"Spicy Chicken?" Upon hearing this name, Tian Xiaodu carefully pondered, nodded vigorously, and said with emphasis, "Accurate! Indeed accurate. This dish combines the flavours of chilli and fried chicken pieces."
"The procedure is simple, but the taste is extraordinary. It's definitely a culinary masterpiece developed over several years. This is truly an ancient and lost recipe, living up to its reputation."
Ye Chui nodded, "Exactly."
Restaurant manager Yang Yong was the second one to pick up his chopsticks. After taking a bite, his initial hesitant expression turned into amazement. As a non-chef, he couldn't discern the nuances in flavour like Tian Xiaodu, but the deliciousness of this dish was something he had never experienced before.
Spicy and fragrant flavours naturally whet the appetite. The Spicy Chicken took the spiciness of the chilli and the savoury taste of the fried chicken to the extreme.
Yang Yong, feeling the heat, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and grinned at Ye Chui, "If Old Han tastes this dish in a few days, he will definitely be satisfied. Haha, not bad, not bad. With your signature dish, our reputation at Wan Lai Fu will definitely soar."
Hearing Yang Yong's praise, Ye Chui couldn't help but frown. Did the manager misunderstand something? Based on his words, it seemed like Ye Chui's dish had already become a signature dish at Wan Lai Fu.
So, Ye Chui asked, "Wait a moment, Manager Yang. Did I say I want to give this dish to Wan Lai Fu?"
"In the future, when you work at our Wan Lai Fu, this dish will undoubtedly become our signature dish. We can even give you the treatment of a head chef. Not bad, not bad. With your signature dish, our reputation at Wan Lai Fu will definitely soar," Yang Yong confidently declared.
Ye Chui was taken aback for a moment, then turned to look at Tian Xiaodu. When did he say he wanted to work at Wan Lai Fu?
In fact, this morning, when Tian Xiaodu contacted Yang Yong, he only mentioned that he wanted Yang Yong to come and see someone showcasing their culinary skills with a chicken dish.
However, he did not reveal the person's intentions or purpose. This led to Yang Yong's misunderstanding, thinking that Tian Xiaodu was trying to recruit someone into the kitchen.
Tian Xiaodu quickly explained the situation to Yang Yong. After listening, Yang Yong's face changed, "So that's how it is?" However, after glancing around, he made a decision.
Turning to Ye Chui, he said, "Mr. Ye Chui, although you originally didn't have the qualifications to work at Wan Lai Fu, based on your performance just now, I'm making an exception. Of course, you will start as an ordinary chef in the kitchen."
Ye Chui rolled his eyes. Was working in the Wan Lai Fu kitchen so precious? The monthly earnings as a chef here were not even comparable to what he earned selling grilled lamb skewers.
Seeing Yang Yong thinking that he would beg to work here just because of this condition, Ye Chui couldn't help but furrow his brow.
He clarified, "Wait a moment, Manager Yang. I don't have any interest in joining Wan Lai Fu. As Mr. Tian mentioned earlier, I was only here to showcase my skills. In a few days, I will personally entertain Mr. Han. Of course, this service is not free. Additionally, if you're interested in the dish I just made, I don't mind selling you the recipe."
With Ye Chui's words, the entire kitchen fell silent. His statement was truly shocking. Not only did he directly call out Tian Xiaodu's name, but he also expressed his intention to personally entertain Old Han. While the Spicy Chicken was indeed exceptional, the audacity of Ye Chui's proposal was considered extravagant by the kitchen staff.
Tian Xiaodu timely spoke up in support of Ye Chui, addressing Yang Yong, "Manager Yang, I believe Ye Chui is fully qualified. The Spicy Chicken alone is enough to prove his extraordinary culinary skills."
Knowing Tian Xiaodu's usually high opinion of chefs, Yang Yong realized that this young man must have some background.
More importantly, the Spicy Chicken was indeed exquisite. Yang Yong had initially thought that if Ye Chui worked here, the Spicy Chicken would become Wan Lai Fu's signature dish. However, Ye Chui seemed disinterested in working here.
Trying to test the waters, Yang Yong asked Ye Chui, "Then...how much do you plan to sell the recipe for this Spicy Chicken?"
Ye Chui smiled and stated a price he had already thought of, "One hundred thousand."
"What!?" Yang Yong was startled by the figure.
But Ye Chui continued, "And for the meal, I'll prepare for Mr Han in a few days, I guarantee it will be a satisfying chicken feast. However, I will charge another one hundred thousand for that."
"Another one hundred thousand?" Yang Yong's face trembled. Recipe plus a meal, asking for two hundred thousand? Even a five-star chef like Tian Xiaodu didn't receive such treatment!
The other chefs in the kitchen, who had initially felt good about Ye Chui, suddenly changed their opinion. They thought Ye Chui was making outrageous demands, completely ignorant of his supposed worth.
However, Tian Xiaodu's reaction was not as strong. Having tasted the Spicy Chicken, he felt that the price was reasonable.
"Too expensive! You have no fame, and as a wandering chef, you demand one hundred thousand for a meal? Are you joking? There's no logic in that!" Yang Yong mocked Ye Chui.
"Would the person you're entertaining, Old Han, care about the chef's reputation?" Ye Chui retorted.
Yang Yong was momentarily speechless. Indeed, the reputation of a chef meant little in front of Mr. Han. Even if a world-renowned chef made a dish that didn't suit his taste, he would still criticize it harshly. This was a fact.
"You're talking big. If Old Han is not satisfied, the loss will be our Wan Lai Fu's reputation. Whose responsibility is that?" Yang Yong argued.
"I can vouch for Mr. Ye Chui!" Tian Xiaodu suddenly interrupted, patting his chest. "If Mr. Ye Chui can't satisfy Director Han, you can push all the responsibility onto me. I don't mind giving up my title as a five-star chef."
"Master, this..." Fang Jun didn't expect his master to be so decisive and tried to stop him.
"I've made up my mind," Tian Xiaodu coldly interrupted Fang Jun.
As a five-star chef, Tian Xiaodu was nationally renowned. If Ye Chui messed up, holding him responsible was acceptable. Yang Yong, after some consideration, found this arrangement reasonable. If Ye Chui succeeded, it would enhance Wan Lai Fu's reputation.
"Alright, it's settled. As for the recipe for the Spicy Chicken..." Ye Chui smiled and proposed, "One hundred thousand. If you want it, I can give it to you now. Otherwise, forget about it. No negotiation."
Yang Yong's face twitched. Ten thousand for a recipe from an unknown chef was not unheard of in this era, given the revival of the culinary era. However, Yang Yong felt a pang at the thought of paying one hundred thousand for a recipe. It was a tough pill to swallow.
While Yang Yong hesitated, a crisp voice suddenly sounded at the kitchen door, "What dish is this? It smells so good."
Upon hearing this voice, Ye Chui couldn't help but shift his attention. Wasn't this Lin Wei's voice, the little glutton?