Chapter 56: White-Cut Chicken
"Are you kidding me? You are an amateur chef, and you dare to challenge us at Langwei Pavilion?"
Lang Yueming thought he had heard it wrong.
Is there something wrong with this guy's brain?
Doesn’t he know what the status of Langwei Pavilion is in City B?
Their Langweige is not only famous in City B, but also very famous among state banquet-level chefs.
Because, their Langweige has produced two state-level chefs.
Actually there are three of them, because Lang Yueming's father is also a level three state banquet chef. Lang Yueming’s grandfather is a first-class state banquet chef.
However, Lang Yueming's father passed away two years ago.
Therefore, now there are only two state banquet-level chefs left: Lang Yueming and Lang Yueming’s grandfather.
Even so, there are only a handful of restaurants in the country that can have two state-banquet-level chefs.
Many chefs come to Langwei Pavilion to seek advice, and many even come to challenge them.
However, anyone who dares to come and challenge us must be at least a professional chef.
An amateur chef like Mo Qingyan doesn't even have the courage to ask for advice, let alone go directly to challenge the chef.
When the people around heard that Mo Qingyan was an amateur chef, they burst out laughing.
"Haha, did I hear it right? An amateur chef actually dares to challenge Langwei Pavilion?"
"Doesn't he know the reputation of Langwei Pavilion in City B?"
"Langwei Pavilion is known as the cradle of state-banquet chefs. Lang Yueming and his grandson are all state-banquet chefs."
"I originally thought that today would be an exciting cooking competition. Now it seems like a boring joke."
"Where does he get the courage to challenge an amateur chef?"
…
Faced with everyone's ridicule, Song Beichen got angry.
"What's wrong with amateur chefs? Who says amateur chefs can't compare to state-level chefs? Our brother Mo's cooking skills are better than state-level chefs."
Song Beichen remembered that Mo Qingyan had defeated Chen Kang, the current third-level state banquet chef, in a row. and the former third-level state banquet chef Zhou Ningren.
What does this prove? It proves that Brother Mo’s cooking skills are better than those of a level three state banquet chef.
Song Beichen even felt that Mo Qingyan's cooking skills were better than those of a first-class state banquet chef.
However, Song Beichen's words only caused more ridicule from the people around him.
"Hahaha, did you hear that? He said that Brother Mo's cooking skills are better than those of state banquet chefs."
"Young man, do you know what a state-level chef means? He is a nationally ranked chef. Even a professional chef is a world away from that."
"An amateur chef dares to say that he is better than a state banquet chef? I'm afraid he has never seen a state banquet chef."
"Young people nowadays are so arrogant. They think that if they can cook a few dishes, make a short video, and start a live broadcast to comment on some dishes, their cooking skills will be invincible. In fact, they are just frogs in a well and nothing."
"Go away, go away, all of you. He's just an amateur chef, what else can you compare him to?"
…
At this time, Lang Yueming no longer had the desire to compete.
He waved his hand and said with a look of disdain: "Alright, you are just an amateur chef. You are not qualified to be my opponent. Go away. It's really unlucky."
Seeing their attitude of looking down on Mo Qingyan, the audience in the live broadcast room was extremely angry.
"Damn, are they looking down on our Brother Mo?"
"What's wrong with being a state banquet chef? Is that so great? Our brother Mo's cooking skills are even better than state banquet chefs. There's nothing to brag about."
"Our Mo Ge's cooking skills have been recognized by Gao Moqi, a first-class state banquet-level gourmet judge. Even a state banquet-level chef may not be recognized by Gao Moqi, right?"
"No, I want to hit him. How about an amateur chef? Our brother Mo just didn't participate in the state banquet chef competition. If he really participated, wouldn't he have directly beaten all the state banquet chefs?"
"Just a piece of beef offal or even a piece of cold noodles from Brother Mo would be enough to defeat a bunch of state-level chefs, right?"
"What the hell, how dare you look down on our Brother Mo? Brother Mo, don't be scared, just beat him up."
"Yes, fuck him, let him see how good an amateur chef is."
…
Mo Qingyan could not see the comments sent by the audience in the live broadcast room at this time.
He really didn't care at first.
However, listening to the mocking words around him and seeing Lang Yueming's disdainful attitude, the anger in his heart was ignited.
He asked Lang Yueming coldly, "Why, are you afraid of losing?"
"What did you say?" Lang Yueming, who was about to turn around and leave, stopped and then turned to look at Mo Qingyan.
"I'm asking you if you're afraid of losing." Mo Qingyan said with a dark look in her eyes, "What about being an amateur chef? What about being a state banquet chef? It's just a title. Isn't it the title that matters to be a good chef, not the cooking skills?"
Lang Yueming didn't expect that Mo Qingyan would dare to provoke him.
