotel."
Entering the Red Maple Hotel is a completely different story.
In the domestic culinary world, the status of Red Maple Restaurant is absolutely extraordinary.
I don’t know how many well-known chefs from all over the world are willing to enter the Red Maple Hotel as apprentices just to get a chance in the Red Maple Hotel.
There is even a private rumor in the culinary world that entering the Red Maple Hotel is equivalent to being a reserve for state banquets.
In fact, this is indeed the case, except for the first state banquet and the state banquet that Mr. Su Quansheng attended.
In recent years, the chef teams for various state banquets in China are almost all selected from the Red Maple Hotel.
One year ago, an international conference was held in China and dignitaries from various countries needed to be received. The catering was completely handed over to the top chef team of the Red Maple Hotel.
This is partly because the Hongfeng Hotel has the legacy of many state banquet masters.
On the other hand, the kitchen team of Hongfeng Hotel is indeed very strong.
So Shi Jinbin said directly: "As long as Yifan is willing, he can go back with me this time. I can let him join the Red Maple Hotel, and he doesn't have to start from the bottom as a kitchen helper."
Hearing Shi Jinbin say this, Zhuang Daozhong couldn't help but laugh and said, "Jinbin, I never thought that someone as fair as you would make an exception for Jinrong's son-in-law one day?"
Shi Jinbin was very calm and said to Zhuang Daozhong directly, "Uncle Master, you should know that Yifan has the ability. He has mastered the essence of Su Ji's various dishes, and he has also studied various domestic cuisines, even Western food."
Zhuang Daozhong nodded after hearing this: "That's right, Yifan is the most versatile chef I've ever met."
In fact, everyone agrees with this point, perhaps in the eyes of these older people.
Feng Yifan may not be as good as some chefs who specialize in a certain thing, but he can indeed do everything, which shows that his overall strength is very strong.
In the culinary industry, everyone knows that it is impossible to become a master by specializing in one thing.
Anyone who can be called a master chef is a truly versatile cook.
Just like the old man of Su Ji, Su Quansheng.
Perhaps many people would think that Su Quansheng is a Huaiyang cuisine chef because he is from Huaicheng.
But in fact, in addition to Huaiyang cuisine, Su Quansheng has also studied other domestic cuisines, so he was able to stand out among so many masters at the state banquet.
Later, he even became the chef for state banquets and had the power to customize menus for different state banquets.
This is not simply about specializing in a certain type of cuisine, but about understanding the cooking techniques of various domestic and foreign delicacies.
Only then can we arrange different menus at state banquets when necessary.
In Su Jinrong's generation, including Shi Jinbin who joined the Red Maple Hotel, they all tended to specialize in a certain cuisine and were not able to easily master the cooking of all kinds of dishes.
Therefore, Shi Jinbin took a fancy to this point of Feng Yifan. He wanted to help his master's Su Ji to train a master chef.
Shi Jinbin said to Su Jinrong seriously: "Jinrong, there are some opportunities that you really need to seize. I can understand that you gave up the opportunity at the beginning, but now, you should not want your son-in-law to give up the opportunity again, right?"
Chen Wei said at this time: "Lao Shi, you should know that if Yifan goes to the Red Maple Hotel, he may have to stay there for at least many years. So what should Su Ji do during this time?"
This question stumped Shi Jinbin.
Su Ji is now supported by Feng Yifan.
And judging from the current business, Feng Yifan does have the ability to make Su Ji's business better.
If Feng Yifan left Su Ji and went to Hongfeng Hotel, he would definitely need to stay in Hongfeng Hotel for many years.
Because even with Shi Jinbin's recommendation, a large hotel like the Red Maple Hotel, which is full of experts, must have a seniority-based system. It is impossible for Feng Yifan to get a high opportunity in a short period of time.
So Feng Yifan spent more than ten years in the Red Maple Hotel, and then participated in one or two state banquets.
So after such a long period of time, doesn't Su Ji have to really close down
Back then, old man Su Quansheng did indeed go north to make a living in this way, and he indeed made a name for himself, which in turn made Su's business famous in Su Province for a time.
