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[soft music playing]
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[Guirong in Mandarin]
Our wheat is particularly unique
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due to the environment it grows in.
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In the mountains of our hometown,
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the growth conditions for wheat
are very harsh.
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In the winter,
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the wheat seedlings are covered
with a white layer of frost.
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Other plants covered with snow will die,
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but wheat doesn't.
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As warmer weather melts the snow,
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the wheat grows better and fuller.
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Wheat is quite tasty.
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Wheat noodles have a richer aroma.
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The moment
you open the cooking basket lid,
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the aroma of the noodles fills the room.
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Even without anything on the noodles,
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you can appreciate the special fragrance.
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This tradition of flour-food culture
spans thousands of years.
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It's something I cannot lose at my core.
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To me, wheat is incredibly precious.
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[music fades]
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[theme music playing]
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[music fades]
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{\an8}[indistinct chattering]
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{\an8}[woman in English] In London, Chinese food
is one of the best-loved foreign cuisines.
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But it's also unrepresentative
of the variety in Chinese cuisine.
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Going from one province to another
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is like going to another world,
in food terms.
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[soft music playing]
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[Fuchsia] And so for Guirong Wei,
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it's not just about
the business and cooking.
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There's a cultural mission too.
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In China, there are really
very few women chefs.
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To make it, they have to be
better than everyone else.
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That's the case with Guirong.
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[music intensifies]
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[Fuchsia] She came here
with nothing, really.
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No English skills.
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And yet she just
opened her fourth restaurant.
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In London, she's put Xi'an food
on the map.
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[man] Xi'an, one of the ancient capitals
of the world,
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is a cultural hub of China
and very important gastronomically.
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The Silk Road and the Muslim populations
in Xi'an have influenced its cuisine,
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such as flavor profiles
and the spices that they use.
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{\an8}Therefore, a lot of the dishes
you see there
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{\an8}are very unique to that region of China.
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When Guirong cooks,
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you get transported to Xi'an from it.
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[music continues]
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[Fuchsia] One of the foreign stereotypes
about Chinese food
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is that it's all about rice.
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But Guirong Wei is from North China,
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where it's all about wheat.
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They call it mianshi, flour foods.
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You have dumplings, bread, noodles.
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Xi'an is famous for its noodles.
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They have dozens of different varieties,
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sometimes cut or hand-shaped
or hand-stretched.
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Xi'an noodles are becoming
really loved in London,
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thanks to the efforts of Guirong Wei.
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[music fades]
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[Guirong in Mandarin] In Shaanxi,
there are about 100 types of noodles.
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The most famous are Biang Biang noodles.
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These noodles give you an understanding
of the culture of Xi'an.
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[soft music playing]
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[Guirong] As a Shaanxi native
who grew up in Xi'an,
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I have an obligation
to carry on the cuisine's tradition.
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So I use
the traditional handmade technique.
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The original flour aroma should remain.
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When I was a kid, my grandma and my mom
taught me how to make noodles.
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When slapped on the board,
the dough makes a biang-biang sound.
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I really enjoy this process.
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[music continues]
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[Guirong] We usually
add seasoning to the noodles
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like local vinegar,
scallions, chili, and garlic.
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When you pour the oil
on top of the seasoning,
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you get a sizzling sound.
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The noodles look so beautiful.
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They are bouncy as if they're dancing.
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After the first bite,
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I know one bowl won't be enough.
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They're soft, chewy,
and smooth at the same time.
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I don't think
I'll ever get enough of them.
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[music continues]
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[Guirong]
I want to spread our Shaanxi noodles
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to more people around the world.
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My hope is to make Xi'an noodles
reach people far and wide.
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It is my duty and responsibility.
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[music fades]
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[Guirong] There's a Chinese saying,
"No one is promised a life of happiness."
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I had a rougher childhood than my peers.
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[soft music playing]
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[Guirong] I was born in the south
of Shaanxi Province, China.
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There were 800 people in our village.
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The entire village was very poor,
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and our family was one of the poorer ones.
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We were peasants.
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Every year our family
didn't have quite enough food.
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I am the eldest kid in my family.
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I have two younger sisters.
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Back then, Chinese people would say,
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"Three daughters end a family line."
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My parents thought that without a son,
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there would be no one to do physical labor
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or to support them in old age.
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As the eldest daughter in the family,
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I had an obligation
to bring in a live-in son-in-law.
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I didn't think it should be this way.
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I should go out in the world
and learn more.
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[music continues]
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[Guirong] I thought to myself,
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"Even if my parents don't have a son,
someday I'll show them
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I'm undoubtedly as capable as sons."
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{\an8}[music fades]
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[Guirong] My first dream
was to go beyond the Qin Mountains.
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Studying was our only way
out of the mountains at the time.
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But our family couldn't afford the tuition
for all three of us.
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[indistinct chattering]
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[Guirong]
When I was 11 or 12, I made a decision.
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I should drop out of school
and start earning money,
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so my sisters could get a good education.
