Tao Wanniang's preparation of hot pot was a low-key affair. During the process, she invited Shandong Luneng to try the flavor, which surprised Luneng.
"Manager Tao, this hot pot isn't exactly delicious, but... it's so addictive!" Lu Neng exclaimed in astonishment. "And look at these ingredients, just a few bites in the broth, paired with this seasoning, how can it be so tempting?"
In front of Luneng was a pot that looked magical to him, divided into two sides by a curved surface, one half with clear broth and the other half with spicy broth. Another pot was also magical, a round pot with a small circle in the middle, the outside of which was a spicy broth, and the inside a mushroom broth.
“These mushrooms were all picked by farmers in the mountains. If I have the chance in the future, I would like to go to Lingnan to see the mushrooms there,” Tao Wanniang said. “There’s also tomato soup base, Manager Lu, please try some.”
Shandong Luneng ate until their stomachs were bulging, but in the end they couldn't eat anymore.
"Alright, alright, Manager Tao, let's open this hot pot restaurant soon. The aroma of your broth can travel extremely far once it's simmered," Lu Neng said, burping.
"When the autumn winds blow and the leaves turn yellow, our hot pot restaurant will be ready to open," Tao Wan's mother said. "But before that, we can have a trial run, letting one group of customers come in each day and asking for their feedback. However, everyone has different tastes, so we shouldn't listen to any unreliable opinions." Tao Wan's mother said this to her son and daughter-in-law.
“Mother, don’t worry, we will definitely do as you say,” Wang Hongyu replied immediately. “But shouldn’t we ask the kitchen for help?”
“One of you will be in charge of the front of the business, and the other will be in charge of the back of the business. Of course, when things get busy, you can take care of both,” Tao Wanniang said. “It’s not like such a small shop needs an accountant. Of course, you can decide how to add people for the kitchen tasks, such as chopping and preparing food, tending the fire, and serving customers.”
"Mom, we only need one more person in the kitchen. I can take care of the fire." Wang Hongyu thought that this was their shop, and every person they could save was one more.
“We only need one more waiter; I can do it myself,” Ling Dahu said.
Luneng's approval gave the couple extra confidence, and Tao Wan's mother had said that half of the store's profits would go to them. This made Ling Dahu particularly motivated.
After explaining the hot pot restaurant matter, Tao Wanniang and Luneng returned to the restaurant.
In the restaurant's kitchen, Yu Shizhao from Sifang City was chatting enthusiastically with Chef Yang. Although there was a significant age difference between them, they hit it off immediately!
“This kitchen is actually better suited for men, since women aren’t very strong and it’s tiring to toss the wok, plus the fumes aren’t good for their skin,” Yu Shizhao remarked when Tang Ruyue wasn’t around. “Women are better suited to Chef Ruliu’s side, making pastries.”
“That’s right, I’ve always thought so too, but some women don’t really count as women.” Yang Yongsheng glanced back as he spoke, and only dared to continue after he didn’t see Tao Wanniang.
"Our Manager Tao is all looks like a woman. Not only does she cook better than me, but she also has a lot of ideas. Isn't your Star-Picking Tower her idea?"
Yu Shizhao was learning to make potato balls from Yang Yongsheng. He really loved potatoes. If he hadn't come to Zhaixing Tower, how would he have known that such a thing existed in the world?
"Tell me, she went to Youzhou all by herself and actually brought back a pair of foreign seeds. Right now, potatoes and tomatoes are the most popular. She said there are other things in the field, and she won't know what to call them until they grow."
Yang Yongsheng said, "Tell me, she dares to grow things she doesn't even know, and she dares to eat them after they're grown."
"But it really is quite delicious." Yu Shizhao truly enjoyed the meal.
"What are you muttering about?" Tao Wanniang walked into the kitchen, intending to ask Yu Shizhao how his studies were going.
"No, nothing," Yu Shizhao immediately said guiltily. "Manager Tao, you're back. I heard that Zhaixinglou is going to have new dishes?"
"There will definitely be new vegetables, we'll just have to see what grows in the ground!" Tao Wanniang said casually. "Xiao Yu, you've been here for a few days now, you must know how to cook the dishes from Zhaixinglou by now."
"Not bad, not bad. There's no end to learning. I think I can keep learning for a while longer." Yu Shizhao is also a chef, and his family has been chefs for generations. Cooking is of course a piece of cake for him. As long as he knows what dish is on the menu of Zhaixinglou, he can make it.
“Alright, I guess we’ll wait until the crops in my field are ripe, and then you can see what we can make together!” Tao Wan’s mother nodded and said, “We can also try some together.”
Yu Shizhao seemed a little flustered and immediately asked, "Manager Tao, are you really willing to eat something that no one has ever eaten before?"
“Who said no one has ever eaten this? If no one has ever eaten this kind of seed, where did it come from?” Tao Wanniang couldn’t help but say. “The person who sold it to me said that it’s called sweet potato, or yams, and that they use it as a staple food in their area.”
"Really? We've never even heard of it," Zhao Changsheng interjected. "But if it can be eaten as a meal, it probably can't be used in dishes!"
"Who says it can't be done? Candied sweet potatoes are fine, and they can also be made into syrup!" Tao Wanniang thought to herself, without showing it on her face. Of course, it would be good if it could become one of the crops for the common people in the future.
"It'll be ready soon. I'll go back to the field to check. Maybe some of them are already ripe. I'll let you have a taste then."
Yang Yongsheng and Yu Shizhao exchanged a glance, and Yang Yongsheng declined, saying, "No need, really no need."
Tao Wanniang smiled but didn't say much. She then went to ask Lu Jun and Zhang An if they had any more questions. These two, along with Tang Ruyue, had already completed their apprenticeships.
She taught her apprentices everything she could, but the basic skills were up to them to learn on their own. Fortunately, these apprentices were indeed very diligent.
If things continue like this, I'll be satisfied with handing the kitchen over to them in the future.
Just then, some menus arrived, and seeing that everyone was busy, Tao Wan's mother immediately started cooking as well. In the kitchen, everyone helped each other out, and the work was done in an orderly manner.
"Manager, Ling Dahu and his wife aren't coming. What happened?" A waiter asked Lu Neng curiously.
"You'll see later. Don't say anything bad. The couple is doing very well. Manager Tao hasn't suppressed them either. I'll keep you in suspense for now; you'll meet them later," Lu Neng said with a smile.
Tao Wanniang also said that after things are done there, all the waiters in the restaurant will have to go there for a meal.
Soon after, Tao Wanniang dug up some sweet potatoes from the ground. Lin Zhuangshi and the others looked at these red lumps of varying sizes after washing off the mud, and were both curious and puzzled.
"So, do you want to try this?" Tao Wanniang asked, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense. "Don't worry, I'll eat with you."
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