1 00:00:09,509 --> 00:00:12,178 Our wheat is particularly unique 2 00:00:12,262 --> 00:00:14,764 due to the environment it grows in. 3 00:00:17,434 --> 00:00:19,477 In the mountains of our hometown, 4 00:00:20,979 --> 00:00:24,149 the growth conditions for wheat are very harsh. 5 00:00:29,696 --> 00:00:30,739 In the winter, 6 00:00:30,822 --> 00:00:35,577 the wheat seedlings are covered with a white layer of frost. 7 00:00:37,996 --> 00:00:41,499 Other plants covered with snow will die, 8 00:00:42,876 --> 00:00:44,627 but wheat doesn't. 9 00:00:46,379 --> 00:00:48,339 As warmer weather melts the snow, 10 00:00:48,423 --> 00:00:51,009 the wheat grows better and fuller. 11 00:00:54,012 --> 00:00:56,014 Wheat is quite tasty. 12 00:00:56,097 --> 00:00:58,391 Wheat noodles have a richer aroma. 13 00:01:00,518 --> 00:01:03,063 The moment you open the cooking basket lid, 14 00:01:03,146 --> 00:01:06,316 the aroma of the noodles fills the room. 15 00:01:09,778 --> 00:01:12,072 Even without anything on the noodles, 16 00:01:12,155 --> 00:01:16,409 you can appreciate the special fragrance. 17 00:01:20,872 --> 00:01:24,501 This tradition of flour-food culture spans thousands of years. 18 00:01:25,085 --> 00:01:28,171 It's something I cannot lose at my core. 19 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,718 To me, wheat is incredibly precious. 20 00:02:49,752 --> 00:02:54,632 {\an8}In London, Chinese food is one of the best-loved foreign cuisines. 21 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,971 But it's also unrepresentative of the variety in Chinese cuisine. 22 00:03:02,265 --> 00:03:04,267 Going from one province to another 23 00:03:04,350 --> 00:03:07,645 is like going to another world, in food terms. 24 00:03:09,981 --> 00:03:12,233 And so for Guirong Wei, 25 00:03:13,193 --> 00:03:16,112 it's not just about the business and cooking. 26 00:03:18,573 --> 00:03:20,491 There's a cultural mission too. 27 00:03:25,663 --> 00:03:29,334 In China, there are really very few women chefs. 28 00:03:30,168 --> 00:03:33,379 To make it, they have to be better than everyone else. 29 00:03:34,422 --> 00:03:36,132 That's the case with Guirong. 30 00:03:42,847 --> 00:03:45,308 She came here with nothing, really. 31 00:03:45,391 --> 00:03:47,060 No English skills. 32 00:03:47,143 --> 00:03:49,812 And yet she just opened her fourth restaurant. 33 00:03:51,064 --> 00:03:54,567 In London, she's put Xi'an food on the map. 34 00:03:55,568 --> 00:03:58,154 Xi'an, one of the ancient capitals of the world, 35 00:03:58,238 --> 00:04:03,117 is a cultural hub of China and very important gastronomically. 36 00:04:03,201 --> 00:04:07,747 The Silk Road and the Muslim populations in Xi'an have influenced its cuisine, 37 00:04:07,830 --> 00:04:11,167 such as flavor profiles and the spices that they use. 38 00:04:11,251 --> 00:04:14,170 {\an8}Therefore, a lot of the dishes you see there 39 00:04:14,254 --> 00:04:17,465 {\an8}are very unique to that region of China. 40 00:04:18,591 --> 00:04:20,009 When Guirong cooks, 41 00:04:20,802 --> 00:04:23,179 you get transported to Xi'an from it. 42 00:04:31,229 --> 00:04:33,606 One of the foreign stereotypes about Chinese food 43 00:04:33,690 --> 00:04:35,483 is that it's all about rice. 44 00:04:36,067 --> 00:04:38,653 But Guirong Wei is from North China, 45 00:04:38,736 --> 00:04:41,030 where it's all about wheat. 46 00:04:41,531 --> 00:04:44,492 They call it mianshi, flour foods. 47 00:04:44,575 --> 00:04:48,162 You have dumplings, bread, noodles. 48 00:04:48,746 --> 00:04:51,916 Xi'an is famous for its noodles. 49 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,419 They have dozens of different varieties, 50 00:04:54,502 --> 00:04:58,464 sometimes cut or hand-shaped or hand-stretched. 51 00:04:59,841 --> 00:05:03,261 Xi'an noodles are becoming really loved in London, 52 00:05:03,845 --> 00:05:06,389 thanks to the efforts of Guirong Wei. 53 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:24,782 In Shaanxi, there are about 100 types of noodles. 54 00:05:28,286 --> 00:05:30,788 The most famous are Biang Biang noodles. 55 00:05:33,499 --> 00:05:37,462 These noodles give you an understanding of the culture of Xi'an. 56 00:05:45,553 --> 00:05:48,806 As a Shaanxi native who grew up in Xi'an, 57 00:05:48,890 --> 00:05:53,269 I have an obligation to carry on the cuisine's tradition. 58 00:05:54,979 --> 00:05:57,690 So I use the traditional handmade technique. 59 00:06:00,777 --> 00:06:03,112 The original flour aroma should remain. 60 00:06:06,282 --> 00:06:10,203 When I was a kid, my grandma and my mom taught me how to make noodles. 61 00:06:15,208 --> 00:06:18,878 When slapped on the board, the dough makes a biang-biang sound. 62 00:06:20,088 --> 00:06:21,964 I really enjoy this process. 63 00:06:29,639 --> 00:06:33,393 We usually add seasoning to the noodles 64 00:06:33,476 --> 00:06:38,147 like local vinegar, scallions, chili, and garlic. 65 00:06:39,315 --> 00:06:42,360 When you pour the oil on top of the seasoning, 66 00:06:42,443 --> 00:06:43,986 you get a sizzling sound. 67 00:06:46,072 --> 00:06:47,990 The noodles look so beautiful. 68 00:06:48,074 --> 00:06:50,743 They are bouncy as if they're dancing. 69 00:06:54,789 --> 00:06:56,416 After the first bite, 70 00:06:56,499 --> 00:06:59,252 I know one bowl won't be enough. 71 00:07:00,670 --> 00:07:05,174 They're soft, chewy, and smooth at the same time. 72 00:07:06,968 --> 00:07:09,095 I don't think I'll ever get enough of them. 73 00:07:13,099 --> 00:07:15,560 I want to spread our Shaanxi noodles 74 00:07:15,643 --> 00:07:17,478 to more people around the world. 