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And the whole family would be better off.
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[soft music playing]
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[Guirong] I found my first job
at a Paomo restaurant.
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I would wash dishes and do various chores.
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While washing dishes,
I'd watch the master chef at the stove.
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That looked so cool to me.
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[music intensifies]
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[Guirong] There was a rhythm to it.
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When to put in the seasoning,
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when to toss the wok,
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and when to scrub and wash the wok.
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I didn't have music education as a kid,
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and those kitchen sounds
were like music to me.
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[music continues]
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[Guirong] The swooshing sound
of washing the wok,
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the clanging of the ladle as it stirs,
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and the crackling of flames.
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I knew what was happening
in the kitchen without even looking.
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"The master chef is adding seasoning."
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"Oh, the dish is done. It's being served."
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I thought to myself,
"One day I'll be in that position."
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[music fades]
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[bells trolling]
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[Guirong] One day,
my cousin came back from Xi'an,
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the big, provincial capital city.
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She said, "Come with me to Xi'an.
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There are many job opportunities.
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You'd probably
earn much more money there."
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After hearing that,
I decided I had to go to Xi'an.
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[soft music playing]
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[Guirong] My family was against it.
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I was only 13 at the time.
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It took over 10 hours by car
from our town to cross the Qin Mountains.
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If I went over to Xi'an,
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they wondered if I'd ever come back.
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[music continues]
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[Guirong] I firmly told them
that I would come back
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and not leave my parents uncared for.
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When leaving, I spoke with my sisters.
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Pointing to the wall
behind our kitchen, I said,
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"Look, I've always been
an excellent student."
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"My certificates are all over the wall."
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"If you don't study hard in the future,
that's your problem."
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"Not being able to
afford your tuition is mine."
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In front of my family,
I acted really optimistic and strong.
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But the moment the bus left,
I actually cried.
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[music fades]
[music fades]
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[Guirong] When I got to Xi'an, my cousin took me downtown.
[Guirong] When I got to Xi'an, my cousin took me downtown.
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Xi'an is a historical capital.
Xi'an is a historical capital.
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Its rich history and prosperity span thousands of years.
Its rich history and prosperity span thousands of years.
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I had a feeling that in this city
I had a feeling that in this city
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I would definitely find my place.
I would definitely find my place.
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[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
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[Guirong] Under the ancient city wall were various markets.
[Guirong] Under the ancient city wall were various markets.
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There was a huge variety of foods.
There was a huge variety of foods.
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Steamed buns,
Steamed buns,
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different Xi'an-style dumplings…
different Xi'an-style dumplings…
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and so many kinds of noodles.
and so many kinds of noodles.
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I thought people in my hometown loved noodles,
I thought people in my hometown loved noodles,
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but people in Xi'an love noodles even more.
but people in Xi'an love noodles even more.
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[music continues]
[music continues]
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[Guirong] While we were walking around,
[Guirong] While we were walking around,
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my cousin said, "You should learn a trade."
my cousin said, "You should learn a trade."
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She said I could learn flower arranging.
She said I could learn flower arranging.
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I said, "I can't learn that. Look, I'm like a boy."
I said, "I can't learn that. Look, I'm like a boy."
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"That's not for me."
"That's not for me."
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Then she said, "How about a seamstress?"
Then she said, "How about a seamstress?"
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I said, "They sit all the time. That's even worse."
I said, "They sit all the time. That's even worse."
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She said, "Then what do you want?"
She said, "Then what do you want?"
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I replied,
I replied,
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"I'd like to learn to be a chef."
"I'd like to learn to be a chef."
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My cousin was really worried.
My cousin was really worried.
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Generally, it was a trade for boys.
Generally, it was a trade for boys.
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[music continues]
[music continues]
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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."
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[music fades]
[music fades]
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[Fuchsia in English] One of the most famous Xi'an street foods
[Fuchsia in English] One of the most famous Xi'an street foods
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is called Liangpi, Cold Skin Noodles.
is called Liangpi, Cold Skin Noodles.
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It's a mixture of these slippery white starch noodles
It's a mixture of these slippery white starch noodles
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with chewier yellow wheat gluten.
with chewier yellow wheat gluten.
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They're made by deconstructing dough into wheat starch and gluten,
They're made by deconstructing dough into wheat starch and gluten,
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which the Chinese have been doing for centuries.
which the Chinese have been doing for centuries.
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[upbeat music playing]
[upbeat music playing]
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[Guirong in Mandarin] I first make the dough from flour
[Guirong in Mandarin] I first make the dough from flour
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and soak it in water.
and soak it in water.
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I wash it until the gluten and starch are completely separated.
I wash it until the gluten and starch are completely separated.
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Then I steam the gluten.
Then I steam the gluten.
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I use the settled starch water to steam the cold skin.
I use the settled starch water to steam the cold skin.
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Once they're cool,
Once they're cool,
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I cut them into thin noodle-like slices.
