The Zhang brothers had been led away to leave the restaurant, but not without Zhang Yong throwing a fierce glare at Shen Lingqing, promising to himself that he would get even with the demon princess someday. Now that the two brothers were gone, the other staff looked at one another worriedly, wondering if they would suffer the same fate as those two.
“Mr. Sous Chef, please come forward,” Shen Lingqing said without breaking her attention from the book she was reading. Now that Zhang Yong was gone, she needed someone whose familiar with the restaurant to help her with her next plans.
A man in his early forties stepped forward, clutching his toque in one hand. When the staff had been summoned out of the kitchen, Lin Xiao wasn’t sure what was happening outside. It was only after he heard Shen Lingqing’s introduction did he realize the situation they were in now.
He gripped his fist tighter like he wanted to explain something. However, in the end, he could only swallow his words and waited for their new boss to speak.
“What’s the dish you made for us today?” Shen Lingqing lifted her gaze to stare at him, causing him to be in a slight daze. Even though she was dressed casually in shirt and jeans, her peerless beauty was enough to topple some of the most popular actresses of this generation.
“I-I made the Grilled Chilean Sea Bass, Director Shen,” he answered.
Shen Lingqing glanced back on their table and saw the untouched Sea Bass dish. She picked up a clean pair of chopsticks and took a small bite of it, her chewing slow as she let the taste spread on her palate.
“Passable.” She said after a long silence, allowing Lin Xiao to release a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “You were able to keep its silky texture and buttery flavor.”
“But why use Chilean Sea Bass?” Shen Lingqing questioned.
The other staff of the restaurant couldn’t understand why she was asking this. Neither did the chef know what she was talking about. As if she had no other choice but to explain, Shen Lingqing continued.
“Like any other white fish, Chilean sea bass is a low-calorie, protein-dense fish. However, it also has high levels of mercury. It’s ideal for a.d.u.l.ts to consume two portions of it each month while children only eat one portion so why did you keep this dish on the menu knowing your patrons’ health would be put at risk?”
“Director Shen, it was Chef Zhang who decided on what to put on the menu.” Lin Xiao tried to explain.
Of course, as a chef, he was aware of the dangers of what Chilean Sea Bass could pose to their customers, but Zhang Yong insisted on such an expensive dish. Not only were they able to earn more sales from it, but it could also attract many customers with its delicious taste. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
Shen Lingqing’s eyes narrowed at that.
“From now on, we won’t serve Chilean sea bass in the future, but in case your patrons still like to have a similar dish, we will use sablefish instead. It had the same ‘silken richness’ and texture the Chilean sea bass has and with even more high levels of omega-3s.” She decided, leaving the rest speechless on how fast and efficient she was in dealing with the problem.
“You will temporarily act as the head chef while we try to find a suitable chef to replace you,” she added, which only added pressure to Lin Xiao. He had been working for The Savory Alley for a few years now, but this was the first time he was put in charge of everything.
“Everyone would be in a month-long probationary period. Your performance will be evaluated at the end of the month. If you fail, you can leave this place with a separation pay with you. If you did well, you will sign a new contract for regularization and receive high pay and incentives.” Shen Lingqing didn’t waste any more time informing them of her plans.
Her eyes swept over the remaining staff of the restaurant.
“But you must know by now that I only allow competent people to work with me. You don’t have to be the best of the best, but I need a person who loves their work and has a passion for what they are doing. I understand that you are here to make a living, but it doesn’t mean that you have to do half-ass work, expecting other people to cover for you. If you disagree with my terms, please feel free to leave now. I won’t stop any of you.”
The rest of the staff murmured to one another, pondering their choice, but Chef Lin Xiao decided that he was willing to stay to work with the Shen princess.
Liu Jinfei, who was forgotten by Shen Lingqing all this time, decided to step forward to speak with her. Now that he finally knew who she was, he understood now why she looked familiar to him.
“Director Shen, if I may speak with you…” He called after Shen Lingqing.
He might be seven years older than her, but with his current status, Liu Jinfei was aware that Shen Lingqing might be more experienced and superior to him when it came to the kitchen.
“Yes?” Shen Lingqing almost forgot that Liu Jinfei was still here. She wasn’t oblivious as to who he was and from what family he came from.
“I would like to apply as a head chef if you don’t mind,” he said with a straight face.
“I mind.” Shen Lingqing stared at him straight in the eyes. “Like I said, I only keep competent people around me. If you think just because my parents sponsored your studies at Silver Leaf Academy gives you a golden pass, you are gravely mistaken.”
Qiao Lian pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. With the way her boss spoke, no wonder people think of Shen Lingqing as an arrogant person. She was harder to please than her father, Shen Yi.
“Then, what should I do to prove my worth?” Liu Jinfei questioned.
“Simple. Serve me a dish that could entice me to eat.”