But when the halo brought by the state banquet gradually fades away, Su Ji will gradually return to its normal state.
In the end, Su Ji became what it is today, just a small restaurant with a legacy in Huaicheng. If Feng Yifan hadn't made another move, Su Ji might not even be known to many people in Huaicheng.
Chen Wei pointed out this problem directly: "If that is the case, when Yifan becomes really famous and then returns to run Su Ji, Su Ji may have already lost its due value. It may even be like the master back then. Once Yifan is gone, Su Ji will lose its reputation again."
After saying this, Chen Wei looked at Su Jinrong and said, "Jinrong, I'm not saying that you did something wrong. In fact, the problem of Su Ji's decline is not your fault. It was caused by our fellow apprentices leaving that year."
Su Jinrong didn't care because he knew exactly what Chen Wei meant.
Su Ji is said to have a heritage of hundreds of years, but it was only his father's generation that was truly well-known. It can even be said that Su Ji became famous because of his father's fame.
Chen Wei didn't want Su Ji to repeat the same mistake, so he thought that Su Ji should be run well and the heritage should be preserved.
“Many time-honored brands in China may eventually fade into obscurity or even be gradually forgotten by people, and eventually they will have to withdraw from the stage of history.
In fact, there is always such a problem. In a certain generation, a famous person appears and promotes the old brand with his fame. But once he passes away, the old brand may not be able to maintain that reputation. This is mostly due to management problems. "
Chen Wei looked at his uncle and two fellow apprentices present and said directly, "I think we should stick to Su Ji's characteristics, make Su Ji a famous brand, and let others know about Su Ji. I think this is also the result that Master hopes to see after years of hard work."
Su Jinrong became a little excited after hearing what Chen Wei said. He didn't expect that his senior brother understood his father's intentions so well.
When Su Jinrong saw his father off and was at his bedside, he heard his father's instructions with his own ears.
At that time, his father's advice to Su Jinrong was to protect Su Ji and continue the Su Ji heritage.
It was also because of his father’s instructions that Su Jinrong did not leave Su Ji.
Although Su Jinrong failed to truly promote Su Ji and did not make Su Ji more famous, at least Su Jinrong still protected Su Ji and did not disgrace the old plaque.
After listening to what Chen Wei said, Shi Jinbin still did not agree.
"If we simply run Su Ji as you said, I think it will not only waste Yifan's talent, but it will also take a long time to truly run Su Ji."
At this point, Shi Jinbin paused, thought about it and said, "Moreover, in the end, the Su Ji that we run may become a brand in the hands of others, because when Yifan gets old, he will still face the current dilemma. How can we continue to maintain the operation of Su Ji?"
Chen Wei answered seriously: "It's very simple, accepting apprentices, training them, and letting them continue to uphold and pass on the old plaque of Su Ji."
Shi Jinbin asked in surprise: "In that case, won't Su Ji eventually fall into the hands of others?"
Chen Wei shook his head and said, "Junior brother, why are you still limited to this kind of family prejudice until now?"
Without waiting for Shi Jinbin to speak, Chen Wei continued to ask: "Let me ask you, is Tan's cuisine made by the Tan family now?"
When asked this question, Shi Jinbin was speechless.
Chen Wei looked at Su Jinrong again: "Jinrong, I am not saying that Su Ji must fall into the hands of others. I think there is really no need to care about family differences. As long as the essence of Su Ji can be passed on, it can be called Su Ji cuisine. The future Su Ji will still be the current Su Ji.
This is also the advantage of running a private kitchen restaurant, that is, we specialize in Su Kee’s dishes, which do not belong to any other cuisine or school, but are unique to Su Kee.”
Chen Wei's words really touched Su Jinrong, as he had similar thoughts during this period of time.
In particular, after his son-in-law Feng Yifan came back, he also told Su Jinrong about a similar plan.
Su Jinrong is more in favor of this plan.
Because this way, the uniqueness of Su Ji cuisine can be better maintained and Su Ji's reputation can be truly promoted, rather than simply making a certain generation of Su Ji's chefs famous.
