When everyone was having dinner together in the evening, Feng Yifan told everyone about the opening of the Western restaurant.
Everyone was a little surprised to hear that the Western restaurant would open first.
Lu Cuiling asked curiously, "Why do you want to open the Western restaurant first? Don't you prepare the menu for Su Ji as soon as possible and let Su Ji open first? Many people are waiting for Su Ji to open. If you open the Western restaurant first, won't you attract more people to the Western restaurant?"
After hearing what his mother said, Feng Yifan said helplessly, "Mom, it's not that I don't want Su Ji to open first. On the one hand, everyone's dishes haven't come out yet, so the menu hasn't been finalized. On the other hand, the custom-made tables and chairs for Su Ji's lobby, as well as the tableware, haven't been delivered yet."
Shi Jiahui opened her mouth to help explain: "Yes, Aunt Lu, the tables, chairs and tableware are not complete."
Lu Cuiling asked again: "Then don't the Western restaurant have tables, chairs and tableware?"
Catherine said, "Auntie, ours should be arriving next week, and the chef has already prepared the menu for our western restaurant."
Hearing this, Lu Cuiling looked at her son and asked, "Why did you prepare the menu for the western restaurant first? Why didn't you prepare the menu for Su Ji?"
Feng Yifan saw that his mother was about to get angry, so he quickly tried to comfort her: "No, Mom, the menu at the western restaurant is actually an old menu of mine. I just copied it directly."
Lu Cuiling said seriously, "Are you planning to use the Su Ji name to open your own western restaurant?"
When everyone heard Lu Cuiling's words, they were all stunned, but when they thought about it carefully, it seemed that this was indeed the meaning.
However, when everyone had doubts in this regard, Su Jinrong spoke up to stop everyone from speculating.
"Mother-in-law, you are too kind. Yifan is not trying to use Su Ji's name to open his own restaurant. In fact, I think it might be a good thing to open a western restaurant first."
When everyone heard this, they all looked at Su Jinrong.
The latter explained earnestly: "The opening of the western restaurant actually increases Yifan's reputation and further boosts the popularity of our ancient street.
Only by attracting more people can the ancient street become more prosperous, and then after Su Ji opens, it will achieve the desired sensational effect.
On this point, you really have wronged Yifan, mother-in-law."
Feng Yifan didn't expect that his father-in-law actually understood his thoughts.
In fact, Feng Yifan did have such a plan.
Let the western restaurant open first. It just so happens that there is a lot of demand for Su Ji to open, and many people are paying attention to the ancient street and the developments of Feng Yifan and Su Ji.
At this time, opening a Western restaurant first by taking advantage of this popularity will definitely attract many customers to try it.
After trying, when the reputation of the western restaurant's dishes spread, customers felt satisfied and delicious.
Then next, everyone will be more looking forward to Su Ji, which has not yet opened.
At the same time, Western restaurants will be more popular with young people. Opening Western restaurants first can attract some young people to come to the ancient street to play, further boosting the popularity of the ancient street and making the ancient street more famous.
In this way, more people will surely understand and look forward to the opening of Su Ji.
When people's calls get louder again, if Feng Yifan opens his business at that time, he will be able to become an instant hit.
After explaining all this, Feng Yifan finally said, "I actually have a menu prepared for Su Ji, but I still hope that Senior Sister and the others can each come up with one or two dishes to pair with the menu. If they haven't come up with any dishes by then, I will also use my menu to open Su Ji."
Chen Shoulin asked curiously: "Yifan, besides the summer banquet, is there anything else on your menu?"
Feng Yifan said seriously: "Four banquets for four seasons, four banquets for four seasons throughout the year, and some small banquets. Of course, the most attractive part for customers is still the various Su Ji specialties, which will be the main items ordered by Su Ji customers. My menu will give recommended combinations."
Hearing this, Li Xiuchun exclaimed: "Sure, it sounds like there are a lot of dishes."
Feng Yifan nodded: "Well, there are indeed more choices, but in fact, many of the individual dishes can be found in the Four Seasons Banquet, so although it seems a lot, there won't be a lot on the menu."
Lu Cuiling added: "Since you are prepared, you can open the two businesses together."
Without waiting for Feng Yifan to refute, Su Jinrong spoke up to help explain.