He sneered, "Oh, from what you said, your cooking skills are better than those of a state banquet chef?"
"You'll know whether my cooking skills are good or not after the competition." When it comes to cooking skills, Mo Qingyan is not afraid of anyone.
Even in the country of gourmet food that existed before him, his cooking skills were considered top-notch.
He wouldn't dare say that he is better than those national-level chefs, but he is definitely not worse than those world-class chefs.
After all, before he was reborn here, he had won many championships in major cooking competitions at home and abroad.
Others can slander him in any way they want, but he will never allow others to slander his cooking skills.
"Okay, since you're here to be humiliated, I'll grant your wish."
Lang Yueming originally had no intention of paying any attention to Mo Qingyan, but after Mo Qingyan's provocation, if he did not respond, wouldn't it seem that he, a state banquet-level chef, was too cowardly?
Let’s compare.
He wanted to let this arrogant amateur chef in front of him know the gap between them, the amateur chefs with good performance, and their state banquet-level chefs.
Lang Yueming said to Mo Qingyan, "Now, let's randomly select three judges on the spot. Don't accuse me of bullying an amateur chef like you. You choose two judges and I'll choose one. But you can only choose from the guests in the hall, not your friends."
"Can."
For Mo Qingyan, it doesn't matter who she chooses.
"Let me be the judge." The young man in black who had been standing in the crowd walked out.
Mo Qingyan looked over and found that it was an acquaintance.
"Zhou Ningren?" Lang Yueming was a little surprised when he saw him, "Why are you here?"
Zhou Ningren is considered a celebrity in their circle of state banquet chefs.
After all, his father, like his grandfather, is a first-class state banquet chef.
Of course, Zhou Ningren is famous not only because his father is a first-class state banquet chef.
Also, he became famous at a young age and became a third-level state banquet chef at the age of 18.
He became the youngest state banquet-level chef in China.
It caused a sensation in the entire chef community at the time, and almost everyone knew Zhou Ningren.
However, Zhou Ningren has been a level three state banquet chef for five years, but has never been promoted to a level two state banquet chef.
His culinary talent seemed to have stopped at the age of 18.
Last year, at the state banquet chef competition, he was directly stripped of his state banquet chef nameplate.
For a time, it became a hot joke among their circle of state banquet-level chefs.
I heard a few days ago that he came to City B to participate in a food judging competition.
As a result, he withdrew from the competition halfway.
Lang Yueming didn't expect that he would come to their Langwei Pavilion today.
Facing Lang Yueming's question, Zhou Ningren said with a stern face, "Isn't your Langwei Pavilion a place for eating? Why, I come to eat a meal, do I have to report to you?"
"That's not necessary." Lang Yueming laughed, "It's just that I heard that you haven't been doing well recently. You actually came to our B city to participate in a small food review competition to make a living."
Even though he no longer has the title of a third-level state banquet chef, Zhou Ningren's pride remains undiminished.
Facing Lang Yueming's ridicule, he directly retorted: "Whether I am just living a sloppy life or not, there is no need for you, a defeated general, to meddle in my business. I am still more than qualified to be your judge."
The four words "defeated general" instantly made Lang Yueming shut his mouth.
Indeed, he lost to Zhou Ningren when he participated in the state banquet chef competition before.
Therefore, he did not wear the nameplate of a state banquet chef in that state banquet chef competition.
He was awarded the title of state banquet chef only last year, and took over Langweige from his grandfather only this year.
Zhou Ningren could confront Lang Yueming without any hesitation, but when facing Mo Qingyan, his attitude took a 180-degree turn.
When he looked at Mo Qingyan, his expression softened significantly, and even became a little more humble.
He asked Mo Qingyan, "Mr. Mo, can I be a judge for your competition?"
Zhou Ningren felt a little complicated when facing Mo Qingyan at this time.
It can be said that over the years, Zhou Ningren has been proud of his culinary talent and looked down on other chefs.
Because when he was young, he had already become a state banquet-level chef.
At that time, the youngest state banquet chef at the same level as him was about 10 years older than him.
Not to mention the others, most of them are middle-aged chefs around 45 years old.
Some are even over 60 years old.
After becoming a state banquet-level chef, Zhou Ningren began to become arrogant.
He once thought that his cooking skills were the best in the country.
It is only a matter of time before he becomes a second-level or even first-level state banquet chef.
Therefore, Zhou Ningren even looked down on the state banquet chefs of the same level as him.
After all, there is too big an age difference between them.
In Zhou Ningren's opinion, by the time he reaches his thirties or forties, he will have already become a first-class state banquet chef.
Therefore, he is not at the same level as those level 3 state banquet chefs who are in their thirties or forties.
Because of this mentality, his cooking skills stagnated.
