The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 139

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 139. Movement
I needed to head to D-dong.
“Where are you going?”
“To the factory.”
“Ah, the factory. That’s certainly an important place for this project. But you’re not taking a break and moving again?”
“Yes. It’s important, so I need to go. I don’t mind being busy.”
“You’ll wear yourself out like that.”
“When we’re editing, only PD Ga will be doing that.”
“Heh heh….”
Truth be told, I felt completely energized. At this rate, I could pull all-nighters for days without issue.
‘My abilities are simply different.’
PD Ga, unable to comprehend this, could only shake his head in disbelief.
If anything, I found his dedication remarkable.
As I exited the alley, PD Ga continued to follow close beside me.
“PD Ga, shouldn’t you head back?”
“Head back where? I’m coming with you.”
“But you said you already filmed enough content for the first episode.”
“One episode is one episode, but we need to film the next one separately, right? Filming ahead of time is even better. It gives us more time for editing.”
“Wow. So we’ve switched to a season format now?”
“Since we’ve already created the channel, we should keep it going long-term.”
“Ha ha. That’s true. Long-term is definitely better.”
The camera in PD Ga’s hand gleamed brilliantly, much like the expression on his face.
‘His entire demeanor has become lighter. He seems more at ease.’
Ever since he shed that one layer of Broadcasting Station attire.
I’d wondered if he might be developing depression, but there was clearly no need for such concern.
“The distance to the factory isn’t far, so let’s just walk.”
“Yes. It’s all one neighborhood anyway.”
“Anyone listening would think you’re a local resident. Heh heh.”
“Well, I’m even considering moving here. Or at least setting up a studio.”
“To that extent?”
“It has to be. All the content is concentrated here.”
“…That’s actually a bit scary to hear. You mean you’ll keep coming to find me every time?”
“Ha ha. Probably?”
PD Ga laughed lightly.
* * *
‘Wow. There’s real energy here.’
I arrived at the construction site in front of D-dong.
Bang. Bang. Crash!
The sound of partition walls being demolished echoed down the street.
The Interior Designer Boss spotted me first and raised his hand.
“Welcome, welcome!”
“I wanted to check on the progress.”
“Goodness. Didn’t you just see it this morning?”
“Morning and afternoon are different when it comes to construction.”
“Ha ha. I can’t keep up with you. Come inside first. We’ve got all the lines set.”
As I stepped inside, dust drifted faintly through the sunlight.
I adjusted my mask and looked around.
All the spaces that had originally been mapped out as a restaurant’s traffic flow had been completely gutted.
Where the tasting station was supposed to be, there was now a packaging line.
Where the dining hall was supposed to be, there were hygiene partitions.
The washing stations had also been moved further in by two units.
‘Converting it to a food manufacturing facility definitely gives it a different look.’
It was completely different from the restaurant concept that had been laid out before. The skeleton was the same, but the flesh filling it was entirely different in character.
“We epoxied the entire floor. Since that’s what you wanted.”
“This specification will pass health inspections on the first try, right? I expect they’ll conduct a pretty thorough inspection.”
“Hmm… normally they don’t.”
“There’s a reason for that. That’s why I’m asking.”
“Ha ha. You don’t even need to ask. That’s work I should be doing anyway. I’m confident about it. I’ve done as much work as you have as an owner.”
“I like that confidence.”
“I’ve expanded the washing stations to two units. One for general use, one dedicated for sterilization. I’ve matched the equipment too.”
“Well done.”
“What about the entrance?”
“A truck can enter with plenty of room.”
“Good.”
Just as I was talking with the Interior Designer Boss, I noticed a stranger standing nearby looking at the blueprints.
He wore a neat shirt and held a tablet in his hand, moving with an air of considerable professionalism.
“Who are you?”
“Someone sent by Han Representative. He handles the practical side of business licensing.”
“Ah.”
The man bowed his head once.
“Hello. I’m Lee Jung-hu. Han Representative sent me.”
“I’m Kim Seon-woo. You’re handling this line for us, I hear.”
“Yes. The paperwork is almost all organized. One more visit to the Health Department and we’re done.”
“One more?”
“We just need to take one more photo of the hygiene partition. That’s easy work. I’m thinking of it as a casual outing.”
“That’s not difficult at all then.”
“Once that passes, the official license will be issued.”
“That’s fast?”
“Ha ha. This is actually slow.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Oddly enough, they were quite uncooperative.”
“As expected.”
“Still, it should all be wrapped up within a week.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Thank you.”
Behind us, PD Ga lowered his camera angle by a beat.
It was an angle that captured the washing line diagonally.
‘When did he start filming again?’
* * *
While PD Ga’s camera moved, Lee Jung-hu unfolded the blueprints once more and got to the main point.
“As it happens, Han Jae-won is waiting for you at the cafe.”
“He stopped by while he was in the area?”
“Yes. He said to come by together once you arrived.”
“Let’s head over right away.”
As I stepped into the cafe one block over, Han Jae-won was sitting by the window.
