Chapter 582 (1/2)

“Dongpo Su Meatballs, Phoenix-Tail Prawns and a plate of Translucent Beef Slices. That’s all.” Zhou Shijie ordered three meat dishes directly.

“Okay. But can you finish them all?” Zhou Jia liked this old man who always smiled and appeared quite kind-hearted.

“Don’t’ worry. For the sake of this meal, I only drank some clear soup for lunch.” Zhou Shijie stroked his beard and said proudly.

“Okay. One moment, please.” Zhou Jia refrained herself from smiling and then said mildly.

“No problem.” Zhou Shijie nodded the head and sat on the chair, watching Yuan Zhou cooking just like that.

Zhou Shijie still remembered his purpose of coming here. Now that he had nothing to eat for the time being, it was fun to watch Yuan Zhou’s craftsmanship.

Of course, the main point was that his dishes still hadn’t been served.

With Zhou Shijie’s sharp eyes, he could naturally tell that Yuan Zhou’s movements were a little different from that of last time. However, it was just a slight difference.

“This guy is really awesome. His craftsmanship has improved a lot again ever since I ate here not long ago.” Zhou Shijie exclaimed while watching.

“That is right, chairman.” Master Cheng stood behind Zhou Shijie and got in a word suddenly.

“There you are. Are you here to learn from Little Yuan secretly?” Zhou Shijie naturally knew about the matter where Master Cheng apprenticed himself to Yuan Zhou.

In Chairman Zhou’s opinion, Master Cheng was still a young man even if he was almost 40. After all, Chairman Zhou’s age and seniority were all obviously higher than that of Master Cheng.

Master Cheng was an excellent one among the middle-aged generation. Judging from the viewpoint of a chef, Master Cheng was in the prime of his life.

“You are joking with me, again. I’m just present as an observer. Master Yuan has agreed to my request.” Master Cheng said proudly.

“I know. You must have annoyed and pestered Little Yuan a lot before he agreed. Am I right?” Zhou Shijie said with a manner of “I know your tricks very well”.

“No, no, no. I was so modest and sincere that I almost kowtowed to him. However, I didn’t reach Boss Yuan’s requirements of taking apprentices.” Master Cheng shook his head and said earnestly.

“This guy is a genius himself. He probably also wants to take a genius as his apprentice.” Zhou Shijie said that with a comforting tone.

“Boss Yuan is indeed a genius.” Master Cheng, who had stayed with Yuan Zhou for the longest time, said that with heartfelt admiration.

“I agree.” Zhou Shijie also accepted that statement. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here today.

“Did you come here for that matter?” Master Cheng had been in the cooking industry for quite a few years, thus he naturally knew the big events in that circle.

“Yeah. The candidates this year have all been confirmed.” Zhou Shijie nodded the head.

“Boss Yuan is one of them, right?” Master Cheng seemed to know about this matter very well.

“Of course. Young people ought to explore more and experience more.” Zhou Shijie stroked his beard and said smilingly.

“You are still treasuring the talented people.” Master Cheng said with a respectful look on his face.

Master Cheng’s respect toward Zhou Shijie was no different from his respect to Yuan Zhou’s culinary skills. He also respected Zhou Shijie’s caring attitude.

Zhou Shijie was the chairman of the alliance. Though he knew his eldest and youngest apprentices were always the candidates for such kind of exchange meetings, he gave them the opportunities because of their abilities.

For the remaining quotas, Zhou Shijie never begrudged giving them to other chefs. He only judged them by their culinary skills rather than other aspects. Even Master Cheng had been to this activity twice.

In recent years, he didn’t go there anymore, just because Zhou Shijie said the opportunities must be given to young people.

Of course, if Master Cheng’s craftsmanship was the best among the people of the middle-aged generation, he inevitably had to go every year, for example, a competition in Guangdong Province.