Until last year, when Chen Kang took off his nameplate, he even thought it was just bad luck. It just so happens that the theme of the competition is something I am not good at.
However, until he met Mo Qingyan, an amateur chef.
Only after eating the beef brisket pot made by Mo Qingyan did he finally come to his senses.
My cooking skills are not even as good as that of an amateur chef.
It seems understandable that he was stripped of his title as a state banquet chef.
In the past, he looked down upon everyone except those first-class state banquet chefs.
In the past, he regarded his father as the most ideal opponent.
In his heart, his father is the most powerful.
As long as he beats his father, he can become the best chef in the country.
But now, his goal has changed.
Became Mo Qingyan of the same age.
Facing Zhou Ningren's question, Mo Qingyan smiled and said, "Of course."
Mo Qingyan thought Zhou Ningren was quite interesting.
Before, his nose looked like a nose and his eyes looked like eyes.
They looked down on him in every way.
A pheasant amateur chef at a bite.
Now, a direct reversal.
They actually started to respectfully call him Mr. Mo.
Yes, it's a respectful title.
Seeing that Zhou Ningren calls Lang Yueming by his full name, you can tell that the word "Sir" is a respectful title for him.
Mo Qingyan even saw a raging fire in Zhou Ningren's eyes.
It was a burning passion towards one's opponent.
Zhou Ningren regarded himself as an opponent.
Lang Yueming was surprised to see Zhou Ningren's good attitude towards Mo Qingyan.
He said directly: "Zhou Ningren, did you take the wrong medicine? Since when did you need to ask an amateur chef for his opinion as a judge?"
Zhou Ningren's temper is as bad as his cooking talent.
In the circle of state banquet-level chefs, he is also famous for his arrogance.
There are very few people who catch his eye.
Even if the chef is of the same state banquet level, he may not look up to him.
What's more, he is an amateur chef.
However, his attitude towards Mo Qingyan, an amateur chef, was so kind, even with a hint of humility?
It's really unbelievable.
However, Zhou Ningren did not answer Lang Yueming's words. Instead, he looked at him deeply and said, "Lang Yueming, I advise you not to underestimate amateur chefs and take them lightly. Otherwise, you will regret it."
Lang Yueming didn't expect Zhou Ningren to ask him to be wary of an amateur chef. "I think you really took the wrong medicine. He's just an amateur chef. What's there to worry about?"
Seeing Lang Yueming ignoring his reminder, Zhou Ningren sneered in his heart.
Okay, wait a moment and see if you can still jump around like you do now.
He has already experienced Mo Qingyan's cooking skills, and now let Lang Yueming experience it for himself.
Lang Yueming really didn't take Mo Qingyan seriously at all.
Soon, all three judges were selected.
In addition to Zhou Ningren, the former third-level state banquet chef, Mo Qingyan and Lang Yueming randomly selected two customers from the crowd.
Next, three judges wrote down the theme of the competition and then selected a customer on the spot to draw a prize.
After the three judges finished writing, they put them in a box.
A random customer took out a note from the box.
Open it and take a look.
The theme drawn was just one word, "chicken".
A very common competition theme.
After all, chicken is one of the most common meat ingredients in Chinese people’s daily recipes.
There are many ways to cook chicken, you can fry, stir-fry, stew or bake.
However, it is often the most challenging for a chef to cook ordinary ingredients like these to be outstanding and delicious.
Coincidentally, three of Langweige’s signature dishes are chicken.
It can be said that this theme is equivalent to giving points to Lang Yueming.
Lang Yueming didn't expect that someone would come up with this topic.
He felt that there was almost no need to compete.
Because in his opinion, in City B, no one is better at being a prostitute than him.
When the diners around saw that this was the theme, they couldn't help but cast sympathetic glances towards Mo Qingyan.
"Chicken? This is the theme? Is there still a need for this competition?"
"Yeah, who doesn't know that Langwei Pavilion is best at cooking chicken?"
"Alas, this is even worse than Tian's side with the amateur chef, as he actually picked such a theme."
"It's a sure loss. What's the point of this competition? Lang Yueming's chicken cooking skills are inherited from his grandfather. I just ate his signature dish, and it tasted almost exactly like his grandfather's."
"Which judge is so stupid? To choose such a theme? Doesn't it clearly mean that they want Lang Yueming to win?"
…
When Zhou Ningren saw this theme, he couldn't help but smile, because he was the one who came up with this theme.
"Chicken? Is there any need to compare?" Lang Mingyue asked Mo Qingyan.
Mo Qingyan said: "Why not?"
Lang Yueming said: "Don't you know that our Langwei Pavilion's signature dish is chicken?"
"So what? In this world, you Langwei Pavilion are not the only ones who can cook prostitutes." Mo Qingyan didn't care at all.
In his previous world, he was much better at being a prostitute than in this world.
