A Bite of China

Chapter 48: A Bite of China

"Xiaoqiu, I feel like our show has hit a plateau. We need a breakthrough to make something better," Jiang Hao said.

"What kind of show? Still a roast-style one?" Zhen Xiaoqiu asked.

Roast-style.

Jiang Hao thought to himself, I wouldn't dare roast this show.

Though the two had now launched the Pissing Beef Balls company, they hadn't given up filming TV shows. Luckily, the company was on track with a professional manager handling things, so the bosses didn't need to worry.

"I'm planning to go to the mainland to shoot a food documentary. I've already got a title—'A Bite of China.' Here's a proposal; take a look first," Jiang Hao said, handing her a thin folder he'd whipped up over the past two days.

Zhen Xiaoqiu finished reading quickly and stared at him in surprise. "This concept is really good. And these lines—how did you come up with them? Saturated fatty acids, crude fats, crude fiber, multiple amino acids—it sounds so high-end."

"And these passages—are you writing poetry? 'Home, where life begins, a person's whole life is a journey back home. Under the same roof, they light fires, cook meals, use food to bind the family, comfort their loved ones. In the ordinary pots and pans, Chinese life is filled, and Chinese ethics are reflected. People grow, love, part, reunite. Home-cooked flavors are also the tastes of life.'"

"'This is a China in upheaval; people and food move faster than ever. No matter how hurried their steps, no matter how involuntary the gatherings and partings, the joys and sorrows, there is always one flavor that, in its unique way, reminds us three times a day on the tongue: to know where we're going tomorrow, and not forget where we came from yesterday.'"

"'Half a lifetime of wandering brings a thriving estate, children and grandchildren aplenty. The footsteps of a lifetime, start and end, ultimately lead back to where home is. This is the faith the Chinese people have upheld for a thousand years—simple, yet powerful.'"

Jiang Hao said, "For this show, I plan to send out three teams to shoot separately. The content needs artistic value and human touch, so the audience can experience a spiritual cleansing while enjoying the food."

"We need to achieve not just visual pleasure and taste sensation, but also a spiritual impact. Let Hong Kong viewers, even all of Asia and the world, see what mainland cuisine truly contains."

Zhen Xiaoqiu frowned. "This documentary is too big in scale. The cost must be huge. ATV definitely won't approve it."

"I plan to fund it myself," Jiang Hao said.

What else was he making money for, if not for things like this?

"Fund it yourself? Your plan covers running all over the mainland. That's no small investment," Xiaoqiu said.

"I estimate the first season will cost about three million," Jiang Hao said. Back in the day, the original A Bite of China team only spent 4.5 million on production, and that was in 2012.

In truth, as long as it was well made, only the first season needed investment. After that, selling the episodes plus ad revenue should turn a profit, or at least break even.

As for Jiang Hao, his goal was to use the show as a chance to fully savor the vast and profound Chinese cuisine—something Hong Kong alone couldn't match.

Eating across the land, experiencing the food and scenery of every region—that was a dream for many. Jiang Hao had once shared it.

Too bad it was just a wish back then.

Now, he finally had the chance to make that dream come true.

"Three teams: one heads south with a bamboo theme, one north with a lake-fresh theme, and the third I'm sending to Shaolin Temple to film Shaolin cuisine," Jiang Hao said.

Zhen Xiaoqiu looked stunned. "Shaolin Temple! Cuisine! Does Shaolin Temple have cuisine?"

"Who knows? But at least the audience will be curious. Shaolin Temple is pretty famous," Jiang Hao said.

In other worlds, he didn't know, but in this one, it probably did. Tang Niu came from the Shaolin Temple kitchen, after all, and Stephen Chow's final dish was Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. The monks here might eat meat.

He had money now, so he could taste food from all over. If possible, he also wanted to learn cooking skills. Stephen Chow might only be a third-rate cook, but he had the basics. If he studied under chefs from various regions, he might become a top-tier chef.

Zhen Xiaoqiu went to ATV. She was now a well-known host. She pitched her idea for a mainland food documentary to the higher-ups. They agreed at first, but when she laid out the shooting plan, they immediately shook their heads.

Just a few episodes for one season, but the budget was three million? That was burning money. Documentaries rarely turned a profit, and they weren't in the business of losing money.

Zhen Xiaoqiu and Jiang Hao had already guessed this might happen. She proposed renting ATV's staff and equipment while funding the shoot herself, and the station heads quickly agreed.

A few days later, the filming team was assembled. Just as they were about to head to the mainland, the Hong Kong Gourmet Association announced it would hold the 28th Hong Kong God of Cookery Competition.

Reporters swarmed in for coverage. One journalist interviewed Tang Niu. "Mr. Tang, as the reigning God of Cookery, do you feel any pressure? And is there anything you'd like to say to the contestants?"

Tang Niu blinked his small eyes and said, "I only want to say this: only those who truly understand food and can truly make it deserve to be called God of Cookery. It's a chef's highest honor. Yet some people use the title to swindle and deceive—utterly shameless."

The reporters got excited. Someone shoved a mic to Tang Niu's mouth and asked, "Are you referring to Stephen Chow?"

Tang Niu didn't deny it. He nodded. "That's right, Stephen Chow. In my eyes, he's a fraud." Then he pointed at the camera and shouted, "Stephen Chow, if you've got real skill, come to this year's God of Cookery Competition. I, Tang Niu, will be waiting for you. If you hide like a turtle, then don't ever use the God of Cookery title to cheat people and tarnish its reputation."

At the airport, Jiang Hao and Zhen Xiaoqiu's group was lugging bags and bags. The moment they entered, a crowd of reporters blocked them.

Jiang Hao was puzzled. Am I really that famous now? Reporters seeing me off just for a documentary shoot?

The reporters shoved mics in his face. Someone shouted, "Stephen Chow, the current God of Cookery, Tang Niu, says you can't cook at all and that everything you do is fake and fraudulent. What's your response?"

"Stephen Chow, Tang Niu has challenged you to the new God of Cookery Competition. He says if you don't show up, you're a turtle. Will you participate?"

"Stephen Chow—"

Jiang Hao was still confused, having no idea what was going on. "What are you all talking about? I don't understand," he said.

A reporter explained what had happened half a day ago. Only then did Jiang Hao get it. He thought for a moment and said, "Invite me to the God of Cookery Competition? One month from now? Sure, I'd be happy to join."

"But please tell the Hong Kong Gourmet Association this: if they want me to participate, they have to agree to one condition—I get to taste every single dish."