I'm the Culinary God

He chatted with Cai Sen for a bit, then went upstairs to greet the relatives and inquire about breakfast.

Today, the relatives were free to do as they pleased. There was a row of cars parked outside, and they could go anywhere just by saying so. Shen Guofu and Chen Yan had brought all the company cars over, worried there wouldn’t be enough.

However, Lin Xu thought that if they were going out, it’d be best to experience Beijing’s subway, as truly immersing themselves in the city would allow them to feel its rhythm and pulse.

Sitting in a car all the time gave the mindset of a tourist.

Chen Meiliang said:

"We’ll just wander around nearby in the morning, maybe take a leisurely trip to the Imperial Palace, and after lunch, I plan to visit a few horse farms in the suburbs to learn more about them."

As soon as Chen Yan heard this, she immediately said:

"I’m a premium member at the suburban horse farm, so I’ll go with you in the afternoon. Chen Shaokang, anyone else who wants to ride can join us; there are white horses, black horses, and even Akhal-Teke horses."

Hearing this, Chen Shaokang and Shi Molli immediately clamored to go.

Although the scenic areas had built horse farms, they weren’t ready yet. They hadn’t seen a single horse, not even a mule.

Now that they had the opportunity to ride, they couldn’t miss it.

While they were discussing today’s itinerary, Lin Xu and Shen Jiayue went to their room upstairs, changed into their respective dresses, and took the elevator to the banquet hall of Building No. 1 to rehearse the wedding process with the host’s guidance.

By about eleven in the morning, Shen Guofu and others arrived at Building No. 2. Having rehearsed the wedding process, Lin Xu and Shen Jiayue strolled over from Building No. 1.

When they arrived, both sets of parents were chatting with Old Master Gao and Luo Shan.

Lin Hongqi’s gift to Old Master Gao was a bronze spatula from the Yin Shang period.

This type of antique doesn’t have much market value, but it’s very rare and suitable for collection.

As for Shen Guofu, he presented a large piece of natural jade. The jade’s unique shape resembled a carefree old man, perfectly fitting Old Master Gao’s personality.

"Thank you, thank you for your gifts."

Old Master Gao was delighted and handed over a variety of dried food ingredients they had procured the day before as a return gift to Lin Xu’s elders.

When Lin Xu entered, Old Master Gao’s face immediately bloomed with a smile:

"Here comes my little apprentice, truly a well-mannered and talented young man. I didn’t make a mistake accepting him as my apprentice back then."

Lin Hongqi said:

"Meeting you is Lin Xu’s good fortune, and also a blessing for our entire family."

Old Master Gao waved his hand:

"Please don’t say that. At the time, I just felt an itch to pass on something to this child, not knowing he had such high talent. Fortunately, I took him in earlier; otherwise, those old friends of mine might fight me tooth and nail."

After chatting for a while, Old Master Gao led Lin Xu to the kitchen to start cooking.

In fact, most of the dishes were already prepared. Senior disciple Xie Baomin and the head chef of Building No. 2, Zhao Xuesheng, didn’t join in the chat because they were busy handling lunch.

Upon arriving in the kitchen, the previously jovial Old Master Gao became serious.

"Apprentice, yesterday I discussed your foundation with Old Qiu. He said you enjoy Huaiyang cuisine, so today I’ll teach you a high-end Huaiyang dish that was a must at past banquets."

Indeed, cooking was all about teaching dishes.

Lin Xu said:

"I will learn earnestly."

"No need to be so tense. The technique isn’t difficult. What’s challenging is integrating it with your level to the point where, for instance, if you can make potstickers, you should logically be able to make potstickers with eel, Gu fish, lamb, etc. But do you know how to make those?"

Lin Xu shook his head; he really didn’t know these things.

Old Master Gao continued:

"Today, I’ll just teach you a bit. Learning one specific dish isn’t difficult; what’s hard is mastering the technique to the extent that you can create similar dishes with whatever ingredients you have, and that’s what a high-end chef should be able to do."

From the side, Xie Baomin energetically asked:

"Master, you talk so much. What dish are you planning to teach junior brother?"

Old Master Gao glared at his eldest disciple and then said:

"Tai Chi Chicken Porridge. I initially wanted to make Chicken Porridge with Fish Fin, but since you didn’t prepare fish fin in advance, let’s go with Tai Chi Chicken Porridge."

Tai Chi Chicken Porridge?

Is this a Huaiyang dish?

Why haven’t I ever heard of it?

Lin Xu was full of bewilderment, completely unaware of this dish.

Xie Baomin chuckled and said:

"You’re in for a treat, junior brother. In Huaiyang and Shandong cuisine, whenever you hear ’chicken porridge,’ be prepared to savor a high-end dish—it’s something you definitely won’t find at regular banquets."

Lin Xu asked:

"What does chicken porridge mean? It’s not made of chicken, is it?"

"You guessed it right, actually. This chicken porridge truly is rice porridge made from chicken meat. Many people know about making vegetarian dishes out of meat, but at high-end banquets, it’s quite the trend to prepare meat dishes in a vegetarian style."

Vegetarian-style meat dishes?

Lin Xu wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with this concept. The Chicken Bean Curd, Snowflake Chicken Nao, and Chicken Cake Tofu he had previously made were all similar dishes.

Turning meat dishes into vegetarian-like ones is the essence of the vegetarian-style meat dish.

But this chicken porridge...

Lin Xu had just had mushroom and chicken porridge for breakfast, so he wasn’t unfamiliar with it. However, thinking about turning chicken meat into something resembling rice porridge—wasn’t that greasy? Wouldn’t it get stuck between your teeth while drinking?

These questions piqued Lin Xu’s curiosity.

Old Master Gao didn’t leave him waiting long before starting to make the dish.

He didn’t do much himself, just stood with his arms folded, instructing as it wasn’t suitable for someone of his age and status to perform basic tasks, which would embarrass Lin Xu and Xie Baomin.

"Let’s crush the chicken meatballs first. There’s no trick to making Tai Chi Chicken Porridge; you just have to pound it relentlessly."

Xie Baomin brought a cleaned piece of pork skin, spread it on the chopping board, took a few pieces of chicken breast, and flipped the knife to use the back to pound on the chicken.

Curious, Lin Xu asked:

"Isn’t this similar to the Chicken Bean Curd method?"

Old Master Gao replied:

"The initial preparation steps are very similar but not exactly the same; as for the later steps... Chicken Bean Curd is sort of the key to learning Tai Chi Chicken Porridge. Once you master Chicken Bean Curd, you can make Tai Chi Chicken Porridge."

Is it really that hard?

Chicken Bean Curd is nonetheless a representative of high-end clear soup dishes; who knew that in comparison to Tai Chi Chicken Porridge, it could only be considered a stepping-stone?

Instantly, Lin Xu focused intently on observing carefully.

He wanted to understand just how difficult this so-called Tai Chi Chicken Porridge could be...

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This Chapter is 5000 words. Seeking monthly tickets from you, brothers!