I cut them into thin noodle-like slices.
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The process is complicated and requires a lot of work.
The process is complicated and requires a lot of work.
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But it's worth it.
But it's worth it.
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[Fuchsia in English] Liangpi is made into a salad
[Fuchsia in English] Liangpi is made into a salad
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with cucumber slivers, garlic, and vinegar.
with cucumber slivers, garlic, and vinegar.
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It's a refreshing dish with a really interesting texture.
It's a refreshing dish with a really interesting texture.
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They're soft and slithery and a little bit crisp.
They're soft and slithery and a little bit crisp.
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It's a whole sensory experience.
It's a whole sensory experience.
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[Andrew] Chinese cuisine is full of innovative technique.
[Andrew] Chinese cuisine is full of innovative technique.
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And the dishes that you get from these techniques
And the dishes that you get from these techniques
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are completely unique to the Chinese kitchen.
are completely unique to the Chinese kitchen.
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[music continues]
[music continues]
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[Guirong in Mandarin] Nowhere else in the world can you find
[Guirong in Mandarin] Nowhere else in the world can you find
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these water-washed noodles of my hometown.
these water-washed noodles of my hometown.
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To me, it's unmatched by other types of cuisines.
To me, it's unmatched by other types of cuisines.
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After all, our cuisine dates back thousands of years.
After all, our cuisine dates back thousands of years.
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There must be a reason.
There must be a reason.
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[music fades]
[music fades]
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00:18:45,666 --> 00:18:48,669
[Guirong] After I graduated from culinary school,
[Guirong] After I graduated from culinary school,
230
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.
231
00:18:55,467 --> 00:18:56,844
[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
232
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[Guirong] Over the phone, my sister told me
[Guirong] Over the phone, my sister told me
233
00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:03,225
the water came directly into our home.
the water came directly into our home.
234
00:19:04,226 --> 00:19:06,603
If the house had collapsed,
If the house had collapsed,
235
00:19:06,687 --> 00:19:10,065
my family could've been crushed to death.
my family could've been crushed to death.
236
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.
237
00:19:27,583 --> 00:19:30,169
I felt upset because, at that time,
I felt upset because, at that time,
238
00:19:30,252 --> 00:19:32,421
my internship salary was very low.
my internship salary was very low.
239
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.
240
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.
241
00:19:48,187 --> 00:19:50,063
That's when I had an idea.
That's when I had an idea.
242
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.
243
00:19:59,114 --> 00:20:01,867
to help my parents build a new house.
to help my parents build a new house.
244
00:20:06,246 --> 00:20:08,248
I spent a long time planning.
I spent a long time planning.
245
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.
246
00:20:18,217 --> 00:20:19,843
I'd even help the others.
I'd even help the others.
247
00:20:22,763 --> 00:20:24,348
Making cold dishes,
Making cold dishes,
248
00:20:24,848 --> 00:20:26,433
chopping ingredients,
chopping ingredients,
249
00:20:27,601 --> 00:20:28,936
stirring dishes,
stirring dishes,
250
00:20:30,646 --> 00:20:32,814
making flour-based dishes, and more.
making flour-based dishes, and more.
251
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.
252
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I was doing it for my family.
I was doing it for my family.
253
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- [music fades] - [indistinct chattering]
- [music fades] - [indistinct chattering]
254
00:21:06,473 --> 00:21:10,018
[Guirong] I worked at a hotel for many years,
[Guirong] I worked at a hotel for many years,
255
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.
256
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.
257
00:21:22,614 --> 00:21:25,200
I spoke with my manager and said,
I spoke with my manager and said,
258
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."
259
00:21:29,037 --> 00:21:30,914
"Could you give me a chance?"
"Could you give me a chance?"
260
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."
261
00:21:39,089 --> 00:21:41,091
[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
262
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[Guirong] I was worried, especially about one thing.
[Guirong] I was worried, especially about one thing.
263
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,
264
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!
265
00:21:56,648 --> 00:21:59,151
They were all more experienced than me.
They were all more experienced than me.
266
00:22:01,194 --> 00:22:02,237
When taking attendance,
When taking attendance,
267
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,
268
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.
269
00:22:10,579 --> 00:22:13,665
[Fuchsia in English] In China, there aren't many women who are in charge
[Fuchsia in English] In China, there aren't many women who are in charge
270
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of the kitchen and in charge of the woks.
of the kitchen and in charge of the woks.
271
00:22:17,836 --> 00:22:20,672
It's seen as unfeminine and hard-going.
It's seen as unfeminine and hard-going.
272
00:22:21,923 --> 00:22:23,633
Women heading up kitchens
Women heading up kitchens
273
00:22:23,717 --> 00:22:26,261
have to be determined to show them all
have to be determined to show them all
274
00:22:26,345 --> 00:22:27,804
and outdo the men.
and outdo the men.
275
00:22:27,888 --> 00:22:29,681
[music continues]
[music continues]
276
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[Guirong in Mandarin] I did feel it wasn't going to be easy.