75 00:07:19,355 --> 00:07:23,526 My hope is to make Xi'an noodles reach people far and wide. 76 00:07:24,277 --> 00:07:26,654 It is my duty and responsibility. 77 00:07:51,888 --> 00:07:56,517 There's a Chinese saying, "No one is promised a life of happiness." 78 00:07:58,269 --> 00:08:02,315 I had a rougher childhood than my peers. 79 00:08:07,695 --> 00:08:10,823 I was born in the south of Shaanxi Province, China. 80 00:08:12,158 --> 00:08:14,577 There were 800 people in our village. 81 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,080 The entire village was very poor, 82 00:08:19,707 --> 00:08:22,376 and our family was one of the poorer ones. 83 00:08:26,172 --> 00:08:27,715 We were peasants. 84 00:08:30,718 --> 00:08:34,347 Every year our family didn't have quite enough food. 85 00:08:36,307 --> 00:08:38,434 I am the eldest kid in my family. 86 00:08:38,935 --> 00:08:40,811 I have two younger sisters. 87 00:08:43,272 --> 00:08:45,358 Back then, Chinese people would say, 88 00:08:45,441 --> 00:08:47,568 "Three daughters end a family line." 89 00:08:50,363 --> 00:08:52,323 My parents thought that without a son, 90 00:08:52,406 --> 00:08:55,076 there would be no one to do physical labor 91 00:08:55,159 --> 00:08:57,078 or to support them in old age. 92 00:08:59,747 --> 00:09:02,333 As the eldest daughter in the family, 93 00:09:03,376 --> 00:09:06,504 I had an obligation to bring in a live-in son-in-law. 94 00:09:09,382 --> 00:09:11,884 I didn't think it should be this way. 95 00:09:14,887 --> 00:09:18,474 I should go out in the world and learn more. 96 00:09:25,356 --> 00:09:26,774 I thought to myself, 97 00:09:26,857 --> 00:09:30,736 "Even if my parents don't have a son, someday I'll show them 98 00:09:30,820 --> 00:09:34,657 I'm undoubtedly as capable as sons." 99 00:09:52,216 --> 00:09:55,261 My first dream was to go beyond the Qin Mountains. 100 00:10:01,017 --> 00:10:04,937 Studying was our only way out of the mountains at the time. 101 00:10:08,232 --> 00:10:12,612 But our family couldn't afford the tuition for all three of us. 102 00:10:17,074 --> 00:10:19,952 When I was 11 or 12, I made a decision. 103 00:10:21,829 --> 00:10:25,291 I should drop out of school and start earning money, 104 00:10:26,876 --> 00:10:30,838 so my sisters could get a good education. 105 00:10:30,921 --> 00:10:33,507 And the whole family would be better off. 106 00:10:40,139 --> 00:10:42,933 I found my first job at a Paomo restaurant. 107 00:10:44,935 --> 00:10:47,521 I would wash dishes and do various chores. 108 00:10:51,651 --> 00:10:55,321 While washing dishes, I'd watch the master chef at the stove. 109 00:10:55,404 --> 00:10:57,865 That looked so cool to me. 110 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:02,912 There was a rhythm to it. 111 00:11:03,496 --> 00:11:05,289 When to put in the seasoning, 112 00:11:05,373 --> 00:11:07,541 when to toss the wok, 113 00:11:08,501 --> 00:11:11,045 and when to scrub and wash the wok. 114 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:16,842 I didn't have music education as a kid, 115 00:11:16,926 --> 00:11:20,721 and those kitchen sounds were like music to me. 116 00:11:25,935 --> 00:11:28,729 The swooshing sound of washing the wok, 117 00:11:28,813 --> 00:11:31,399 the clanging of the ladle as it stirs, 118 00:11:32,566 --> 00:11:34,443 and the crackling of flames. 119 00:11:35,319 --> 00:11:39,115 I knew what was happening in the kitchen without even looking. 120 00:11:39,198 --> 00:11:41,492 "The master chef is adding seasoning." 121 00:11:41,575 --> 00:11:45,538 "Oh, the dish is done. It's being served." 122 00:11:48,874 --> 00:11:53,170 I thought to myself, "One day I'll be in that position." 123 00:12:08,018 --> 00:12:10,896 One day, my cousin came back from Xi'an, 124 00:12:10,980 --> 00:12:13,232 the big, provincial capital city. 125 00:12:15,526 --> 00:12:18,154 She said, "Come with me to Xi'an. 126 00:12:19,572 --> 00:12:21,907 There are many job opportunities. 127 00:12:21,991 --> 00:12:24,910 You'd probably earn much more money there." 128 00:12:28,622 --> 00:12:32,293 After hearing that, I decided I had to go to Xi'an. 129 00:12:39,675 --> 00:12:41,427 My family was against it. 130 00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:44,972 I was only 13 at the time. 131 00:12:46,599 --> 00:12:50,936 It took over 10 hours by car from our town to cross the Qin Mountains. 132 00:12:52,313 --> 00:12:54,523 If I went over to Xi'an, 133 00:12:54,607 --> 00:12:57,234 they wondered if I'd ever come back. 134 00:13:02,239 --> 00:13:05,242 I firmly told them that I would come back 135 00:13:05,326 --> 00:13:07,620 and not leave my parents uncared for. 136 00:13:09,872 --> 00:13:12,625 When leaving, I spoke with my sisters. 137 00:13:12,708 --> 00:13:15,961 Pointing to the wall behind our kitchen, I said, 138 00:13:16,587 --> 00:13:19,381 "Look, I've always been an excellent student." 139 00:13:19,465 --> 00:13:21,759 "My certificates are all over the wall." 140 00:13:23,302 --> 00:13:27,139 "If you don't study hard in the future, that's your problem." 141 00:13:28,432 --> 00:13:31,936 "Not being able to afford your tuition is mine." 142 00:13:35,397 --> 00:13:39,151 In front of my family, I acted really optimistic and strong. 143 00:13:41,237 --> 00:13:45,574 But the moment the bus left, I actually cried. 144 00:14:00,506 --> 00:14:04,343 When I got to Xi'an, my cousin took me downtown. 145 00:14:07,930 --> 00:14:09,723 Xi'an is a historical capital. 146 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:15,145 Its rich history and prosperity span thousands of years. 