Original subtitles

♪The sun comes out♪

♪While the clouds are idle♪

♪What a beautiful day♪

♪Catching up with all my might♪

♪The wind blows away the fatigue♪

♪Telling me♪

♪To love the world♪

♪The smell of cooking♪

♪Fills the streets♪

♪Indulge myself♪

♪In the tenderness of life♪

♪The small restaurant we once went to♪

♪Is filled with my longing for you♪

♪Oh, I want to meet you♪

♪Oh, hand in hand♪

♪Stroll through the small town at night♪

♪Take our time with our sweet love♪

♪Love means to be with you♪

♪During three meals a day for all seasons♪

♪Each meal is♪

♪A beautiful feast♪

♪Underlying♪

♪The warmth of home♪

♪Please remember♪

♪Love's about trivial matters in life♪

♪Enjoying ordinary meals with you♪

♪Your smiling face♪

♪Will always be vivid♪

♪And give me the happiness♪

♪That I expect♪

[Chef Son-in-law]

[Adapted from Yandou Laoge's novel, The Great Nation's Master Chef]

[Episode 1]

[Ultimate Showdown for the title of King of Chefs]

Now, let's bring in the challenger,

Qiao Zhi.

Qiao Zhi! Qiao Zhi!

I've been waiting for today

for a long time.

Let's do it,

King of Chefs.

Oh my god, the Chinese dragon!

It seems like

Zhan Jun is going to lose because of his speed.

You want revenge?

[Canteen] Let me tell you.

Your grandfather was a loser.

I took him down,

and I will take you down as well.

As long as you are a chef,

you will always be under my heel.

As for those who have helped you,

I will ruin them personally, one by one.

This is your cost of challenging me.

I will always

[Jingui Recipes] be by your side.

Am I going to lose just like that?

Win for me.

Of course.

[Canteen]

Before I was 12,

I made my own meals

with the leftover

from customers every day.

What a coincidence.

Today's challenge

is exactly the one my grandfather guessed.

Perhaps it means something, you know,

King of Chefs.

[One year ago]

[Singapore]

We all know

that as the leading company of the catering industry,

Baiwei Group has become

a popular choice

among consumers for its creativity,

top quality,

- and unique branding... - I've been waiting for so long.

Finally, I can get back...

[Zhan Jun] It's our honor today

- to have the president of Baiwei Group - to avenge Grandfather.

and two-time King of Chefs,

Mr. Zhan Jun.

Hello everyone.

[Xunyang City, Xunxi Province, China] With constant innovation, Baiwei Group

aims to continuously launch new dishes

and concepts to meet

the different and changing needs

[Xunyang] of consumers.

Whether it's Chinese cuisine,

Western cuisine, or exotic food,

Baiwei Group can offer something special

and create a brand-new dining experience for you.

Mr. Zhan,

could you please tell us

about the pre-made food launched last year?

Sir, please go to the food street in the North District.

According to the recent financial data,

it's a smart choice for Baiwei Group

to invest in this.

Nowadays, the pace of life is getting faster and faster.

[Baiwei Group] We want to find

an affordable and easy way

to bring the delicacies

of Baiwei Group

to consumers, so that they can enjoy them

whenever they want.

To make sure of the taste and safety of the food,

we invested hundreds of millions in R&D

and applied for dozens of patents.

[Guizong Food Street]

[Ding's Kitchen]

May I ask if you have confidence

[Eastern Delicacies] in challenging your master?

[Qiao Sihai, Imperial Chef's descendant]

[The King of Chefs of session 3] Mr. Qiao is indeed my master,

but I believe

that a student can surpass their master.

Grandpa, is he really your apprentice?

I haven't seen him before.

[Dong Hao, Qiao Sihai's apprentice]

[GM of Shujue Restaurant] It's Zhan Jun.

He never has his heart in the right place

and was expelled by your grandfather a long time ago.

How dare he mention your grandfather?

Shame on him!

Hao, what do you mean that he doesn't have his heart in the right place?

He stole the Jingui Recipes,

the family heirloom of your grandfather,

and when he was trying to take photos,

[Tao Hua, partner of Canteen] I caught him.

Mr. Tao.

Have you finished your homework?

If so,

let's go to have Boston Lobster.