[Guirong in Mandarin] I did feel it wasn't going to be easy.
277
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But I was still convinced that I could do it.
But I was still convinced that I could do it.
278
00:22:44,946 --> 00:22:47,866
I just kept working in the kitchen,
I just kept working in the kitchen,
279
00:22:47,949 --> 00:22:50,827
doing my thing every day.
doing my thing every day.
280
00:22:53,205 --> 00:22:55,207
Our team gradually adjusted.
Our team gradually adjusted.
281
00:22:57,542 --> 00:23:01,254
And later on, they worked well with me.
And later on, they worked well with me.
282
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.
283
00:23:09,554 --> 00:23:11,556
[music fades]
[music fades]
284
00:23:16,561 --> 00:23:18,355
[Guirong] No cucumber shreds?
[Guirong] No cucumber shreds?
285
00:23:22,109 --> 00:23:25,362
This doesn't need cucumber shreds, so no.
This doesn't need cucumber shreds, so no.
286
00:23:28,949 --> 00:23:31,076
[Fuchsia in English] Working as a head chef in Xi'an,
[Fuchsia in English] Working as a head chef in Xi'an,
287
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.
288
00:23:37,165 --> 00:23:38,875
And then in 2008,
And then in 2008,
289
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
290
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.
291
00:23:47,968 --> 00:23:49,511
[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
292
00:23:51,888 --> 00:23:54,224
[Guirong in Mandarin] I was so excited because
[Guirong in Mandarin] I was so excited because
293
00:23:54,307 --> 00:23:56,977
in London, the salary was very high.
in London, the salary was very high.
294
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,
295
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.
296
00:24:06,945 --> 00:24:09,614
Besides, I had always dreamed of going abroad.
Besides, I had always dreamed of going abroad.
297
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.
298
00:24:16,037 --> 00:24:18,039
[music continues]
[music continues]
299
00:24:23,503 --> 00:24:25,422
[Guirong] I had never been on a plane.
[Guirong] I had never been on a plane.
300
00:24:30,886 --> 00:24:33,722
The moment I landed on British soil,
The moment I landed on British soil,
301
00:24:33,805 --> 00:24:35,891
I wanted to see what Britain was like.
I wanted to see what Britain was like.
302
00:24:37,851 --> 00:24:39,478
It was drizzling outside.
It was drizzling outside.
303
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.
304
00:24:48,487 --> 00:24:50,864
The roads were very narrow.
The roads were very narrow.
305
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.
306
00:24:57,287 --> 00:24:58,914
London was said to be developed,
London was said to be developed,
307
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.
308
00:25:05,837 --> 00:25:07,297
I felt anxious.
I felt anxious.
309
00:25:12,677 --> 00:25:14,679
[music fades]
[music fades]
310
00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:30,070
[Guirong] In London, there were many different types of cuisine.
[Guirong] In London, there were many different types of cuisine.
311
00:25:32,030 --> 00:25:34,783
I had Malaysian food, Spanish food,
I had Malaysian food, Spanish food,
312
00:25:35,534 --> 00:25:36,493
and pizza.
and pizza.
313
00:25:38,161 --> 00:25:41,206
But Chinese food wasn't well-developed yet.
But Chinese food wasn't well-developed yet.
314
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.
315
00:25:46,753 --> 00:25:48,630
[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
316
00:25:51,216 --> 00:25:53,343
[Fuchsia in English] When Guirong Wei came to London,
[Fuchsia in English] When Guirong Wei came to London,
317
00:25:53,426 --> 00:25:55,804
she started working with Barshu.
she started working with Barshu.
318
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.
319
00:26:01,476 --> 00:26:03,353
And the restaurant was successful.
And the restaurant was successful.
320
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.
321
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.
322
00:26:15,782 --> 00:26:19,536
And yet, she is so determined and tenacious.
And yet, she is so determined and tenacious.
323
00:26:21,871 --> 00:26:24,583
[Guirong in Mandarin] I was the only chef on the team
[Guirong in Mandarin] I was the only chef on the team
324
00:26:24,666 --> 00:26:26,251
who didn't come from Sichuan.
who didn't come from Sichuan.
325
00:26:28,712 --> 00:26:33,133
Traditional Shaanxi cuisine and Sichuan cuisine are different.
Traditional Shaanxi cuisine and Sichuan cuisine are different.
326
00:26:35,135 --> 00:26:38,054
I love cooking food from my hometown.
I love cooking food from my hometown.
327
00:26:39,681 --> 00:26:41,057
So one day,
So one day,
328
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.
329
00:26:46,605 --> 00:26:48,940
They all said, "We like this."
They all said, "We like this."
330
00:26:51,443 --> 00:26:53,153
That made me really happy.
That made me really happy.
331
00:26:55,405 --> 00:26:57,574
So every Sunday night,
So every Sunday night,
332
00:26:57,657 --> 00:26:59,534
I'd make different flour foods.
