Chapter 782 - 707: The Real Expert

Regarding Fu Yu making medicinal cuisine at the music restaurant, Liu Yunong had actually heard about it for a while.

At first, she heard that the music restaurant had launched new medicinal cuisine with good results, although the prices were on the high side.

After a bit of inquiry, she found out that the chef cooking the medicinal cuisine was surprisingly Fu Yu.

Liu Yunong was initially quite surprised by this, but later, upon hearing that the recipes were Fu Yu’s family traditions, she understood.

Fu Yu is very talented in culinary arts. Although this talent is mostly innate, later exploration and cultivation are also crucial.

Just like her, she grew up immersed in the environment, learning cooking from her family elders, gradually turning her hobby into her career. She genuinely loves cooking.

And Fu Yu probably has a similar background.

Regarding this matter, Liu Yunong is quite pleased, as her own apprentice is capable, ambitious, and now has the support of influential people to start a business. This is a good thing.

A person’s experience and knowledge are often accumulated bit by bit through practice and honing.

Liu Shaoxian hadn’t heard about this before, and couldn’t help but take a closer look at Fu Yu.

In fact, when he first saw Fu Yu, Liu Shaoxian couldn’t help but scrutinize him carefully, mainly because this young man seemed too young. He looked at most in his early twenties, but he had a certain demeanor, giving off a very steady and grounded impression.

Yet, it was this young man who took on the responsibility of the medicinal cuisine at the music restaurant?

Especially since Fu Yu even became an apprentice of the renowned chef Liu Yunong?

In the industry circle, everyone knows that Liu Yunong is a descendant of Lady Liu, and with her inherited Liu Family Cuisine, she has been running Shangshi Private Kitchen quite successfully. She even founded a company, making the family business bigger and stronger.

And Liu Family Cuisine is something traditionally taught only within the family. To learn it, you must work in the restaurant.

Fu Yu, however, can be a medicinal cuisine chef at the music restaurant.

This young man is no simple character!

Suddenly, Liu Shaoxian’s curiosity was completely piqued.

Seeing this, Yao Shi quickly smiled and said, "Xiaofu, Teacher Liu is an herbal cuisine expert at the National Herbal Cuisine Research Association."

Fu Yu smiled at Liu Shaoxian and greeted him courteously, "Teacher Liu, I’ve heard so much about you."

Liu Shaoxian nodded, "Chef Fu, I’ve long heard of you. I’m here today specifically to learn and exchange ideas with you."

"I’ve heard that the music restaurant’s medicinal cuisine has a great reputation, and I was very interested as soon as I heard about it. Since I happened to have the opportunity, I thought I’d come to observe and learn."

"Don’t worry, I’ve long retired. I usually just help organize related materials at the association and study some traditional Chinese medicine theories; I’m not involved in the business of herbal cuisine."

"Moreover, the field of herbal cuisine combines theory with practice, focusing on contemporary people’s eating habits. In terms of innovation, it’s still the domain of you young folks. My ability to accept new things is certainly not as good as yours, so I’m here to exchange ideas and progress together!"

During this visit to Bei’an, Liu Shaoxian was warmly hosted by his old friend Yang Wenqiang.

Yang Wenqiang’s Li’s Private Kitchen Hot Pot business has always been good. He invited Liu Shaoxian to dine at his own restaurant, along with his family members.

As old friends gathered, their conversation constantly revolved around each other’s work and lives. Naturally, they talked about the development of herbal cuisine hot pot.

Mentioning medicinal cuisine, Liu Shaoxian was immediately energized and enthusiastically discussed the ingredients and flavors of herbal cuisine hot pot with Yang Wenqiang for quite some time.

Talking about medicinal cuisine, they were deeply engrossed, and the several ladies at the table also showed interest.

It was at this welcome dinner that he inadvertently heard Madam Yang mention a friend who ordered a customized medicinal cuisine seat at the music restaurant, costing nearly 200,000 yuan for two courses.

This price, even for Liu Shaoxian, was quite a shock to hear.

After all, medicinal cuisine isn’t like other aesthetic medical treatments, which can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions.

