Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Gongs and drums blare, salutes resound, red flags flutter, a sea of people
All is ready, except the East Wind.
After all, since the restaurant was about to open, Jiang Feng had planned to do some publicity, and he had started the promotion very early on. Among the key figures were Liu Bao and Zhang Dashan. Outdoor anchor Liu Bao had a fan community, while Zhang Dashan had many friends who were business owners, and they both knew the opening time of Jiang Feng’s restaurant. Moreover, once the opening time was set, Jiang Feng’s foodie group was also bustling with excitement. There were also fishing aces from Moon River and residents from the Hongshan Park Residents Group. Even the temple groups from Fengqi Mountain had related discussions underway. This was the foundation he had built.
Just like it says in "The Knockout":
"I’ve been in Jinghai for so many years, spent so much money, and nurtured so many people, isn’t it for today?"
The impact of the stalls set up in the past was ultimately manifested.
In Liu Bao’s fan group, everyone was chatting eagerly.
"Executive Chef Jiang’s restaurant is opening tomorrow?"
"Finally, we don’t have to run all over the place looking for him!"
"The location is convenient too, just a subway ride away!"
"Will he be the head chef? I just want to eat the dishes he cooks!"
"Everyone feels the same. He definitely can’t cook them all by himself. As long as the taste is up to par, other Shandong dishes are fine as well."
"I’m really looking forward to it!"
The location of Jiangyue Terrace is in a busy area with many food industries. There’s no lack of customer flow, but the challenge is making customers choose one’s own shop. Jiang Feng had positioned the restaurant as a mid-range brand with high-end banquets. The price for dining in was similar to that of restaurants on the fifth floor of shopping malls, and the banquets were priced similarly to those of star-rated hotels.
In the past few days, he had been adjusting the taste of Shandong Cuisine dishes according to the menu, striving to go a step further. The dishes in most hotels and restaurants are heavy in oil and salt, which is used to make them taste better to customers. Jiang Feng would ensure a balanced use of oil and salt in dishes and improve the taste with other methods. Among these, the dish Jiang Feng was most satisfied with was the popular Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet and the high-quality Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions.
Jiang Feng planned to spend the first week after opening in the restaurant’s kitchen every day, responsible for these two dishes. At the entrance of the restaurant, a chef sign would hang, displaying the name of the chef of the day and their signature dishes. This was akin to an honor board or a star board for the restaurant and also benefited restaurant management. Seeing their names featured on the sign, along with their signature dishes, chefs would certainly put more effort into cooking. People crave respect, and this is true for everyone.
Jiang Feng planned to cook Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions and Superior Tofu on the first day of opening. Introducing different dishes every day would also let everyone taste his skill in cooking Shandong Cuisine.
The day before the restaurant’s opening, the system just happened to issue a task.
[Task Opened: Act as the head chef in the restaurant for one consecutive week, serving 200 guests daily.]
[Task Reward: One jade disc with jadeite dragon motifs (left) *1]
[Task Opened: Great opening success, make the restaurant the number one food establishment on the street within a week. (Failure if vote-rigging methods are used.)]
[Task Reward: One jade disc with jadeite dragon motifs (right) *1]
[Note: The jade discs with jadeite dragon motifs come as a pair, carved by master craftsmen, extremely valuable, and the pair is worth even more.]
[Accept the task?]
For Jiang Feng, tasks were rewards, so he naturally did not hesitate and chose to accept them. It so happened that he was planning to be present at the Jiangyue Terrace Shandong Cuisine Restaurant for the next week.
During the restaurant’s opening, the most nervous person was the boss. Most of the restaurants on the market are used for wedding banquets, funerals, or business discussions in private rooms, following a high-end path. Jiang Feng, on the other hand, had given up on weddings and funerals and focused on individual customers and private rooms. This allowed everyone the opportunity to dine at the restaurant. Everything was well arranged.
「Until the following morning.」
Many people sent flower baskets, and the restaurant’s entrance was fully adorned with them. This was because the busy location had narrow streets. Otherwise, even more flower baskets could have been placed. All the groups were bustling with excitement.
"Have you heard? The street stall owner with impressive culinary skills, his restaurant is opening today!"
"It’s a restaurant that specializes in Shandong Cuisine. I’ve checked the menu, and the prices are all reasonable!"
"With him overseeing the restaurant, it’s definitely going to be delicious!"
"Executive Chef Jiang’s restaurant is open? I just found out. I’ve got to check it out!"
"I plan on going too!"
"What a coincidence, we should go early; otherwise, it’s going to be crowded!"
The restaurant’s sign hung with large red silk ribbon, and the entrance was laid with a red carpet. There was a sign-in board at the entrance where one could sign in and check in. Next to it stood a life-size standee of Jiang Feng. Jiang Feng originally thought it was too ostentatious, but Liew Mei said it looked good. It would also let visitors take photos.
At the time of the opening ribbon-cutting, Jiang Feng, head chef Zhang Hu, manager Liew Mei, and others stood at the entrance. In front were drum teams and lion dance performances. Both sides were filled with large flower baskets, and the outside was crowded with people.
