I opened a restaurant in ancient times

Chapter 31

The shopkeeper knew that the kitchen was not allowed to come and go at will, so he just stood at the door and called out: "Old Li, stop the work and come here."

At this time, the restaurant was not too busy, and Chef Li heard the shopkeeper's call. He put down the work in his hand and wiped his palm with a clean towel: "What's wrong?"

Since he first came to Zhilan Town, the shopkeeper has taken care of him a lot, so he is only familiar with the shopkeeper, and the two of them are considered to be My friend, at this time, I don't pay attention to so much politeness.

Chef Li walked up to the shopkeeper and asked him suspiciously, "What's wrong? Why are you so anxious, what's the matter?" The

shopkeeper patted him on the shoulder and sighed: "You know, our restaurant's business is not very good recently. In this way, the number of guests is much less than before."

"That's how it is." Chef Li is still a little puzzled, there are not many people who are willing to eat fried noodle soup in summer, and there are not as many noble people as the prefectures, so naturally I can't use those precious ingredients. Isn't it normal that there are fewer people?

Then, he listened to the shopkeeper again: "There were some people in our restaurant who were willing to come here in the summer before, why are there so many fewer people this year, I wanted to ask Xiao Er to go out and find out where the new restaurant and pub were opened, but I didn't know it. What hope is there to report, but now I really found out that there is a family to eat." Chef Li's curiosity was hooked

: "Oh? Which one is it?"

Naturally, he has confidence in his own craftsmanship, not to mention that in a small town like Zhilan Town, he must be considered a good player.

This time, he could even compare his craftsmanship by eating food at home, and he really wanted to see what it was like.

"When Xiao Er came, I brought a meal with me. I was thinking of taking a look with you."

The shopkeeper said as he walked to the door of the private room not far away: "Come here quickly."

Chef Li nodded and followed him into the private room.

When they were talking, they didn't realize that, as soon as the two sat down, Chef Li could smell the aroma of eating. As a cook, his sense of smell was much more sensitive than that of the shopkeeper, and he immediately noticed the noodles on the table.

The biggest difference between this noodle and noodle soup is...no soup?

"That's what you said, a very good food for a business? Why is there no soup, it's a bit interesting." The

shopkeeper had never tasted it, so he didn't dare to say nonsense, and quickly handed him a pair of chopsticks and said, "Try it. ?"

There are not only various pickled side dishes on the noodles, but also diced cucumbers and diced radishes and peanuts. With this should be a secret sauce, just smelling it makes people appetite.

He had never seen such a practice when he was in the prefecture, and Chef Li was secretly surprised.

No matter what the taste is, it is amazing to be able to come up with such a novel method. Chef Li remembered that he had never been able to create a recipe at such an old age.

Chef Li pulled the bowl of cold noodles in front of him, picked up some with his chopsticks and sent them into his mouth. The salty sauce and all kinds of crisp and delicious side dishes burst out a strange fragrance in his mouth, just like that. Noodles, Chef Li finished a whole bowl of noodles like a cloud of wind.

After eating, looking at the empty bowl in front of him, Chef Li's face flushed slightly. He was a three-year-old man, but he was ashamed to eat like a child.

When he looked up, he saw the shopkeeper looking at him curiously: "How is it? Is there any delicious food made by our restaurant? I haven't tasted their food yet."

"Where did you buy this cold noodle from?" It tasted so good, he didn't feel hot and sweaty after eating it, and even the whole summer's anorexia and loss of appetite were eliminated by this cold noodle, he ate a bowl and returned I didn't eat enough, and even wanted another bowl.

It wasn't that he never tasted good food when he was in the prefecture, but he felt that the taste of this simple bowl of noodles was actually not any worse than the delicacies of mountains and seas. It was just a difference in the ingredients.

In his heart, food that can make people appetizing, and who can shout delicious food after eating, is good.

Such a recipe is either a recipe inherited from the family that is not passed down, or it is a recipe created by the eater, Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger.

But if he created his own recipe, the boss should be quite old. As for why he hadn't heard of it before, Chef Li automatically ignored it and wanted to know which company it belonged to.

"I heard from Xiao Er, it's the food at the stall in the North Market." Afraid that Chef Li would not be comfortable with the food at the roadside stall, the shopkeeper hurriedly said: "He said that there were a lot of people in that stall, so I bought it. Yes ."

Chef Li didn't care whether the cold noodles were from a roadside stall or a newly opened restaurant. He just desperately wanted to meet the boss.

"The shopkeeper, I'll go out and find the boss to see if I can buy a few recipes from him." The

shopkeeper, who had never tasted anything on the food stall, immediately widened his eyes when he heard this. Thinking that Chef Li, who usually thinks highly of himself, would say such a thing, the shopkeeper was surprised: "The boss's craftsmanship is so good?"

"The most important thing in this cold noodles is the sauce, which should be The boss made it in his own secret. Let's just say, if I made the same food, it would probably not be as good as this."

