"Pasta?"
Looking at the large screen suspended in mid-air, with the ingredients for making pasta next to it, Hoshino Sora murmured to himself, and instantly seven or eight ideas popped into his mind, making it difficult to choose for a moment.
Looking at the others, many had already started moving, adding water and kneading dough, probably many people would make Ramen, which is the safest and most reliable method, but also very uninteresting.
Given that, Ramen can be excluded first for him, because too much Ramen might cause aesthetic fatigue, and he decided to go last.
The so-called 'first mover loses', in order to make his dish memorable, Hoshino Sora planned to serve his dish last, and then conquer the judges with its unique deliciousness.
"Even though it's a pasta dish, there's pork, beef, lamb, fish, everything...?"
Looking at the bag of flour in front of him, and the various types of meat and vegetables next to the flour, Hoshino Sora suddenly had an idea in his mind, so he began to check if the equipment could complete the dish he had in mind.
"He can't even think of what dish to make, can he? It's been ten minutes since the competition started and he hasn't even started. Looks like I'm going to win without a fight, how lucky!"
"Uncle, it's not good for you to be happy too early."
Just as Hoshino Sora was about to start, he heard the mocking voice of the uncle opposite him. He immediately replied speechlessly, then skillfully began to chop the minced meat.
It's summer now, so the dough ferments faster, but to marinate the meat thoroughly, it must be marinated in advance, at least an hour.
"The theme this time is pasta. Even if you're making Ramen, chopping the meat so finely, are you planning to make handmade meatballs? Little kid, you should go back and practice for a few more years."
After kneading the dough, the uncle in front of him began to peel shrimp and devein them. From his appearance, he seemed to be preparing to make seafood Ramen, a conventional method, probably thinking it would be easy to defeat a child.
Turning his head to look at Yukihira Ichika, compared to that tactless uncle, he was more interested in this little girl. Was she ten years old? How strong was she...
Her opponent had the same questions, and at the same time, there was awkwardness. He kept watching Yukihira Ichika, afraid she would fall, because then his victory wouldn't be glorious.
Time passed minute by minute. After kneading the dough, Hoshino Sora began to test the oven temperature. Each oven, depending on its performance, might have a different true internal temperature even with the same temperature setting.
Therefore, to master an oven, one must test the temperature beforehand, so that one's dish can be in the most perfect state. Hoshino Sora is a meticulous person, especially after being repeatedly mocked by Erina Nakiri, his demands on himself have become even stricter.
"Contestant number three has completed her dish first! Let's see what kind of work she has brought us!"
Just as Hoshino Sora pushed his dish into the oven, Airi's voice suddenly rang out, attracting everyone's attention in the venue. Everyone's attention was focused on contestant number three.
That was a little girl about ten years old, small in stature, wearing a clean, small chef's uniform, and at this moment, she was walking with determined steps towards the judges' table.
"What a cute little sister, let your older sisters see what delicious food you've made?"
(Damn, how can anyone participate in the competition? Wasn't there a pre-screening? This little girl isn't going to make some Dark Cuisine, is she?)
Looking at the young Yukihira Ichika, Airi, Makoto, and Chika had subtle expressions. Whose Master Chef wasn't here, letting their child fill in? But even if they were filling in, they should pick someone older.
They had noticed Yukihira Ichika long ago, watching her stepping on a stool, diligently working in a small area, not knowing what she was tinkering with, and she actually finished her dish first.
"Go Ichika! Go Ichika!"
In the audience, a group of mature-looking chefs in white chef uniforms were cheering for Yukihira Ichika. Among them, a young man was vigorously waving a large flag. They had ribbons tied on their heads, with 'Go' written on them.
"Alright, it's so embarrassing."
Hearing the voice from behind, Yukihira Ichika's face flushed slightly. Then she placed her dish on the judging table and slowly uncovered the serving plate in her hand.
"Please taste, these are the Green Pine House's flower pastries!"
The next moment, as if colorful light bloomed in the air, several exquisitely shaped Japanese flower pastries appeared in front of the three, and at the same time, on the large screen above, the enlarged image of the pastries also appeared.
This competition was broadcast live, and every dish that appeared would be filmed and broadcast on local TV stations. This was also the main reason everyone participated in this competition: fame.
Those who could watch this competition were residents from nearby areas. Besides the live broadcast, there was also a condensed replay. If one performed well, their shop's business would explode.
"What beautiful flower pastries! They look so delicious."
Clapping her hands in a cute gesture, Chika said sweetly, then picked up a red plum-blossom shaped pastry, a bright smile on her face.
(Tsk, Japanese pastries are so cloying. I'd rather eat meat than this!)
Though she appeared delighted, she was complaining internally, yet she still brought the plum pastry to her mouth with a smile, daintily taking small bites like a true lady.
Seeing this, the other two picked up the remaining pastries to examine them. Chrysanthemum and peach blossoms—their appearance was incredibly exquisite, completely unlike pastries made by a ten-year-old child.
"They look so tasty. Ryokushō? It's an old brand. I haven't had them in a while. I should buy some flower pastries on my way home."
"They've got everyone working there; the shop is probably closed. Didn't you hear the cheers from behind? Let's buy them in a couple of days."
"Are little girls nowadays all this amazing?"
The audience members discussed animatedly, their faces full of praise as they looked at the exquisitely shaped flower pastries. In the world of Food Wars!, having such skill at ten years old was an incredibly impressive feat.
It was equivalent to skipping from elementary school directly to high school.
"The taste of plum sauce!"
(Sweet and sour, not as cloying as I thought. Unexpectedly delicious, quite good as an appetizer.)
"Mine has the refreshing fragrance of chrysanthemum."
(A bit subtle...)
"The taste of peach blossom is amazing!"
(What a strange texture. While not bad, it's not as good as I imagined. It just looks pretty.)
As the dishes entered their mouths, the secrets hidden within the flower pastries gradually emerged. Chika also discarded her initial prejudice, closing her eyes to savor the taste.
The next moment, the three of them seemed to transcend, appearing in a mountainous wilderness, surrounded by various flowers and trees. The air was fresh, and cool breezes gently caressed their bodies.
"9 points! The sweet and sour plum blossom pastry is simply an innovation in pastry history!"
"7 points. I don't like the taste of chrysanthemum."
"8 points. It's quite tasty and looks beautiful. Keep up the good work, little sister."
After finishing the flower pastries in their hands, Chika, Airi, and Mari each gave their evaluations. Only Chika was truly sincere; the other two were more or less influenced by audience sentiment.
To maintain their persona, they had to act as if they liked dishes like flower pastries, after all, what cute girl wouldn't like exquisitely beautiful and pretty pastries?
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