Chef at the University Canteen

Chapter 570 309: How Did the Seventh Dining Hall Suddenly Become So Popular?

"Mmm~ The taste of this barbecue is just amazing, especially the lamb skewers and beef skewers, tender and juicy, bursting with flavor in every bite, much better than any barbecue I've had in the city by countless times!"

"The grilled vegetables are also delicious, like this garlic eggplant, grilled chives, and grilled potatoes. I feel like I could eat these for a lifetime and never get tired of them!"

"Are your eyes only fixed on the barbecue? How can you miss the delicious spicy snails and spicy crayfish? Ice-cold beer is a perfect match with these!"

"These snails are really flavorful. It's not even about the meat; it's the taste you get when you suck on them — a mouthful of spicy, salty, savory goodness that's so addictive, even though it's really spicy, you can't stop!"

"You know, before spicy crayfish became popular across Jiangnan and beyond, having a serving of spicy snails with beer in summer was the ultimate favorite of us Jiangzhou folks for summer nights!"

"That love hasn't diminished much even now. At those night market stalls, almost every stand sells spicy snails... Hey, don't grab mine! Can't you get your own if you want some?"

"..."

Inside and outside the Seventh Dining Hall, students with radiant smiles were everywhere. Most of them, as usual, didn't care what Senior Brother Jiang made; they just ate it and talked later.

You must remember one thing: how could anything made by Senior Brother Jiang be anything but delicious?!

These people each held plates filled with all sorts of food, eating with oil dripping down their mouths, sweating all over. Some didn't even bother to sip the beer.

Kidding, beer isn't made by Senior Brother Jiang, so it's for later. Right now, stomach space should be saved for barbecue, snails, and crayfish. These are the rare delicacies, and who knows when they'll get them again?

Besides these "food comes first" types, there were others who were much more relaxed.

Though they also craved the delicacies prepared by Senior Brother Jiang, they weren't as rushed as when the Seventh Dining Hall first opened, mostly just having a taste, not stuffing themselves like others did.

They came to the Seventh Dining Hall not just to enjoy these rare treats but more to relieve the stress from intense studying. In this long summer vacation, apart from Senior Brother Jiang and his Seventh Dining Hall, who else would care about their stress levels?

That's why some students once marveled at how considerate Senior Brother Jiang was to the juniors, and it was indeed true.

Look at Senior Brother Jiang, too busy to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and the students inside and outside the hall, joyfully engaged in eating — who wouldn't marvel at the sight?

Even though Senior Brother Jiang previously mentioned that ice-cold beer was free, the students didn't grab too much at once, mostly taking one bottle at a time. After all, the senior said the beer was abundant, and they could get more after finishing.

Besides his advice, "drink moderately, don't get drunk and affect tomorrow's studying," another reason was that the ice-cold beer outside didn't seem plentiful, with quite some still chilling. They certainly wouldn't hog it all and leave none for others.

Students who usually could only hide in the study room burying their heads in books finally had a venue and moment to let loose, naturally with no reservations. They didn't crowd the small dining room space, instead buying food and grabbing a beer, relaxing on the lawn outside the hall under the cool night breeze, chatting and enjoying beer with barbecue.

This experience was indeed more delightful and enjoyable than a trip with a few friends.

Inside the Seventh Dining Hall, student bands invited to participate were still performing in turns. Compared to the energetic music at the start of the event, the tunes now flowing from the speakers were much more soothing and peaceful.

They simply couldn't help it; seeing other students eagerly eating with happy faces, the band members were tempted too!

Of course, they had long known that Senior Brother Jiang at the Seventh Dining Hall was a culinary master. It's said that just a taste of his food would leave a lasting impression, even better than the complex and carefully crafted dishes in big-city fine-dining.

Initially hearing such tales, these self-confident and proud musical talents naturally took it as a joke.

Joking aside, being in a university band usually meant they didn't lack money. These young masters barely ate at the school dining hall, always opting for big restaurants in the city with friends.

Not to mention, since the band gained some fame, their family connections often got them gigs in the city, further reducing their visits to school.

Thus, they dismissed the Seventh Dining Hall rumors as mere jokes and never bothered to delve deeper. One reason was time; between occasional classes, they had band practice to worry about, barely having time for girlfriends, let alone a school dining hall cook.

The second was simply disdain. Maybe Senior Brother Jiang's food was indeed tasty, but no way it surpassed the chefs of the city's grand restaurants.

Otherwise, why would Senior Brother Jiang stay in a tiring, non-profit student canteen instead of working in a city restaurant?

The explanation was easy: these ordinary students likely hadn't visited fancy restaurants much, knowing little of true gourmet cuisine.

Simply choosing the tallest among the short ones in their limited knowledge!

For this weekend's performance invite, the band members were hesitant. After over a week of city performances, everyone was exhausted and wanted some campus downtime.

But, seeing how the Seventh Dining Hall's beer and barbecue carnival sent the school into a frenzy, full of excited, invigorated students constantly talking about the event, left them stunned.

They were like outsiders, puzzled and unable to comprehend their peers' reactions.

How did the Seventh Dining Hall suddenly become so popular?