147 00:14:18,858 --> 00:14:21,277 I had a feeling that in this city 148 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:24,029 I would definitely find my place. 149 00:14:33,163 --> 00:14:36,083 Under the ancient city wall were various markets. 150 00:14:39,503 --> 00:14:41,714 There was a huge variety of foods. 151 00:14:43,757 --> 00:14:45,092 Steamed buns, 152 00:14:45,968 --> 00:14:48,679 different Xi'an-style dumplings… 153 00:14:53,601 --> 00:14:55,311 and so many kinds of noodles. 154 00:14:57,771 --> 00:15:01,025 I thought people in my hometown loved noodles, 155 00:15:01,108 --> 00:15:03,611 but people in Xi'an love noodles even more. 156 00:15:09,575 --> 00:15:11,410 While we were walking around, 157 00:15:11,493 --> 00:15:14,538 my cousin said, "You should learn a trade." 158 00:15:18,959 --> 00:15:22,129 She said I could learn flower arranging. 159 00:15:24,089 --> 00:15:27,134 I said, "I can't learn that. Look, I'm like a boy." 160 00:15:27,217 --> 00:15:28,969 "That's not for me." 161 00:15:30,304 --> 00:15:33,349 Then she said, "How about a seamstress?" 162 00:15:34,183 --> 00:15:37,478 I said, "They sit all the time. That's even worse." 163 00:15:38,854 --> 00:15:40,856 She said, "Then what do you want?" 164 00:15:41,357 --> 00:15:42,232 I replied, 165 00:15:42,316 --> 00:15:44,318 "I'd like to learn to be a chef." 166 00:15:47,988 --> 00:15:50,032 My cousin was really worried. 167 00:15:52,660 --> 00:15:55,537 Generally, it was a trade for boys. Generally, it was a trade for boys. 168 00:15:58,874 --> 00:16:03,712 I said, "No need to worry. I'm just as capable as boys." I said, "No need to worry. I'm just as capable as boys." 169 00:16:26,151 --> 00:16:28,696 One of the most famous Xi'an street foods One of the most famous Xi'an street foods 170 00:16:28,779 --> 00:16:31,573 is called Liangpi, Cold Skin Noodles. is called Liangpi, Cold Skin Noodles. 171 00:16:32,533 --> 00:16:36,036 It's a mixture of these slippery white starch noodles It's a mixture of these slippery white starch noodles 172 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,373 with chewier yellow wheat gluten. with chewier yellow wheat gluten. 173 00:16:40,791 --> 00:16:46,213 They're made by deconstructing dough into wheat starch and gluten, They're made by deconstructing dough into wheat starch and gluten, 174 00:16:47,172 --> 00:16:50,426 which the Chinese have been doing for centuries. which the Chinese have been doing for centuries. 175 00:16:55,556 --> 00:16:58,267 I first make the dough from flour I first make the dough from flour 176 00:16:58,350 --> 00:17:00,352 and soak it in water. and soak it in water. 177 00:17:02,479 --> 00:17:06,316 I wash it until the gluten and starch are completely separated. I wash it until the gluten and starch are completely separated. 178 00:17:09,778 --> 00:17:12,364 Then I steam the gluten. Then I steam the gluten. 179 00:17:13,490 --> 00:17:18,078 I use the settled starch water to steam the cold skin. I use the settled starch water to steam the cold skin. 180 00:17:19,913 --> 00:17:21,165 Once they're cool, Once they're cool, 181 00:17:21,248 --> 00:17:23,667 I cut them into thin noodle-like slices. I cut them into thin noodle-like slices. 182 00:17:27,379 --> 00:17:31,091 The process is complicated and requires a lot of work. The process is complicated and requires a lot of work. 183 00:17:31,675 --> 00:17:33,343 But it's worth it. But it's worth it. 184 00:17:34,928 --> 00:17:37,347 Liangpi is made into a salad Liangpi is made into a salad 185 00:17:37,431 --> 00:17:39,475 with cucumber slivers, garlic, and vinegar. with cucumber slivers, garlic, and vinegar. 186 00:17:40,267 --> 00:17:43,687 It's a refreshing dish with a really interesting texture. It's a refreshing dish with a really interesting texture. 187 00:17:44,188 --> 00:17:47,024 They're soft and slithery and a little bit crisp. They're soft and slithery and a little bit crisp. 188 00:17:48,776 --> 00:17:51,487 It's a whole sensory experience. It's a whole sensory experience. 189 00:17:53,447 --> 00:17:57,326 Chinese cuisine is full of innovative technique. Chinese cuisine is full of innovative technique. 190 00:17:57,409 --> 00:18:00,245 And the dishes that you get from these techniques And the dishes that you get from these techniques 191 00:18:00,329 --> 00:18:04,041 are completely unique to the Chinese kitchen. are completely unique to the Chinese kitchen. 192 00:18:06,168 --> 00:18:08,921 Nowhere else in the world can you find Nowhere else in the world can you find 193 00:18:09,004 --> 00:18:11,465 these water-washed noodles of my hometown. these water-washed noodles of my hometown. 194 00:18:12,674 --> 00:18:15,594 To me, it's unmatched by other types of cuisines. To me, it's unmatched by other types of cuisines. 195 00:18:16,678 --> 00:18:19,515 After all, our cuisine dates back thousands of years. After all, our cuisine dates back thousands of years. 196 00:18:19,598 --> 00:18:21,391 There must be a reason. There must be a reason. 197 00:18:45,666 --> 00:18:48,669 After I graduated from culinary school, After I graduated from culinary school, 198 00:18:50,212 --> 00:18:54,174 a flood caused by a landslide hit our hometown. a flood caused by a landslide hit our hometown. 199 00:18:56,927 --> 00:18:59,596 Over the phone, my sister told me Over the phone, my sister told me 200 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:03,225 the water came directly into our home. the water came directly into our home. 201 00:19:04,226 --> 00:19:06,603 If the house had collapsed, If the house had collapsed, 202 00:19:06,687 --> 00:19:10,065 my family could've been crushed to death. my family could've been crushed to death. 