"Mother-in-law, you are so impatient. Didn't I tell you that? Letting the western restaurant open first will attract more people's attention and make more people look forward to Su Ji. This will raise people's expectations and bring in great popularity. If the other two restaurants open at the same time, Yifan may be too busy to handle it."
Su Ruoxi also said, "Yes, mom, Yifan has been very busy recently, so let him come one family at a time."
Feng Ruoruo also noticed at this time that her grandmother was always talking about her father, and the little girl was unhappy.
"Grandma, don't keep talking about Dad. Dad works so hard. Look, Ruoruo doesn't let Dad pick me up lately. And we don't let Dad make snacks because he is so tired."
Feng Yifan was really moved by his daughter's words.
The others present also started laughing.
"Ruoruo is still the best. She knows how to care for her father."
"That's right, Ruoruo is right, Dad is so tired."
"Hahaha, Ruoruo is really smart. She knows how hard her father works."
Yang Zhiyi said inappropriately: "If my Xixi could say something like this, I would wake up laughing in my dreams. I really envy Chef Feng."
But as soon as Yang Zhiyi finished speaking, Yang Xiaoxi said directly: "Dad, you sit at home every day, and mom goes out to work every day. Mom is the one who works hard. You sit at home every day, and you don't even know how to make delicious food for Xixi. How can you be the one who works hard?"
Yang Xiaoxi's words instantly made Yang Zhiyi look embarrassed.
But at the same time, everyone else present was stunned for a moment and couldn't help laughing.
Li Feier said with a smile: "Look at you, how badly do you behave all day long that your own daughter despises you like this? You have been learning from Ruoruo's father for so long, but I have never seen you make snacks for Xixi at home. Do you still want your daughter to say that you are working hard and tired?"
After being criticized by both mother and daughter, Yang Zhiyi could only lower his head and say nothing.
Feng Yifan smiled and said, "Well, look at you two, mother and daughter, you have almost made Xixi's father lose his head. Xixi's father is also very capable. He can write so many wonderful novels, and those novels require a lot of brain cells.
So, Xixi’s dad works very hard too. I believe Xixi’s dad is not a lazy dad.
In the future, when Xixi's father is free, he will definitely try his best to take good care of Xixi and Xixi's mother."
After hearing what Feng Yifan said, Yang Zhiyi suddenly raised his head and looked at him gratefully.
After hesitating for a while, Yang Zhiyi picked up the teacup in front of him and said, "Brother Feng, let's use tea instead of wine. I thank you for clearing my name. I promise that I will spend more time to take good care of Xixi and Xixi's mother in the future."
Feng Yifan raised the teacup in front of him and said, "Okay, we are both fathers, let's encourage each other."
Yang Zhiyi responded seriously: "Let's encourage each other."
The two fathers drank a cup of tea.
Li Feier smiled and said to her husband: "You must keep your word."
Yang Zhiyi immediately agreed: "Okay, I'll do what I say."
Lu Cuiling smiled and said, "What's wrong with you? You were originally denouncing Feng Yifan for not letting Su Ji open, but how come you ended up denouncing Xixi's father? Don't let Feng Yifan lead you astray."
Su Jinrong smiled and said, "Mother-in-law, leave the opening of Su Ji to Yifan, we can rest assured."
Hearing what her father-in-law said, Lu Cuiling could only say, "Okay, I'll trust him this time."
Afterwards, everyone raised their tea cups and happily wished Feng Yifan Western Restaurant a successful business.
Li Feier took a few bites of the food and said, "By the way, since the western restaurant is about to open, I will talk to Meng Shitong and ask them to release the part about the western restaurant they filmed earlier."
Feng Yifan asked: "Can you let him out first?"
Li Feier nodded: "Okay, it can be considered as promotion for you, but I still need to make an appointment with Chef Feng and let Meng Shitong and others come to shoot again, and make a special video of exploring the western restaurant."
Feng Yifan smiled and said, "Sure, after we open, I will follow the rules and invite some guests."
Li Feier said: "I understand. Every time a western restaurant opens for the first meal, it will invite some familiar customers to taste it. It will not be open to the public. It is considered a preferential treatment for old customers. I wonder if we will be invited?"
Feng Yifan nodded: "Of course, everyone here today is my guest."
Lu Cuiling added: "So, your great uncle and great uncle were also guests you invited?"
Su Ruoxi said quickly: "Mom, it's not true. Yifan didn't know that my uncle and great-uncle were coming, and he didn't invite them. Don't blame him."