Don't let your fair-weather friends

have a bad influence on my grandson.

Without them

and their cheap

but high-quality beef for you,

the little savings we have

would have been long gone.

Who's Qiao Sihai?

I am.

What's the matter?

We are from the Administration for Market Regulation.

We received a report

that recently, your restaurant

purchased some smuggled beef.

Tao Hua,

what's going on?

No way.

I checked everything.

It had all the documents.

They are forged documents.

Please cooperate

and come with us for the investigation.

Grandpa,

I will personally

get the reputation of the Qiao family back.

Since we used to be fellow apprentices,

I will offer you two choices.

The first one

is that you can get out of here

with a 50-million debt.

The second one

is that you can work for me

and enjoy your life.

You are not my fellow.

I know what you did

and all your dirty tricks.

Fine,

if that's what you choose.

Master,

I'm so sorry.

I'm not good enough.

I'm useless.

Hao,

time to eat!

Shu,

time to eat!

Here I am, Master!

Qiao...

Qiao Zhi?

You're back?

Here.

Try the stir-fried shrimps I made.

Are they as good as the old ones?

Easy.

Alright, young man.

This is all yours.

It's so good.

Master, this is amazing.

Teach me, Master.

You want to learn it?

Here you go.

Have a drink with me.

Sure.

It tastes just like what Master made.

I miss him.

I miss him a lot.

I used to see you drinking

and having this.

Now,

I can drink with you.

Cheers.

What's wrong?

A bad day?

Your Shujue Restaurant

has opened a lot of branches, hasn't it?

Do you know the saying

that the great fish eat up the small?

Master failed back then.

How could I possibly succeed?

They set a trap

and framed me.

I have bad reviews

and limited exposure.

Now, I have

nothing left.

Do you have any idea about the debt I have?

It's 50 million.

There is no option for me.

How can I fight against him?

Since it's a losing battle,

you can just join the other side.

All they want is your restaurant, right?

Your life is more important than your face.

Come on.

Qiao Zhi,

I've tried everything.

The power behind Zhan Jun

is much more terrifying than I expected.

I don't think we can

avenge Master in this lifetime.

[Huaixiang Group]

Why are the sales of our new products so bad?

[Tao Rende, Board Director of Huaixiang Group]

[Tao Nanfang, President of Huaixiang Group]

Answer me!

It's been three months.

Are you telling me you can't create even one decent dish?

Who came up with the idea of Mine Tenderloin?

We only sold 12 of that in an entire month.

Do you know how many branches we have?

Ms. Tao,

we wanted to attract

more young people.

Do young people play Minesweeper anymore?

Find another position for yourself.

This is not where you belong.

Without innovation,

Huaixiang Group has no future.

Wait!

Get out!

Stop.

Listen to me!

Just go away!

Hear me out!

I'm not a salesman.

You can't sell anything here.

I'm not here to sell anything!

I know Tao Nanfang.

Ms. Tao

is my godmother!

Ms. Tao is your godmother?

That's right.

Stop talking nonsense.

Ms. Tao? Your godmother?

Is he talking about the Ms. Tao who makes chili sauce?

It's not her!

I'm talking about your Ms. Tao!

Well...

You can just call her.

Call her.

I did,

but I don't know her new number.

Well,

Nanfang,

the reputation of our restaurants

is indeed dropping

on Tianxiang Food Rankings.

Even the delivery men

are not willing to take our orders.

You have an appointment with Zhanjun this afternoon, right?

Talk to him

and try to work with him.

Profit is our priority.

I heard early this morning

that Dong Hao from Shujue Group

has reached out.

Dong Hao?

He wouldn't do that.

I'm telling you.

I'll have to take measures if you don't leave now!

Wait.

Wait, sir.

Trust me.

You call Ms. Tao

and tell her it's Qiao Zhi. She will definitely come downstairs.

Do you have Ms. Tao's number?

How could I have her number?

Leave!

Go!

Go away!

- Wait! - Leave!

Hello, Ms. Tao.

I told you. You have to trust me.

I really know Ms. Tao.

Go!

Listen to me.

Just one second.

Wait.

No.

Go!

Go away!

Go!

Ms. Tao!

Ms. Tao! Auntie Nanfang!

Auntie Nanfang!