203 00:19:15,863 --> 00:19:19,283 It's in Chinese people's DNA to take care of their parents. It's in Chinese people's DNA to take care of their parents. 204 00:19:27,583 --> 00:19:30,169 I felt upset because, at that time, I felt upset because, at that time, 205 00:19:30,252 --> 00:19:32,421 my internship salary was very low. my internship salary was very low. 206 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:38,886 I didn't have much saved to help my family. I didn't have much saved to help my family. 207 00:19:42,347 --> 00:19:45,392 I also couldn't go back to see them right away. I also couldn't go back to see them right away. 208 00:19:48,187 --> 00:19:50,063 That's when I had an idea. That's when I had an idea. 209 00:19:56,528 --> 00:19:59,031 I should improve my skills and make more money. I should improve my skills and make more money. 210 00:19:59,114 --> 00:20:01,867 to help my parents build a new house. to help my parents build a new house. 211 00:20:06,246 --> 00:20:08,248 I spent a long time planning. I spent a long time planning. 212 00:20:12,169 --> 00:20:15,088 I simply couldn't stop working in the kitchen. I simply couldn't stop working in the kitchen. 213 00:20:18,217 --> 00:20:19,843 I'd even help the others. I'd even help the others. 214 00:20:22,763 --> 00:20:24,348 Making cold dishes, Making cold dishes, 215 00:20:24,848 --> 00:20:26,433 chopping ingredients, chopping ingredients, 216 00:20:27,601 --> 00:20:28,936 stirring dishes, stirring dishes, 217 00:20:30,646 --> 00:20:32,814 making flour-based dishes, and more. making flour-based dishes, and more. 218 00:20:36,193 --> 00:20:38,612 I didn't see it as working for others. I didn't see it as working for others. 219 00:20:40,155 --> 00:20:42,032 I was doing it for my family. I was doing it for my family. 220 00:21:06,473 --> 00:21:10,018 I worked at a hotel for many years, I worked at a hotel for many years, 221 00:21:10,102 --> 00:21:13,814 trying my best to improve myself and learn the craft. trying my best to improve myself and learn the craft. 222 00:21:16,316 --> 00:21:20,654 One day, our head chef went to Tokyo, Japan. One day, our head chef went to Tokyo, Japan. 223 00:21:22,614 --> 00:21:25,200 I spoke with my manager and said, I spoke with my manager and said, 224 00:21:25,284 --> 00:21:28,453 "I think I can do the job of a head chef." "I think I can do the job of a head chef." 225 00:21:29,037 --> 00:21:30,914 "Could you give me a chance?" "Could you give me a chance?" 226 00:21:33,292 --> 00:21:36,336 She said, "Yes, you can try the head chef position." She said, "Yes, you can try the head chef position." 227 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,556 I was worried, especially about one thing. I was worried, especially about one thing. 228 00:21:48,473 --> 00:21:51,184 I'm a woman and the only woman in the kitchen, I'm a woman and the only woman in the kitchen, 229 00:21:51,268 --> 00:21:54,104 in charge of a group of men older than me! in charge of a group of men older than me! 230 00:21:56,648 --> 00:21:59,151 They were all more experienced than me. They were all more experienced than me. 231 00:22:01,194 --> 00:22:02,237 When taking attendance, When taking attendance, 232 00:22:02,321 --> 00:22:05,490 I would be the youngest and the only woman, I would be the youngest and the only woman, 233 00:22:05,574 --> 00:22:08,744 looking at the rows of men, calling out their names. looking at the rows of men, calling out their names. 234 00:22:10,579 --> 00:22:13,665 In China, there aren't many women who are in charge In China, there aren't many women who are in charge 235 00:22:13,749 --> 00:22:16,251 of the kitchen and in charge of the woks. of the kitchen and in charge of the woks. 236 00:22:17,836 --> 00:22:20,672 It's seen as unfeminine and hard-going. It's seen as unfeminine and hard-going. 237 00:22:21,923 --> 00:22:23,633 Women heading up kitchens Women heading up kitchens 238 00:22:23,717 --> 00:22:26,261 have to be determined to show them all have to be determined to show them all 239 00:22:26,345 --> 00:22:27,804 and outdo the men. and outdo the men. 240 00:22:32,059 --> 00:22:35,270 I did feel it wasn't going to be easy. I did feel it wasn't going to be easy. 241 00:22:36,730 --> 00:22:41,109 But I was still convinced that I could do it. But I was still convinced that I could do it. 242 00:22:44,946 --> 00:22:47,866 I just kept working in the kitchen, I just kept working in the kitchen, 243 00:22:47,949 --> 00:22:50,827 doing my thing every day. doing my thing every day. 244 00:22:53,205 --> 00:22:55,207 Our team gradually adjusted. Our team gradually adjusted. 245 00:22:57,542 --> 00:23:01,254 And later on, they worked well with me. And later on, they worked well with me. 246 00:23:03,215 --> 00:23:06,426 My dream of managing a kitchen had come true. My dream of managing a kitchen had come true. 247 00:23:16,561 --> 00:23:18,355 No cucumber shreds? No cucumber shreds? 248 00:23:22,109 --> 00:23:25,362 This doesn't need cucumber shreds, so no. This doesn't need cucumber shreds, so no. 249 00:23:28,949 --> 00:23:31,076 Working as a head chef in Xi'an, Working as a head chef in Xi'an, 250 00:23:31,159 --> 00:23:33,745 Guirong really impressed the people she was working with. Guirong really impressed the people she was working with. 251 00:23:37,165 --> 00:23:38,875 And then in 2008, And then in 2008, 252 00:23:39,459 --> 00:23:42,921 she was given this opportunity to come to London she was given this opportunity to come to London 253 00:23:43,004 --> 00:23:46,341 to work for the famous Sichuanese restaurant called Barshu. to work for the famous Sichuanese restaurant called Barshu. 