Chapter 880 - : Pretty Good (1/2)

Learning under Yuan Zhou? Little Zhao blinked, feeling completely lost.

“Sure, come with me to eat at Head Chef Yuan’s place in a few days,” Cao Zhishu decided after thinking about it.

“Thank you, master,” Little Zhao was pleasantly surprised, but at the same time, a complicated feeling welled within him. Knowing Yuan Zhou could actually bring him such a benefit.

After all, being brought along by his master was an honor. But it seemed like his master seemed to have misunderstood something. But looking at Cao Zhishu, Little Zhao did not know how to explain himself and could only turn around and leave.

“Ok, resume your work,” Cao Zhishu waved his hand and continued watching Yuan Zhou.

As for Yuan Zhou, after he finished eating Shu Restaurant’s signature dish, a new dish, Sauteed White Lotus, arrived. This was a vegetable dish, one that could relieve the spiciness and greasiness in his mouth.

Cao Zhishu had arranged even the sequence of the dishes properly. He would first serve a heavy meat dish before serving a vegetable dish, followed by a lighter meat dish. With this, the people eating could enjoy the taste of the dishes yet would not feel that the food was too greasy. This was a sequence he had taken great care in formulating.

And towards the end, Cao Zhishu served a heavy meat dish, Sichuan’s Meatballs with Soy Sauce.

This was a dish of meatballs, and among the various cuisines, meatballs occupied a high status. Meatball dishes would only be served during important occasions.

In the south, meatballs would always be served as the third dish, signifying completion and success. Meatballs would also be served during Chinese New Year’s eves, signifying reunion of the family.

Even during other festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-autumn Festival, meatballs would not be served.

And in the north, meatballs were known as the balls of four happiness, serving as main dishes during main festivals or joyous occasions.

“Head Chef Cao is indeed attaching great importance to this exchange,” Yuan Zhou muttered as he looked at the glossy and plump meatballs.

The Sichuan’s Meatballs with Soy Sauce was a popular dish at Zhang Daqian’s residence. And at that time, Zhang Xueliang, Zhang Daqian, Zhang Qun and Wang Xinheng would take turns treating each other to meals, popularly known as The Exchange of Three Zhangs and One Wang.

And since both Zhang Daqian and Zhang Qun were locals of Sichuan, their exchange would heavily feature Sichuan Cuisine. The Sichuan’s Meatballs with Soy Sauce was one of the dishes that had been created during that time.

Naturally, Shu Restaurant’s version of this dish was a restored version rather than the traditional version.

“The portion isn’t too big. Just perfect for me to finish,” Yuan Zhou muttered as he eyed the meatballs that were as big as half a fist.

Then, he started eating.

“It’s not spicy, the meat was minced evenly, but the chopping board is somewhat lacking as there are some variant flavors mixed within. Indeed, the system-provided utensils are still the best.” As usual, Yuan Zhou ate with no change in his expression.

“I wonder if I can restore the Sichuan’s Meatballs with Soy Sauce as well,” Yuan Zhou’s mind started wandering after he realized that this dish was not as good as the dishes earlier.

And finally, a plain soup was served. Within the soup were bright red Sichuan peppers. Therefore, when the soup entered his mouth, it gave off a slight numbing taste. But this provocation was just nice to refresh his taste buds.

“The soup is very good,” Yuan Zhou said as he set down the bowl after finishing the soup.

Right after Yuan Zhou set down the bowl, Cao Zhishu walked out with a wide smile.

“Head Chef Yuan, sorry for the bad services of my restaurant,” said Cao Zhishu politely.

“Not at all, it is pretty good,” Yuan Zhou said earnestly.

“Haha, good to hear. I wonder what is your evaluation of my skills?” Cao Zhishu asked politely.

“Erm… pretty good,” Yuan Zhou wanted to voice his actual thoughts when he recalled that this was a friendly match and he should not be voicing his opinions. Therefore, he changed what he said instead.

“That’s good to hear. As long as you are satisfied,” Cao Zhishu was only asking out of politeness. He had never expected Yuan Zhou to say anything anyway. The so-called exchange or friendly match was held for both sides to gain more understanding of the other side in the first place.

Simply put, when Cao Zhishu tried Yuan Zhou’s food tomorrow, he would have an idea about Yuan Zhou as well, just like how Yuan Zhou had now gained an idea about him. This was how friendly matches between chefs would always unfold.