Chapter 568: Chapter 554: There’s Something Wrong with the Ingredients

"Waiter, please call your manager over."

Gu Zhihao was furious when he got a definite answer, and his arm twinged with pain.

So...

He waved his big hand and called out to the waitress not far away.

The other students, unaware of the situation, couldn’t help but display a "confused" emoji-like expression.

The waitress also approached with a puzzled expression, glanced discreetly at the dishes on the table, and, finding nothing wrong, asked with a smile, "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

"This matter, I’m afraid you can’t solve it. Better call your manager over!" Gu Zhihao didn’t want to waste words and just wanted someone responsible to address the problem.

These words left the waitress bewildered and with a sense of foreboding, but she could only brace herself and asked, "Sir, is there something about the food that doesn’t suit your taste?"

"Indeed, it’s the food. Taste is secondary; the main issue is with the ingredients. Quickly get your manager here!" Gu Zhihao’s voice raised by several decibels, tinged with discontent.

This made the waitress realize the seriousness of the situation and that it was a tricky issue not solvable by her alone.

She apologized, "Please wait a moment; I’ll get the manager for you."

With that, she left for the office to fetch the manager, feeling uneasy.

As soon as the waitress left, Lin Qing asked in confusion, "Zhao Hao, what’s going on? Why such an outburst all of a sudden?"

Gu Zhihao replied, "This lobster isn’t Canadian Lobster."

With those words, the students were shocked and began discussing fervently.

"What? It’s not Canadian Lobster? But the hotel claims to serve Canadian!"

"No way, this is a three-star hotel. I come here often, and the lobster’s quality has always been quite good!"

"You never know. Many unscrupulous businesses nowadays fool consumers easily."

"But this is a three-star hotel; they wouldn’t commit consumer fraud, would they?"

"Zhao Hao, how do you know this lobster isn’t Canadian?"

Some students still found it hard to believe.

Gu Zhihao seriously stated, "It was Tao who confirmed my suspicion."

Upon hearing that it was confirmed by Huang Tao, everyone immediately believed it.

Firstly, Huang Tao’s authority as class monitor still held.

Secondly, Huang Tao is now a chef, with better understanding and identification of ingredients than ordinary diners.

Just then,

a well-dressed middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses, looking serious, followed the waitress into the private dining room.

Approaching the table, he broke into a smile and introduced himself, "Gentlemen, hello, I am the general manager of the Holiday International Hotel, my surname is Qin." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"May I know if there’s something you need from me?"

Gu Zhihao got straight to the point, "Manager Qin, could I ask where the lobster you’re using today comes from?"

"Sir, the lobster we offered today is top-grade lobster from the Canadian waters," Manager Qin responded leisurely.

"Oh? Canadian? Are you sure?"

Gu Zhihao looked at Manager Qin, eyebrows raised, questioning.

Manager Qin nodded affirmatively, "Of course, all the lobsters in our restaurant are Canadian Lobsters. Rest assured, we’re a three-star hotel with guaranteed quality..."

Thus began their back-and-forth argument.

As Gu Zhihao failed to articulate his point, and Manager Qin insisted the lobsters were Canadian, the situation reached a deadlock.

The other students felt anxious but helpless, glancing desperately at Huang Tao for help.

In fact, even without their plea, Huang Tao would clarify the truth: "Manager Qin, I tasted this plate of lobster earlier. The taste is nice, but it’s Boston Lobster, not Canadian Lobster."

Gu Zhihao chimed in supportively, "Exactly, the lobster in this dish isn’t what you’re calling Canadian Lobster."

Manager Qin, in disbelief, said, "That’s impossible! Our hotel sources all seafood through legitimate channels. All the lobsters are Canadian! If you doubt it, I can show you the purchase orders."

Could there have been an issue with the procurement department?

Shouldn’t be!

Recognizing Huang Tao, Manager Qin felt puzzled but dismissed negative thoughts, quietly instructing the waitress beside him to notify the procurement department head to bring the orders for verification.

This left Gu Zhihao and the others at a loss! They looked at each other, somewhat confused!

Yet, Gu Zhihao was sure there was a taste difference between the lobster here and Canadian Lobster, though he couldn’t pinpoint the specific distinction.

At this moment, Huang Tao spoke, "If I’m not mistaken, Canadian Lobster and Boston Lobster are actually the same species living in the same waters, known as American lobster. They’re both of the Nephropidae family, distributed along the North Atlantic coast of North America, with Canada and the US being major harvesting countries. Among them, Canadian yields are higher. Whether Canadian or Boston, they’re both American lobsters with the same species. Their distinguishing features include the first three pairs of walking legs being clawed, and Canadian Lobster comes in two claw types—crusher claw and pincer claw. On observing carefully, you’ll notice some have the crusher claw on the right, others on the left."

"Saying Boston and Canadian Lobsters have no differences isn’t entirely true because Canada’s geographical position is further north than Maine, making the waters colder, leading to slower growth and longer maturity for the lobsters, which makes them more robust. Additionally, Canadian lobster fishing season avoids molting periods, ensuring most caught are hard-shell lobsters with firmer, more nutritious meat!"

"Hence, Canadian Lobsters tend to have more delicate, succulent meat compared to Boston Lobsters."

"As long as you’ve tasted both Canadian and Boston Lobsters, you can distinguish them."

As Huang Tao explained, he demonstrated the differences to Manager Qin.

Manager Qin understood and verified with the procurement head upon arrival.

He found out due to a shortage in Canadian Lobsters; today the purchaser had unwisely used Boston Lobsters instead, leading to this unpleasant incident.

Manager Qin and the procurement head bowed apologetically, "Everyone, we’re truly sorry, it was our mistake. Mr. Huang, your opinion is very valuable. We’ll make improvements, and our hotel really needs discerning patrons like you who are well-versed in ingredients to supervise and offer insights more often."

"Here’s the arrangement: tonight, Mr. Huang and all students’ expenses are entirely on us, with the upstairs KTV room fees also waived."

Manager Qin instructed the staff to serve food and drinks, drinking a couple of glasses with everyone to express apologies before leaving to apologize to other dining rooms that ordered lobster.

Of course, this matter isn’t over; a thorough investigation is necessary.

You can’t let one bad apple spoil the bunch!

Lin Qing exclaimed, "Indeed, he is a chef! His knowledge is extensive!"

"From now on, when eating out, we have to bring our Tao for his discerning eye."

Huang Tao stifled a laugh.

Just then, an icy electronic voice abruptly sounded in his mind.