“You’re here.”
“How did such a busy person manage to find their way here?”
“Ha ha. Shouldn’t we first establish who the busy one actually is?”
He chuckled and offered me his seat.
Before I could sit, PD Ga set his camera bag on the adjacent chair.
“Aren’t you filming this?”
“This is a cafe. If the context doesn’t fit, I don’t film.”
“…Now that’s professional.”
While we exchanged pleasantries, Han Jae-won set down his things and broached the main subject.
“The D-dong business license should be finalized within a week. You heard about it?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Han Myeong-chul went all the way up and double-checked everything.”
“He’s quite diligent.”
“Exactly. He’s probably the most hardworking public official in this country.”
“That he is.”
“But I have a feeling next time he’ll come at us with a different angle.”
“He probably will. That’s why we’re getting the business license cleanly settled this time.”
“You’re quite perceptive.”
“If you fall for the same thing twice, that’s just strange, isn’t it?”
“Twice… that’s right. That would be strange. Or just plain stupid.”
Han Jae-won laughed lightly.
“How are things going for PD Ga?”
“Ha ha. I hardly have a say in the matter.”
“Your shift to YouTube seems to suit your style.”
“I had a feeling you’d do even better once you left the broadcasting station.”
“Is that how it looks to you, Representative Han?”
“That’s how it looks to me. For now, anyway. Though honestly, that’s not the important part right now.”
My fingers tapped lightly against the table.
“I stopped by the New City District store as well.”
“Oh. When was that?”
“This morning. The counter, tasting station, and display case were all already installed. They’re fast.”
“Well, that kind of construction doesn’t usually take long, does it?”
“That’s normally how it goes.”
Store construction—it was moving faster than I’d expected.
We’re a people who rush, after all.
At most three weeks. At minimum two weeks. That’s about how long it takes to finish most store renovations. Throw more money at it, and it goes faster.
For reference, I’d thrown quite a bit of money at this. I wanted to accelerate the timeline.
“It looked good?”
“If it looks good to you, Representative, then that’s a relief. Now we just need to set the showcase schedule.”
“Seonwoo will handle the date. The consulting needs to be finished first.”
“I think we can set it right away? We can tie it in with D-dong as well.”
“Really? That quickly?”
“Yes. They picked it up so fast there was barely any consulting needed.”
“Was it that straightforward?”
“They were people who came prepared.”
“Prepared… I don’t know where you keep finding people like that.”
“Ha. I’ve been lucky.”
In fact, I was planning to refine not just the kalguksu, but several other dishes as well. On top of that, I intended to create additional menu items. Even accounting for all that, they seemed capable of absorbing it quickly.
‘They’re people who’ve trained themselves.’
The kind of people who’d surge forward once you opened the floodgates, so to speak.
In any case, it looked like they’d only need time on weekends and days off.
That’s why I was pushing the schedule up.
“So let’s lock in the dates quickly. Bundle them with D-dong in the same week.”
“The same week?”
“Isn’t efficiency about releasing everything at once?”
“How are you planning to structure the menu?”
“I’m thinking of capitalizing on the opening effect of the Couple’s Kalguksu Restaurant. We’ll include the kalguksu that’s been verified there, teach them a few more dishes in the meantime, and then do the New City District showcase after that.”
“All at once—showcase the store looking great and then move straight into productization?”
“Yes. That’s efficiency. Three birds with one stone.”
“…Heh.”
Han Jae-won let out a dry laugh.
“Seonwoo always tries to do everything at once. Normally I’d have stopped you… but you always prove it works with results.”
“Going twice would be inefficient, wouldn’t it?”
“Well, that’s true. Ha.”
Han Jae-won looked relaxed throughout.
Even as I estimated the date and did the calculations, that composure never once wavered.
‘This person always operates like this. Fascinating individual.’
The type who controls the game without even setting it up.
That’s precisely why this person is a heavyweight.
After chatting at length with such a heavyweight.
“Break time’s almost over, so I should head back. Still need to get some cooking done, after all.”
I took a sip of coffee from the cup on the table and stood up.
* * *
Time flew by rapidly.
In the meantime, the Kalguksu Restaurant Owners made a major decision. They would close their restaurant until the consulting was complete and they had mastered the new culinary techniques themselves.
It didn’t seem like a bad move from an advertising perspective either.
On the other hand, I was worried.
‘They must be struggling for every penny.’
Because life is reality, after all.
Even though they surely understood that.
They closed their restaurant without hesitation and devoted themselves to training.
In response, I too threw myself into the consulting with greater enthusiasm.
Before long, the opening day of the Kalguksu Restaurant arrived, with the basic preparations complete.
‘Let’s go.’
This opening day made me more nervous than my own store’s.
A Chef from the Apocalypse Enters the Food Service Industry
Author |
Heung-haeng
Publisher |
Samyang C&C – Dream Books
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Editorial Department
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G720:N+A063-20260206001
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No part of this book may be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C – Dream Books.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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