Character Legend: The Gastronomic Years of Cheng Ruming and Chairman Mao
Looking back at history, the life of China's great leader Chairman Mao is undoubtedly a monument, but there are few details about his diet in many biographies. However, the memories of Chairman Mao's chef Cheng Ruming that have circulated in recent years reveal the precious memories behind the table of this great man.
Cheng Ruming, an unknown ordinary chef, became Chairman Mao's personal chef because of his craftsmanship and perseverance. The fate with Chairman Mao begins in the 50s of the 20th century. Cheng Ru went out to work when he was young next year, and by chance learned cooking skills and became an excellent chef. In 1950, he got the rare opportunity to become an employee of the state-owned railway.
As his culinary skills unfolded, Cheng gained more and more opportunities, and in 1952 he was appointed to serve the Conference on the Defense of Regional Peace in Asia and the Pacific, where he became an acclaimed chef. His hard work also earned him the opportunity to join the Communist Party of China, paving the way for even more important missions in the future.
In 1954, Cheng Ruming ushered in a major turning point in his career. During Chairman Mao's inspection, Cheng Ruming was responsible for cooking for Chairman Mao and his entourage, and began to get close to the great man. Especially by chance, Cheng Ruming won his favor with a dish made for Chairman Mao, which became an opportunity for their relationship to go further.
Cheng Ruming deeply understood Chairman Mao's tastes and preferences, and he was not only good at studying various cuisines, but also knew how to prepare suitable dishes for the Chairman. From braised pork to sauce fried, behind every dish is Cheng Ruming's ingenuity and intention. Chairman Mao's praise and trust in him made Cheng Ruming Chairman Mao's personal chef, serving him and his family delicious dishes.
On Chairman Mao's dining table, Cheng Ruming's figure has always accompanied him. However, in the 70s, there was a puzzling phenomenon: Chairman Mao no longer ate chili peppers. Many people have speculated whether it was for health reasons that doctors did not allow him to eat spicy. However, Cheng Ruming revealed the truth: Chairman Mao believed that the chili pepper caused him to cough, so he decided not to eat it on his own. Cheng Ruming firmly stated in his recollections that Chairman Mao was very clear about his physical condition and that the doctor's advice was not absolute for him.
Cheng Ruming's professionalism and meticulousness made him an indispensable figure around Chairman Mao. He always strictly follows the rule of not leaking the menu to ensure the safety of the leader's catering. He remained at his post in obscurity and made indelible contributions to the cause of Chairman Mao and the Party
In 2002, the Beijing Cuisine Association awarded Cheng Ruming the title of "National Treasure Master of Cooking", an honor that only a few chefs in the entire city of Beijing at that time had received. And this honor also further consolidated Cheng Ruming's position in the culinary world, making his Chengfu banquet reputation even more famous in the capital.
Cheng Ruming has set numerous "firsts" in the restaurant industry, and his restaurant has become a place frequented by dignitaries and celebrities. However, he always maintained that humility and low profile, as if he had never left Chairman Mao's side, and as always, he focused on the innovation and improvement of dishes.
Although the years have passed, Cheng Ruming still maintains a deep nostalgia for Chairman Mao. Whenever he recalled his years at Chairman Mao's side, he always had a faint smile on his eyebrows and the corners of his eyes. He recalled Chairman Mao's praise for him, his taste of the dishes, those subtle expressions, affectionate eyes, as if they were all re-displayed in front of him.
Cheng Ruming knows that Chairman Mao is a person who can feel his heart without words, and every trace of satisfaction and admiration in his meal has become the pride and motivation of Cheng Ruming's life.
Looking back on the past, Cheng Ruming couldn't help but sigh with emotion. After Chairman Mao's death, his world seemed to be more lost. However, he firmly believed that Chairman Mao's spirit would never disappear, and their delicious memories and precious times were deeply engraved in his heart.
Now Cheng Ruming is already an old man in his eighties, his face is full of traces of time, but his eyes are still full of vitality and wisdom. He still stays in the kitchen every day, personally presides over the preparation of dishes, and constantly pursues higher culinary realms.
Whether it is Chairman Mao's home cook or the famous chef who founded Chengfu Banquet, Cheng Ruming has forged an immortal culinary legend with his sincerity and persistence. With his own hands, he integrated his love of cooking and reverence for Chairman Mao into every dish, making food an eternal bond between him and Chairman Mao.
Today, Cheng Ruming's story is still being passed down in people's mouths, and his name has become a legend in the Chinese restaurant industry. And that time he spent with Chairman Mao has already carved an immortal mark in the long river of history and has become a good story to remember forever.