254 00:23:51,888 --> 00:23:54,224 I was so excited because I was so excited because 255 00:23:54,307 --> 00:23:56,977 in London, the salary was very high. in London, the salary was very high. 256 00:23:59,438 --> 00:24:02,357 I thought if I worked abroad for a year, I thought if I worked abroad for a year, 257 00:24:02,441 --> 00:24:05,026 I might be able to build my parents a house. I might be able to build my parents a house. 258 00:24:06,945 --> 00:24:09,614 Besides, I had always dreamed of going abroad. Besides, I had always dreamed of going abroad. 259 00:24:11,366 --> 00:24:14,744 But this wasn't like going from my hometown to Xi'an. But this wasn't like going from my hometown to Xi'an. 260 00:24:23,503 --> 00:24:25,422 I had never been on a plane. I had never been on a plane. 261 00:24:30,886 --> 00:24:33,722 The moment I landed on British soil, The moment I landed on British soil, 262 00:24:33,805 --> 00:24:35,891 I wanted to see what Britain was like. I wanted to see what Britain was like. 263 00:24:37,851 --> 00:24:39,478 It was drizzling outside. It was drizzling outside. 264 00:24:43,815 --> 00:24:46,526 It was 4:30 p.m. and already dark out. It was 4:30 p.m. and already dark out. 265 00:24:48,487 --> 00:24:50,864 The roads were very narrow. The roads were very narrow. 266 00:24:53,158 --> 00:24:55,285 Not a single new or tall building in sight. Not a single new or tall building in sight. 267 00:24:57,287 --> 00:24:58,914 London was said to be developed, London was said to be developed, 268 00:24:58,997 --> 00:25:01,750 but all I saw was old and shabby houses. but all I saw was old and shabby houses. 269 00:25:05,837 --> 00:25:07,297 I felt anxious. I felt anxious. 270 00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:30,070 In London, there were many different types of cuisine. In London, there were many different types of cuisine. 271 00:25:32,030 --> 00:25:34,783 I had Malaysian food, Spanish food, I had Malaysian food, Spanish food, 272 00:25:35,534 --> 00:25:36,493 and pizza. and pizza. 273 00:25:38,161 --> 00:25:41,206 But Chinese food wasn't well-developed yet. But Chinese food wasn't well-developed yet. 274 00:25:42,958 --> 00:25:46,670 There were very few Xi'an people here and no noodle shops. There were very few Xi'an people here and no noodle shops. 275 00:25:51,216 --> 00:25:53,343 When Guirong Wei came to London, When Guirong Wei came to London, 276 00:25:53,426 --> 00:25:55,804 she started working with Barshu. she started working with Barshu. 277 00:25:57,097 --> 00:26:00,892 It was the first major Sichuanese restaurant in London. It was the first major Sichuanese restaurant in London. 278 00:26:01,476 --> 00:26:03,353 And the restaurant was successful. And the restaurant was successful. 279 00:26:04,354 --> 00:26:09,192 It turned out Londoners were really ready for a new taste of Chinese food. It turned out Londoners were really ready for a new taste of Chinese food. 280 00:26:10,485 --> 00:26:14,823 Guirong was in an unfamiliar place where she didn't speak the language. Guirong was in an unfamiliar place where she didn't speak the language. 281 00:26:15,782 --> 00:26:19,536 And yet, she is so determined and tenacious. And yet, she is so determined and tenacious. 282 00:26:21,871 --> 00:26:24,583 I was the only chef on the team I was the only chef on the team 283 00:26:24,666 --> 00:26:26,251 who didn't come from Sichuan. who didn't come from Sichuan. 284 00:26:28,712 --> 00:26:33,133 Traditional Shaanxi cuisine and Sichuan cuisine are different. Traditional Shaanxi cuisine and Sichuan cuisine are different. 285 00:26:35,135 --> 00:26:38,054 I love cooking food from my hometown. I love cooking food from my hometown. 286 00:26:39,681 --> 00:26:41,057 So one day, So one day, 287 00:26:41,141 --> 00:26:44,311 for the staff meal I made Biang Biang noodles. for the staff meal I made Biang Biang noodles. 288 00:26:46,605 --> 00:26:48,940 They all said, "We like this." They all said, "We like this." 289 00:26:51,443 --> 00:26:53,153 That made me really happy. That made me really happy. 290 00:26:55,405 --> 00:26:57,574 So every Sunday night, So every Sunday night, 291 00:26:57,657 --> 00:26:59,534 I'd make different flour foods. I'd make different flour foods. 292 00:27:02,996 --> 00:27:05,582 My colleagues looked forward to Sundays. My colleagues looked forward to Sundays. 293 00:27:07,042 --> 00:27:09,461 "Ah, finally a break from Sichuan food." "Ah, finally a break from Sichuan food." 294 00:27:09,544 --> 00:27:11,421 "Time for Shaanxi flour foods." "Time for Shaanxi flour foods." 295 00:27:13,673 --> 00:27:15,550 It really inspired me It really inspired me 296 00:27:16,259 --> 00:27:19,596 to open a noodle shop with my hometown cooking. to open a noodle shop with my hometown cooking. 297 00:27:39,532 --> 00:27:40,867 You just came back? You just came back? 298 00:27:42,118 --> 00:27:44,162 I came back around nine. I came back around nine. 299 00:27:44,245 --> 00:27:45,622 Where is Little Lemon? Where is Little Lemon? 300 00:27:47,082 --> 00:27:49,000 She is still in Hunan. She is still in Hunan. 301 00:27:49,084 --> 00:27:49,918 Oh. Oh. 302 00:27:50,001 --> 00:27:51,503 She's having fun, She's having fun, 303 00:27:51,586 --> 00:27:54,964 so she'll stay in our hometown until school starts. so she'll stay in our hometown until school starts. 304 00:27:55,048 --> 00:27:56,091 That makes sense. That makes sense. 