"Initial Heart" Jiang Zhencheng: "Perfection" is not the achievement of fame, but the joy of letting go and inner satisfaction.
If you want to mention the most representative Taiwanese chef in the world, Jiang Zhencheng is absolutely no match, he is not only in Taiwan history The first chef to win a Michelin star, and one of the world's top 50 chefs.
In 2016, his own French restaurant "Restaurant ANDRÉ" living in Singapore (Singapore) was rated as two stars by the Michelin Guide Singapore. At the same time, he was selected as the world’s 50 best restaurants and Asia’s 50 best restaurants. In 2018, I decided to abandon the Michelin stars and decided to return to my hometown of Taiwan to open a "RAW" restaurant, passing on my personal experience and knowledge to the next generation in Taiwan.
At that time, this decision was a major personal choice for him, who had already become famous, and to outsiders, it was an extraordinary decision for Jiang Zhencheng. He never stayed in his comfort zone for too long. Once said, "If I have the ability to make 120 points, I shouldn't be content with the status quo just because I have achieved a little bit. Instead, I should continue to try to break through 200 points."
, the first documentary in life. "Initial Heart" left precious pictures
Now, Jiang Zhencheng's first documentary "Initial Heart" is about to be officially released-from the return of two Michelin stars and the public announcement of returning to his hometown after 30 years, what prompted him to do so? As a perfectionist, how do you define the word "success"? What made him sleepless?
The film is directed by director Huang Chenghan. He said, “When I was an archival photographer many years ago, I met Jiang Zhencheng through interviews. His wisdom and his thinking on food and cooking have left me a lot Deep impression.” He shared that the important thing about this film is that it reveals the obsession of ordinary people for the so-called "achievement and fame", especially Singapore. Broadly speaking, we explored the definition of success in Asian culture. It's not about right or wrong. I just hope that through the belief and experience of this famous Asian chef, Jiang Zhencheng, we can understand that life is more than that.
Jiang Zhencheng's outlook on life of "returning to the original heart"
"The original heart is a gentle reminder, a return to the original point, the meaning of our thinking about life, and the source of the simplest happiness."
Jiang Zhencheng's career as a chef starts from the most basic level in the kitchen. Started, and was promoted to restaurant chef at an amazing speed. Then he came to Singapore and implemented his unique "octagonal philosophy" concept in the restaurant he opened-from food to presentation, everything he saw was his style.
"Initial Heart" was filmed with Jiang Zhencheng a few weeks before the restaurant officially closed, turning his mental journey into an image and deeply analyzing the elements of love in his life. From how he fell in love with cooking under the influence of his mother, to studying in France, he faced various challenges in culinary learning. Jiang Zhencheng's story is emotional and unique, and he is preparing to embark on the next stage of his life.
"This documentary of life will not come again, and there will be no rehearsal, and we are both the protagonist and the person who decides the script. Use your most authentic way to record for yourself."
"perfect" is definitely not fame and fame
Jiang Zhencheng shared, " The film "The First Heart" should be the biggest decision he has made in his cooking career. "The short 100 minutes is the epitome of my 30 years as a chef. It describes the pursuit of the ultimate perfection and glory, In the end, I found the last piece of the "perfect" puzzle. It is not to achieve success, but to let go, a joy of looking back to the original heart and inner satisfaction."
"I hope that in this documentary, you can see what you should have in life. Courage, the courage to accept any challenge and standards without fear, the courage to lay down the label of success and glory, and the courage to follow the direction of the original belief; I always believe that firm will and perseverance are the best seasoning for success I also told myself that my mission will eventually be to return to my hometown to lead more young people in Taiwan and give me the land-Taiwan."
Be a happy chef-the original intention of the olive tree
although the Chinese title It’s "First Heart", but the English titleIt is "André & his olive tree", Jiang Zhencheng said, the olive tree has always been of great significance to him, because in the past in South France, the olive tree was a classic symbol. "After I arrived in Singapore, the only thing I brought It’s the olive tree. Seeing that olive tree is like seeing your only friend.” The olive tree has also become an important landmark at the entrance of the "Restaurant ANDRÉ" store.
It is worth noting that it is difficult for olive trees to survive in the local climate of Singapore, so they must be specially taken care of. How to adapt to the local water and temperature is the same as working in different environments and finding your own road like yourself. have feelings.
He emphasized that being a chef has always been very happy. Although sometimes, he is often so busy that he does not know what he is doing and doubts himself, but as long as he reaches a certain stage, he will remind himself that his original intention is What, like why I was happy at first, but not happy later.
He realized, "When I was young, happiness was a very simple thing; when I grow up, simplicity is a very happy thing."
In the film, the audience will find that there are many Jiang Zhencheng who have never appeared before, except for the meticulous and rigorous. , And singing Korean karaoke, cooking Taiwanese beef noodles, and dialogue with enlightenment teacher Pourcel in French. Of course, there was a tearful performance by the "Restaurant ANDRÉ" team until the scene behind the last day.
Jiang Zhencheng said that he was very happy and moved. He saw that this life process was recorded in the most authentic way. The catering industry in France, Singapore, Taiwan or all of Asia would be proud of Jiang Zhencheng and wanted to tell himself 「You did right, You did good, You did everything you could!」
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