Chef at the University Canteen-Chapter 288 - 226: I Think You Two Aren’t Right for Each Other...

After finishing today's work, the first "weekend" is coming soon, so Jiang Yu is naturally in a good mood. As for making two extra dishes and a pot of soup, it's just to reward the colleagues who have worked hard for a week.

Once everyone was gathered, before starting to eat, Jiang Yu clapped his hands and said:

"The seventh dining room will have a 'weekend' off for the next two days. After the meal, remember to clean up everything. Make sure to close the windows and doors properly.

Although it's a 'weekend', we only rest for one day. The other day, we have to work in the kitchen on the first floor. You guys can decide which day you want to rest and which day you want to work.

The kitchen on the first floor operates seven days a week, and it's unbearable for anyone to keep going like this.

We need to rotate with our colleagues on the first floor; we can't be resting while they have to work every single day, right?"

"No problem, I don't need a break anyway. I'm at home doing nothing."

Before anyone else could speak, Du Guangning waved his hand, looking indifferent, and said,

"This is a school canteen here. We can take a break for two or three months during summer and winter holidays. If it were those dining restaurants outside, they truly don't rest all year round!"

"Even if you don't rest, others need to."

Jiang Yu glanced at him and said, "Also, our seventh dining room is a restaurant too. Even though it's upstairs in the canteen, it doesn't get summer or winter holidays. Don't think too much about it."

"Huh? No summer or winter vacations?"

Du Guangning was stunned for a moment, then realized, scratched his head, and said with a silly smile,

"That's no big deal. Having one day off a week is much better than other restaurants. The most important thing is, the boss's cooking tastes better than other restaurants!"

This comment, however, reflected everyone's true feelings, and everyone laughed.

In the group, Pei Guofu was the eldest. He also nodded and said with some emotion:

"I've worked in so many restaurants, and still feel our boss cares most about the employees. Having a day off a week is already splendid.

Especially for someone like me, with parents and kids to care for. I used to have to work every day, leaving early and returning late, with no time to spend with my family. Now, I can finally spend some quality time with them."

"Alright, if no one has any objections, let's settle this matter."

Jiang Yu nodded and thought for a moment before saying to Yan Tongtong,

"Xiaoyan, after the meal, please help everyone record their preferences, and take it downstairs to Lu Shuwu for scheduling the first-floor staff's rotation."

"Oh, okay."

Yan Tongtong nodded immediately after hearing this.

Secretly, she thought to herself that it didn't matter which day she took off; she would rest when her senior did and work when he worked. After all, following her senior was the right thing to do.

...

The next morning, Jiang Yu got up early, washed up, and went down to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Lu Shuwu was busy making dough at the counter, while Jia Zhibin, as always, was rinsing rice repeatedly to start porridge.

Seeing Jiang Yu coming, Lu Shuwu greeted him with a smile: "Boss, why are you here? We agreed you'd rest today and come to cover for me tomorrow, right?"

"I'm awake anyway and staying in bed is boring; might as well come down and work."

Jiang Yu looked around and asked, "Not prepared the stuffing yet?"

Lu Shuwu shook his head: "No, I just started making the dough!"

"Alright, you handle the dough, and I'll do the stuffing."

Jiang Yu nodded, turned, and walked toward the prep area to select ingredients and start chopping the filling.

Once Jiang Yu prepared the stuffing, Ma Guoqiang, He Chunxiao, and others arrived, some working the dough, some making buns, and the kitchen instantly buzzed with activity.

"Boss, Spring has long passed; can we stop making spring rolls?"

Ma Guoqiang mentioned while wrapping meat buns with a cheerful smile, "We could make something else delicious."

Jiang Yu asked with a smile, "What do you want to make?"

"How about sugar cakes?"

Ma Guoqiang thought for a moment and said, "I'm pretty good at making these. They're crispy, soft, and sweet; once you have one, you'll want another."

Jiang Yu nodded and agreed, "Alright, if you're willing to make them, go ahead."

Sugar cake is a traditional pastry popular in Jiangzhou's local culture, originating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It's celebrated as one of the "Five Traditional Delicacies of Zhangjiang" and one of "Jiangzhou's Top Ten Snacks."

Sugar cake's notable traits are its aromatic, sticky softness and pure whiteness, standing out in appearance compared to sugar cakes from other regions. Its surface is coated with a unique mixture of Zhangjiang's frozen rice flour and sugar powder, with a distinct flavor. It's a much-loved traditional pastry among Zhangjiang locals.

Despite sugar cakes' popularity in Jiangzhou, they are rarely found in the canteens of Jiangzhou's universities. The reason is, although simple to make, crafting them well is challenging.

Particularly, controlling the heat is crucial; if the frying goes awry, the result might still be edible but won't achieve the expected soft, sweet crispiness.

But with Ma Guoqiang's extensive experience as a pastry chef, Jiang Yu fully trusts his expertise with sugar cakes.

"Great, boss, you just wait to enjoy them!"

Upon hearing this, a bright smile bloomed on Ma Guoqiang's face.

Beside him, Lu Shuwu couldn't help but tease, "Uncle Ma, you're really seeking trouble for yourself, huh? Feeling too idle? Making sugar cakes!"