I'd make different flour foods.
333
00:27:02,996 --> 00:27:05,582
My colleagues looked forward to Sundays.
My colleagues looked forward to Sundays.
334
00:27:07,042 --> 00:27:09,461
"Ah, finally a break from Sichuan food."
"Ah, finally a break from Sichuan food."
335
00:27:09,544 --> 00:27:11,421
"Time for Shaanxi flour foods."
"Time for Shaanxi flour foods."
336
00:27:13,673 --> 00:27:15,550
It really inspired me
It really inspired me
337
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.
338
00:27:20,388 --> 00:27:22,390
[music continues]
[music continues]
339
00:27:33,401 --> 00:27:35,403
[music fades]
[music fades]
340
00:27:36,071 --> 00:27:37,656
[Guirong groans]
[Guirong groans]
341
00:27:39,532 --> 00:27:40,867
You just came back?
You just came back?
342
00:27:42,118 --> 00:27:44,162
[Guirongs mom] I came back around nine.
[Guirongs mom] I came back around nine.
343
00:27:44,245 --> 00:27:45,622
Where is Little Lemon?
Where is Little Lemon?
344
00:27:47,082 --> 00:27:49,000
She is still in Hunan.
She is still in Hunan.
345
00:27:49,084 --> 00:27:49,918
Oh.
Oh.
346
00:27:50,001 --> 00:27:51,503
She's having fun,
She's having fun,
347
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.
348
00:27:55,048 --> 00:27:56,091
That makes sense.
That makes sense.
349
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.
350
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.
351
00:28:03,431 --> 00:28:04,265
Yeah.
Yeah.
352
00:28:04,349 --> 00:28:07,394
She is good at coaxing her grandparents.
She is good at coaxing her grandparents.
353
00:28:08,353 --> 00:28:10,105
She rides on Grandpa's neck.
She rides on Grandpa's neck.
354
00:28:10,188 --> 00:28:11,022
Oh.
Oh.
355
00:28:12,273 --> 00:28:15,902
At her grandparents' home, she is the boss.
At her grandparents' home, she is the boss.
356
00:28:19,155 --> 00:28:21,491
[Guirong] I worked at Barshu for seven years.
[Guirong] I worked at Barshu for seven years.
357
00:28:23,284 --> 00:28:26,830
During those years, my work went quite smoothly.
During those years, my work went quite smoothly.
358
00:28:27,330 --> 00:28:28,915
- [Guirongs mom] Shall we hang up? - Okay.
- [Guirongs mom] Shall we hang up? - Okay.
359
00:28:32,043 --> 00:28:35,797
[Guirong] Every year, I gave extra money to my parents
[Guirong] Every year, I gave extra money to my parents
360
00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:38,299
so my sisters could continue to study.
so my sisters could continue to study.
361
00:28:42,053 --> 00:28:44,514
I felt a small sense of accomplishment.
I felt a small sense of accomplishment.
362
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.
363
00:28:54,733 --> 00:28:56,192
[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
364
00:28:57,485 --> 00:29:00,447
[Guirong] But I still had this desire
[Guirong] But I still had this desire
365
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.
366
00:29:09,330 --> 00:29:12,000
So I said to my boss,
So I said to my boss,
367
00:29:12,083 --> 00:29:14,794
"I really want to open a restaurant."
"I really want to open a restaurant."
368
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.
369
00:29:19,966 --> 00:29:22,927
He said, "Our restaurant is doing great."
He said, "Our restaurant is doing great."
370
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."
371
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."
372
00:29:35,356 --> 00:29:36,524
{\an8}"All good options."
"All good options."
373
00:29:39,819 --> 00:29:42,322
I said, "I'd love to learn things,
I said, "I'd love to learn things,
374
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."
375
00:29:49,746 --> 00:29:52,290
I turned down his offer.
I turned down his offer.
376
00:29:53,958 --> 00:29:56,920
That's when I left Barshu.
That's when I left Barshu.
377
00:30:00,924 --> 00:30:02,258
[music fades]
[music fades]
378
00:30:09,557 --> 00:30:12,018
[Guirong] I got the lease for my first restaurant.
[Guirong] I got the lease for my first restaurant.
379
00:30:16,314 --> 00:30:19,943
To start, I needed to draft the menu.
To start, I needed to draft the menu.
380
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.
381
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.
382
00:30:38,211 --> 00:30:40,213
[soft music playing]
[soft music playing]
383
00:30:42,382 --> 00:30:44,801
[Guirong] We Northerners love chewy noodles.
[Guirong] We Northerners love chewy noodles.
384
00:30:47,637 --> 00:30:50,849
Many restaurant owners saw this as a challenge.
Many restaurant owners saw this as a challenge.
385
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.
386
00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:01,359
HAND-ROLLED NOODLES
HAND-ROLLED NOODLES
387
00:31:01,442 --> 00:31:04,279
[Guirong] I was told Western customers would not like it.
