Chapter 33 Culinary Skills Assessment
He said goodbye to his wife and returned home with the rain.
I put the caught koi into the pond in the yard. In order to ensure its survival, I poured another cup of spiritual spring water into the pond. The koi, which was not very active at first, started swimming instantly. I saw that there was only one koi in the pond. Swimming around, it was too lonely, so I got some small fry from the space and put them in, so that there were more fish and it was pleasing to the eye.
After playing with Yuyu for a while, He Yuzhu stopped playing around and it was time to work hard after taking a break.
He Yuzhu found a few books from the old bookstall, including a copy of Qi Jia Quan and five unsigned cooking tips and recipes, which included specialties and pasta from all over the world. He Yuzhu gets up every morning and does Qijiaquan in the yard, then goes to the kitchen to make breakfast. After breakfast, he studies the recipes at home.
Yu Yu saw his brother reading and studying, so he took out his own little book and sat aside, reading quietly.
On this day, as soon as He Yuzhu arrived at Fengze Garden, he was called to the office by his master Fan Dakang. Fan Dakang handed He Yuzhu a letter of introduction.
"Take this, and go to Emei Restaurant tomorrow. There will be a cooking skills test there. When you get there, see your senior brother, and your senior brother will help you arrange it." Master said.
"Thank you, Master. I won't embarrass you tomorrow." He Yuzhu said.
"Okay, go and do your work. Go early tomorrow and don't be late." Master said.
He Yuzhu exited Fan Dakang's office and went to the kitchen to get busy.
Early the next morning, He Yuzhu sent the rainwater to the master's house and rode his bicycle straight to the Emei Restaurant in Xicheng.
Emei Restaurant was the first Sichuan restaurant in Sijiu City. In 1950, it also hosted a celebration banquet for the soldiers who resisted U.S. aggression and aided Korea.
When I arrived at Emei Restaurant, I saw the senior brother as soon as I entered the door, so I went up to say hello: "Senior Brother."
"You're really good at it. It's only been a few years, and you've already started training." Senior Brother said.
"That's right, don't even look at who I am." He Yuzhu said scornfully.
"You are said to be fat, and you are out of breath. Master asked me to sign up for the assessment of a third-level chef. This assessment is the highest level, which is level three. Today is the assessment of a third-level chef. This means that there is a shortage of cooks now. Okay. Apply directly. If there are more cooks in the future, you will have to take the exam slowly." Senior Brother said.
"How will this assessment be conducted?" He Yuzhu asked.
"This assessment consists of theory in the morning and practice in the afternoon. There are 5 judges in the afternoon, 3 of them are Sichuan chefs, Chef Wu is one of them, and 2 are sent from above and are also gourmets. They scored, and the average score reached 80 points It’s considered qualified.” Senior Brother said.
"Are you sure about it?" Senior Brother asked.
"Of course I'm sure, I will never embarrass my master and brother." He Yuzhu said.
"Since you are sure, then follow me to report." After the senior brother said that, he took He Yuzhu and walked inside.
He Yuzhu didn't say anything more and followed his senior brother obediently to report to the reporting office.
After registering, He Yuzhu entered the theoretical examination room, where there were about 30 people. After seeing off He Yuzhu, the senior brother went to work in the kitchen.
After finishing the theory test in the morning, it was time for the kitchen to get busy. He Yuzhu didn't bother the senior brother anymore.
The afternoon practical exam didn't start until 2 o'clock. There was plenty of practice. Yu Yu was at the master's house and was taken care of by his wife, so He Yuzhu didn't have to rush home. So He Yuzhu rode his bicycle to Beihai Park.
I came to the lake and found a deserted place, took out a bench and fishing rod from the space, and fished to pass the time. Put the earthworm on the fishhook and throw it into the water, and forget about it. I took out a few steamed buns prepared in the morning and ate them.
After eating the buns, soon there was movement from the fishing rod. He Yuzhu grabbed the fishing rod, felt the strong pull from the fishing rod, and knew it was a big fish. He Yuzhu stood up quickly and took a few steps back. Start competing with the big fish. The movement on He Yuzhu's side attracted people fishing nearby.
He Yuzhu spent a lot of effort to pull the fish up. It is a black fish over 1 meter long.
"Young man, do you sell this fish?" A voice of inquiry rang in my ears.
He Yuzhu looked up and saw a familiar old man.
"Hey, it's you, old man." He Yuzhu said.
"Young man, do we know each other?" the old man asked doubtfully.
"Last year, in Shisha Sea, I caught a big fish and you bought it." He Yuzhu said.
"Oh, I remember, why didn't I see your sister today?" the old man asked.
"I'm the only one today. If you want fish, take it for 20 yuan." He Yuzhu said.
Although He Yuzhu didn't know who he was, he also knew that he had guards and his identity was not simple. It’s not like giving away fish traps for nothing.
"Okay. 20 yuan for such a big fish is not expensive." The old man gave He Yuzhu 20 yuan. He also called the guard to help him get the fish.
"Xiao Zhang, please leave him an address. Young man, if you catch a big fish, please contact Xiao Zhang. As long as the fish is big enough, I will take it." The old man said.
He Yuzhu looked at the address left by Xiao Zhang. It was the address of the compound.
"Okay, as long as I can catch big fish, I'll sell it to you." He Yuzhu said to the old man.
After the old man left, He Yuzhu saw that it was almost time, packed up his things and rushed to Emei Restaurant.
Arrive at Emei Restaurant and rush to the registration desk. After a while, the staff led them to the yard behind, where many stoves were temporarily set up. This is where the exam takes place.
Five examiners entered the examination room and announced the examination items. Each person drew two dishes. After finishing, the examiners gave scores.
He Yuzhu drew Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken.
He Yuzhu found the ingredients for these two dishes and got busy.
Not long after, He Yuzhu finished cooking these two dishes and raised his hand to indicate completion.
The examiner came to He Yuzhu and was very surprised to see He Yuzhu's young face.
The examiner tasted He Yuzhu’s two dishes in turn. After the scoring was completed, He Yuzhu was asked to leave the examination room and wait in the lounge.
After everyone finished the exam, the examiner came and read out the list of those who passed the exam. Only 8 people, including He Yuzhu, passed the exam.
The examiner issued national chef certificates to these eight people. Seeing He Yuzhu, he couldn't help but ask: "Young man, how old are you?"
"I am 17 years old this year." He Yuzhu replied.
"It's amazing. You got the third-level certificate at the age of 17. I thought you were just young, but I didn't expect you to be really young." One of the judges said.
"Who is your master?" Master Wu asked.
"My master is Fan Dakang from Fengzeyuan." He Yuzhu replied.
"Old Fan picked up a treasure. Guo Xu is your senior brother, right?" Master Wu said.
"Yes, Guo Xu is my senior brother." He Yuzhu said.
After some pleasantries, the five judges left.
He Yuzhu took his chef certificate, said hello to his senior brother, and went straight to his master's house to tell his wife and others the good news.