Even the rarest medicinal cuisine is just a dish. Even with the most exquisite ingredients, a small plate costing thousands to tens of thousands is already very high.

But to charge 200,000 for two courses, was this medicinal cuisine layered with gold leaf?

Daring to charge such a price must mean there’s real skill involved.

Because if you spend the money without seeing any effect, the customers certainly won’t let it go.

The more willing people are to spend, and the less money they mind spending, the more likely they are to have a background and not be easily provoked.

Of course, it could also be a hype.

Understanding this thoroughly, Liu Shaoxian initially just smiled at the gossip at the dinner table, not taking it to heart at all.

There was no need to personally go and observe someone cooking medicinal cuisine.

However, when Yang Wenqiang heard about this, he was quite interested and asked, "Really? The music restaurant launched a medicinal cuisine seat? Wow! Then it seems Yao Shi found some great chef from somewhere, this guy is impressive!"

Though Yao Shi has some fame in Bei’an, his reputation doesn’t match that of such renowned chefs like Liu Yunong.

Liu Shaoxian had no impression of this person, but he had heard of the music restaurant before in the provincial capital. It’s a well-run banquet restaurant specializing in large-scale table service.

Upon hearing this, he casually asked, "Do you know the owner of the music restaurant?"

Yang Wenqiang nodded, "Yes, his name is Yao Shi, quite a talented young man. Moreover, this guy is not simple at all. Let me tell you, he used to be the head chef of Qianlima. I think he’s still helping manage the kitchen there, and now he started this music restaurant..."

The events of the Dong Family are actually known, to some extent, by the older folks in the circle.

Elder Dong was truly a good person, kind to everyone, with excellent cooking skills; otherwise, he wouldn’t have formed such a good relationship with Yao Shi.

As for the current owner, Dong Jun Tian, he’s somewhat disappointing, giving off an overly commercial impression. It’s only because he has an inheritance that he can hold his ground.

In Bei’an’s culinary circle, Dong Jun Tian’s reputation isn’t as broad as Yao Shi’s.

At least in the eyes of some older folks in the circle, the impression of Yao Shi is quite good. It’s precisely because of a good impression of Yao Shi that many feel he’s somewhat underappreciated managing at Qianlima.

Now seeing Yao Shi start anew, successfully running the music restaurant, many actually feel that this is just right and are happy to see it happen.

After hearing Yang Wenqiang’s account, Liu Shaoxian became genuinely interested in this medicinal cuisine chef the music restaurant hired.

Yao Shi’s experiences are quite extraordinary. He is loyal, capable, and an excellent chef. Spending a fortune to hire a medicinal cuisine chef like that must mean the chef has real skills. Otherwise, just hyping without providing genuine medicinal cuisine skills, wouldn’t of course ruin his own reputation!

Most well-known medicinal cuisine masters, Liu Shaoxian had pretty much heard of.

But he hadn’t heard of anyone moving to Bei’an!

This medicinal cuisine seat isn’t something that can be guided simply; it requires tailoring medicinal cuisine menus based on the actual situation of guests, so this person must be working long-term at the music restaurant.

Who could it be?

Making Liu Shaoxian curious and earning his unspoken approval means something significant.

At this point, Liu Shaoxian really felt that maybe this 200,000 for two courses of medicinal cuisine was worth the money, possibly!

It’s because of this matter that Liu Shaoxian suddenly came up with the idea of visiting the music restaurant to meet this medicinal cuisine chef.

Coincidentally, during this trip with the herbal cuisine association’s inspection group to the provincial capital, he happened to meet Xiao Jiping from Provincial Third Hospital.

He and Xiao Jiping are also old friends, both passionate about traditional Chinese medicine research. Though not in the same profession, they have a very close relationship and keep in frequent contact.

This time, by chance, Xiao Jiping was on his annual leave, so he took the opportunity to invite him to Bei’an to help Yang Wenqiang with some advice on the herbal cuisine hotpot, and also to introduce them, allowing old friends to catch up.

With Xiao Jiping there, Liu Shaoxian felt even more compelled to visit the music restaurant, as in terms of Chinese medicine, this person is genuinely an expert.