For dishes that could be produced efficiently and deliciously, there seemed to be only one option left: set meals. Of course, they had to be high-quality set meals, so his customers would buy them.
Furthermore, the set meals couldn't be the same every day. Eating the same thing for a long time easily leads to boredom, so he needed to put some effort into this. A broad appeal was a major prerequisite.
At the same time, a popularity ranking could be held once a week to select the most popular set meal for a limited-time return. He also needed to consider the dishes normally sold.
So, the brand new business model is:
Set meals will be made and sold in bento box form at the shop entrance. The price for buying bento boxes will be cheaper than ordering set meals inside the shop, but the portions will be the same.
Separating regular dine-in customers from this group of customers can free up a lot of space inside the shop.
After all, why spend more money when you can save it? As long as there's a place to sit, be it a park bench, a corner of a stairwell, or even Ruishan Restaurant—they never said you couldn't enter without ordering.
However, the portion of these set meals must be substantial, enough to satisfy an adult male's appetite. This way, buyers will also feel it's economical and won't go to Ruishan Restaurant to spend money.
The task requires a multiple of the sales figures of the two shops. If he doesn't create sales conditions for Ruishan Restaurant, then their sales will naturally be low. As one decreases and the other increases, the multiple can become larger and larger.
"Then for the first dish, I'll use Eri Nai's eel rice. I believe no one can refuse the taste of grilled eel!"
Eel rice is incredibly fast to prepare. One grill can cook over a dozen portions of eel rice simultaneously. As long as you master the heat control, operating two or three grills at once is no problem.
As for assembling the dishes, that can be left to Ya Xiang. He only needs to ensure the taste and decide the general direction of the shop's development; other matters are not his concern.
"Kitagawa said she wanted to wear a maid outfit. It would be somewhat inconvenient for serving customers inside the shop, so I'll have her sell bento boxes at the entrance. She can also serve as the shop's facade."
Looking at the ceiling, Hoshino Sora muttered to himself. Ruishan Restaurant must also have skilled chefs. To win, he had to use every trick in the book.
But no matter what, it's best to sleep now. Only by getting enough rest can he better deal with that guy...
Drowsily, Hoshino Sora drifted off to sleep.
——————
"It smells so good, Yoshida, what are you eating?"
"Grilled eel rice. Such a big bowl for only three thousand yen, super worth it! And the maid JK at the shop entrance is amazing, exactly my type."
"3000 yen?! Where's that shop? And a maid JK? Let me go check it out—I mean, the eel rice!"
"Hoshino Restaurant. They've changed their business model. Every day they offer a different set meal, sold as bento boxes. Of course, you can also order inside the shop, but the price will be slightly higher."
"Is that the Hoshino Restaurant that won the Sanhe Street cooking competition championship?"
"Yes, that's the one!"
"Got it, I'm going to see the pretty gi... taste the delicious eel rice!"
A rich aroma drifted to every corner of Sanhe Street, and similar conversations were endless. Meanwhile, at Hoshino Sora's place, the queue for eel rice was perfectly orderly, with more people continuously joining, and anticipation on everyone's faces.
"Welcome, here's your eel rice."
With a smiling service, although already drenched in sweat under her cosplay outfit, Kitagawa Marin still faced all customers with a smile. Customers served by her felt their mood improve significantly upon seeing her smile.
Next to the shop stood a sign: Today's Special: 'Love Eel Rice'. Shop operating hours: 7 AM - 9 AM, 11 AM - 2 PM, 4 PM - 8 PM. Please note the times for queuing.
This was to consider everyone's physical strength, and also because there weren't many customers during those time slots, making them perfect for rest.
At the same time, the free time could also be used for preparing ingredients for the dinner rush. Overall, it was definitely more beneficial than harmful.
Inside the kitchen, Hoshino Sora tended the fire, simultaneously handling the eels on three grills. He was drenched in sweat, but having worked in the kitchen for a long time, his heat resistance had greatly improved.
"Another fifty portions of eel rice."
"Got it!"
After a busy period, the time finally reached two in the afternoon. Kitagawa Marin walked into the shop with a look of despair. Seeing Hoshino Sora, who came to greet her, she miserably pounced on him.
"Master Chef! I'm so tired, it's hell out there!"
She didn't hesitate to cling to the Master Chef. Rather, the maid character she was playing had such a personality—a super crazy fan of the Master Chef. Since it was cosplay, she had to respect that setting.
"Alright, alright, you worked hard, you worked hard. Go rest in the staff lounge. There's air conditioning in there, but don't set it too low. Too much temperature change will make you catch a cold."
Feeling the softness that completely enveloped him, and the complex scent of sweat that reached his nostrils—which wasn't unpleasant—Hoshino Sora shamefully reacted. But in this situation, he couldn't push Kitagawa away.
He could only open his arms and let her embrace him, his face slightly flushed, not daring to look directly at her, his heart beating unusually fast.
"Master Chef really cares about his employees, huh? Then I'll go rest now. By the way, Master Chef's heartbeat is so strong, it's pounding so hard my ears are about to burst—not in a bad way."
Perhaps feeling the pressure from Aka-ri and Rika's gazes, or perhaps thinking she had gone a bit too far, Kitagawa Marin immediately flashed a smile at Hoshino Sora, then rushed into the lounge without looking back.
"Phew..."
As soon as she sat down and let out a long sigh of relief, her face belatedly flushed, and her body felt a bit hot.
Although she had been immersed in her role all day, when she was alone, that sense of shame suddenly surged up. She couldn't help but look up at the ceiling.
"Seriously, how embarrassing."
Then, as if thinking of something, her lips curled slightly, and she covered her eyes with her hands, a relieved smile appearing on her face.
——————
"The taste is off, too tough. Have you forgotten how I taught you?"
At Ruishan Restaurant, Eizan Etsuya was sitting with his legs crossed, tasting the steak on the table. He then looked very displeased at the Master Chef beside him, who was bowing his head, profusely sweating.
"No wonder business is so dismal. Starting today, Mimaki will take your place. You'll be his assistant. Of course, you can leave if you want, but I can guarantee no restaurant will dare to hire you."
Placing his knife and fork gently on the table, Eizan Etsuya clapped his hands, and a tall, imposing figure walked in from the shop entrance, clearly having been waiting for some time.
"Understood, Senior Ruisan."
"Crush him, Mimaki!"
A cruel and triumphant smile appeared on his face. Thinking of Hoshino Sora, who had dared to refuse him that day, his heart twisted with resentment. What an arrogant brat!
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