Carrying the cleaned kitchenware back, Zhao Meng was busy beyond measure.
Fu Yu was already accustomed to assisting; Zhao Meng only needed to give him a look, and Fu Yu would instantly understand.
Without waiting for instructions, he quickly went forward to do what was needed.
A busy morning passed by.
Originally, it was agreed he would practice working at the station, but instead, customers ordered either Demolli Braised Fish or dry pot stews, not giving him a chance to showcase his skills.
Finally, the lunchtime rush ended.
A few people in the kitchen gathered to eat together.
Zhang Jinyu had a sullen face, clearly still not calmed down.
Fu Yu sat closer and turned to ask, "Still not over it?"
Zhang Jinyu was one of the group who joined the kitchen with Fu Yu; their relationship was generally good.
Zhang Jinyu muttered, "I just can't stand Aunt Xu's lazy attitude!"
Fu Yu quietly advised, "Haven't the cleaning staff always been like that? How long have you been here, and you're still not used to it?"
Zhang Jinyu felt a bit wronged: "Those old ladies in the kitchen never do meticulous work. They can't even clean bowls properly before sending them to the sanitizing room. Every morning, we have to rewash the kitchenware when we collect them back."
Zhang Jinyu sighed: "I just feel stifled and unbalanced! We started learning our craft in school as teenagers, then worked our way into restaurant kitchens, struggling hard for years, yet we still have to put up with dishwasher's attitudes!"
Fu Yu remained silent; it was the same experience shared by all the kitchen assistants, an undeniable truth.
"I'm already twenty-three this year, still being ordered around in the kitchen. Meanwhile, several of my classmates have started their own ventures and are doing well. They've got their own shops, earning tens of thousands a month. Even though the work is just as tough, the money is enough, plus being your own boss means calling the shots and not taking crap from anyone."
"Look at where I am, earning just over two thousand a month; if the restaurant didn't provide three meals a day, I'd still need to go home and live off my parents!"
Zhang Jinyu's emotions got a bit worked up, and his voice unintentionally rose.
Others gradually came over to eat.
Hearing Zhang Jinyu's complaints, Zhao Meng patted him on the shoulder, "If you truly have this ambition, then focus on honing your culinary skills. In our line, it's all about slowly grinding it out. Unlike other things, craftsmanship requires experience to become second nature. One day, when you become a head chef, you can own a Land Rover and live in a luxury apartment like Chef Yao."
Gu Yunwu, who usually didn't butt into others' conversations, also smiled and agreed, "That's right, even Zhao Chef and I are still grinding away!"
Zhang Jinyu felt a little embarrassed, sheepishly grinned and said, "Chef Zhao, Chef Gu, I was just feeling a little squashed and couldn't hold back a few complaints. Honestly, I really enjoy the work in the kitchen, especially because the atmosphere is good here and you all treat me well. I definitely will hone my skills, and strive to be master of the pan soon!"
As they were speaking, the head chef Yao Shi came over.
Zhao Meng greeted, "Chef Yao, taking more orders this morning, right?"
Yao Shi smiled broadly, "Yes, there's a wedding banquet tomorrow, booked on the third floor. By then, I'll need you and Chef Gu to help share the load a bit."
Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu agreed in unison.
Yao Shi sat down to eat.
With a leader present at the table, the assistants ate nervously.
Zhang Jiaxin hurriedly stuffed down his meal, ready to leave, when Yao Shi suddenly spoke up, "Since everyone is here, after eating I have something to announce."
The group collectively responded.
Qianlima Restaurant's kitchen staff totaled sixteen people.
One head chef, three large chefs forming three teams, each large chef leading four assistants. Normally, they worked in shifts, with one day off each week.
Now, sixteen people were gathered together.
Assistants stood behind the larger chefs, encircling the head chef in the center.
Yao Shi briefly summarized everyone's recent work performance.
Praising the positives.
Pointing out the shortcomings for correction.
Then he slightly raised his voice, speaking word by word: "There's also some good news to share with everyone!"
Everyone immediately fell silent, simultaneously looking over.
Yao Shi smiled slightly, "The boss has conveyed new instructions. Because the kitchen staff's daily work is very hard, especially lately a new batch of employees have performed excellently, a decision has been made to add two more permanent positions."
Apart from Fu Yu, the other assistants immediately got excited, each staring intently at Yao Shi, waiting for him to announce the selected list.
"Of course, these permanent slots will definitely be recommended by Chef Zhao and Chef Gu, then I'll report to the boss, and finally a decision will be made through assessments."
Yao Shi exchanged a glance with Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu, and continued, "The specifics of the assessments will mainly focus on everyone's culinary skills; in addition, work attitude, daily performance and such will also be considered in the assessments."
"The boss will observe everyone daily, and communicate to understand with kitchen managers, then decide on the list of permanent staff."
"The opportunity is rare, I'll also give everyone an inside scoop, the specific assessment timeline is tentatively set for the end of this month."
Yao Shi clapped his hands, encouragingly, "As your leader, of course I hope that everyone can have this opportunity to become permanent. Be sure to perform well then, I look forward to your good news."
Yao Shi finished his announcement, waved his hand, "Alright, I've said what I needed to say, everyone get back to work. Okay, let's disperse."
The news got all the assistants excited.
Though there were always rumors about regularization, opinions varied.
After waiting and hoping, close to a year, now there was certainty!
This was indeed enormous news.
Newcomers working in the kitchen all longed to become regularized.
Being regularized meant higher salaries and better benefits.
They would be seen as successors to large chefs and given focused training.
Instantly, Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu became the center of attention.
A few assistants gathered together, eagerly querying about the assessment details.
Taking advantage of the moment to build connections, establish rapport.
Fu Yu was also astounded.
But just as Yao Shi's words had fallen, the electronic voice in his ear stunned him.
[Ding! NPC Chef Yao Shi's mission: pass the assessment and become a regular employee. Task completion reward: 500 RMB, randomly gain one of Chef Yao Shi's professional skills]
One of Yao Shi's professional skills!
Isn't this a fast track to success?
Yao Shi is a senior technician, holding a national vocational qualification certificate of the first level, an award recipient of the first batch of Chinese famous chefs, and now his trophies and certificates are displayed in the restaurant's front counter, along with photos from the award ceremony.
If he can randomly acquire one of his professional skills, it must directly reach the highest level!
The more Fu Yu imagined, the brighter his eyes became, finally filled with admiration as he stared at Yao Shi's back.