Hearing this, the shopkeeper couldn't sit still, got up and opened the door, loudly standing the door. The younger brother called over and said, "Tell me where the cold noodle food stall is in Beishi today?"

Seeing that the shopkeeper looked anxious, he just said the address honestly, and did not dare to say more, but he secretly muttered in his heart: Could it be that the shopkeeper is going to dig someone!

After listening to Xiao Er's description, Chef Li hurried out the door, even the hot weather couldn't stop him.

After all, there are not many people with such craftsmanship. He has to take advantage of the fact that no one in the town digs him out. Even if that person doesn't want to work for others, it would be good to be able to buy some of the recipes in his hands. .

The shopkeeper saw that he was going out, shook his head, and thought to himself: This old Li really has a fiery temperament.

When the shopkeeper followed his boss in Fujun, he knew that Chef Li was a man of temperament. It was precisely because of this that he gave up the high-priced employment of so many noble people in Fujun, and followed the boss back to Zhilan Town.

Zhao Heng on the other side was still ignorant of the matter and was busy circling around his stall. Brother Yuan didn't come to help today, so he can't be busy by himself!

"Boss, why isn't mine still good?" "One cold noodle, two cold skins

, the weather is very hot, the boss should hurry up."

Facing the face, he responded to several guests: "It will be ready soon, it will be ready soon!"

Chef Li followed the route described by Xiao Er and touched Zhao Heng's booth in Beishi.

You can tell the popularity of this stall from a long distance. There are very few people around the stall, but this one person crowded the entire intersection, making it impossible for people to ignore it.

Chef Li thought, don't get straight to the point and say his purpose, otherwise the boss will be angry and drive him away when he sees someone come to buy the recipe for his family.

He imitated the people around him to line up behind the line, silently forming a long line.

After finally getting to the front of the boss, he realized that this popular food stall was actually run by such a young guy.

Suppressing the exclamation in his heart, he asked, "Apart from cold noodles, what else is there to eat?"

Zhao Heng replied, "There are also cold skins, palm cakes and pocket cakes, and fruit water to drink."

Chef Li pretended to be An ordinary guest: "I want a bowl of Liangpi and a bowl of fruit water."

He didn't show the slightest bit on his face, but he was very puzzled. He had never heard of these things. Does this little boss have so many recipes?

He didn't show it, just sat aside and waited for the people in the food stall to gradually disperse. It's better to discuss with the boss when there are fewer people, otherwise it would be bad for other guests to see it.

The sun gradually rose to the sky, and there were many fewer people on the stall.

Zhao Heng looked up at the sun and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't have a helper for the whole day, but he was exhausted.

Just as he bent down to pack some trivial things, a figure appeared in front of him. Zhao Heng looked up and saw that it was a middle-aged man who was about three years old.

He straightened up: "The guests are gone today. I'll give you a little more when you come back tomorrow, okay?"

Chef Li looked at the young man in front of him, and he didn't intend to beat around the bush, saying bluntly, "I'm the Zhilan restaurant in town. The chef."

"..." Zhao Heng was startled by the guest's blunt words, and thought to himself: This is a meeting with a colleague!

I heard before that Zhilan Restaurant is the largest restaurant in the town. It is backed by a big tree to enjoy the shade. Ordinary restaurants don't dare to pick on the thorns. I found him today, what is it?

"If you have anything to do with the guests, just say it directly." Zhao Heng asked the chef to sit on the stool, and said warmly, "I don't know what is the matter with me?"

"I'll just say it directly." Chef Li nodded. The head said: "In recent days, the business of our restaurant has not been very good, and I heard that the newly opened food stall here in Beishi bought a recipe."

"Buy the children?" Zhao Heng was very puzzled, and then he put it up. After a few days of stalls, someone wants to buy something?

"Yes, if you are willing to sell it to us, the price we offer will definitely satisfy you." Chef Li said, his eyes lit up, and he continued talking excitedly.

"Just like this cold noodle, if you are willing to sell it for two silvers."

This price is not too small in the wealthy Zhilan Town, and most other restaurants cannot offer such a price.

"No need, I haven't thought about selling the recipe yet." It's definitely not possible during this period of time. After a period of time when the weather is cold, it may be possible to sell other recipes for emergency use. At this time, it is definitely not possible. After selling the recipe, what will he sell it with.

Zhao Heng simply refused, and he didn't want to talk to him anymore, so he lowered his head and went about his own business.

Chef Li saw that the little boss really didn't want to sell his business, so he no longer insisted on it, and only said: "If you want to sell a business in the future, you must come to our restaurant first. Or the boss, you don't want to set up a stall anymore, You can also come to Zhilan Restaurant, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory price."

This middle-aged man is sincere, not the kind of stalker, so Zhao Heng followed his words and said, "Okay, I understand. ."

After listening to the small boss's affirmative answer, Chef Li was relieved. Even if the young man didn't sell them the restaurant recipe, it would be fine. Since the boss doesn't want to sell it, other restaurants can't buy it. That's enough.

