Huayu Chef

002 Xuanxuan, my duck

"Wild Kitchen" is a reality show on Hunan TV that explores food in the wild. Zhang Jinxuan borrowed the idea and modified it.

Why make such drastic modifications?

Because the original version wasn't good.

The show was a flop, failing to make a splash, and even the main MCs Wang Han, Li Wei, and Lin Yanjun couldn't save it.

Another point is that Zhang Jinxuan is relatively unknown, lacking popularity, capital, and platform connections, making it impossible for him to produce a production as luxurious as the original, where every aspect was top-notch.

The new version is a censored, self-made long video with only one MC, Zhang Jinxuan.

Similar to Chef Xie's "Chef Nic's Taste of Life," it's a personal talent show where the entire video serves one person.

It will really test Zhang Jinxuan's sense of variety and his ability to control the pace.

As for cooking skills, Teacher Huang Lei has already given a generous demonstration. Zhang Jinxuan really knows how to cook, so what's there to be afraid of?

The original "Wild Kitchen" involved regular MCs and guests driving to various "wild" locations to find different types of wild food with regional characteristics. They then used natural ingredients and cooking methods to restore the original flavor of life, return to nature to find their true selves, and trek through mountains and valleys to have fun together.

The new version is similar, with each episode featuring a main dish. Zhang Jinxuan leads his team to the place of origin or fame of this dish to find unique ingredients.

They didn't bring any tableware or cooking utensils; they used whatever was available locally and cooked the dishes using their own abilities.

By exploring the process of finding ingredients and cooking, the show reveals the culinary philosophy behind each dish and the local food culture to the audience.

Using food as a window into the world, the show unlocks the natural beauty of China's magnificent landscapes, bringing the audience a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

This is what it means to have a grand vision.

Hands on hips, leaning back tactically.

Although the new version has increased the intensity and difficulty for MCs, demanding extremely high cooking skills and with a near 100% chance of making a mistake, as long as they don't fabricate a "god of cooking" persona, accurately position themselves, and promote the show's concept, they won't be ridiculed like Huang Lei even if they make a mistake.

I don't care about teasing or anything like that.

Zhang Jinxuan doesn't mind becoming the subject of netizens' memes. Even though Kun Kun has been out of the entertainment industry for several years, there are still a lot of people on various platforms spamming "Chicken You Are So Beautiful", "Chicken Feet", and "Little Blackie".

A viral meme is a manifestation of strong public popularity.

Wang Jingze earning millions a year with his "It smells so good!" meme speaks volumes.

The new version of "Wild Kitchen" has a clear concept, which makes it easier to manage each episode. Each episode will feature a main dish, and the first few episodes will focus on local specialties in Beijing, minimizing production costs.

The first episode, without a doubt, will feature Peking duck as the main dish.

There's a tricky part to making this dish: the ducks used are "force-fed ducks" raised in the suburbs of Beijing, not wild ones, so you have to buy them. That means you have to adopt the model from "Back to Field" and earn your wages through labor.

For example, try being a duck farmer.

This setting will be added later when the data is better. In the early stages, everything will be kept simple, just various fun activities and cooking.

The show is sure to be entertaining and engaging, and it can also capitalize on the popularity of "A Bite of China" and reap the benefits of reality TV before "Where Are We Going, Dad?" airs at the end of the year.

"Huh, did I just say something strange? Hmm, the clever little Watsons must have already spotted the blind spot. The blind spot is that I have a dual identity: I'm both a chef and an actor."

"The smarter kids might ask, 'If you don't act, why are you a chef?'"

"That's a long story, but we won't go into the details."

Zhuangzhuang grinned as he held up the camera. It had been a while since we'd seen Xuan Ge, and he seemed to have become more cheerful and humorous.

interesting.

"Okay, I was just joking. Acting and being a chef don't conflict at all. As Lu Xun said, a host who doesn't cook isn't a good actor, which is why I'm handsome."

"Confused yet? That's good, that was all nonsense. Let's get down to business."

"The next video I'm going to shoot is called the first episode of the 'Wild Kitchen' series."

"The food documentary 'A Bite of China' that CCTV broadcast last year was so good. The film used food as a thread to unfold the geography, climate, customs, etiquette, and lifestyle of different regions of our country, like a beautiful scroll slowly unfolding, showing the audience the profound Chinese food culture in all aspects."

"It possesses a myriad of phenomena, lofty ideals, and a grand narrative quality."

"After watching the first season, I was deeply impressed and had an idea in my mind: A Bite of China is a masterpiece, a high-level production, and a grand narrative."

"My personal abilities are limited, but I can start from small things and lead everyone to appreciate the cooking techniques, cooking concepts and local food culture behind the food by making dishes by hand, and unlock the beauty of China together."

"China is so big, I want to go out and see it."

Would you like to travel with me?

"Silence means consent; I am not alone in this path."

"Before we set off, I want to show everyone something."

"Hey, don't just look at me, look at my hands. Are my hands pretty? Cough cough, actually, I'm not looking at my hands, they're empty."

"What do you mean?"

"I won't bring any cooking utensils, kitchenware, or tableware. I'll personally source the main ingredients and use local resources to prepare each dish."

"If you're looking for a video of starting a fire by rubbing sticks together and carving a pot from stone, you won't be seeing it this time. I'm currently in Beijing. What's the most representative food in Beijing?"

Peking duck.

"Correct answer, friend from Beijing gets 10 points."

"Today my destination is a duck farm located in Jiuduhe, on the outskirts of Beijing. You may have heard of lake ducks, mallard ducks, and black ducks, but what exactly are force-fed ducks?"

"Let's talk more at the duck farm. Looking at the ducks makes us even more hungry. Peking duck, Nanjing duck, Cantonese roast duck, sweet-skinned duck, salted duck, braised duck, braised duck with ham hock, braised duck with soy sauce, duck with sesame oil, duck with tea oil, duck with tangerine peel, duck with eight-treasure gourd, roast duck, braised duck, preserved duck..."

Zhang Jinxuan rattled off the names of more than a dozen duck dishes in a row, speaking clearly and fluently without pausing. Zhuangzhuang was dumbfounded.

"Zhuangzhuang, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Zhang Jinxuan waved vigorously and strode towards the Audi A6.

VJ Zhuangzhuang quickly caught up and asked, "Brother Xuan, are we going to film more?"

"Let's stop filming now, we'll film at the duck farm."

"OK." Zhuangzhuang put away the camera, opened the car door and sat in the back seat. He said with admiration, "Brother Xuan, you were amazing just now, you know? Your tongue was so smooth. I think you're too talented to be a chef or an actor. You're best suited to be a host."

"Can't you wish me something good?"

"The truth."

Zhang Jinxuan said irritably, "If you're sincere, sit in the front. Sitting in the back makes it seem like I'm your driver."

Zhuangzhuang leaned back and said with a grin, "You're the driver today, no need to pretend. Drive, Brother Xuan."

"Fine, what do you want to eat for breakfast?"

"casual."

"I hate the word 'whatever,' so I'll treat you to some authentic Beijing-style douzhi (fermented mung bean juice)..."

Zhuangzhuang gritted his teeth and said, "I'd rather starve to death than drink soy milk."