Chapter 81
Chapter 81
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: A Surprise Invitation from the Chefs
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What on earth was she thinking? I scratched the back of my head awkwardly as Yang Ji-ah gazed up at me with sparkling eyes.
She was clearly picturing "genius" or something like that.
"You're amazing, boss. How did you come up with this in just one day...!"
"Haha, it's not that impressive."
"You're too humble."
No Se-hee shook her head beside me.
"I've seen it multiple times already, but I'm still shocked today. Where do these recipes just pop out from? The company must be so busy these days that you haven't had time to develop new menus... You are sleeping, right?"
"Of course. I'm sleeping just fine, so don't worry."
I flashed her a big grin.
Sure, to outsiders, it might seem astonishing. But the truth was a bit different from what it looked like.
'It's just gradually rolling out the items I researched with the team before my regression.'
Of course, most of these new menu items were my ideas, with the development team only fine-tuning the details, so yeah, they were menus I'd created.
Menus I'd poured decades into before regressing.
Just the recipes I remembered would be an enormous amount if released to the market. Timing their launches appropriately was one of my given tasks.
"Anyway. So everyone agrees these are good for refreshing the vibe as new items?"
"I think so."
"Me too."
I'd originally planned to save the whole melon bingsu for a later launch.
But seeing everyone nodding one by one, I felt confident in changing my mind.
It had gotten a pretty good response even before regression, and above all, it looked unique and pretty.
This would definitely set us apart from copycats.
'Of course, they could copy it straight-up too. But knowing that owner's personality, he'll want to research it longer and upgrade it before releasing.'
By then, it'd be too late.
The formula "whole melon bingsu = Bingu-gwa" would already be etched in customers' minds. The copycats would be stuck in another trap, continuing their business as usual.
"Then we'll plan the new menu promo around this as the main feature."
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Perfect timing, too. Our Yang Deputy joined us today."
Huh? Why Yang Ji-ah?
I looked at No Se-hee with a puzzled expression, and Park Sang-won chimed in proudly from the side.
"Yang Deputy used to be a designer before switching to sales! She's amazing at making PPTs and promo pamphlets!"
"Oh, n-no, not that much..."
Yang Ji-ah shyly bowed her head. Oh ho, so that's her background?
No wonder she said she wanted to photograph the whole melon snowflake bingsu. She must be skilled at designing posters with photos like that.
"Wow, she's exactly the talent we needed. Welcome aboard, Yang Ji-ah. We're counting on you for this new menu promo."
"Eep! J-just leave it to me...!"
"No need to feel burdened. Team Leader No will help with whatever you need."
"Yes, got it."
That settles the promo side even more reassuringly.
"Oh, right. How's the prep for [Shanghai Banjeom] opening going? It's tomorrow, right?"
I asked Jo Yi-ruk, who set down his half-eaten bingsu and replied.
"Yes. All the advance prep is done. With the promo we've done, it'll be busy right from tomorrow's opening. I'm planning to pull some extra hands from nearby branches to help out just for the first day."
"Good idea. The first day is always the most tense, hectic, and chaotic. Team Leader Jo, keep an eye on it for about a week."
"Yes."
Jo Yi-ruk answered while still glancing at his bingsu. It must've been really tasty. I waved my hand, gesturing for him to finish it.
"Alright. Meeting over! Back to work~."
Clap clap.
I clapped to get everyone's attention, and they started filing out of the conference room one by one. Yang Ji-ah especially had that super enthusiastic look since it was her first assignment.
I was packing up my stuff when suddenly my phone rang.
Who could it be?
I checked the screen, and an unexpected name popped up.
[Anderic Chef]
Huh. A call from him out of the blue?
There'd been that rival vibe during filming and on the show, but we'd never contacted each other privately.
Unlike Bong Kang-min Chef, who was friendly to everyone, or Jung Ha-neul Chef, who was favorable toward me.
I couldn't think of any reason why Anderic, who always breezed past me without a glance, would call...
No matter how I racked my brain, nothing came to mind.
After a moment's hesitation, I picked up.
"Hello?"
-Hey, Chef Song!
Hm?
"Bong Kang-min Chef, right?"
-Wow~ You got it right away! Haha. You can tell just from my voice?
"Of course. How could I not recognize Bong Chef's voice?"
-Aw, our Chef Song always says the nicest things. Totally different level from this blunt junior of mine~.
I heard Anderic mumbling something in response from the side. Jung Ha-neul Chef's voice flickered in too—it seemed like the three of them were hanging out privately.
'Bong Kang-min Chef and Jung Ha-neul Chef are close friends, and Anderic Chef is Jung Chef's prized pupil, so it makes sense they're tight.'
This industry really is small.
