Interviews with big names
We are digging the story behind the catering people, from the chef behind the scenes to the catering boss, from the construction of the catering supply chain to the presentation of the table, let us explore the pain points of the development of the catering industry and explore the future development trend of the catering industry.
Li Yong Zhou
UNESCO "Ambassador for the Promotion of Chinese Catering Culture"
Executive Chairman of the Celebrity Chef Professional Committee of the China Hotel Association
President of the Celebrity Chef Professional Committee of Guangdong Food Culture Research Association
French International Gastronomy Association "Doctor of International Cuisine"
Meritorious culinary master of the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up of Chinese hotel catering
Chairman of Guangzhou Peninsula Investment Group
After watching the first issue of "Interview with Big Coffee| (Part 1): Opportunity to Favor Those Who Are Prepared", I believe that everyone is a little unfinished. In this interview, Dr. Lee not only explains that "a few footprints in one step is practical", but also shares "how to continue to maintain the embodiment of brand value during the epidemic".
Moderator: Li Dong, how do you think of the phrase "being down-to-earth is not one step at a time, but several footprints at a time"?
Dr. Li Yong Zhou
Dr. Lee: "Step by step" is a perfect ideal state, and the possibility of this happening in real life is not very likely.
"Step by step" means that you are working hard, but with each step you continue to move forward a little. If the environment changes, we are likely to be forced to retreat.
Moving forward, being forced to retreat in the face of setbacks, and then moving on...
Repeating "forward, backward" will eventually show the phenomenon of "several footprints in one step". In fact, we should be mentally prepared, life will not be smooth, encounter setbacks to temporarily retreat, and then continue to move forward, is the norm of life.
Moderator: It turns out that "several footprints in one step" means this. You mentioned earlier that "in the face of the epidemic in 2020, the whole group will work together to eventually maintain a profitable state", how do you continue to maintain the embodiment of brand value during the epidemic?
Dr. Lee: To understand "how to continue to reflect the social value of a brand", we first need to understand "what a brand is". Brand is an image and mental cognition of the enterprise by the customer.
During the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, we donated 309,000 yuan of full consumption meal coupons to medical staff and their families in Guangzhou who supported Wuhan. This is an act that does not seek any economic returns, but through this kind of public welfare behavior, we let the society and customers perceive the existence of the Guangzhou Peninsula catering brand during the epidemic. More importantly, we have been passing on our brand values, responsibility, kindness and conscience. This sense of brand presence is very important!
The more difficult and arduous it is, the more we must not forget our original intention, always remember how we will face customers and society now and in the future, and reflect a sense of responsibility.
In 2020, in the United States, we asked Zhen Wenda to lead a team to deliver takeaways to hospitals. After the outbreak of the epidemic in the United States, everyone was very scared, and we bucked the trend and did our best to fight for the frontline of medical care. At that time, many media in the United States reported on this matter, and our customers were very touched and thanked us for being able to stand up for this critical moment.
* Zhen Wenda: Chinese-American, is a famous Chinese chef and cooking TV presenter in the United States. The host of the world-renowned cooking show "YANCANCOOK" is also the first TV person to successfully introduce Chinese food culture to mainstream society in the United States and Canada.
Mibida, USA, On the Peninsula
Customers can feel the sincerity and kindness of Peninsula Restaurant Group, a Chinese food brand, and convey the sincerity and kindness of our nation from another angle - this is the power of the brand.
Facing the society in a down-to-earth manner and confidently coping with periodic emergencies and difficulties is the belief we have always adhered to.
In 2021, the epidemic was repeated, and during the closure period, we did not complain about ourselves, but instead carried out large-scale store renovations and renovations, because we were confident to face the difficulties at this stage.
Next month, Peninsula will open another store in Guangzhou because I am confident about the future. I want to encourage employees and tell customers: we have the ability and confidence to face the epidemic; we have the confidence, ability and responsibility to continue to do a good job in the good service we should do for customers and society.
Peninsula Haoyuan Restaurant (Guangzhou K11 Store)
Host: It is indeed not easy to interrupt brand building because of staged difficulties, and to continuously maintain the value of the brand.
In 2020, the Celebrity Chef Professional Committee of Guangdong Food Culture Research Association (hereinafter referred to as "Celebrity Chef Committee") cooperated with Shanghai UBM Wah International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "UBM Wah") to hold the "Food Shang Star Chef Series Activities", and in 2021, the "Celebrity Chef Committee" became the organizer of the Guangzhou Catering Supply Chain Exhibition and the World Food Guangzhou Exhibition.
Dr. Li: We have not been engaged in the exhibition industry before, but we have been precipitating in the catering industry for many years and have relatively many catering industry resources; "Bohua" has been deeply engaged in the exhibition industry for more than 30 years and is a leading brand in the exhibition industry, and the combination of the two believes that it can achieve the effect of 1+1>2.
I am working with "UBM Wah" with a learning mentality, and being a student requires a price to pay, and I have been well prepared and confident that no matter what difficulties we encounter, we will deal with them steadily.
Whether running a business or hosting an exhibition, Dr. Lee has a strong belief. Step by step, run the enterprise steadily; be well prepared and confident to do a good job in the exhibition.
Let's look forward to the 2022 Guangzhou Catering Supply Chain Exhibition!
And much more
Stay tuned for the next issue of "Big Coffee Interview"!