It's me, Auntie Nanfang! It's Qiao Zhi!

Qiao Zhi?

Let go of him.

- Ms. Tao. - Ms. Tao.

You look different.

You are a grown-up man now.

Auntie Nanfang,

you look exactly the same.

They are still scared of you.

Stop it.

When did you come back?

I thought you were in Singapore.

I was.

I just graduated,

and I feel like it's better to be around home.

Of course.

By the way,

have you found a job?

Not yet.

Song,

this is my godson.

Check which department has a vacancy.

No.

It's okay.

I'm not here for a job.

Before I came here, I didn't even know

you are running such a big business.

It's not that big.

So you are here to...

It's alright.

Just tell me.

Then I will be straightforward.

I want to

run the Canteen again.

After all,

it's the last wish of my grandfather.

I understand.

It's your family's ancestral home.

But,

unfortunately,

I have a very important meeting to attend now.

Take my business card

and come back again tomorrow.

Let's catch up.

It won't take long, Auntie Nanfang.

I can tell you in the car. I will leave when you get there.

Wait.

I really can't take you with me today.

This is the car, right?

Auntie Nanfang,

how are you?

I'm fine.

Why do I smell

some Chinese medicine from you?

And your complexion.

Did you just have an operation?

It's just a small one.

By the way,

why didn't you

tell us anything

after you went abroad?

Are you still mad at us?

You took care of Grandfather's funeral,

and you supported me to finish high school.

To be honest,

I owe you a lot.

My father was dwelling on what happened,

and soon after you left the country, he passed away.

He especially told me

not to tell you.

He was ashamed to see you.

Mr. Tao

was framed as well.

It was not his fault.

I heard

that Zhan Jun

was behind everything.

Wait.

You just said

that you wanted to reopen the restaurant.

Are you trying to take revenge?

Not at all.

What can I do?

I'm just a young man.

How can I fight against the entire catering industry?

All I want

is to fulfill my grandfather's last wish

and run the Canteen again.

Back then, he mortgaged the house for the fine.

I know

it was always a regret for your grandfather.

The Tao family

owes you a lot.

I can get the Canteen back for you,

but as for running it,

you need to listen to me,

forget about it.

Auntie Nanfang,

I'm actually good at cooking.

Perhaps you can try the food I make first.

It's not about cooking.

Even if you are as good as your grandfather,

it's a different world now.

But I think

the meaning of cooking

has never changed since the creation of human beings.

How about this?

I'm attending a cooking contest later.

If you are interested,

you can go with me,

but you have to promise me

that no matter what happens,

you cannot act on impulse.

Don't worry.

I'll be your assistant,

standing quietly behind you

with a bright smile.

I'm going to see Zhan Jun.

Let's say Zhan Jun was only a chess piece

back then when he framed your grandfather.

[Cooking Contest] Now, he is the mastermind of the game.

He is a two-time King of Chefs, the leader of the catering industry,

and he dominates the food delivery application,

pre-made food,

and the production of food ingredients.

He is already

a giant influence on people's life.

You are also

an impressive female president.

President?

I'm simply a businesswoman.

I don't stand a chance against the capitalists.

Did Zhan Jun give you pressure?

If it weren't for my health,

I wouldn't have considered selling the company.

This cooking contest is his idea

of settling conflicts.

Alright.

Enough talking.

I'm so sorry, everyone.

Mr. Huang.

Welcome.

Huang Cheng,

[Huang Cheng, Kuaiyin Group's President] owner of a short video platform

that dominates the traffic and views.

He is the one Zhan Jun wants to make friends with the most.

Xu Hexiang,

[Xu Hexiang, well-known food critic] an authority in the culinary world.

Food is the most important thing for him.

This lady

is probably his meal pal.

[Xu Hui, Xu Hexiang's meal pal]

The rest is the vice director of the provincial TV station

and the shareholder of Baiwei Group.

So the one in the center of them

must be Zhan Jun.

[Zhan Jun, two-time King of Chefs, President of Baiwei Group]

Ms. Tao,

you are always on time.

I told you.

It depends on your schedule.

There's no rush.

I don't think you would want to purchase

a company with no credibility. Am I right, Mr. Zhan?

Well said.

I look forward

to this merger and acquisition.