[Guirong] I was told Western customers would not like it.
388
00:31:05,822 --> 00:31:08,074
When cooking Sichuan food at Barshu,
When cooking Sichuan food at Barshu,
389
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.
390
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.
391
00:31:27,385 --> 00:31:30,179
I procured and shipped chili peppers from China,
I procured and shipped chili peppers from China,
392
00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:32,515
and ground my own chili powder.
and ground my own chili powder.
393
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.
394
00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:41,024
I had some fear.
I had some fear.
395
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,
396
00:31:46,404 --> 00:31:48,573
so I had to teach them from scrate:80.00% line:79.33% But the moment the bus left,
I actually cried. so I had to teach them from scratch.
397
00:31:49,991 --> 00:31:52,493
Across from my Xi'an Impression restaurant
398
00:31:52,577 --> 00:31:55,413
were two tall buildings
with many residents.
399
00:31:56,998 --> 00:31:58,958
They'd come down to try our food.
400
00:31:59,042 --> 00:32:03,796
Gradually, customers started coming back
two, three, four days in a row!
401
00:32:08,426 --> 00:32:11,804
We didn't need to advertise.
Word of mouth was enough.
402
00:32:13,973 --> 00:32:16,142
Three weeks in,
403
00:32:17,685 --> 00:32:19,771
The Guardian called me.
404
00:32:22,357 --> 00:32:24,317
Time Out also called
405
00:32:25,318 --> 00:32:26,945
to write about us.
406
00:32:30,823 --> 00:32:32,158
It was quite a shock.
407
00:32:35,370 --> 00:32:38,039
And just like that, business was booming.
408
00:32:40,124 --> 00:32:42,293
I felt quite pleased with that.
409
00:32:50,385 --> 00:32:52,387
[music fades]
410
00:32:56,224 --> 00:32:58,226
[bus whirring]
411
00:33:07,026 --> 00:33:08,403
[Guirong] Two months later,
412
00:33:08,486 --> 00:33:11,990
I started to feel discomfort
throughout my body.
413
00:33:12,073 --> 00:33:16,035
I thought I was just exhausted
from the restaurant.
414
00:33:19,914 --> 00:33:22,583
I went to the doctor and the doctor asked,
415
00:33:22,667 --> 00:33:25,378
"You didn't know
you're three months pregnant?"
416
00:33:25,461 --> 00:33:27,005
I said I had no idea. [laughs]
417
00:33:29,716 --> 00:33:31,718
[soft music playing]
418
00:33:36,222 --> 00:33:40,435
[Guirong] Mentally, I was really torn.
419
00:33:43,980 --> 00:33:49,152
Developing a career while being pregnant
420
00:33:49,944 --> 00:33:52,864
is extremely difficult.
421
00:33:59,746 --> 00:34:04,375
I always thought
that restaurants were my calling.
422
00:34:06,502 --> 00:34:09,547
This business
could change my family's fate.
423
00:34:11,966 --> 00:34:13,885
I couldn't give it up.
424
00:34:13,968 --> 00:34:15,470
[music intensifies]
425
00:34:18,598 --> 00:34:20,600
[Guirong] I didn't know how it would go,
426
00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:23,352
but I was extremely determined.
427
00:34:25,897 --> 00:34:27,565
My friends were so worried.
428
00:34:27,648 --> 00:34:30,610
"How are you in the kitchen
with your big belly,
429
00:34:30,693 --> 00:34:32,487
walking around knives and woks?"
430
00:34:33,780 --> 00:34:35,114
"Aren't you afraid?"
431
00:34:38,826 --> 00:34:43,206
I said I would find a way
to do what I really wanted to do.
432
00:34:43,873 --> 00:34:46,793
That is, to have a child and my career.
433
00:34:56,969 --> 00:34:58,971
[music fades]
434
00:35:04,477 --> 00:35:08,189
[Guirong] I took about a month off
after giving birth to my daughter.
435
00:35:08,981 --> 00:35:12,401
Then I hired a nanny
to help look after her,
436
00:35:12,485 --> 00:35:15,321
so I could go back to work.
437
00:35:17,907 --> 00:35:18,866
[soft music playing]
438
00:35:20,326 --> 00:35:22,161
[Guirong] Because business was good,
439
00:35:23,162 --> 00:35:25,957
I opened my second restaurant
called Master Wei.
440
00:35:28,376 --> 00:35:30,128
I started working at seven a.m.
441
00:35:30,211 --> 00:35:33,756
Sometimes I wouldn't get home
until midnight or one a.m.
442
00:35:35,633 --> 00:35:37,802
[Guirong] No water.
I'll heat the oil there.
443
00:35:37,885 --> 00:35:38,803
Don't add water.
444
00:35:38,886 --> 00:35:40,847
It's fine. The wok has just dried.
445
00:35:43,641 --> 00:35:45,893
[Guirong]
For most of my daughter's childhood,
446
00:35:47,812 --> 00:35:49,814
I didn't spend much time with her.