The business district did not allow fireworks, so there were no firecrackers, but the restaurant staff had readied confetti cannons, which would send countless colorful ribbons floating into the air with a twist of the hand. Jiang Feng had also arranged for prompt cleaning after the opening ceremony, ensuring the sanitation was taken care of immediately, without adding trouble to the street cleaners.
"Boss Jiang, we’re here!"
"Boss Jiang, looking good!"
"It’s so lively!"
People stood nearby, watching, and one after another raised their phones to capture the opening scene. Jiang Feng felt a bit excited in his heart. It was like a vibrant dream, that turned out to be real upon waking.
At the auspicious time, the ribbon-cutting ceremony began. Several people simultaneously cut through the ribbons tied with big red flowers. The staff twisted confetti cannons, sending streams of colorful ribbons fluttering out. The scene was truly one of blaring drums and gongs, firing confetti cannons, waving flags, and a sea of people. The crowd was so dense that people were nearly squished under tables.
Inside the restaurant, waiters and receptionists were surprised by the scene at the doorstep. Good heavens, there are so many people! The flower baskets and confetti cannons displayed before the opening were hardly the main show; *this* sea of people was the true spectacle!
"So many people!"
Inside the restaurant, a few janitors chatted. They had never seen such a crowd before. Lucky for Jiang Feng, he had the foresight to have Liew Mei recruit extra janitors according to the restaurant’s standards. Otherwise, they felt they couldn’t cope with the business.
"They’re all here for the boss’s reputation; our boss is really something!"
"I’ve heard about it too!"
"The pay is good, too, and Ms. Liew said there are bonuses for those who work hard!"
"And she also mentioned there would be more holidays."
"Our restaurant has never been this popular; the new boss is impressive!"
At 11 a.m., the restaurant officially started business. People who couldn’t wait any longer streamed inside. The restaurant operated just like other dining places, with waiters leading customers to tables, and when full, customers would have to queue for numbers. The private rooms had been booked well in advance.
「At this point, ranch owner Zhang Dashan and a few friends, with daughter Zhang Xinya, came up laughing from the underground parking lot.」
These friends had previously been present at the banquet in the Grassland. They were well acquainted with Jiang Feng’s culinary skills. They arrived at the entrance with beaming smiles, gave their names and telephone numbers to the receptionists, and were promptly led up to the second floor.
Zhang Dashan looked around as he entered – right at the entrance was a board for the opening ceremony, where guests could sign for remembrance. Just inside was a signboard showing pictures of the day’s executive chefs. There were four chefs for the day: Jiang Feng, Zhang Hu, Liu Shuang, Ma Hang. Below was written: "Today’s special dishes by Jiang Feng: Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions, Superior Tofu."
Without a doubt, nearly everyone who came to eat at Jiangyue Terrace, whether they were walk-in customers or had a private room, had to order these two dishes.
Further in was a large beautifully carved screen that exuded an ancient charm. The whole restaurant’s styling leaned toward classical elegance. Walking further revealed a corridor lined with four-seater tables, each separated by railings. By then, every table was occupied. Some customers were scanning QR codes to order, while others were picking dishes directly from the menu. Next to it was a magnificent spiral staircase.
Zhang Dashan had booked a private room well in advance. He and his friends followed the staircase up to the private room "Grain Rain Hall." The private room’s ambiance was exceptionally nice, with notably fresh air, as if one could feel its circulation.
"Boss Jiang’s renovation of this restaurant is really impressive; such a great environment!" Zhang Dashan exclaimed sincerely.
"This place must be worth a lot, a prime location and even the rent must not be cheap," a business friend of Zhang Dashan responded.
"This is not a rental; I asked one of the young chefs during the banquet in the Grassland, and they said their boss bought the whole place," another chimed in.
"Truly impressive!"
Everyone took their seats according to their status, with the most prestigious person at the head and the host, Zhang Dashan, sitting beside him, while others sat strictly according to their seat’s rankings.
Soon, a series of appetizing cold dishes was served. Moreover, guests in the private rooms received a complimentary bowl of clear silver fungus soup.
"When is the Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions coming?" Zhang Dashan couldn’t wait to ask as the waiter entered.
"Just a moment, the boss is preparing it, it will be served shortly," the waiter promptly replied.
"Good, I’ve been looking forward to this dish!"
Shandong Cuisine is majestic and balanced with a focus on health, genuine imperial cuisine. Now, state banquets mainly consist of Shandong and Huaiyang cuisines.
On the restaurant’s grand opening day, all dishes were 20% off. The two dishes prepared personally by Jiang Feng, Superior Tofu and Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions, were even 50% off. Almost every table had them ordered.
「At that moment, in the kitchen,」
Jiang Feng had changed out of the clothes he wore for the ribbon-cutting into his chef’s uniform, standing before the stove. He seemed to enter a magical state entirely. Each chef was bustling with activity. Soon, Jiang Feng also began to busy himself, expertly wielding the wok spatula. On the restaurant’s opening day, he planned to prepare diligently, aiming to dazzle everyone present.