The lively chatter from the phone quieted down.
Anderic must've finally wrested the phone from Bong Kang-min.
-...It's me. Chef Song Woo-yeon.
Sure enough, a calm, low voice distinctly different from Bong's came through.
"Yes, Chef Anderic. How have you been?"
-We saw each other last week.
"Haha. We don't really chat about that during filming."
It was just a casual toss-out, so why the reaction? It was like asking if he'd eaten or suggesting a meal sometime—basic check-in stuff.
"Sounds like you three are having a meal together."
-Yes.
"But why the sudden call to me...? Oh, is this reconnaissance?"
-It's not that. Bong Chef just took it upon himself... Sigh.
Anderic let out a exasperated sigh, then muttered to the side, "Yes, I understand. I'll pass that on."
It seemed Jung Ha-neul Chef had given him some instructions.
-I heard you're opening a Chinese restaurant.
"Ah~ [Shanghai Banjeom]? Yeah, that's right. The Chinese-style braised pork noodles we debuted at the cold special are one of the main items. You saw the article, huh?"
We'd blasted out opening promo articles. Still, I hadn't expected him to remember the exact date.
-Congratulations on the opening.
"Thanks."
-With the congrats delivered, I'll hang up then... Ugh, Chef Bong!
Whoosh!
Scuffling sounds erupted, like they were wrestling over the phone. What the heck?
After a bit, Bong Kang-min's rough breathing signaled his victory, followed by his characteristically cheeky voice.
-Uh, uh. Chef Song. It's me. Man, I don't get why our Anderic Chef is so shy. He said he wants to go to the main branch tomorrow to try [Shanghai Banjeom] himself since it's opening. But in front of you, he plays it all prim and proper.
Crash bang!
-Hey now, Anderic Chef. No respect for your elders? Interrupting while a senior's talking?
Things were total chaos on the other end. Bong Kang-min pressed on undeterred.
-We saw each other pretty steadily for a few weeks, and we'll keep crossing paths. Let's be more casual, yeah? As a grand opening congrats, let me buy you a drink. If you're free, come join us for a meal~.
Building rapport with fellow chefs isn't a bad idea. This industry's so tight-knit that snagging even one or two connections means you're linked to everyone through someone.
I checked my watch and calendar real quick. No must-do tasks left for today.
Decision made, the answer slipped out.
"Haha. If you're inviting me, how could I say no? Not sure if there's room for me to squeeze in, though."
Just testing the waters, in case it was polite lip service. Bong Kang-min didn't seem the type, but businessmen are cautious by nature.
-Come on over! I'll text you the address.
"Got it. On my way~."
"Oh my. Come on in~. What's this?"
"You invited me to your place, so I couldn't show up empty-handed. It's nothing much, just a little gift."
I handed over the whiskey, and Jung Ha-neul's eyes lit up.
"Figured you have plenty of Scotch already. Thought I'd switch it up with something different."
"So thoughtful~. You didn't have to, now I feel bad!"
Jung Ha-neul's rep as a booze hound was legendary in the biz. Booze gift was a safe bet.
"Ooh, you got here fast. I did the inviting, but why's Jung Chef the only one getting a gift?"
"Brought one for you too, Bong Chef."
"Heh heh heh. Aw, I should be the one giving gifts."
He said that, but he didn't refuse it.
"No big deal. Thanks for the invite. Didn't expect you'd reach out to congratulate me."
"Well~. How many openings has our Chef Song had? Branches popping up left and right?"
"Just working hard, that's all."
I played humble, and Jung Ha-neul and Bong Kang-min looked at me fondly. Maybe 'cause I was young enough to be their daughter? They treated me like family.
"Come on, head inside. Anderic's this way too."
Jung Ha-neul led me into the restaurant. Borrowing the place on a day off for a meetup—only the owner could pull that off.
A few steps in, my eyes met Anderic's in the back. He gave a slight bow as our gazes locked.
"Hi."
I smiled back, and he gave a small nod.
"Have a seat. Bong Chef, make yourself useful and entertain him."
"Huh? Where you off to, Jung Chef?"
"Got an important guest—gotta show off my skills. Wait up. My sweet and sour pork is killer."
"Wow~. Living the high life."
Exactly. How often do you get top Korean Chinese chef's sweet and sour pork made fresh?
I bowed in thanks, but he waved it off and slipped into the kitchen.
Now the room had me, Anderic, and Bong Kang-min.
Bong Kang-min eyed me with sparkling curiosity.
"Chef Song."
"Yeah?"
"I've got something I'm dying to know. Mind spilling just a little?"
"Go ahead."
What could it be? As I wondered, he continued.
"How old are you really?"
Huh.
...How did he figure it out?