How a Bankrupt Foodie Finds a Way Out

By Gong Chang

Back in the day there was a Shanghainese man named Shen Jingsi who was so fond of eating that he spent all his inheritance on food alone. He practically sold his property and land just to partake of another tasty morsel or two.

He was so keen on eating that he became “the uncrowned king” in the food industry and gained quite a reputation in society at large. When famous chefs from the north or south went to Shanghai to pursue their culinary career, they might not care to see other people,but Mr. Shen was a must-see person.

Later Mr. Shen lost it all and was destitute, but had no skills other than eating.He went out to apply for a job and was asked, “What can you do?”

He answered promptly, “I know how to eat.”

So people reported to Mayor Chen Yi, saying that there was a person with no skills other than an unparalleled expertise at the art of eating, the question was posed what job he would befit for?

The latter replied, “This man with a voracious appetite gourmet cuisine must be quite a fellow.Spending your entire life on food and eating yourself out of house and home is not an easy thing to do. Let him work as a professional dish taster in the Shanghai International Restaurant.”

From then on,the Shanghai International Restaurant boasted exceptional quality dishes,which was inextricably linked to Mr. Shen’s finicky sensibilities. He was paid a monthly salary of approximately 200 yuan for his services, a very high salary at the time he took the job. ◆

(FromLife and People,Issue 19, 2017. Translation:Lu Qiongyao)

当年上海滩有个人叫沈京似，好吃，把祖辈留下的家业吃个精光，卖房子卖地吃。

他潜心研究“吃”，成为餐饮界的“无冕之王”，在社会上颇具声望。一般南北名厨到上海打天下，别人都可以不见，沈先生却是要会一会的。

后来沈先生穷下来，什么也不会，就会个吃。出去登记要工作，人家问他，你会干什么？

他说，我会吃。

有人把他这个本事反映给陈毅市长，说有个人光会吃，看给安排一个什么工作合适？

陈市长说：“哦，那算得好汉子。吃了一辈子，散尽家财去吃，不容易。让他到国际饭店工作吧，专门做菜的品尝工作。”

后来，上海国际饭店的菜一直质量很高，与他这张刁嘴的贡献是分不开的。给他开月工资200元左右，在当时算很高的工资了。◆