Zhang Yuanzheng, a modern-day chef, travels through time and becomes Lu Yuan, a down-and-out young heir from an established family. Under the assumed name Ye Sheng, he takes charge of the kitchen at the Gu family's restaurant, which is on the verge of closing. Using modern business acumen, he introduces ingenious innovations such as "Pin Shaoshao," freshness-locking jars, and ice-making with cold spring water. He overcomes supply cutoffs and business boycotts from rivals, expands into a chain, and establishes a merchants' alliance. Meanwhile, he and the proprietress Gu Mingzhu gradually fall for each other as he builds his own culinary empire step by step.