At the Imperial Restaurant, Qin Huai already chatted with Cheng Gong about the splendid results from the second internal event on good flavors. Cheng Gong was taking out his phone to find the event report praised by President Han when Zang Mu’s dishes were being served one after another.
All were aromatic vegetarian dishes simmered with broth.
Han Guishan stood up, gave Qin Huai a glance, and Qin Huai, understanding the subtle message, picked up a bowl and went over, with Cheng Gong following closely behind.
The three of them stood in a line and began tasting.
While eating, Han Guishan regretfully mentioned that the vegetarian dishes didn’t quite pair with the buns. Otherwise, they could steam a couple of Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns to go with them.
Qin Huai immediately suggested that Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns might not pair well, but Longevity Noodles would definitely be a good match. Zang Mu is a master of Huaiyang cuisine, his skill in making high broth is exceptional and comparable to Huang Shengli. Among the dishes on the table were those simmered with chicken broth.
When the banquet starts tomorrow, Qin Huai planned to discuss with Zang Mu to share some chicken broth with him to cook Longevity Noodles, serving it to Han Guishan’s table as a unique dish. These dishes with Longevity Noodles will definitely be delicious.
Han Guishan was overjoyed, feeling that Qin Huai truly understood cuisine. Without even tasting, just hearing Qin Huai’s suggestion made him believe it would be delicious.
However, preparing a separate dish wasn’t necessary; it would give a bad impression. There are many banquet tables tomorrow, including business partners, and President Han, as a successful domineering CEO, clearly possessed the emotional intelligence and workplace etiquette.
Of course, President Han also knew it was unrealistic for Qin Huai, who would be alone responsible for all the snacks at tomorrow’s banquet, to add another Longevity Noodles dish. It would be too exhausting.
Thus, President Han expressed his wish to sneak into the kitchen with his wife after the banquet tomorrow to enjoy a small private meal.
Qin Huai thought President Han truly understood the joy of a private meal; the food inside a kitchen is always more delicious than outside. Perhaps it’s the proximity to the stove.
As the last dish was finished by Han Guishan, the day’s tasting event concluded perfectly.
Seeing Han Guishan’s appetite, Qin Huai decided to make more snacks tomorrow, preparing extra dough for President Han to slowly enjoy.
If exquisite texture and flavor aren’t mandatory, dough can be frozen in the fridge for about 10 days. Qin Huai believed President Han’s appetite would certainly not let it last for 10 days.
After the tasting concluded, Qin Huai and the others gradually returned to the hotel. Qin Huai attempted to add Tong De Yan on WeChat via group chat. The request was accepted almost instantly. After Qin Huai sent a greeting emoji, Tong De Yan politely responded with "Hello," contradicting his rumored temperamental demeanor.
As Qin Huai considered what message to send Tong De Yan to leave a good impression, for good dining arrangements in Beiping, Zang Liang visited Qin Huai’s room for a chat.
To be precise, he came to discuss tomorrow’s assisting tasks.
Though Zang Liang has a lively personality, his work is as reliable as his master Zang Mu, and he’s proficient, with knife skills that barely qualify as Knife Skills Prince.
Tomorrow, Qin Huai has only Zang Liang assisting him, although he only needs to prepare three snacks. The workload is no lighter than for Zang Mu and Tong De Yan. Zang Liang helped Qin Huai today but wasn’t sure if tomorrow’s work would be identical or if the timing control would differ between mass production and trial preparation, hence he specifically visited to clarify.
Qin Huai didn’t expect Zang Liang to be so professional as an assistant, and was momentarily at a loss. Since Qin Huai was also facing his first banquet, he sometimes handled mass production and strict time control, but really hadn’t collaborated with others.
After being stumped by Zang Liang’s questions for two seconds, Qin Huai decided to seek advice from Tong De Yan.
Tong De Yan seemed very knowledgeable about banquets, with precise timing for dish serving, a professional.
Also, humbly asking for advice from newly acquainted friends is a good method to deepen relations.
Without any hesitation, Qin Huai took out his phone and started composing a message.
Qin Huai: Master Tong, I’d like to ask about dish serving times at tomorrow’s banquet. My three snacks are served last, starting with Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, followed by Three Meat Buns, and lastly Four Happiness Glutinous Rice. What’s the best interval for these three dishes?
Tong De Yan: Which room are you in?
Two minutes later, a knock was heard at Qin Huai’s door. Opening the door, Tong De Yan stood outside in similar attire to the afternoon but wearing a different jacket.
Qin Huai quickly invited Tong De Yan inside and offered him water, asking in astonishment while noticing Zang Liang’s stunned gaze, "Master Tong, why did you come all the way here to discuss? You could’ve just said it on WeChat."
"Chatting on WeChat creates records, it’s easy to be screenshotted," Tong De Yan replied.
Qin Huai: ? Just how many screenshots did it take to gain such experience?
Before Qin Huai could speak, Tong De Yan continued, "You haven’t prepared a banquet before."
His tone was firm and conclusive.
Qin Huai nodded, "Indeed, I haven’t experienced this before. President Han reached out mainly due to Mr. Xu Cheng’s recommendation."
Tong De Yan nodded and glanced at Zang Liang, who was already starting to shiver in the corner, "I heard you’ve only settled on this one assistant for tomorrow."
Qin Huai nodded again, "Zang Liang’s knife skills are excellent, and he’s sufficient. The snacks I’m preparing tomorrow aren’t particularly complex, and the quantity is not large. I inquired with Assistant Chen; the Imperial Restaurant’s pastry chef is just an extra, without major skills, so Zang Liang will suffice tomorrow."