Chapter 179 Details! It’s All About the Details!
Seeing this scene, Gu Tielin, the head chef of the Sichuan cuisine at Wangjing No. 1, felt his eyelids twitch uncontrollably. He leaned in closer and saw, in just a few minutes, Lu Qin had finely minced an entire piece of pig liver into delicate liver paste.
Even when making minced pork, it was never that fast. What was more, there was also the task of removing the membranes from the pig liver. Gu Tielin knew that this level of knife skill could not be developed through time alone, it required talent.
Yesterday, when he saw Lu Qin’s knife skills demonstrated in the making of twice-cooked pork, he thought that was all he was capable of.
That level of skill made him feel ashamed.
But now, seeing the incredible knife skills displayed in the liver paste soup, alright, he dared not compare himself to him anymore. He could only look up in awe. It was terrifying!
Master Chen, the Cantonese cuisine chef, was equally astonished. Initially, he thought that hiring such a young chef from Jiangcheng to help with the banquet was a desperate, last-minute decision. But now, it was clear—this young man was a true master.
While he was just cooking food, this man was making art. Lu Qin filtered the liver paste twice, added chicken broth infused with spring onions and ginger to season it, and then added salt and pepper.
In another bowl, he mixed egg whites and bean powder into a paste and poured it into the liver paste. Lu Qin was fully focused, unaware of the rustling sounds around him as people took notes and several others secretly filmed with their phones.
This liver paste soup, representing the pinnacle of Sichuan cuisine, was a rare opportunity to see the full process. Truly, they felt fortunate. But learning to make it was another matter entirely.
Lu Qin opened the steamer, and the smooth, jelly-like liver paste lay in the clear broth, looking absolutely beautiful. Gu Tielin’s heart raced. So this was the success he had been chasing—the liver paste soup that looked infinitely better than the failed version he had made.
The liver paste soup was served to Ouyang Peng. Ouyang Peng eagerly tasted a spoonful, and then, he gasped in admiration.
“Mmm, this is it!”
“The texture is as delicate as tofu, incredibly tender, silky, and rich. The broth is crystal clear, and it’s absolutely breathtaking!”
Ouyang Peng looked at Lu Qin.
“This liver paste soup is even more delicious than I expected. Master Lu, you’re truly a gifted talent. I’ll leave the banquet tonight in your hands!”
Ouyang Lin had already told the old man about Lu Qin’s background. Lu Qin had never formally studied cooking, his culinary skills were self-taught, which was truly impressive. Even chefs like Gu Tielin, with recognized titles, could not make the liver paste soup. That was why Ouyang Peng said Lu Qin was extraordinarily talented.
Lu Qin simply nodded lightly.
“It’s no trouble.”
Although he hadn’t discussed payment for helping with the liver paste soup, considering the wealth of Shengyang Group, the tip would certainly be generous. Ouyang Peng wanted to add the liver paste soup to the banquet menu for a reason.
When he was young, without money, he was shivering outside a restaurant. Originally, he was destined to eat scraps, but a chef took pity on him and gave him a bowl of liver paste soup.
As everyone knew, non-spicy Sichuan cuisine was extremely expensive, and ordinary people couldn’t afford it.
But in his time of poverty, Ouyang Peng had actually gotten to eat liver paste soup—it felt like a dream. Therefore, Ouyang Peng had developed a special attachment to liver paste soup.
For lunch, the little one wanted stir-fried rice noodles, and the rich woman wanted Mapo tofu. Lu Qin instructed a staff member from the kitchen to prepare the ingredients.
“Alright, Master Lu, I’ll get on it right now.”
The kitchen staff now revered Lu Qin. After hearing his instructions, they excitedly began preparing the ingredients.
They bumped into other people and said excitedly, “Master Lu asked me to prepare the rice noodles, tofu, and pork… He must be making something else! I can’t wait to see!”
“We’ve already seen his twice-cooked pork and liver paste soup—those were incredible! I wonder how his other dishes compare. I’m so excited!”