I hope it goes smoothly.

You seem relaxed.

I guess you are confident

in winning this cooking contest.

In fact,

I have a suggestion,

but I'm not sure if it's appropriate.

Go ahead.

I heard that your daughter

just graduated from university.

She is five years younger than my son,

and they have

known each other for a long time.

We can

do something for them.

If they are into each other and get married,

the one hundred million

is still between us.

It can be seen

as the bride price, right?

They said

that a married daughter

is like water cast out.

Mr. Zhan,

you are trying to take both my money and my girl.

Ms. Tao, you are humorous.

This way.

Please.

Do you know who is also here?

Mr. Xu!

[Pufferfish Cooking Contest]

Today,

the contestants of the cooking contest

are Ms. Tao Nanfang, the founder of Huaixiang Restaurant,

and Mr. Zhan Jun, the current King of Chefs

and the president of Baiwei Group.

Everyone here today has the chance

to try the food

prepared by both top chefs.

After that, you can rate

and comment

on their performances.

The theme of this cooking contest

is pufferfish.

First of all,

let's welcome

the master of Huaiyang cuisine,

Mr. Zhang Yang.

Next,

let's welcome

the King of Chefs,

Mr. Zhan Jun.

Are you doing it personally?

This is the utmost respect

for Huaixiang Group.

It's my honor.

The contest is about to begin.

Let's

look forward to it.

Pufferfish is tender and full of flavor

with no bones.

It's high in protein

and more nutritious than other fishes.

It's well-known both in China and abroad.

Since over 2,000 years ago,

pufferfish have been treated as a delicacy in China.

There is an old saying that fish is tasteless

unless it's pufferfish,

but after trying pufferfish, nothing else tastes good anymore.

Su Dongpo, the ancient poet, loved pufferfish in particular.

He once said it was worth dying to try it.

Mei Yaochen wrote a poem about it.

"On spring isles, reeds awake anew.

Along the banks, catkins drift and dance.

It is the time when pufferfish appear.

Their worth outshines all fish and prawns."

Pufferfish

[Xu Kang'an, an esteemed national chef] is a popular dish in Huaiyang cuisine.

Zhan Jun is also very good at Huaiyang cuisine.

It's going to be tough for you.

Auntie Nanfang,

he is making Japanese cuisine.

Japanese cuisine?

Huaiyang cuisine is particular in knife work.

Zhan Jun

is still having it.

It is braised pufferfish, a classic of Huaiyang cuisine.

The skin and scales are carefully handled,

and the sauce is well-prepared.

He is good,

but...

Why are you here in the kitchen?

It's closed.

I'm not here for food.

Sir,

what's the ingredient of this peach blossom liquor?

You have a good eye.

This liquor

is made

with fresh peach blossom and glutinous rice

by our boss.

Nice. I will take it.

I will scan the code.

No problem.

Alright. It's done.

Okay.

Well,

may I borrow

your uniform as well?

Alright.

The dishes of the chefs are ready.

Now, let's invite Mr. Zhang Yang

to introduce his dish.

This is braised pufferfish with rice.

It's your turn now, Mr. Zhan Jun.

This is the nine tastes of pufferfish.

You must have heard

about fugu, the pufferfish sashimi from Japan,

but there is

more about pufferfish

in traditional Japanese cuisine.

It strikes for the diversity of taste and texture

and pays attention to every detail.

Now,

please enjoy the art

of the nine tastes of pufferfish.

Look at the knife work.

He is indeed a master of sashimi.

I've never heard of these ways of making pufferfish.

The Japanese understanding of pufferfish cuisine is indeed unique.

I learn a lot.

Wait a second!

The rule of the cooking contest

is to make only one dish.

In Japanese cuisine,

the nine tastes of pufferfish is one dish.

I see. This is your trick.

Please understand, Ms. Tao.

This is a cultural difference.

Alright.

Now, all judges and guests

can give them a try.

Now,

all judges and guests

can cast your vote.

[Live result of cooking contest] [Huaixiang Group, Baiwei Group]

As you can see,

we have the result,

and you can see it clearly

from the screen.

Now,

I announce...

Wait a second!

Everyone,

in fact, our dish also offers

two tastes of pufferfish.

You are...

