Chapter 862: Taking on Apprentices

Chapter 862: Chapter 746: Taking on Apprentices

The kitchen staff was buzzing with discussion.

Upon hearing these words, Yao Shi seized the chance to emphasize, “These students are here for internship experience, not to be your errand runners, so everyone should adjust their attitude!”

“Especially with our kitchen, you all know how dirty and tiring the work can be, normally and especially this time of year, everyone is certainly busy.”

“However, interns are here to learn and understand the kitchen workflow. Understanding and familiarity are the goals, learning is the focus, and working is just the form. Two months later, after the internship truly ends, the store here will still have to cooperate with the school on internship assessments. If a student scores poorly, the responsibility lies with whoever was guiding them.”

Yao Shi’s remark caught everyone off guard for a moment.

Internship assessments after it ends?

In previous years, wasn’t it only necessary for the store to provide a stamp for the internship proof?

Why are new problems arising today?

Anyway, as long as helpers can be sent over, everything else is negotiable.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Yao Shi, satisfied, gave everyone a glance, preparing to announce the meeting’s conclusion, then suddenly remembered something and specifically instructed: “There’s one more point! These interns are here for work experience, but they’re unpaid. Any payment for their labor goes directly to the school, so they likely won’t see a penny.”

“In such a situation, those with transportation are okay, but others will have to cover their commuting costs back and forth for work. The culinary school and tourism school are both located quite far out, and it generally requires two bus transfers back and forth just to get here. If they’re on the early shift, they might even need to catch a taxi; it’s manageable for those with good family backgrounds, otherwise, it can be quite a burden.”

“Therefore, the store is responsible for their three daily meals, but due to the large kitchen workload, it’s impossible for them to dine at the cafeteria, so try to take care of them a little more by bringing extra during meals.”

“Especially, treat them not merely as free labor. For those of you with vehicles, if you’re heading home and it’s convenient, offer them a lift when possible.”

Indeed, a taxi fare in Bei’an starts at eight yuan, which can easily amount to over ten yuan, and while it doesn’t sound much, frequent trips can add up.

Especially for students in school, most have limited living expenses. During these two months of the internship, the commuting costs alone can significantly add to the pressure on these students who have no independent income.

There’s no denying, Yao Shi is indeed a very thoughtful person and quite considerate.

When Fu Yu was working part-time at the music restaurant, Yao Shi paid particular attention to arranging his treatment thoroughly.

Whenever it involved his interests, Yao Shi never overlooked anything, making sure to help him earn a little more money.

“Oh, when the interns arrive in our kitchen, Old Zhao and Lao Gu, you two can manage the allocations yourselves. This year, since assessments are involved, provide them some guidance as necessary.”

Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu responded in unison, “Alright, Chef Yao.”

Yao Shi felt rather confident about these two subordinates, and having said all that was necessary, he waved his hand to announce the end of the meeting.

As the lead walked away, Sun Qingning sighed, “Ah, no matter what, just hurry up and send someone over. Soon I’ll finally have someone to assist in the kitchen!”

Zhao Meng glanced at Sun Qingning and said indifferently, “Isn’t Xiaoqu currently working with you? Where did he go?”

Sun Qingning sighed, “Chef Zhao, I haven’t dared to mention it earlier, Xiaoqu has been seeing a girl back home and will resign after the new year to return home and get married. I’m worrying in advance because I’m afraid there’ll be no one to assist in the kitchen, and it’ll be too busy to handle.”

Zhao Meng frowned; he truly didn’t know about this.

Xiaoqu had been a long-time member of the kitchen. He’s twenty-eight now and has worked as a kitchen helper for seven years, never showing any talent in cooking, nor was he willing to put in effort.

Such a disposition, even wanting to give him a hand wouldn’t yield any improvement.

Due to the family’s financial struggles and his own poor conditions, he remained single for so many years. Now he finally got a girlfriend, and with wedding preparations, it’s certain he can’t continue this job.

For someone with no ambition, if he leaves, he leaves, nothing worth regretting.

The initial thought was that with years into work, at least he’d be better than newcomers, thus having him help Sun Qingning in the kitchen, but how long did it last?

Forget it, old people leaving makes way for newcomers. Once Xiaoqu resigns, we’ll gradually recruit again.

Anyway, after the new year, it’ll be off-season, losing two staff in the kitchen won’t have much impact.

Sun Qingning watched Zhao Meng’s expression, promptly seizing the chance to advocate for himself, “Chef Zhao, once the interns are here, you must assign one to help me!”

Zhao Meng glanced at him, “We’ll discuss later.”

Not rejecting directly meant there’s hope.

Sun Qingning felt relieved, that’s great—he was really tired of handling greasy work.

However, judging Zhao Meng’s attitude, he figured it’s better to postpone his own request for leave.

Approaching during this time might mean not seeing Zhao Meng’s good side for a year.

“Chef Fu, if the interns come, do you think I could also be independently handling the stove like Qingning?” Zhang Jinyu quietly approached Fu Yu when others weren’t paying attention.

Fu Yu was surprised, looking at Zhang Jinyu, “Is this before the new year?”

With a face full of anticipation, Zhang Jinyu said, “Yes! If the kitchen’s too busy, perhaps Chef Zhao will let me manage the stove, do you think it’s possible?”