447
00:35:49,897 --> 00:35:51,858
[soft music playing]
448
00:35:56,529 --> 00:35:58,739
[Guirong] I had a struggle in my heart.
449
00:36:00,741 --> 00:36:04,370
I wasn't sure if I should
spend more time with my daughter
450
00:36:04,453 --> 00:36:09,458
or put more time in
and keep giving my all to the restaurants.
451
00:36:12,044 --> 00:36:16,591
The most difficult time was
when my daughter was sick with a fever,
452
00:36:18,301 --> 00:36:20,303
and I couldn't be with her.
453
00:36:22,013 --> 00:36:24,640
I had a friend take her to the hospital.
454
00:36:28,019 --> 00:36:29,937
My daughter kept asking,
455
00:36:30,021 --> 00:36:32,857
"Mom, when can you
spend time with me and rest?"
456
00:36:34,525 --> 00:36:37,111
I know my daughter didn't want me
to work too hard.
457
00:36:39,780 --> 00:36:41,782
[music continues]
458
00:36:46,370 --> 00:36:48,414
[Guirong] I wasn't a good mother.
459
00:36:51,083 --> 00:36:52,710
I felt quite lost about it.
460
00:36:59,425 --> 00:37:01,427
[music fades]
461
00:37:06,140 --> 00:37:08,226
- [Guirong] Hold my hands.
- [Yue Yue] Okay.
462
00:37:10,144 --> 00:37:12,396
- Do you hear the ducks quack?
- Yeah.
463
00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:14,482
[ducks quacking]
464
00:37:15,733 --> 00:37:18,194
Wow, they must be starving, right?
465
00:37:18,277 --> 00:37:19,403
Right.
466
00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:22,823
Come here, Mom.
467
00:37:22,907 --> 00:37:23,866
Where?
468
00:37:23,950 --> 00:37:24,784
Here.
469
00:37:27,495 --> 00:37:28,663
[Yue Yue moans]
470
00:37:28,746 --> 00:37:29,956
Let me help you.
471
00:37:30,998 --> 00:37:31,832
Put it here.
472
00:37:34,126 --> 00:37:36,128
- [grunting]
- [soft music playing]
473
00:37:36,963 --> 00:37:39,090
They're coming!
474
00:37:46,639 --> 00:37:51,811
[Guirong] I want to give my daughter
a much better life than I had.
475
00:37:54,355 --> 00:37:56,649
For her to have a better education,
476
00:37:56,732 --> 00:37:59,068
I have no choice but to work this hard.
477
00:38:02,822 --> 00:38:05,241
I need to believe everything is worth it.
478
00:38:07,410 --> 00:38:08,911
[Guirong] What if you fell in?
479
00:38:09,412 --> 00:38:10,830
[Yue Yue] You can save me.
480
00:38:10,913 --> 00:38:14,750
[Guirong] Is that so?
I can't swim. Can you swim?
481
00:38:15,376 --> 00:38:16,919
- Can you?
- A little bit.
482
00:38:17,003 --> 00:38:18,254
A little bit?
483
00:38:18,337 --> 00:38:19,297
Is this fun?
484
00:38:19,380 --> 00:38:20,214
Yes.
485
00:38:20,298 --> 00:38:22,300
[music continues]
486
00:38:24,176 --> 00:38:25,386
Come over here, Yue.
487
00:38:28,639 --> 00:38:31,892
[Guirong] Whenever I manage
to have some free time,
488
00:38:33,436 --> 00:38:37,606
I take her
to see and learn about the world.
489
00:38:42,361 --> 00:38:44,322
I barely have time for her,
490
00:38:46,532 --> 00:38:50,369
but I can provide the opportunities
for her to pursue education.
491
00:38:52,371 --> 00:38:54,415
This is my responsibility in life.
492
00:38:57,376 --> 00:38:59,337
Wow, how do you throw it so far?
493
00:38:59,420 --> 00:39:00,463
I have no idea.
494
00:39:00,546 --> 00:39:02,715
Because as soon as I throw it out,
495
00:39:02,798 --> 00:39:03,883
it just goes far.
496
00:39:03,966 --> 00:39:05,426
Oh, I see.
497
00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:08,137
- Then teach me that. Okay?
- Okay.
498
00:39:10,681 --> 00:39:13,476
[Guirong] I took my daughter
to a pretty good school.
499
00:39:15,227 --> 00:39:17,688
At her interview, she was really happy.
500
00:39:17,772 --> 00:39:20,775
She was great at answering the questions.
501
00:39:22,860 --> 00:39:25,863
The principal said,
"Welcome to our school."
502
00:39:25,946 --> 00:39:27,740
[soft music continues]
503
00:39:27,823 --> 00:39:29,533
It was such a good feeling.
504
00:39:31,035 --> 00:39:32,328
[Guirong] What did they say?
505
00:39:32,411 --> 00:39:34,205
- They're talking, right?
