Feng Yifan was quite good at coaxing children, so the three little girls were eventually coaxed back home by him.
After the children left, Feng Yifan stayed at Su Ji, waiting for Su Ji and Ruo Restaurant to close, and helped everyone pack up and complete the cleaning of the two restaurants.
Although he wanted to participate in the two kitchens at the beginning, he was rejected by Shi Jiahui and Catherine.
Shi Jiahui said directly: "I think that since we are the two head chefs, we should finish these two days well. We may not have any chance to be head chefs in the future."
Feng Yifan immediately smiled and said, "Big sister, you are too polite. As long as you want, you can be the head chef at any time. I can step down and let you take over."
Shi Jiahui said: "Let's not do it. Catherine and I can't afford it. It's too tiring."
Feng Yifan waited until the last table of guests at Su Ji left, and then he cleaned the two restaurants with everyone before letting everyone gather at Su Ji for the meeting.
Everyone was still there, whether it was the kitchen staff or the waiters in the front, they were all standing at Su Ji.
Su Jinrong naturally stayed as well, the old man also had a lot to say.
Feng Yifan did not speak up to summarize this time, nor did he ask Shi Jiahui and Catherine to do any work reports. Instead, he said to everyone, "How about this, everyone speak freely today and talk about some of your experiences over the past two days."
After hearing this, everyone present looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Seeing that everyone was hesitant, Feng Yifan smiled and said to Ning Cheng: "Then let's start with you, Ning Cheng."
Ning Cheng was stunned for a moment when he was called by his master.
After a while, Ning Cheng came back to his senses and asked, "Master, why do you have to start with me? I, I haven't really thought it through yet."
Feng Yifan said: "You don't have to think about it, just say whatever comes to your mind. I'm starting with you because you're my apprentice, so I'm starting with you."
Ning Cheng had no choice but to say it in the end.
"Master, I feel like Su Ji and Ruo Restaurant are both missing a backbone during your absence. Although Master and Sous Chef Catherine are both very capable and can cook the dishes on the menu very well, I still feel like something is missing."
Having said that, Ning Cheng paused and looked at Shi Jiahui and Catherine.
He also bowed respectfully to the two of them.
"Uncle Master, Chef Catherine, I know you two have indeed made great efforts, but I think you two are a little too deliberate in trying to complete the dishes made by my master, and thus lack your own characteristics. I don't think you two should be like that."
After Ning Cheng finished speaking, Feng Yifan smiled and tapped him.
"What do you know, kid? You haven't even learned the cooking skills well, and you're talking about the backbone with the two deputy chefs? Do you know what the backbone is? Do you understand how much effort your uncle and deputy chef Catherine put into each dish
You are not qualified to speak here. I asked you to speak first. Who asked you to say this?"
After Feng Yifan's lecture, Ning Cheng retreated and dared not say anything more.
The atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly became a little depressing.
No one dared to even breathe a single breath.
Moreover, everyone looked at Shi Jiahui and Catherine intentionally or unintentionally, and were still a little worried that the two would be affected by Ning Cheng's words.
After being silent for a while, Feng Yifan realized that the atmosphere was a bit depressing. He wanted to ease the situation and was about to say a few words.
But Shi Jiahui spoke first, "Hahaha, I never expected that I would be scolded by my nephew who hasn't even graduated yet. But to be honest, Ning Cheng is probably right."
Feng Yifan opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Shi Jiahui.
"Yifan, don't say anything. Listen to me next."
Feng Yifan had no choice but to remain silent, and then Shi Jiahui spoke directly.
"To be honest, it's not because of Ning Cheng's words. It's because after you came back, Yifan, you deliberately made things difficult for me when I ordered the dishes. It made me realize that my cooking these past two days was indeed lacking something, and that was my own ideas.
Whether I was learning cooking from my father or later studying and working on my own in different places, I always had my own ideas and incorporated them into cooking.
