Chapter 142 - 140: Recruiting and Poaching

Chapter 142: Chapter 140: Recruiting and Poaching

"Brother Huang, can you figure out what’s causing such a massive improvement in the flavor of these dishes?"

"It’s not the technique, and it’s not the seasonings. The ingredients might contribute a little, but there’s no way they could cause an improvement of this magnitude on their own.

It’s strange. I can’t taste anything out of the ordinary, so how can it be this delicious? Did they develop some new kind of seasoning?"

Liang Zhongyi said, "I don’t think it’s the seasoning. This flavor seems to be drawn out from the ingredients themselves.

At first, I thought it was some kind of innovative technique, but now it seems that’s not it either. It’s truly strange."

The two fell silent, which only deepened the confusion of the several chefs who were eavesdropping nearby.

They had hoped the two masters could analyze the situation and find some answers, but it turned out they were just as clueless.

After tasting the food, they finally understood why the online food critics had given such rave reviews.

The truth was right in front of them. This place was in a league of its own; the food was more delicious than any other restaurant out there.

This completely dispelled any notion of causing trouble they might have had. Now, all they could think about was how to get their hands on this flavor-enhancing method.

Having finished their work, the three chefs walked out from the back kitchen with Wan Tiejun.

"Everyone, were you satisfied with the dishes we prepared today?"

Someone spoke up. "The flavor was impeccable. I was wondering if you would be open to discussing your methods?

Of course, if it’s a secret, just pretend I never asked."

"That’s right, there’s something about the flavor of these dishes... it doesn’t seem right. How did you manage to do it?"

"I agree, the flavor is off. It’s simply impossible to achieve this with just technique, seasoning, and ingredients."

A few others chimed in, and their meaning was clear: there was something strange about how delicious the food was.

Their objective was clear. They were trying to pressure Lin Xian Village into revealing its secret for enhancing flavor.

Huang Yi glanced at his boss, Lin Feng. They had already discussed this yesterday. They would let these chefs use the Restaurant’s back kitchen to cook.

They hoped to use this opportunity to poach a few chefs for Lin Xian Village. The Restaurant was fully booked every day, but unfortunately, they were short-staffed.

He knew exactly what they were implying with their questions. He hadn’t been sure how to invite them to cook, but now, it was simple.

"Since you all want to know the reason, I’ll satisfy your curiosity today. Everyone, please change into chef’s uniforms and follow me to the back kitchen."

Hearing Huang Yi’s words, everyone perked up. Some were practically bouncing with impatience.

However, they all looked toward the two state banquet head chefs, waiting for them to take the lead.

Huang Qiuyun said, "Then let’s go. I’m also very curious what kind of technique could improve a dish’s flavor by so much."

Because there were too many people, some had to stand at the doorway and watch.

"I’m sure you’re all very confused. To be honest, we don’t understand the specific reason either.

However, if you each stir-fry a plate of shredded potatoes, you’ll naturally understand what I’m talking about."

They all looked at Huang Yi, completely baffled. ’What does he mean, "stir-fry a plate of shredded potatoes and we’ll understand"?’

Huang Qiuyun said nothing, simply walking over to the sink to wash his hands.

’Since he said so, there must be a reason for it. I’ll just do as he says for now.’

’If it doesn’t produce the desired result, it won’t be too late to confront him then.’

Liang Zhongyi said, "Then I’ll give it a try as well."

With the two master chefs personally taking action, the others grew even more curious. What was the secret here?

They stared with wide eyes, scrutinizing every step of the cooking process, hoping to discover the method they were looking for.

As it turned out, there was nothing unusual about the process of stir-frying the shredded potatoes. But the aroma wafting from the dish left everyone bewildered.

Huang Qiuyun and Liang Zhongyi finished cooking at roughly the same time. They glanced at each other, then stared down at the shredded potatoes they had just made.

Even without tasting it, they could tell from the aroma alone that the shredded potatoes would be absolutely delicious.

The two of them took a single bite and froze on the spot, their eyes scanning all the ingredients they had just used.