I'm the assistant of Mr. Zhang.

He hasn't completed the dish.

Right?

Alright.

What is he doing?

Whether it's nine tastes of fish or eight ways of cooking beef,

it's from our ancestors.

Japan?

How long have the Japanese been cooking pufferfish?

We Chinese

have been aiming

for a higher level of food since the Tang dynasty.

Food

is not just to fill our stomachs three times a day.

There is another name for it

called "delicacy".

We love our food to be tasty

and special as well.

From Ouyang Xiu to Su Dongpo,

all the literati of the Song dynasty showed

their aspiration for delicacies,

and this dish

is the best example

of tasty and special.

"Master Zhuang Zhou turned into a butterfly in his morning dream,

Emperor Du Yu consigned his bitter heart to the cuckoo's cry.

By the vast sea, the moon lit the pearls from mermaid's tears,

At indigo fields, the sun warms jade

that engenders smoke."

This is the Dream of Zhuang Zhou.

Please enjoy it.

Is this

from Jingui Recipes?

Pufferfish cuisine

was invented by the Chinese people!

Now, judges and guests,

please try this Dream of Zhuang Zhou.

You can cast your vote now.

[Live result of cooking contest] [Huaixiang Group, Baiwei Group]

They have the same votes.

It's a draw.

Mr. Xu,

you should announce the result officially.

Since it's a draw,

we should respect everyone's choice.

This cooking contest

has no winner or loser.

Great.

This is the first time.

How about

the valuation?

In regard to the merger,

there are still some disagreements within the company.

Mr. Zhan,

please give us a bit more time.

See you later.

Zhan Jun is indeed a cunning man.

It's going to be a difficult fight.

[Zhan Shikun, son of Zhan Jun]

[Board director of Baiwei Group] Dad,

congratulations!

You got it again!

Stop it. It's a draw.

How's that possible?

Is anyone in Huaixiang a match for you?

Tang!

Mr. Zhan.

Did you see the cooking contest?

Of course.

The Dream of Zhuang Zhou from Huaixiang Restaurant

is impressive.

It literally attracted butterflies!

I've never seen anything like that.

Alright.

Let's have a drink later.

Sure, Mr. Zhan.

I have no idea where Zhang Yang learned this.

Dream of Zhuang Zhou.

I feel like I've heard of it.

It doesn't matter.

I will figure it out.

More importantly, did you mention the marriage?

She is not interested at all.

Didn't you say that her daughter

is fond of you?

That's right.

She admires me.

I got her the job at the TV station.

I thought

Dong Hao's response would be a good start,

but if Huaixiang Restaurant refuses us,

we will have no chance with the eight major restaurants.

Dad,

I'll get it.

Also,

do some research

on the chef who showed up later.

[Huaixiang Group]

[Resignation, Zhang Yang]

Are you leaving?

That's right.

Without Qiao Zhi,

I would have lost.

I failed the trust

of the company.

Ms. Tao,

Qiao Zhi

is the man that Huaixiang Group needs.

You saw it yourself.

Young people

really like his dishes.

Innovation

and young consumers

are what we need now.

I admit that I can't do it.

That's why I quit.

Thank you so much

for your help

over these years.

I'm very grateful.

Young man,

I hope

we can cook together again

in the future.

Anytime.

You are good.

It's been so many years,

and you immediately

surprised me.

Take a seat.

Did your grandfather

give you the Jingui Recipes?

What recipes?

I've never heard of it.

Don't hide it from me.

What you just made

is from Jingui Recipes, right?

Without the half of the recipes he has,

Zhan Jun would not have had the achievement today.

I just

learned a bit from my grandfather.

I'm glad I didn't embarrass you.

You are good.

I mean it.

However, one of my chefs left because of this.

You need to take some responsibility.

If you invest in the Canteen,

I will be working for you,

right?

I've changed my mind.

Really?

I told you. I can cook.

In fact, it's not a lot of money.

I need to spend over seven million

to get your family house back.

Wait.

You said you would give it to me.

Did I?

You did. You definitely did!

Also, I won the contest for you.

I earned you one hundred million.

Let's say it's a commission of ten percent.

It's not too much.

There is no one hundred million.

I heard it.

You are going to sell the company, and he is going to buy it.

