BXBX NOVEL Chapter 9 - 9: The Stunning Steamed Bass
“This fish is quite large, so the steaming time should be appropriately extended, nine minutes should be about right.”
After estimating the time, Qin Lang quickly brought out the fish plate from the steamer.
The texture of the fish on the plate has completely transformed from when it entered the steamer, appearing tender and white, as if one could simply pick it up along its clear texture with a pair of chopsticks.
The fresh aroma of the steamed bass filled the entire kitchen the moment the steamer was opened, the delicious-scent made Dan Bao salivate, looking eagerly at the bass.
Want to eat…
“Hold on a little longer, I’ll make you something delicious after the interviews are done,” Qin Lang comforted the gluttonous Dan Bao while adjusting the fish on the plate, adding the shredded garnish, and pouring on hot oil.
As the fish skin tightened rapidly under the hot oil, the fragrance of the fish erupted even more vigorously, mixing with the savoury scent from the shredded green onions, red peppers, and ginger as they met the hot oil, creating a rich and layered aroma.
“Perfect!”
Splashed with boiling soy sauce from the pot, Qin Lang couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Let’s go, let Uncle Luo Hui have a taste.”
…
“Old Luo, are you treating me as an outsider?”
In the restaurant, a middle-aged man with glasses sat across from Luo Hui, “I heard about your new shop opening from other old friends.”
“You’re looking for a hanging position chef, why didn’t you turn to me?”
“Old Li, I didn’t want to bother you as I know you’re busy.” Luo Hui coughed lightly, “Besides, my small shop can’t accommodate big Buddha like you.”
“An outstanding chef is a big Buddha?” Old Li shook his head helplessly, “You’re too stubborn, never admitting when you need help.”
“Your menu hardly offers any seafood.” He pointed to the menu in front of him, “Birds in the sky, animals on land, fish in the sea, how can you run a restaurant without a variety of dishes?”
“I have a hanging position chef who can cook seafood dishes.” Luo Hui touched his nose, “He’s currently preparing a trial dish in the kitchen.”
“Hmm?”
Old Li sharply noticed Luo Hui’s expressions.
He knew his old friend too well, Luo Hui always unconsciously touched his nose whenever he felt guilty.
After a moment of silence, Old Li suddenly asked, “Does this hanging position chef have a title?”
“No…”
“How many years has he been a spiritual chef?”
“He just registered…” Luo Hui coughed lightly, “But I think he’s quite confident…”
His voice gradually lowered.
“You dare to let such a newcomer be a hanging position chef?” Old Li sighed, “Never mind.”
“I’ll taste the trial dish later as well.” He looked at Luo Hui, “If his cooking skills aren’t up to par, don’t force it. Let me hang the position here, I don’t need a retainer fee, only a share of the profits, deal?”
Just as Luo Hui was about to say something, he suddenly turned his attention towards the kitchen.”
Qin Lang brought the dish and placed it in front of Luo Hui, “Steamed Bass, Uncle Luo Hui, please give it a try.”
After he finished speaking, he curiously looked at the man who had been staring at him since he stepped out of the kitchen.
Who is this?
Old Li’s scrutinizing gaze shifted from Qin Lang to the Steamed Bass.
A look of surprise appeared on his face.
This fragrance…
This presentation…
He couldn’t find anything wrong with it.
“This fish is excellent!”
After tasting it, Luo Hui’s praise made Old Li’s gaze intensify.
Without hesitation, he picked up a piece of fish belly, dipped it into the brown soy sauce, and put it into his mouth.
Salty and delicious, with a hint of sweetness.
A slight chew, the tender fish melts in the mouth, the fresh and non-greasy flavor fills the mouth and nose, the taste is just right, giving Old Li the impulse to applaud the dish.
Such culinary skills…
A newly registered Spirit Chef?!
You’ve got to be kidding me!!!
“It’s settled!”
While Old Li was still in shock, Luo Hui slammed the table, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Qin Lang.
“The retainer fee remains the same, but in profit sharing, it’s you nine, me one!”
“A 9 to 1 profit share?!” Qin Lang’s face showed a look of surprise.
A Spirit Chef can participate in different competitions.
Ranking in the competitions can gain different titles.
An excellent chef who acquires the title of Spirit Chef, the prevailing market share for a hanging position is a 70-30 split.
The level above the excellent chef is the outstanding chef, who could take ninety percent of the dish selling profit when they hang a position at a restaurant.
As for the higher titles, the restaurants make no profit but have to pay an exorbitant hanging fee.
In other words, Luo Hui is currently offering him a profit share comparable to an outstanding chef.
“Uncle Luo Hui, are you sure you want to give me such a high profit share?” He couldn’t help but double-check.
“Ask him whether it’s high or not.” Luo Hui, with a smile on his face, pointed across the table towards Old Li.
“It’s not excessive.” After quietly putting down his chopsticks, Old Li looked at Qin Lang with a complex look, “For this dish alone, it’s worth a 9 to 1 split.”
“What precocious talent.” He gave a soft sigh, turning to Luo Hui, “With such a Spirit Chef on board, I’m relieved. But Old Luo, you can never have too many hanging position chefs. Won’t you really let me hang my tag?”
“Okay, okay, you better go now.” Luo Hui waved his hand to usher out his guest.
“Fine.” Knowing his old friend’s temperament, Old Li did not press further. He took a business card from his pocket and handed it to Qin Lang, “Young man, your steamed bass has left a deep impression on me. We may meet again in the future. Here’s my business card.”
“Alright.” Qin Lang took the card and saw the words “Li Hong” were imprinted in silver, with a small line of text underneath.
Outstanding Chef.
Qin Lang’s eyes widened, only then realizing why Luo Hui had said to ask him whether the 9 to 1 split was high.
As an Outstanding Chef, he was certainly qualified to assess.
When he looked up again, Li Hong had already left.
Luo Hui, next to him, finished enjoying the bass with great satisfaction, his face content, “I’ve truly never tasted a dish like this, it’s entirely different from any fish I’ve had before.”
“I can already imagine, having such a dish as Steamed Bass on the menu, we’d certainly attract plenty of food guests who enjoy eating fish to our new restaurant.”
Even though the steamed bass has a 9 to 1 split, food guests aren’t going to order just one dish, so the customer flow it brings will be enough for him to make a huge profit.”
“What about pricing it at 1199 per serving for good luck?” Luo Hui looked at Qin Lang, “Minus the cost, we can make almost a thousand in profit from each serving of steamed bass.”
The cost of one bass is two hundred because this world’s ingredient prices are on the higher side.
As for the thousand in profit…
“I have no objections.” Qin Lang decisively spoke.
Dan Bao, next to them, had his eyes completely lit up.
They’re making money now!
We can buy all kinds of ingredients to make delicious food!
“Hanging position dishes are reserved a day in advance, add a contact number, I’ll notify you one day in advance.” Luo Hui chuckled, “Given the quality of this dish, we can only supply ten portions a day, not more.”
Qin Lang smiled and nodded without any objections.
Making money is good, but he didn’t want to completely devote his time to it.
With ten portions a day, he could make nine thousand a day.
Given his current expenses, it’s more than enough.
—————–
End of the chapter bonus content:
[Steamed Bass]