Then they started tasting the ingredients one by one, not even sparing the raw potato shreds or the water.

A man who had also been a state banquet chef asked, "Master Huang, is there a problem with the ingredients?"

"There’s no problem. They’re all common ingredients you can buy at any market. Some are even of lower quality than what we typically use."

"Then, gentlemen, have you found the reason?"

Liang Zhongyi said, "Yes and no. All of you should try stir-frying a plate of shredded potatoes for yourselves. You’ll understand after you taste it."

Hearing this, everyone was confused. What did he mean by "yes and no"?

Nevertheless, some of them started cooking, stir-frying shredded potatoes just as Liang Zhongyi had suggested.

Every person who stir-fried and then tasted the shredded potatoes became even more bewildered.

"What’s going on? Why are the shredded potatoes I just cooked so much more delicious than anything I’ve made before?"

"No wonder Master Liang said what he did. There’s nothing wrong with these ingredients; some are even worse than what we use.

But the dish I made clearly surpasses my own skill level. I can’t understand it."

Someone else tried making a different dish, but the result was the same—the flavor surpassed their own culinary abilities.

Outside the kitchen, a few people were eating the dishes the chefs had made. Seeing the bewildered expressions on their faces, they had to suppress a laugh.

"Shiyun, the state banquet chef’s shredded potatoes are really good. It seems the better the chef, the better the food tastes when it’s made in this Restaurant.

It’s a shame we can’t get them to stay. If they could cook for us every day, that would be pure bliss."

Zhao Shiyun ignored her. She had eaten too many shredded potatoes and was starting to feel full.

’They should have had them prepare a few more dishes. Then we would’ve had an even bigger feast.’

"Everyone, everyone! Our Restaurant is currently hiring chefs! If any of you are interested in exploring the Restaurant’s secrets, you are welcome to apply.

Oh, and being a chef at our Restaurant comes with other benefits as well."

The bewildered chefs wanted to ask more questions, but unfortunately, Huang Yi wasn’t answering them anymore.

They were led to a lounge, where they immediately began to discuss the secret of this place.

"Do you think the Restaurant, like the Land God Temple and the Arrow Tower, has some kind of mystical quality to it?"

"That... couldn’t be, could it?"

"Then what other reason could there be?

Everyone just inspected the ingredients in the back kitchen. There was nothing wrong with them at all."

Thinking about all the strange and magical things in Lin Xian Village, they grew less certain. If the Restaurant was just like the Arrow Tower and the Land God Temple, it would actually explain everything.

If that was truly the case, defeating Lin Xian Village through sheer skill would be basically impossible.

Some of the chefs recalled Huang Yi’s final words and decided they would find someone to ask about what other "secrets" the Lin Xian Village Restaurant had.

The news of this culinary exchange, which had started with a roar and ended with a whimper, quickly spread throughout the culinary world, piquing the curiosity of the chefs who hadn’t attended.

At the same time, the news that Lin Xian Village was hiring chefs spread like wildfire alongside it.

Wan Qianqian held a list she had just received and handed it directly to Huang Yi.

"Brother Huang, you and Master Geng will have to put in some effort. Try contacting the people on this list."

"Don’t worry, Qianqian. I’ve already had people spread the word about the benefits of being a chef at the Lin Xian Village Restaurant. I’m sure some of them will be tempted."

’If you tell them directly, some people won’t believe it. But many will believe news they think they’ve dug up themselves.’

Lin Feng also looked at the list. He noticed a few of the chefs who had come just for the spectacle were on it. If they could be persuaded to stay, it would be a huge help to the Restaurant.

These few were all pastry chefs, a scarce talent in Lin Xian Village and precisely the kind of people they urgently needed to hire.

"Find a way to get one or two of those pastry chefs to stay."

"Don’t worry, Boss. The news has spread throughout the entire culinary world. Even if we can’t recruit these specific ones, I’m confident I can find other suitable candidates."

"That’s good. I’ll leave the recruitment to you all."

Not long after Lin Feng left the Restaurant, Professor Zhang Ying sought him out, bringing people with him. The animal protection department had made a major discovery.