“If his other dishes are at the same level, he’ll be unbeatable! I’m going to kneel before him!”
The ingredients Lu Qin needed were neatly arranged on the cutting board. The kitchen quickly became crowded again as people wanted to witness the master at work.
“What are you all doing? Don’t you have work to do?”
A sudden loud shout made everyone shrink back. Gu Tielin and Master Chen, the two head chefs, entered the kitchen with cold expressions. The staff dared not say a word—the head chefs were in charge, and they had to obey. There was no more looking allowed. Everyone scattered and got back to work. The crowded kitchen suddenly emptied.
Once the staff had been sent away, Gu Tielin and Master Chen changed their expressions and began watching Lu Qin cook with great interest.
Lu Qin nodded to the two chefs. He had always adhered to open cooking—anyone could watch, and anyone could learn. If they learned, that was their own skill. But Lu Qin knew that even if someone learned, making food with the same level of skill, with the same flavors, was impossible. Because he was operating with technology.
It was what people called “playing with cheats.”
How could they catch up?
Soon, two servings of stir-fried noodles were ready. The rich, smoky flavor from the wok made both Gu Tielin and Master Chen swallow involuntarily.
These two had been in the kitchen for decades and had smelled every type of aroma, but when Lu Qin’s stir-fried noodles came out, their mouths watered uncontrollably. It was ridiculously good!
Even if they added a pound of fragrance-enhancing powder, it wouldn’t smell this good. Once the stir-fried noodles were plated, there was still a little left, so Lu Qin put it in a small bowl.
Then, he made a dish of Mapo tofu—one of the most popular dishes from Sichuan, a true gift to the world’s best comfort food rankings. Gu Tielin saw Lu Qin’s master-level Mapo tofu and became anxious. He trembled as he took out his notebook and began jotting down notes.
“Mapo tofu must use soft tofu. Tofu made with pickled mustard greens doesn’t taste as good, and using old tofu makes it too tough…”
“Before adding tofu to the pan, put in some salt to remove the smell and make the tofu more firm…”
“Details, it’s all about the details!”
Master Chen, watching Lu Qin’s culinary art, suddenly nudged Gu Tielin with his elbow.
“Hey, Old Gu, Master Lu is using soft tofu. Why are you using old tofu?”
A line was drawn through the notebook. Gu Tielin grumbled, “Soft tofu is easy to break, while old tofu holds together better. The texture is just a bit worse, you don’t get it.”
“Oh, I see. So, Old Gu, your skills aren’t up to par. Well, never mind.” Master Chen chuckled.
Gu Tielin nearly spat blood, glaring fiercely at Master Chen.
But watching Lu Qin cook had been an eye-opening experience. He had learned many small details and techniques that could raise his own level of cooking. As for control of heat, seasoning ratios, and wok skills… that was beyond him.
Lu Qin had initially planned to make twice-cooked pork, but he worried it would be too filling and leave the rich woman and the little one too full. So, he opted for sour and spicy shredded potatoes and made a bowl of liver paste soup with the ready-made broth. Lu Qin called over a waiter.
“Please take this to room 888.”
The waiter walked out of the kitchen with the tray. Lu Qin took off his apron and nodded to Gu Tielin and Master Chen before leaving as well. On the cutting board, there was still a small bowl of stir-fried rice noodles, steaming hot.
Gu Tielin and Master Chen exchanged glances and excitedly walked over. A few seconds later, the kitchen echoed with loud exclamations.
“This is ridiculously good!”
“I can’t believe it! Even stir-fried noodles taste so good!”
The waiter walked out of the kitchen and into the dining hall. It was now mealtime, and customers were streaming in. The tray held Mapo tofu, with an aroma so tantalizing, and the rich, flavorful stir-fried rice noodles, all drawing the attention of the nearby diners. They couldn’t help but turn their heads to look.
“It smells so good! I want the tofu! And the stir-fried noodles!”