When Shi Jinbin saw Su Jinrong's expression, he realized that he should be more in favor of this plan.
Zhuang Daozhong, who had been silent until now, said, "In fact, both Chen Wei and Jin Bin's proposals are feasible. I think we can combine the two."
The three brothers all looked at their uncle-master, wanting to hear what his uncle-master meant by comprehensive.
Zhuang Daozhong continued, "Yifan is still young, and he still needs to see some things. He doesn't have to enter the Red Maple Restaurant, but he can participate in the promotion of some dishes to increase his popularity."
After a pause, Zhuang Daozhong continued, "Regarding the management of Su Ji, I also agree with Yifan's plan. We should focus on running a private kitchen restaurant and make exquisite dishes that are unique to Su Ji. There is no need to turn Su Ji into a big restaurant. If we maintain this exquisiteness, Su Ji should be able to develop better."
After listening to his uncle's words, Shi Jinbin thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, when you said that you want Yifan to participate in the promotion of some dishes, do you want him to participate in this Chinese cuisine cooking competition?"
Zhuang Daozhong shook his head: "No, Yifan doesn't need to participate in that competition. Yifan's strength is a bit of bullying for others. I think this time Chinese cuisine is an opportunity. I think Yifan should restore a banquet menu that belongs exclusively to Su Ji and represent Su Ji in the Chinese cuisine menu competition."
These words stunned Chen Wei and Shi Jinbin, and even showed an expression of disbelief on their faces.
Because the two brothers had never heard that Su Ji had its own unique banquet menu.
So I felt a little strange when my uncle told me to restore the banquet menu
Seeing that the two people were very surprised, Zhuang Daozhong looked at Su Jinrong standing beside him. When Su Jinrong nodded in agreement, he told them the existence of "Su Zaoyan".
After listening to the introduction from their uncle master, Chen Wei and Shi Jinbin were even more surprised.
Su Zaoyan, this was the first time these two had heard of him.
Shi Jinbin looked at Su Jinrong and asked, "Does Su Ji really have such a banquet?"
Su Jinrong nodded: "Yes, there was, but now, there is only the menu name, no recipe."
Chen Wei looked a little unhappy and said, "If that's the case, I'm afraid it won't be that easy to restore the banquet."
Zhuang Daozhong nodded: "It is indeed not easy, but fortunately there is still plenty of time. The selection of the Chinese banquet will take at least a year, and it may take even longer to finalize it."
Shi Jinbin thought for a moment and said, "If that's the case, then there's still plenty of time left for Yifan."
Chen Wei was still a little worried: "But even so, it doesn't seem to be an easy task to restore a banquet that only has a name, right?"
Shi Jinbin also nodded heavily with an embarrassed look on his face.
Zhuang Daozhong said, "Don't be discouraged. I have actually found out some relevant information. Otherwise, I wouldn't have mentioned this to Jinrong. However, the rest may still require Yifan to study."
Shi Jinbin thought about it seriously and said, "If it can be restored, it will definitely make Su Ji famous."
Chen Wei also said: "Yes, and even if it is not selected into the Chinese cuisine menu, as long as it participates in the selection, it can later become Su Kee's main dish and become Su Kee's signature dish."
Shi Jinbin said to Su Jinrong: "Jinrong, don't worry, I will definitely help you and Yifan together."
Chen Wei also said: "Yes, I will help too, let's work together."
Su Jinrong smiled when he heard the promises from his two senior brothers: "Well, thank you, senior brothers."
Zhuang Daozhong was very pleased when he saw this scene.
Looking up at Su Quansheng's portrait, Zhuang Daozhong thought to himself: Brother, this should be the scene you are most willing to see, right? I believe that these disciples of yours will make Su Ji better.
After some discussion, the elderly people reached a relatively unified idea.
Su Ji Smuggling Kitchen Bistro’s boutique business model, and then to restore the “Su Zao Banquet”, so as to make Su Ji truly famous and make Su Ji truly famous in the world.