- [Yue Yue] Yeah.
506
00:39:34,288 --> 00:39:36,248
- Chatting.
- I know what they said.
507
00:39:36,332 --> 00:39:37,541
[Yue Yue grunting]
508
00:39:37,625 --> 00:39:40,086
"Hello, you ate this bread as well?"
509
00:39:40,169 --> 00:39:42,755
"It's so yummy."
510
00:39:45,591 --> 00:39:48,010
[Guirong] Because the school is far away,
511
00:39:48,594 --> 00:39:51,347
I had to move south.
512
00:39:53,140 --> 00:39:59,605
I spend about 3.5 hours
commuting to and from work every day.
513
00:40:01,899 --> 00:40:06,153
Although challenging,
I think it's all worth it.
514
00:40:06,862 --> 00:40:09,740
My daughter has a great time in school.
515
00:40:11,700 --> 00:40:14,537
She wishes we could
spend more time together.
516
00:40:16,539 --> 00:40:18,374
But now she understands
517
00:40:18,457 --> 00:40:22,503
why her mom goes to work
every day and works so hard.
518
00:40:22,586 --> 00:40:24,130
[music fades]
519
00:40:24,213 --> 00:40:25,840
[upbeat music playing]
520
00:41:20,853 --> 00:41:22,062
[music continues]
521
00:42:17,952 --> 00:42:19,954
[music fades]
522
00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:25,834
Yue, I'll wrap you in it.
523
00:42:25,918 --> 00:42:28,087
Come on. Yay, wrapping you in.
524
00:42:28,587 --> 00:42:29,505
Sounds good?
525
00:42:30,005 --> 00:42:31,840
Can I wrap you up with it?
526
00:42:31,924 --> 00:42:33,842
It's big enough to wrap you up.
527
00:42:35,594 --> 00:42:39,306
[Guirong] I feel like I've been
on the right path all these years.
528
00:42:42,643 --> 00:42:46,564
Cooking has not only
fulfilled my own dream
529
00:42:46,647 --> 00:42:48,274
of doing what I love,
530
00:42:48,357 --> 00:42:51,151
but also helped better my family's life.
531
00:42:51,235 --> 00:42:52,903
[soft music playing]
532
00:42:54,113 --> 00:42:57,575
[Guirong] My two sisters
are now fully independent.
533
00:42:59,410 --> 00:43:01,704
My youngest sister is a doctor.
534
00:43:04,957 --> 00:43:08,168
And my other sister
is also doing pretty well in Xi'an.
535
00:43:12,131 --> 00:43:14,258
I still support my parents.
536
00:43:15,593 --> 00:43:19,346
I built four single-story houses
for my family.
537
00:43:23,684 --> 00:43:25,978
And now, my parents think that
538
00:43:26,061 --> 00:43:29,231
this daughter is much better
than other people's sons.
539
00:43:31,191 --> 00:43:33,527
I hope when my daughter grows up,
540
00:43:33,611 --> 00:43:35,613
she'll realize her own potential.
541
00:43:39,033 --> 00:43:43,120
I won't force her into
or steer her away from anything.
542
00:43:45,456 --> 00:43:47,374
My daughter knows this, too.
543
00:43:48,250 --> 00:43:49,251
[music continues]
544
00:43:52,713 --> 00:43:56,425
[Fuchsia in English] Thanks to the efforts
of restaurateurs like Guirong,
545
00:43:56,508 --> 00:44:00,304
that whole stereotype
of Chinese cuisine has been shattered.
546
00:44:02,473 --> 00:44:06,977
The door is ajar for Westerners
to see the variety of Chinese cuisine.
547
00:44:08,771 --> 00:44:10,731
It's not what you thought it was.
548
00:44:11,231 --> 00:44:13,192
There's so much more to discover.
549
00:44:14,068 --> 00:44:18,072
And the leading light of Xi'an food
in London has been Guirong Wei.
550
00:44:21,825 --> 00:44:23,535
[Guirong in Mandarin] Up to now,
551
00:44:23,619 --> 00:44:25,829
my life has been
like that of Shaanxi wheat.
552
00:44:27,706 --> 00:44:30,376
The wheat is tenacious and resilient,
553
00:44:30,459 --> 00:44:32,461
growing step by step.
554
00:44:34,630 --> 00:44:36,507
My path has not been easy,
555
00:44:36,590 --> 00:44:39,635
but the hardships I faced shaped me
556
00:44:39,718 --> 00:44:43,055
into a person of responsibility
and independent thinking.
557
00:44:44,473 --> 00:44:48,769
I also hope my future is like the wheat.
558
00:44:49,853 --> 00:44:53,148
Overcoming obstacles, one step at a time.
559
00:44:54,191 --> 00:44:56,193
[music fades]
560
00:44:58,946 --> 00:45:00,948
[upbeat music playing]
561
00:45:59,631 --> 00:46:01,633
[music continues]
562
00:46:44,510 --> 00:46:46,512
[music fades]