But this time, I have completely lost myself in the past two days. I have been trying to imitate you, Yifan, and trying to make every dish on the menu the way it would be when you were here. Now I understand that I have strayed from the right path. "
After listening to Shi Jiahui's words, Catherine nodded and said, "Indeed, we have deviated from our original intention."
Seeing that the two were in low spirits, Feng Yifan quickly said, "Okay, Senior Sister, Catherine, don't listen to Ning Cheng. In fact, you have done a great job in helping me support the two restaurants. We can slowly improve those shortcomings in the future."
At this time, Su Jinrong suddenly spoke.
"Jiahui, Catherine, you two don't have to be like this. You have indeed done a great job. If it weren't for your hard work in the past two days, Su Ji and Ruo Restaurant might have to shut down in the past two days, so don't underestimate yourselves."
Then, Su Jinrong looked at Ning Cheng and said, “As for Xiao Ning, what he said does make sense, but it’s not entirely true.
Perhaps every chef should indeed retain his or her individuality, but the characteristics of Su Ji and Ruo restaurants must still be preserved. And the way to preserve some characteristics can only be conservative, sticking to the chef's creation and giving diners the inherent taste.
So Xiao Ning, you can't say that your uncle and Catherine haven't done a good job in the past two days, and you can't say that they have lost themselves, understand?"
After listening carefully, Ning Cheng took the initiative to apologize to Shi Jiahui and Catherine.
"Uncle, Sous Chef Catherine, I'm sorry, I said something a little too harsh."
Shi Jiahui and Catherine naturally didn't care and also accepted Ning Cheng's apology with a smile.
"Okay, it's okay, just study hard."
"You're right, no need to apologize."
Next, everyone spoke freely and brought up some business issues that had occurred in the past two days.
Indeed, a lot of problems have been pointed out, and there are indeed many that need to be improved urgently.
Feng Yifan also wrote them down one by one and began to think about some improvement plans in his mind.
After everyone had spoken freely, Catherine finally spoke about the food critic.
"Chef, the judges for the World Restaurant of the Year have indeed come. Our Su Ji and Ruo Restaurant should have been nominated, but it seems that the judges may not give us high scores. It is more likely that they will start to criticize us."
Feng Yifan laughed after hearing this: "It's something that was expected."
Feng Yifan had actually anticipated the selection of the world's annual restaurant recommendation list and knew that the other party would definitely come to Su Ji and Ruo restaurants.
This is partly because Su Ji and Ruo restaurants have gained a good reputation in China.
Another reason is that Feng Yifan is the head chef of these two restaurants.
If we put aside the first point and take Feng Yifan as the main subject, then it would make sense.
After all, the reputation of Su Ji and Ruo restaurants abroad cannot be compared with Feng Yifan's.
Knowing that the other party would come, Feng Yifan naturally understood that he might end up being criticized.
At this moment, looking at everyone's faces, it was obvious that they were all somewhat unwilling.
Feng Yifan smiled and said, "What's wrong? You're not willing to give up, right? You want to be on the annual restaurant recommendation list, and want to be eligible for the star restaurant selection later? And it would be best if you could get three stars, is that right?"
Although everyone was reluctant to admit it, they still had to admit that Feng Yifan hit the nail on the head.
Maybe if everyone doesn’t understand, they will naturally not care.
But really understand, and it seems like everything is within reach.
Naturally, everyone is doing their best.
So Feng Yifan then poured a bucket of cold water on everyone.
"Before you want to get a star, I think I need to tell you one thing, that is, in the evaluation of star restaurants, taste may be the least important factor."
Hearing Feng Yifan's words, everyone was shocked.
After a long while, Shi Jiahui couldn't help asking, "Why? Why is taste the least important? Isn't food judged by taste?"
Feng Yifan said: "Maybe it is true in China, but star-rated restaurants abroad may not be what we think.
Because the original star-rated restaurant is a bit like a restaurant at a travel destination, it may be aimed at some self-driving travelers, so where is the restaurant built? Are the facilities inside the restaurant complete? And do the tables, chairs, and dishes used meet the standards
Finally, we may consider whether the dishes will suit everyone’s taste.”