Now that he was rejected, Chef Li didn't bother too much here. He exchanged names with Zhao Heng and left. Before leaving, he repeatedly told him to consider Zhilan Restaurant first. Zhao Heng reluctantly left after agreeing again.

Seeing Chef Li leaving, Zhao Heng shook his head and said with a soft laugh, "This person is really interesting!"

Feng Huo Huo Huo asked Fang Zi, he didn't agree and didn't bother anymore. It can be seen that this person is also straight, but he has no bad intentions. .

At this time, there was no one else in the stall. Zhao Heng reached out and flipped the money box. Hearing the rustling voice inside, he nodded with satisfaction, and then bent down to clear the table.

Chef Li on the other side rashly asked the owner of the food stall. At the moment, he felt a little regretful, but he was not too entangled, and went back to the Zhilan Restaurant to find the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper sat on the side and slapped the plate, and just as he was counting today's money, he saw Chef Li coming into the room sweating profusely.

The shopkeeper hurriedly put down the abacus in his hand and went up to meet him: "Why is it so hot?" He called Xiao Er, "Go and get a wet handkerchief."

After listening to the shopkeeper's instructions, Xiao Er quickly put down his hand and wiped the table. He ran to the kitchen door not far away, and soaked the handkerchief with the cold water that had been dried.

During this time, Chef Li's apprentice Sun He happened to go out and saw Xiao Er, and greeted him with a smile: "Little Er brother, what are you doing?"

Xiao Er raised his head and turned back to him: "Oh, Li Da The chef just came back from outside, and I'll get a wet handkerchief."

Xiao Er didn't want to talk to him too much, he always felt that the apprentice's words and actions made people feel strange and uncomfortable. Just explain it clearly in one or two sentences, then lower your head and continue to be busy with the things at hand and ignore him.

Seeing this, Sun He still had a smile on his face, and said to Xiao Er, "Second brother, then I'll go to work."

Xiao Er didn't see it, and when Sun He turned to leave, there was a trace in his eyes. disgust. In his heart, an ordinary restaurant junior dared to treat the chef's apprentice like this, it was simply daring.

In the future, he is going to be a chef, how can he be mixed with this kind of errand? Sun He sneered and entered the kitchen.

And that Chef Li, in his opinion, is a half-hearted person, no better than himself. What kind of chef, it sounds good to listen to, but in the end, it is not necessary to listen to the shopkeeper's orders!

The shopkeeper said that he must buy the ingredients of the day, saying that they were fresh, and Chef Li listened to it, and he has never used any inferior ingredients.

If you want him to say that these ingredients are no different, it is better to save some money and use it to pay him wages. It is better to throw such a good thing to eat for those lowly businessmen!

Sun He resented in his heart, saying that he came to be an apprentice, but in fact, he was a chores in the kitchen, and he spent a lot of money to have the middle person recommend him. I spent this money in vain, and I still haven't gotten anything yet!

He got angry when he thought about it, and the middle man didn't have any good intentions.

Thinking like this, he angrily took out an apple from the fruit plate placed on the table: "Hey, this fruit is not bad." After wiping it with his hand, he ate it, not paying attention The soil that has been picked.

While eating, he suddenly remembered what Xiao Er said just now. What did Chef Li do with a wet handkerchief? He wanted to see it.

Throwing away his hands and feet, he went to the lobby of the restaurant, quietly lying at the door listening to their speech.

The shopkeeper handed the wet handkerchief to Chef Li: "What did the boss say?"

"He said that he doesn't want to sell the business now. I discussed it with the young man, and if he wants to sell the business, he will come first. Let's go to the restaurant!"

"I knew that the boss wouldn't sell it. I just earned some money for a few days. How can I sell it casually? If it were me, I wouldn't sell it."

Chef Li nodded: "That 's right. Yes, this time it was me who was abrupt, but after all he agreed to come to our Zhilan Restaurant to sell the business first, it would be a bit of a gain." The

shopkeeper stroked his beard and smiled: "That's fine, at least someone else's. There is no such novel formula, we can also deal with the owner."

Hearing this, Sun He understood, it was not because the shopkeeper had been nagging all day before a few days ago why the business has been so bad this year, it seems that he has found it. Steal the source of the business.

"Hey, it's not easy?" If he was the shopkeeper, he would have thought of a way to let that restaurant go down, how could he be able to grab business for so long!

An idea suddenly flashed in Sun He's mind. If he could bring down that restaurant, Chef Li would not be happy and crazy? When he is happy, he is not sure that there will be a formula or something in his hand.

Just because of Chef Li's name outside, the money from him is enough for his living expenses for a year or two.

Besides, the restaurant was able to steal the business of Zhilan Restaurant, which means that their recipes are also good, and they should be able to sell for a good price. Such good things finally let him meet once!

The more Sun He thought about it, the more excited he became. He wished he could grab Chef Li and the recipe from that restaurant. He couldn't help but secretly rejoiced in his heart: After being an apprentice for a month at this Zhilan Restaurant, it was a blessing to be able to meet such a good thing.