Chef at the University Canteen

Chapter 558 297: Setting Out for Jiang Yu's Victory Banquet!

"Anyway, my old man's just like that, the older he gets, the more he acts like a child."

Lu Shuwu looked gleeful, chuckling as he spoke to Jiang Yu,

"If he isn't satisfied with the food, chances are you won't be able to leave."

"..."

Jiang Yu was dumbfounded.

Who would've thought that the Lu Family in Tanzhou would be such a perilous place? If I go there, leaving would be quite the challenge!

"You make it sound so terrifying, I'm a bit reluctant to go to Tanzhou now."

"Hey, don't say that!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Shuwu immediately realized he messed up, what am I thinking, telling the boss the truth?

Look at that, scared the boss so much that he's frightened to go!

He quickly chuckled along, saying,

"I'm just exaggerating; think about it, he's a senior citizen, no matter how much he loves to eat, how much can he really consume?

When the time comes, just cook him a couple of dishes, share some wine with him, and it'll be easy to win him over."

Goodness!

Seriously, goodness!

Xiaolu, you really know how to "honor" your elders, teaching outsiders how to charm your grandfather!

By the way, is he really your grandpa?

"It's just making a few dishes. If your old man wants to taste my cooking, it's my utmost honor."

Jiang Yu smiled and said,

"Ordinary folks' cooking, he often wouldn't even bother tasting!"

This trip to Tanzhou, originally undertaken to repay Lu Jinseng for his kindness of gifting kitchen notes, is merely about cooking a few dishes, which is far from settling the debt of gratitude.

Not to mention, Lu Jinseng himself is the "Hunan Cuisine Leader", a Huaxia Cooking Master, among the top echelon in the culinary world.

For someone like him, what kind of delicacy hasn't he tasted?

If my cooking is palatable to him, it's a testament to how he acknowledges me.

"That's quite true."

Lu Shuwu nodded, smiling as he replied,

"A couple of years ago when the old man just retired, there were always some young chefs trying to pull strings to get him to help review their dishes.

At first, the old man was somewhat interested, went a few times, but later refused to go again.

He didn't show it out there, but as soon as he got home, he'd throw a fit.

He complained about how some chefs these days overuse condiments, chicken doesn't taste like chicken, and fish doesn't taste like fish, utterly ruining ingredients and deceiving customers!"

Regarding what Lu Shuwu mentioned, Jiang Yu certainly understood well.

In essence, it's because the pace of life is too fast, with patrons not having time to properly savor fine dining, and chefs naturally lacking the mindset to craft dishes with care.

With so many patrons waiting to be fed in the grand hall, just a handful of chefs having to prepare so many dishes, how can they bother to meticulously cook?

Of course, these days with eateries widespread, there's always a portion of unscrupulous owners or chefs deliberately using excessive seasonings to mask the lack of freshness in ingredients.

Such incidents aren't rare and frequently seen in news reports online.

The two chatted a bit more, and Jiang Yu turned to look at He Chunsheng, who was painstakingly rolling dough at the counter, and couldn't help but smile and ask:

"Xiaohu, you've been at the Seventh Dining Hall for quite a while, how's it going? Are you adapting well?"

"Ah, still, still alright."

Facing Jiang Yu, the young boss, He Chunsheng was somewhat nervous, he lifted his head and smiled, saying,

"The people in the dining hall are nice, very different from where I worked before."

"It's really a great place; I really like it here."

At this moment, Niu Daqiang also came over, scratching his head, he chuckled and said,

"Not only is the working atmosphere great in the dining hall, but the food is also delicious!

If Boss Xiao Jiang doesn't mind, I could work here until I retire!"

Niu Daqiang has a somewhat simple-minded personality and works diligently.

Perhaps it's because he indeed learned quite something as a cook in the army, his large pot dishes, although not as delectable and tasty as others', possess a unique flavor.

Besides, the steamed buns and large meat buns he makes are also great, making He Chunsheng feel a bit redundant.

"Da Qiang, it's not just the food here you fancy, you probably have a liking for the female students who come to eat here too, don't you?"

Lu Shuwu glanced over at him, playfully teasing,

"Work diligently; strive to buy a house near school someday and find a college student as your wife."

"If you can achieve all this, your life would indeed be complete!"

"Hehe, I'm just a high school graduate, I don't have such grand ambitions."