305 00:27:56,174 --> 00:27:58,968 Maybe she doesn't even want to go to school now. Maybe she doesn't even want to go to school now. 306 00:27:59,594 --> 00:28:02,347 She is very naughty, just like Little Yue Yue. She is very naughty, just like Little Yue Yue. 307 00:28:03,431 --> 00:28:04,265 Yeah. Yeah. 308 00:28:04,349 --> 00:28:07,394 She is good at coaxing her grandparents. She is good at coaxing her grandparents. 309 00:28:08,353 --> 00:28:10,105 She rides on Grandpa's neck. She rides on Grandpa's neck. 310 00:28:10,188 --> 00:28:11,022 Oh. Oh. 311 00:28:12,273 --> 00:28:15,902 At her grandparents' home, she is the boss. At her grandparents' home, she is the boss. 312 00:28:19,155 --> 00:28:21,491 I worked at Barshu for seven years. I worked at Barshu for seven years. 313 00:28:23,284 --> 00:28:26,830 During those years, my work went quite smoothly. During those years, my work went quite smoothly. 314 00:28:27,330 --> 00:28:28,915 - Shall we hang up? - Okay. - Shall we hang up? - Okay. 315 00:28:32,043 --> 00:28:35,797 Every year, I gave extra money to my parents Every year, I gave extra money to my parents 316 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:38,299 so my sisters could continue to study. so my sisters could continue to study. 317 00:28:42,053 --> 00:28:44,514 I felt a small sense of accomplishment. I felt a small sense of accomplishment. 318 00:28:49,144 --> 00:28:52,439 I could have stayed at Barshu for the rest of my career. I could have stayed at Barshu for the rest of my career. 319 00:28:57,485 --> 00:29:00,447 But I still had this desire But I still had this desire 320 00:29:00,530 --> 00:29:04,159 to introduce Shaanxi's flour-food culture to more Westerners. to introduce Shaanxi's flour-food culture to more Westerners. 321 00:29:09,330 --> 00:29:12,000 So I said to my boss, So I said to my boss, 322 00:29:12,083 --> 00:29:14,794 "I really want to open a restaurant." "I really want to open a restaurant." 323 00:29:17,088 --> 00:29:19,883 He didn't want me to resign and leave. He didn't want me to resign and leave. 324 00:29:19,966 --> 00:29:22,927 He said, "Our restaurant is doing great." He said, "Our restaurant is doing great." 325 00:29:25,263 --> 00:29:28,641 "You could be the head chef when we expand to a new spot." "You could be the head chef when we expand to a new spot." 326 00:29:31,394 --> 00:29:35,273 {\an8}"I can also send you to a Michelin star restaurant to learn." "I can also send you to a Michelin star restaurant to learn." 327 00:29:35,356 --> 00:29:36,524 {\an8}"All good options." "All good options." 328 00:29:39,819 --> 00:29:42,322 I said, "I'd love to learn things, I said, "I'd love to learn things, 329 00:29:42,405 --> 00:29:46,534 but they're different from the direction of my dream." but they're different from the direction of my dream." 330 00:29:49,746 --> 00:29:52,290 I turned down his offer. I turned down his offer. 331 00:29:53,958 --> 00:29:56,920 That's when I left Barshu. That's when I left Barshu. 332 00:30:09,557 --> 00:30:12,018 I got the lease for my first restaurant. I got the lease for my first restaurant. 333 00:30:16,314 --> 00:30:19,943 To start, I needed to draft the menu. To start, I needed to draft the menu. 334 00:30:24,155 --> 00:30:27,784 It had to include the core dishes of Shaanxi cuisine. It had to include the core dishes of Shaanxi cuisine. 335 00:30:31,371 --> 00:30:35,250 But I worried Westerners might not be receptive to that. But I worried Westerners might not be receptive to that. 336 00:30:42,382 --> 00:30:44,801 We Northerners love chewy noodles. We Northerners love chewy noodles. 337 00:30:47,637 --> 00:30:50,849 Many restaurant owners saw this as a challenge. Many restaurant owners saw this as a challenge. 338 00:30:55,103 --> 00:30:58,773 They couldn't imagine selling such glutinous noodles in London. They couldn't imagine selling such glutinous noodles in London. 339 00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:01,359 HAND-ROLLED NOODLES HAND-ROLLED NOODLES 340 00:31:01,442 --> 00:31:04,279 I was told Western customers would not like it. I was told Western customers would not like it. 341 00:31:05,822 --> 00:31:08,074 When cooking Sichuan food at Barshu, When cooking Sichuan food at Barshu, 342 00:31:08,157 --> 00:31:13,037 we'd use fewer numbing Sichuan peppers given Westerners' limited tolerance. we'd use fewer numbing Sichuan peppers given Westerners' limited tolerance. 343 00:31:17,292 --> 00:31:21,754 At my hometown-style restaurant, I didn't want to alter our food culture. At my hometown-style restaurant, I didn't want to alter our food culture. 344 00:31:27,385 --> 00:31:30,179 I procured and shipped chili peppers from China, I procured and shipped chili peppers from China, 345 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:32,515 and ground my own chili powder. and ground my own chili powder. 346 00:31:35,226 --> 00:31:37,604 I had no idea how the business would go. I had no idea how the business would go. 347 00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:41,024 I had some fear. I had some fear. 348 00:31:42,734 --> 00:31:45,820 My new staff had never seen Shaanxi noodles before, My new staff had never seen Shaanxi noodles before, 349 00:31:46,404 --> 00:31:48,573 so I had to teach them from scratch. so I had to teach them from scratch. 350 00:31:49,991 --> 00:31:52,493 Across from my Xi'an Impression restaurant Across from my Xi'an Impression restaurant 351 00:31:52,577 --> 00:31:55,413 were two tall buildings with many residents. were two tall buildings with many residents. 