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[The Hearth Never Goes Cold] [Close-Knit Neighbors] [Passing Down the Craft] [Standing Firm in Troubled Times] [Everyday Comforts] [A Heartwarming Journey]
Centered on Xu Family Private Kitchen, A Century of Flavor tells the story of six generations of the Xu family from 1922 to 2024. During the Republic of China era, Xu Zhiwei founded Xu Family Private Kitchen amid turmoil, earning a reputation for "authentic flavors and sincere service." His wife, Shen Xiulan, supported him as they upheld their integrity through troubled times, even risking their lives to support the resistance against the Japanese. After the victory in the war, their eldest son, Xu Shouye, took over. He weathered changes such as the public-private partnership reforms after the founding of New China, and safeguarded the restaurant alongside his wife, Lin Huizhen.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Xu Jianguo struggled to keep the family business afloat amid turmoil. After the reform and opening-up, he seized new opportunities and revamped the business with Zhao Chunyan. In the 1980s and 1990s, Xu Zhiqiang spearheaded the restaurant's expansion into a chain, Sun Xiaomei oversaw quality control and product development, and Xu Xiaoya organized the family's history. In the 21st century, Xu Yifan led the digital transformation, while Xu Yutong focused on culinary innovation. Through a balance of tradition and innovation, the younger generation breathed new life into Xu Family Private Kitchen.
Over the course of a century, the Xu family faced countless hardships, from harassment by local bullies and coercion by traitors to attacks by radicals, commercial rivalries, and counterfeit brands. They also received support from longtime customers, neighbors, and upright officials. There were conflicts within the family, but also unity. Through perseverance and wisdom, generation after generation kept the flavors of Xu Family Private Kitchen alive across a century, making it a witness to both family memories and the changing times...
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First and foremost, this is a cookbook. While seemingly about food, it's actually a testament to the enduring culture and legacy of the Chinese people. The author uses regional cuisines to represent the culture and customs of rural China. Each local specialty encapsulates the soul of the Chinese nation; food is also a nation's soft power.
"Xu's Private Kitchen: A Century of Flavors" encapsulates a century of Chinese history through a single restaurant, using the four characters "authentic taste and sincere heart" to connect six generations of dedication. From the flames of the Republic of China to the tides of reform, the Xu family has protected not only their secret recipes and techniques, but also the family spirit of "integrity…
So beautiful! So beautiful! What a delightful book! The story is captivating, and the writing is excellent. Five stars!
It's incredibly well-written, brimming with the flavor of the Republican era, the warmth of human relationships, and... The enticing aroma of food! It's so comforting and makes your mouth water. Is the author a gourmet? Five stars!