With Lu Shuwu's teasing, the usually straightforward Niu Daqiang turned a bit shy and said with a silly grin,

"As for me, as long as I can have enough to eat and wear, and find someone to spend the rest of my life with, I'd be very content."

It was rare for anyone in the kitchen to talk about these things, and with Niu Daqiang bringing it up, everyone could relate a bit.

To be honest, if someone really had lofty aspirations or big goals, they wouldn't settle for working at a university dining hall.

No matter how famous this university dining hall was, drawing countless diners, it was still just a dining hall.

Of course, wanting to stay at the Seventh Dining Hall isn't an easy feat either.

Jiang Yu might be willing to accept new chefs with average skills, but if they can't improve over time, he would have to let them go.

In the chef industry, as long as you're willing to work hard, there's no skill that can't be improved. If a chef can't progress, it means they haven't really tried.

The atmosphere at the Seventh Dining Hall is great, but it's not a retirement home. Hoping to just get by here won't work.

A group of people sat at the workstation, busy with their tasks while casually chatting.

Amidst the hum of the kitchen's ventilator, there was unexpectedly a sense of tranquility and harmony.

...

In front of Jiang University School of Sports.

After months of rigorous training, the student athletes were finally ready to showcase their results.

From July 20 to 31, the 12-day Zhangjiang Provincial Games was about to grandly open in Xunyang City.

At that time, numerous outstanding athletes from major universities, colleges, and social groups across the province would participate, sweating it out on the heated fields, proving their efforts were worthwhile with their results.

Liu Xiaohu and other student athletes representing Jiang University stood tall on the square in front of the academy building, their faces brimming with determination.

This group would fight hard in their respective categories, aiming for gold and silver.

Of course, for them, the gold medal is the top priority!

Only by winning the gold can they enjoy the victory feast personally prepared by Senior Jiang Yu!

Silver and bronze medals?

What's the use of those?!

This time, leading the team to the Provincial Games is Vice Dean Wang Deping from the School of Sports.

He, along with Lin Yahu, Yin Tao, and other sports teachers who were about to head to Xunyang, stood on the steps, looking at the enthusiastic students below, feeling a surge of pride.

He loudly said:

"Students, the Provincial Games is about to begin. For this event, both the school and you have given a lot over the past months.

This moment is our time to prove ourselves!

Of course, with the games about to start, I don't want to impose strict demands on everyone. Forcing requirements for the competition is of no benefit and only adds pressure.

Results aren't important; just do your best!"

Hearing these words, Liu Xiaohu and the other student athletes couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

They were worried that the leaders would make unreasonable demands before the competition, like insisting on winning gold or at least securing silver.

The situation on the field can change at any moment; who can guarantee they will surely win gold or silver?

"However, I've heard that our Dean has made a significant investment. Whoever wins a gold medal at this Provincial Games can look forward to a victory feast prepared by Boss Xiao Jiang at the Seventh Dining Hall!"

As everyone relaxed, Vice Dean Wang Deping added with a smile,

"To be honest, even I'm tempted by Boss Xiao Jiang's victory feast, so what excuse do you have not to give it your all?

Alright, that's enough pep talk. For Boss Xiao Jiang's victory feast, let's head out!"

With these words, he waved his hand, leading Lin Yahu, Yin Tao, and other sports teachers toward the buses that had long been parked nearby.

Besides them, sports teachers naturally arranged for the student athletes to board the buses one by one.

Once everyone was on board, the three buses, carrying the teachers and students, slowly drove out of Jiang University's gates, heading towards Xunyang City.

"Did you see that? After Dean Wang's pep talk, those students are as excited as if they've been injected with adrenaline, each one incredibly enthusiastic!"

Yin Tao and Lin Yahu sat in the front row, watching as the bus left the school. He leaned closer to Lin Yahu and whispered in admiration,

"I must say, ginger really does get spicier with age!"

Lin Yahu smiled but didn't say much.

His mind was already racing ahead to the athletics fields of the Provincial Games in Xunyang City.

During the trial jumps a few days ago, Liu Xiaohu's run-up was almost flawless, but the final push-off seemed not to have hit the optimal point.

I wonder, can he overcome his psychological barrier this time at the Provincial Games and successfully clear the height of 2.2 meters?

If he does surpass 2.2 meters, he should be able to win a precious gold medal, right?