352 00:31:56,998 --> 00:31:58,958 They'd come down to try our food. They'd come down to try our food. 353 00:31:59,042 --> 00:32:03,796 Gradually, customers started coming back two, three, four days in a row! Gradually, customers started coming back two, three, four days in a row! 354 00:32:08,426 --> 00:32:11,804 We didn't need to advertise. Word of mouth was enough. We didn't need to advertise. Word of mouth was enough. 355 00:32:13,973 --> 00:32:16,142 Three weeks in, Three weeks in, 356 00:32:17,685 --> 00:32:19,771 The Guardian called me. The Guardian called me. 357 00:32:22,357 --> 00:32:24,317 Time Out also called Time Out also called 358 00:32:25,318 --> 00:32:26,945 to write about us. to write about us. 359 00:32:30,823 --> 00:32:32,158 It was quite a shock. It was quite a shock. 360 00:32:35,370 --> 00:32:38,039 And just like that, business was booming. And just like that, business was booming. 361 00:32:40,124 --> 00:32:42,293 I felt quite pleased with that. I felt quite pleased with that. 362 00:33:07,026 --> 00:33:08,403 Two months later, Two months later, 363 00:33:08,486 --> 00:33:11,990 I started to feel discomfort throughout my body. I started to feel discomfort throughout my body. 364 00:33:12,073 --> 00:33:16,035 I thought I was just exhausted from the restaurant. I thought I was just exhausted from the restaurant. 365 00:33:19,914 --> 00:33:22,583 I went to the doctor and the doctor asked, I went to the doctor and the doctor asked, 366 00:33:22,667 --> 00:33:25,378 "You didn't know you're three months pregnant?" "You didn't know you're three months pregnant?" 367 00:33:25,461 --> 00:33:27,005 I said I had no idea. I said I had no idea. 368 00:33:36,222 --> 00:33:40,435 Mentally, I was really torn. Mentally, I was really torn. 369 00:33:43,980 --> 00:33:49,152 Developing a career while being pregnant Developing a career while being pregnant 370 00:33:49,944 --> 00:33:52,864 is extremely difficult. is extremely difficult. 371 00:33:59,746 --> 00:34:04,375 I always thought that restaurants were my calling. I always thought that restaurants were my calling. 372 00:34:06,502 --> 00:34:09,547 This business could change my family's fate. This business could change my family's fate. 373 00:34:11,966 --> 00:34:13,885 I couldn't give it up. I couldn't give it up. 374 00:34:18,598 --> 00:34:20,600 I didn't know how it would go, I didn't know how it would go, 375 00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:23,352 but I was extremely determined. but I was extremely determined. 376 00:34:25,897 --> 00:34:27,565 My friends were so worried. My friends were so worried. 377 00:34:27,648 --> 00:34:30,610 "How are you in the kitchen with your big belly, "How are you in the kitchen with your big belly, 378 00:34:30,693 --> 00:34:32,487 walking around knives and woks?" walking around knives and woks?" 379 00:34:33,780 --> 00:34:35,114 "Aren't you afraid?" "Aren't you afraid?" 380 00:34:38,826 --> 00:34:43,206 I said I would find a way to do what I really wanted to do. I said I would find a way to do what I really wanted to do. 381 00:34:43,873 --> 00:34:46,793 That is, to have a child and my career. That is, to have a child and my career. 382 00:35:04,477 --> 00:35:08,189 I took about a month off after giving birth to my daughter. I took about a month off after giving birth to my daughter. 383 00:35:08,981 --> 00:35:12,401 Then I hired a nanny to help look after her, Then I hired a nanny to help look after her, 384 00:35:12,485 --> 00:35:15,321 so I could go back to work. so I could go back to work. 385 00:35:20,326 --> 00:35:22,161 Because business was good, Because business was good, 386 00:35:23,162 --> 00:35:25,957 I opened my second restaurant called Master Wei. I opened my second restaurant called Master Wei. 387 00:35:28,376 --> 00:35:30,128 I started working at seven a.m. I started working at seven a.m. 388 00:35:30,211 --> 00:35:33,756 Sometimes I wouldn't get home until midnight or one a.m. Sometimes I wouldn't get home until midnight or one a.m. 389 00:35:35,633 --> 00:35:37,802 No water. I'll heat the oil there. No water. I'll heat the oil there. 390 00:35:37,885 --> 00:35:38,803 Don't add water. Don't add water. 391 00:35:38,886 --> 00:35:40,847 It's fine. The wok has just 80.00% line:84.67% My cousin was really worried. It's fine. The wok has just dried. 392 00:35:43,641 --> 00:35:45,893 For most of my daughter's childhood, 393 00:35:47,812 --> 00:35:49,814 I didn't spend much time with her. 394 00:35:56,529 --> 00:35:58,739 I had a struggle in my heart. 395 00:36:00,741 --> 00:36:04,370 I wasn't sure if I should spend more time with my daughter 396 00:36:04,453 --> 00:36:09,458 or put more time in and keep giving my all to the restaurants. 397 00:36:12,044 --> 00:36:16,591 The most difficult time was when my daughter was sick with a fever, 398 00:36:18,301 --> 00:36:20,303 and I couldn't be with her. 399 00:36:22,013 --> 00:36:24,640 I had a friend take her to the hospital. 400 00:36:28,019 --> 00:36:29,937 My daughter kept asking, 401 00:36:30,021 --> 00:36:32,857 "Mom, when can you spend time with me and rest?" 402 00:36:34,525 --> 00:36:37,111 I know my daughter didn't want me to work too hard. 403 00:36:46,370 --> 00:36:48,414 I wasn't a good mother. 404 00:36:51,083 --> 00:36:52,710 I felt quite lost about it. 405 00:37:06,140 --> 00:37:08,226 - Hold my hands. - Okay. 406 00:37:10,144 --> 00:37:12,396 - Do you hear the ducks quack? - Yeah. 407 00:37:15,733 --> 00:37:18,194 Wow, they must be starving, right? 408 00:37:18,277 --> 00:37:19,403 Right. 409 00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:22,823 Come here, Mom. 410 00:37:22,907 --> 00:37:23,866 Where? 