Chapter 245: Innovation is not the foundation, taste is the essence

That afternoon,

"Boss, isn't this birdcage a bit too far from our hotel?"

An employee, standing on a ladder and placing the newly built bird's nest in a tree, looked puzzled.

There were clearly many beautiful spots near the hotel,

But the boss insisted on putting the bird's nest on the nearby hill.

Although this was within the hotel's general area,

The location was incredibly remote!

Typically, neither guests nor staff frequented this area.

If they really kept a bird there, it would be particularly inconvenient for feeding.

The employee suggested, "How about we hang the birdcage in the lobby instead? This way, guests can see the bird when they check in."

"No changing the location, this spot will do!"

Chen Jianhai replied irritably.

If the system hadn't specifically required that the gloomy bird not be too far from the hotel,

He would have gladly thrown it into the sea to give it freedom.

After sending the employee back to the hotel lobby,

Chen Jianhai, with a dark expression, released the black mynah from the system,

Shoving it into the newly built nest,

Thus officially beginning the exile of the Langai Hotel's mascot.

There were plenty of wild fruits on this hill,

So even without feeding, it could find food on its own.

…

"Boss, you called for me?"

In the office, Hongbei knocked on Chen Jianhai's door and entered.

"Come, sit."

Chen Jianhai smiled, leading Hongbei to sit on the sofa,

"I called you here today to discuss something."

"I've decided to set up a dessert room in the hotel, specifically for developing Langai Hotel's signature desserts."

"I plan for you to be in charge of this dessert room. What do you think?"

Hongbei was stunned,

He pointed to himself with his right index finger, stammering:

"Boss, you mean you want me to be in charge of the dessert room?"

Chen Jianhai smiled at Hongbei,

"Of course, it's you."

"You have amazing talent in dessert making,"

"This 'Little Horse' marathon friendship race, the star-shaped sugar cookies you made are famous nationwide."

"This is your honor and the hotel's honor!"

"I can't help you much with baking and cooking, but what I can do is provide you with a better space to showcase your talent."

The bewildered and confused look in Hongbei's eyes turned into a bright light upon hearing the words "amazing talent."

He breathed rapidly, his voice trembling:

"Re-really?"

"Of course it's true!"

Chen Jianhai patted Hongbei on the shoulder, speaking sincerely:

"You are the most talented pastry chef I've ever seen!"

"If the dessert room needs more staff, go find Xie Zhulongxiong. If there's suitable talent, hire them boldly."

"If you need any ingredients for research and development, just let me know, I'll fully support you!"

Hongbei's eyes reddened.

Having a bakery of one's own, making favorite desserts, is every dessert lover's dream!

Though this dessert room wasn't independent, but part of the Langai Hotel's restaurant,

Hongbei knew very well,

Without Langai Hotel's platform,

As an unknown pastry chef, who would have noticed his ice cream, or his cookies?

Hongbei's lips trembled, his throat choked up,

"Boss, I... I..."

Chen Jianhai laughed, "Alright, no need for more words."

"Do your best! I'll give you a bonus at the end of the year."

Hongbei nodded vigorously, "Boss, don't worry, I will do my best!"

"Alright, you've been working hard with the marathon these past few days. Don't rush back to Nanjing, take a few days to rest here."

"Your body isn't just your own, it's also the hotel's."

"With the dessert room in the future, you'll be busy."

Chen Jianhai repeatedly reminded him.

"Okay, boss."

Hongbei, with red eyes, pushed the door open and left.

On the way back, afraid others would see his red eyes, he hurried back to the kitchen,

In the kitchen,

Tangtou was standing by the soup pot, gently stirring the bottom of the pot with a ladle, occasionally tasting the flavor.

Near the window,

Baipan was sitting on a small stool, flipping through a colorful page of Shan Hai Jing, pondering deeply for inspiration.

Hongbei burst through the door and went straight to Baipan, squatting down beside him.

With red eyes, he stared at Baipan.

"What's wrong?" Baipan was startled,

He had left in good spirits,

But came back looking like he had just received a demolition compensation—both happy and teary.

"The boss said he's setting up a dessert room in the hotel and wants me to be in charge..."

Hongbei's voice choked, trembling with excitement,

"I'm going to have my own dessert area!!!"

"Really?" Baipan's eyes widened, "The boss said he's setting up a dessert room for you???"

Hongbei nodded with red eyes,

"That's great news, brother!"

Baipan snapped his book shut, a look of joy on his face.

They had both joined the Langai Hotel together.

Now, through their efforts,

One was in charge of the "Guan Canghai" themed restaurant, and the other had his own dessert room,

It was like a double celebration.

"With the dessert room, you can make desserts to your heart's content!"

"Such great news, you have to treat everyone to a meal!!"

Hongbei nodded heavily, "Of course, I will treat everyone. But there's something I want to discuss with you."

Baipan asked, "What is it?"

Hongbei said seriously, "Now that the hotel has two main desserts, ice cream and cookies, I want to develop a new dessert with a rich texture."

"But I'm stuck on what kind of dessert to choose. You have a great imagination, can you help me think about it?"

Baipan asked, "What do you mean by a rich texture?"

Hongbei explained, "A dessert that is crispy and crunchy on the outside, but also soft and fluffy inside."

"Currently, the hotel has two main desserts, one is smooth and icy, the other is crispy and fragrant."

"So I want to create a dessert that combines both crispiness and fluffiness, to upgrade the hotel's dessert offerings... but I can't think of a good answer."

Baipan pondered for a moment, then said, "Is it really that hard to think of? I've had similar desserts before!"

Hongbei asked excitedly, "What is it?"

"Shaci Ma." Baipan replied seriously.

Hongbei was stunned, "Huh?"

Baipan continued, "Shaci Ma is soft, chewy, and has a crispy, sweet texture when chewed. Doesn't it meet your requirements?"

Hongbei considered this, then said hesitantly:

"It does meet the requirements, and I thought about it before... but isn't making Shaci Ma too traditional?"

"I feel the boss prefers innovative dishes, and I'm afraid he'd be disappointed if I made this."

Hearing this, both fell into deep thought.

Chen Jianhai's decision to have Hongbei independently manage the hotel's dessert room showed his high regard.

To live up to the boss's expectations and prove his skills,

Hongbei needed to introduce a new dessert to establish the Langai Hotel's dessert reputation.

But if it was just Shaci Ma, it seemed a bit ordinary...

Baipan thought seriously, then shook his head.

"I think, when it comes to innovation, it's about sticking to the basics."

"The star-shaped sugar cookies' success was achieved by adding ingredients and sugar to a basic cookie dough, creating an ultimate crispy texture."

"My Guan Canghai series may be stunning, but it's based on exquisite knife skills and fresh seafood."

"Instead of worrying about tradition versus innovation, focus on perfecting the flavor of the food itself..."

"Remember, for us chefs, innovation is not the foundation of our careers."

"Continuously improving and creating delicious food is our core."

Seeing Hongbei deep in thought,

Baipan patted his shoulder gently,

"Taste is the essence... brother!"