Lu Cuiling laughed: "Okay, okay, I'm not blaming him. I just think that since they are already here, why not just invite them to a western restaurant and let them promote it."
Feng Ruoruo suddenly said, "Dad, why don't you let your great-grandfather take a photo of you? Then his book can tell many people about your restaurant, and many people will come to eat there."
The little girl obviously still remembered the photo taking in Shanghai before.
Feng Yifan smiled and said, "Since Ruoruo has said so, can Ruoruo invite her great-grandfather later?"
Feng Ruoruo nodded: "Okay, okay, I'll go with Xixi and Feifei."
Yang Xiaoxi and Chen Yaofei also agreed in unison: "Okay."
Catherine asked, "Chef, should we invite Rodney and the others?"
Feng Yifan nodded: "I have already informed him of this, so he should come when the business opens. Of course, some of our familiar friends should also come. I will notify them in advance, so a week is enough time for everyone to prepare."
Lu Cuiling was a little curious: "Some of your friends? Do you have many friends?"
Feng Yifan smiled: "Mom, don't always look down on your son. Although I don't know any dignitaries, I do know some people in the food industry. I will definitely invite them to taste the food when the time comes."
Chen Shoulin asked curiously, "It seems that Yifan, you still hope to rely on your fame to bring in more business?"
Feng Yifan smiled and said, "No, Uncle Chen, in fact, most of the people I invited were just to let them evaluate the quality of my restaurant. On the one hand, it is the quality of the dishes, and on the other hand, it is the quality of the service and decoration. Fame is only a small pursuit, and it is more about word of mouth accumulation."
Everyone present nodded in agreement after hearing this.
Su Jinrong said: "Yes, word of mouth is very important. If a restaurant wants to operate for a long time, word of mouth is the most important thing for the restaurant."
Li Xiuchun said: "It seems that Yifan still has enough confidence in himself."
Feng Yifan responded with a smile: "Confidence is a must, otherwise how can you open a restaurant?"
Feng Ruoruo suddenly raised her little hand and shouted, "Come on, Dad."
Yang Xiaoxi and Chen Yaofei also shouted in unison: "Come on, Dad Feng."
Feng Yifan stretched out his hand and said, "Okay, thank you my three good daughters."
Seeing Mr. Feng stretch out his hand, the three little girls also raised their hands and waited to high-five Mr. Feng one by one.
When the people at the table saw Feng Yifan high-fiving the little girls, they naturally laughed happily.
After dinner, the three children played for a while on the ancient street. Around eight o’clock, they said goodbye to each other and went home.
While the children were playing, Feng Yifan and Shi Jiahui went to the Lin family shop and worked for a while, letting a few young people go to rest and eat, and also letting them get together to discuss what plans they each had after the Western restaurant opened.
Several young people also discussed it together for a long time.
Finally, according to Ma Xiaolong's suggestion, everyone took turns to take turns.
"Brother Lin, you and Ning Cheng can't just stay in the shop selling fried rice and noodles. You should also accept the atmosphere of the Western kitchen. I suggest that you take turns. Now that everyone can make fried rice and noodles, we can take turns.
Every other night, you two will switch to the Western restaurant and learn some things about it. I think this will be good for you two."
Lin Ruifeng was reluctant to go at first: "I actually decided not to go. I don't think I fit in with Western food."
Ma Xiaolong shook his head and said, "No, you and Ning Cheng have to take turns going, including Chen Xu and the senior sister. They all have to go. It's not that I want you to cook Western food in the future, but I want you to understand some of the things in it and learn some of the good parts. I think it will give you a lot of inspiration for cooking in the future."
Having said that, Ma Xiaolong also translated his ideas to Catherine, Hans and Tom, and also hoped that Hans and Tom could agree to this alternation.
Catherine asked, "Why only let Hans and Tom swap? John, do you look down on me?"
Ma Xiaolong smiled and said, "You are the deputy chef over there."
Catherine said seriously, "What's wrong with the sous chef? If the head chef can cook here, so can I. Since everyone has to take turns, then everyone should come together, otherwise it's not fair."
Luo Yu heard it and immediately agreed: "That's right, we should be the same for both men and women."
Finally, everyone reached a consensus and decided to use this alternating method during the period before Su Ji opened, so that Lin Ruifeng and Ning Cheng could experience the atmosphere of a Western restaurant in advance and learn and absorb some Western cooking skills.