411 00:37:23,950 --> 00:37:24,784 Here. 412 00:37:28,746 --> 00:37:29,956 Let me help you. 413 00:37:30,998 --> 00:37:31,832 Put it here. 414 00:37:36,963 --> 00:37:39,090 They're coming! 415 00:37:46,639 --> 00:37:51,811 I want to give my daughter a much better life than I had. 416 00:37:54,355 --> 00:37:56,649 For her to have a better education, 417 00:37:56,732 --> 00:37:59,068 I have no choice but to work this hard. 418 00:38:02,822 --> 00:38:05,241 I need to believe everything is worth it. 419 00:38:07,410 --> 00:38:08,911 What if you fell in? 420 00:38:09,412 --> 00:38:10,830 You can save me. 421 00:38:10,913 --> 00:38:14,750 Is that so? I can't swim. Can you swim? 422 00:38:15,376 --> 00:38:16,919 - Can you? - A little bit. 423 00:38:17,003 --> 00:38:18,254 A little bit? 424 00:38:18,337 --> 00:38:19,297 Is this fun? 425 00:38:19,380 --> 00:38:20,214 Yes. 426 00:38:24,176 --> 00:38:25,386 Come over here, Yue. 427 00:38:28,639 --> 00:38:31,892 Whenever I manage to have some free time, 428 00:38:33,436 --> 00:38:37,606 I take her to see and learn about the world. 429 00:38:42,361 --> 00:38:44,322 I barely have time for her, 430 00:38:46,532 --> 00:38:50,369 but I can provide the opportunities for her to pursue education. 431 00:38:52,371 --> 00:38:54,415 This is my responsibility in life. 432 00:38:57,376 --> 00:38:59,337 Wow, how do you throw it so far? 433 00:38:59,420 --> 00:39:00,463 I have no idea. 434 00:39:00,546 --> 00:39:02,715 Because as soon as I throw it out, 435 00:39:02,798 --> 00:39:03,883 it just goes far. 436 00:39:03,966 --> 00:39:05,426 Oh, I see. 437 00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:08,137 - Then teach me that. Okay? - Okay. 438 00:39:10,681 --> 00:39:13,476 I took my daughter to a pretty good school. 439 00:39:15,227 --> 00:39:17,688 At her interview, she was really happy. 440 00:39:17,772 --> 00:39:20,775 She was great at answering the questions. 441 00:39:22,860 --> 00:39:25,863 The principal said, "Welcome to our school." 442 00:39:27,823 --> 00:39:29,533 It was such a good feeling. 443 00:39:31,035 --> 00:39:32,328 What did they say? 444 00:39:32,411 --> 00:39:34,205 - They're talking, right? - Yeah. 445 00:39:34,288 --> 00:39:36,248 - Chatting. - I know what they said. 446 00:39:37,625 --> 00:39:40,086 "Hello, you ate this bread as well?" 447 00:39:40,169 --> 00:39:42,755 "It's so yummy." 448 00:39:45,591 --> 00:39:48,010 Because the school is far away, 449 00:39:48,594 --> 00:39:51,347 I had to move south. 450 00:39:53,140 --> 00:39:59,605 I spend about 3.5 hours commuting to and from work every day. 451 00:40:01,899 --> 00:40:06,153 Although challenging, I think it's all worth it. 452 00:40:06,862 --> 00:40:09,740 My daughter has a great time in school. 453 00:40:11,700 --> 00:40:14,537 She wishes we could spend more time together. 454 00:40:16,539 --> 00:40:18,374 But now she understands 455 00:40:18,457 --> 00:40:22,503 why her mom goes to work every day and works so hard. 456 00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:25,834 Yue, I'll wrap you in it. 457 00:42:25,918 --> 00:42:28,087 Come on. Yay, wrapping you in. 458 00:42:28,587 --> 00:42:29,505 Sounds good? 459 00:42:30,005 --> 00:42:31,840 Can I wrap you up with it? 460 00:42:31,924 --> 00:42:33,842 It's big enough to wrap you up. 461 00:42:35,594 --> 00:42:39,306 I feel like I've been on the right path all these years. 462 00:42:42,643 --> 00:42:46,564 Cooking has not only fulfilled my own dream 463 00:42:46,647 --> 00:42:48,274 of doing what I love, 464 00:42:48,357 --> 00:42:51,151 but also helped better my family's life. 465 00:42:54,113 --> 00:42:57,575 My two sisters are now fully independent. 466 00:42:59,410 --> 00:43:01,704 My youngest sister is a doctor. 467 00:43:04,957 --> 00:43:08,168 And my other sister is also doing pretty well in Xi'an. 468 00:43:12,131 --> 00:43:14,258 I still support my parents. 469 00:43:15,593 --> 00:43:19,346 I built four single-story houses for my family. 470 00:43:23,684 --> 00:43:25,978 And now, my parents think that 471 00:43:26,061 --> 00:43:29,231 this daughter is much better than other people's sons. 472 00:43:31,191 --> 00:43:33,527 I hope when my daughter grows up, 473 00:43:33,611 --> 00:43:35,613 she'll realize her own potential. 474 00:43:39,033 --> 00:43:43,120 I won't force her into or steer her away from anything. 475 00:43:45,456 --> 00:43:47,374 My daughter knows this, too. 476 00:43:52,713 --> 00:43:56,425 Thanks to the efforts of restaurateurs like Guirong, 477 00:43:56,508 --> 00:44:00,304 that whole stereotype of Chinese cuisine has been shattered. 478 00:44:02,473 --> 00:44:06,977 The door is ajar for Westerners to see the variety of Chinese cuisine. 479 00:44:08,771 --> 00:44:10,731 It's not what you thought it was. 480 00:44:11,231 --> 00:44:13,192 There's so much more to discover. 481 00:44:14,068 --> 00:44:18,072 And the leading light of Xi'an food in London has been Guirong Wei. 482 00:44:21,825 --> 00:44:23,535 Up to now, 483 00:44:23,619 --> 00:44:25,829 my life has been like that of Shaanxi wheat. 484 00:44:27,706 --> 00:44:30,376 The wheat is tenacious and resilient, 485 00:44:30,459 --> 00:44:32,461 growing step by step. 486 00:44:34,630 --> 00:44:36,507 My path has not been easy, 487 00:44:36,590 --> 00:44:39,635 but the hardships I faced shaped me 488 00:44:39,718 --> 00:44:43,055 into a person of responsibility and independent thinking. 489 00:44:44,473 --> 00:44:48,769 I also hope my future is like the wheat. 490 00:44:49,853 --> 00:44:53,148 Overcoming obstacles, one step at a time.