If you win, he will give you an extra one hundred million.

Am I right?

I'm not going to sell the company.

Why?

You were right earlier.

I did have a major operation.

It was cancer.

The chance of relapse is high.

I had no choice

but to sell the company.

Then you should be taking a rest now.

Why are you still working?

It's such a big company.

It's not an option for me to rest.

However,

since you are here now,

I have a new idea.

Me?

What do you mean?

I can invest ten million

in the Canteen for you,

but with two conditions.

First,

you have to work for Huaixiang Group for a year.

Second,

I want you to marry my daughter

and help her get a foothold in the company.

Wait a second.

Let's go through it one by one.

Work for you

for a year?

Is there a problem?

Our families have known each other for a long time.

We've been working together since the generation

of your great-great-grandfather.

The Tao family is in trouble now.

Are you going to sit aside?

Alright.

I can do that,

but

marrying your daughter?

It's way too much.

We've never seen each other!

Don't you know?

Your grandfather and my father

arranged the marriage for you when you were kids.

I'm trying to complete their wish.

I heard about it,

but I was only five.

They must have been joking.

Qiao Zhi,

I don't have

much time left.

The only thing in the world

I'm worried about is my daughter.

Of course,

I'm also worried about you.

If you can be together and support each other,

even if I'm gone,

my mind will be at ease.

You are fine. Stop saying things like that.

You will be fine.

You will live a long life.

What I mean

is that we don't know each other.

Even if I agree, she might say no.

Great.

I know you will agree.

Wait, that's not what I'm saying.

The elders

would rest in peace

in heaven.

Wait a second, Auntie Nanfang. I'm saying

that your daughter might not like me.

No way.

She has seen you.

It's true

that it has been many years,

and you've both changed a bit.

Well,

I can set up a meeting for you two.

When you are familiar with each other,

it won't be a problem at all.

Why would anyone have a blind date at a nightclub?

Is she an alcoholic?

Hi,

may I ask where triple eight is?

You must be Miss Tao's friend.

Follow me. This way.

Sir,

that's triple eight.

That is triple eight?

That's right.

Miss Tao has been waiting for you for a while.

It's been over ten years, but how could she have gained so much weight?

That's why I'm against delivery food.

Let's go.

Wait.

Don't drag me, man.

Wait...

Miss Tao.

Miss Tao.

Hi.

Are you Qiao Zhi?

Let's play some games first.

Let's focus on the business.

Here is the thing.

Our families go way back.

Your mother is my godmother.

She must've been too excited when she saw me,

and that's why she came up with this crazy idea.

Miss Tao,

you just graduated, right?

You are young.

You still have a lot of time.

You don't need to get married so early.

We can talk to your mother together

and talk her out of it.

What do you think?

I think my mom makes good judgments of people.

You are not bad.

Wait.

We don't have to enter

the grave of love at this age.

Look at him.

And him.

And him.

Aren't they a better choice?

I can still have fun after marriage.

Why are you kissing me all of a sudden?

You look down upon me?

That's not true.

I don't mean that.

I mean, we just know each other.

It's not appropriate to kiss right away.

I know you want my mom's investment.

So, do you want to get the money or not?

In regard to the money,

I will figure it out.

Thank you.

See you.

Sir.

Sir.

Miss Tao wants to see you.

It's okay.

Listen to me.

It's the real Miss Tao.

It's over!

She is showing me her power, isn't she?

♪One day♪

♪In front of me♪

♪You'll look at my face♪

♪I'll tell you♪

♪My oaths♪

♪One by one♪

♪You'll find♪

♪Oh, my heart♪

♪Has never changed♪

♪Just like the sea♪

♪That always reflects♪

♪The scene of the sky♪

♪I'll take you out of the hustle-bustle of the world♪

♪To go wild freely♪

♪Don't worry about the journey ahead♪

♪Just keep going♪

♪You'll find the tears I left behind♪

♪You'll also see me writing my own poems♪

♪And I'll always hold you tight♪

♪I'll take you out of the hustle-bustle of the world♪

♪To go wild freely♪

♪Don't worry about the journey ahead♪

♪Just keep going♪

♪You'll find the tears I left behind♪

♪You'll also see me writing my own poems♪

♪And I'll always hold you tight♪