After listening to Feng Yifan's words, everyone present still found it hard to accept.
Feng Yifan could only continue to give examples: "For example, the dishes used in star-rated restaurants, including knives and forks, various tablecloths, napkins, and vases on the table, must all be purchased from certain designated workshops, otherwise they will be deducted points."
When everyone heard this, they suddenly seemed to understand something.
As Feng Yifan said, star-rated restaurants may focus more on comfort rather than whether the dishes are delicious.
After understanding some of the scoring criteria, it was natural for everyone to feel a little disappointed.
Because according to the standards mentioned by Feng Yifan, it would be almost impossible for either Su Ji or Ruo Restaurant to meet the requirements.
The most crucial point here is that the decoration of Feng Yifan's restaurant is all domestic design, and the restaurant's facilities are all domestic products, including the tableware required by star restaurants, Feng Yifan also used domestic products.
It can be said that this series of things are almost all demerits.
Chen Xu couldn't help but ask: "Is it really impossible to remedy this?"
Feng Yifan looked at Chen Xu, smiled and said, "Why? Do you hope to make amends? Do you hope we can get three stars?"
Chen Xu hesitated for a moment, but he finally nodded.
Feng Yifan looked at the others again: "What about you? Do you all hope that we can get three stars?"
Everyone looked at each other, and finally nodded.
There is no need to ask, the answer is already obvious. Everyone hopes to get three stars, which can indeed satisfy everyone's vanity.
Feng Yifan saw everyone's expressions and said with a smile: "Okay, since everyone wants to get three stars, let's work hard together."
These words immediately aroused everyone's passion.
Originally, everyone listened to Feng Yifan's words and thought that the chef might not want to fight for three stars.
After all, Feng Yifan doesn't lack the reputation of Samsung, he already has it, so everyone thinks that Feng Yifan may not care.
But without the efforts of chef Feng Yifan, no one else would have been able to do it.
Now that Feng Yifan has finally spoken up and said he wants to fight for Samsung, naturally everyone is motivated and feels that Samsung is no longer out of reach.
Seeing everyone's excitement, Feng Yifan smiled and said, "Don't be too happy too soon. Although we can strive for three stars, it may be difficult for us to get three stars because many of our objective conditions do not meet the requirements."
Catherine asked, "Chef, are we going to redecorate?"
Feng Yifan shook his head and said, "No, our decoration will not change, and the tables, chairs, tablecloths, and tableware we use will not change either."
Hearing this, Catherine opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Hans couldn't help but say, "Chef, I'm afraid it will be hard for us to get three stars this way."
Feng Yifan said: "So I hope everyone will be mentally prepared. We may face some difficulties and may be slandered by some people's comments, but I hope everyone can persevere. We must use our own abilities to reverse those disadvantages."
These words stunned everyone, even Su Jinrong was a little surprised.
Everyone was a little confused. What on earth was Feng Yifan trying to do
Feng Yifan saw that everyone was confused. He smiled and said, "We want to use our delicious food to truly conquer those people and make them change the rules and standards for us."
Hearing this, everyone was shocked, especially Shi Jiahui, Catherine, Hans, Tom and Ma Xiaolong.
They are very clear about how difficult it is to get the judges to change the rules and the food critics to change their standards.
Feng Yifan said: "Why do we have to use those tables, chairs, tablecloths and tableware? Why can't Su Ji participate in the selection? Why are our dishes obviously delicious, but they are rejected by those food critics just because they don't meet the standards?"
The three questions stumped everyone. Those who understood the answer wanted to speak out because the other party had authority.
But on second thought, that so-called damn authority is meaningless at all.
Feng Yifan put away his smile and said seriously, "Since those rules and standards are unfair, we should break them down and rebuild a set of rules and standards that suit us. And this time, we have to make those guys change."
Hearing this, everyone was really excited. This was even more exciting than getting three stars.