There are thousands of chicken dishes alone.
"Okay, since you won't turn back until you hit the wall, don't blame me for making you hit your head and bleed. I will let you see the difference between amateur chefs like you and our state banquet chefs."
Seeing that Mo Qingyan was so ungrateful, Lang Yueming decided not to hold back.
Song Beichen came close to Mo Qingyan and said, "Brother Mo, let him see how powerful you are."
Mo Qingyan glared at him and said, "You're the only one who talks too much."
If Song Beichen hadn't been so talkative, he wouldn't have gotten into such trouble.
Song Beichen smiled awkwardly: "Well, I'm giving you, Brother Mo, a chance to show off your cooking skills!"
Mo Qingyan looked at him, "Then should I thank you?"
Song Beichen waved his hand quickly, "No, no, it's just a small thing, no need to thank me."
"I won't thank you for anything." Mo Qingyan said directly: "Okay, now you shut your mouth. If you can't do it, then you will eat yourself."
Eat yourself?
That won't work.
Without Mo Ge’s delicious food, what’s the point of life?
Song Beichen immediately made a zipper motion to his mouth. He said he would never speak again.
Immediately afterwards, Mo Qingyan followed Lang Yueming to the kitchen.
The chicken at Langweige is not the frozen chicken on the market.
Instead, the chicken is killed alive.
Behind the kitchen of Langweige, there is a small courtyard specially set up for storing live chickens and slaughtering chickens.
Lang Yueming said: "The chickens here are all free-range highland chickens. You can choose the chicken you want. After you choose, we will have a professional butcher to help you kill it."
After saying that, Lang Yueming started to choose by himself.
All live chickens are stored individually in cages.
Each cage is neatly arranged so that you can see each chicken clearly.
Although they are all the same breed of chicken, they are divided into three types: growing chickens, young chickens, and laying hens.
Different chickens have different cooking methods.
A series of chicken recipes flashed through Mo Qingyan's mind.
Finally, Mo Qingyan chose the method that best reflects the flavor of chicken.
In Guangyue, the world before Mo Qingyan, there was a way of cooking chicken that best reflected its deliciousness.
That is Sanyou Oil Chicken, also known as Boiled Chicken, the kind that can be eaten right after being cut.
The method of cooking poached chicken is simple, but it best reflects the original flavor of chicken.
Of course, the method of cooking poached chicken is also the most challenging when choosing a chicken.
To make poached chicken delicious, the most basic thing is to choose free-range chicken.
Moreover, you need to choose free-range chickens that are raised on fine bran rice.
Only free-range chickens can produce firm and tasty meat.
If the chicken is fed with feed, the meat will be tough and loose.
Mo Qingyan couldn't tell whether the chickens at Langwei Pavilion ate fine bran rice or fed with feed.
However, he could tell which of these chickens were truly free-range chickens. Which are caged chickens?
The claws of free-range chickens are larger than those of caged chickens, and have many wrinkles and old skin.
For chickens raised in cages, because they walk less, their claws will have fewer wrinkles and will be more tender than those of free-range chickens.
The chickens at Langweige have basically large claws and a lot of wrinkled old skin.
They all look very energetic, and their wings flap firmly and powerfully.
It is indeed free-range chicken.
Lang Yueming quickly selected a young chicken and handed it over to the kitchen staff.
Mo Qingyan took a look at the chicken he had chosen, which looked very plump.
Mo Qingyan also chose a young chicken that was neither fat nor thin, and was of medium size.
The chicken used to make poached chicken cannot be too fat. If it is too fat, it will contain too much fat and the chicken will be too greasy.
If the chicken is too lean and lacks chicken fat, the boiled chicken will be a bit dry.
Not too fat or too thin, just the right size.
From the original owner's memory, Mo Qingyan knew that there was no such dish as boiled chicken in this world.
In this world, chicken is usually cooked in three ways: roasted, fried, or stir-fried.
Nowadays, many places use machines to kill live chickens.
However, the meat of the chicken killed by the machine will be looser.
Langweige uses manual slaughtering of chickens.
Although manual killing of chickens is a bit slower, it can ensure the taste of the chicken well.
Mo Qingyan very much agreed with this.
Two chickens were cooked in less than half an hour.
Mo Qingyan saw the employees of Langweige put the chicken entrails aside.
He quickly said, "Please also prepare the internal organs of my chicken. I need them."
When making poached chicken, the most exquisite plating method is to serve the whole chicken. The edible chicken offal is also served on the plate.
Seeing that Mo Qingyan even wanted the internal organs, Lang Yueming curled his lips.
To cook chicken, you need chicken offal? These chicken offal have flavor. Can I eat dishes cooked with chicken?
He is indeed an amateur chef. He doesn't even know the most basic common sense.
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