Rich aromas permeated the venue, vying with each other, clashing, and battling, much like a hundred flowers blooming.
However, as a spicy aroma rose from a pot in the center of the venue, the surrounding scents were easily suppressed. It was a pot of red oil, and the person cooking it was Kuga Terunori.
At this moment, he was stirring the pot with a ladle, occasionally scooping some up to sniff at his nose. Once satisfied, a contented smile appeared on his face.
"Is he making Saliva Chicken?"
With just a glance, Hoshino Sora recognized what Kuga Terunori was making. Speaking of Saliva Chicken, the best method was to cook the chicken using the technique for White Cut Chicken, then drizzle it with red oil.
Strictly speaking, it was somewhat like a Sichuan-style White Cut Chicken.
While Hoshino Sora was deep in thought, the braised ingredients in his pot were ready. Hoshino Sora placed all the ingredients on a cutting board to cool naturally, then began to render red oil.
He started another pot, poured in cold oil and heated it, then added green onions and ginger. After the green onions floated to the surface, he turned off the heat and let it cool.
For the chili peppers, he chose Erjingtiao and Facing Heaven peppers, in a three-to-one ratio, placed them in a large bowl, then added spices like cinnamon and bay leaves. Next, he poured in one-third of the slightly cooled oil directly.
This was the first pour, primarily to activate the aroma of the spices and moisten them.
After this step, he reheated the oil to about 220 degrees Celsius. Under the effect of his absolute temperature sensing talent, Hoshino Sora could very skillfully control the oil's temperature.
With the second pour, the aroma of the red oil had already filled half of the venue, masking the aromas of others. However, it wasn't as intense as Kuga Terunori's; it was a soft spiciness.
Saliva Chicken is spicy, and Fuqi Feipian is not. To consider those who are not very good at eating spicy food, Hoshino Sora specifically chose this Fuqi Feipian.
After three repeated pours, the red oil was complete.
He set it aside to cool for later use, then began preparing various small ingredients. This wouldn't take long; Hoshino Sora completed the other preparations in a few minutes.
Next was to wait for the red oil and braised beef offal to cool before slicing and plating.
After all, he was making a cold dish.
Putting down his spoon, Hoshino Sora looked around. Many people had already finished their dishes, but they stood in place, deliberating, not daring to step forward.
Until...
"Anyway, it's a death sentence either way, let's go!"
One contestant, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, took a deep breath and carried his carefully prepared dish forward, his face full of confidence.
The rhythmic footsteps tugged at everyone's heart. All the spectators and most of the contestants in the venue turned their gaze towards him, Hoshino Sora included.
"Please enjoy, Sesame Paste Spinach."
Soon, the contestant placed the dish on the judges' table, staring intently at the judges, hoping they would give high scores.
However...
As a chopstick went down, the lights on the stage lit up. The maximum score was ten points, and below the judges' table, there was a uniform score of 2 points, clearly indicating that for them, this dish was only worth two points.
"Wh-why?!"
The man's voice carried a hint of disbelief. He didn't understand why his confident dish only received two points!? This dish was clearly highly praised in his hometown!
Even tourists from other places would come specifically for it.
"The spinach and marinade are both handled very well, beautiful and green, fresh and delicious, but there's a faint off-flavor in the sesame paste. I think when you roasted the sesame seeds, you probably didn't wash the pot.
Besides that, the method and seasoning of your dish are too simple, completely failing to demonstrate skill. The entire dish only has the taste of sesame paste and spinach. However, skilled chefs often add some high-quality broth to enhance the umami when making this dish, and also some light-flavored side dishes to increase texture.
Sesame paste spinach with and without side dishes makes a big difference. So, your dish is only worth this score to us. You should go back and think about it carefully."
Facing the contestant's confusion, Lin, one of the three, gently explained to him. This dish might be delicious for ordinary people, but it would absolutely not satisfy their palates! They were, after all, super gourmands trained by top-tier cuisine! How could they be impressed by a dish of such low completion? The completion was simply too low!
"Hiss..."
Hearing the judges' words and seeing the first contestant leave disheartened, the audience and contestants below gasped.
These judges were even stricter than they had imagined, but it was also normal. After all, they were WGO members; if they weren't so strict, it would be strange!
Tension spread through the surroundings.
For a moment, no one dared to step forward again.
The judges' table seemed to have become a forbidden zone, an absolute domain. No one wanted their dish to receive a low score. Of course, this mostly referred to the first-year students who were just there to make up the numbers.
Compared to this group, the second-year and third-year students looked composed. After calmly and methodically completing their dishes, they walked up with firm steps.
The maximum score was thirty.
The average score for second-year students was around fifteen, while the average score for third-year students reached an astonishing twenty. However, this group had the fewest remaining students, with only eight besides the Elite Ten.
There were twenty-five second-year students in total, and the rest were all first-year students. The average score for first-year students was around eight, with the more skilled ones reaching eleven or twelve points.
The vast difference in strength made the first-years despair, and at the same time, it made more people want to defect to Azami Nakiri, because with their strength, it was truly difficult to truly survive in this academy.
"Look over there!"
As Kuga Terunori began to move his food cart, everyone's attention gathered.
"Please enjoy, Sichuan Saliva Chicken!"
As the lid was opened, a Saliva Chicken emanating a rich, spicy aroma appeared before Red Eyes. Its rich and complex flavor made her involuntarily swallow.
"So spicy! So tender! So fragrant!"
Black Eyes' three consecutive 'so's drew everyone's attention. Their eyes were fixed on the scoring device below the judges' table, anticipating Kuga Terunori's score.
"Raw chicken, cooked duck. The cooking time for this Saliva Chicken is excellent. The bones have traces of blood, but the chicken meat doesn't, which perfectly embodies the characteristics of numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant."
Her voice was slightly heavy, and her small tongue protruded slightly. Black Eyes evaluated while exhaling, clearly very spicy, but it was so addictive, she couldn't stop!
"I feel like... I'm going to go!"
On the judges' table, Lin suddenly reached out and gripped the corner of the table. The intense sensation made her unable to control herself, finally letting out a cry that would make the audience blush.
Illusions seemed to appear before her eyes: a spirited chicken crowing. The distinct spiciness made her brain exceptionally clear, allowing her to perceive the flavors of the dish even more profoundly.
8, 9, 9.
A total of 26 points. This was currently the highest score in the venue, leading the second place by a full 4 points. The strength of the Elite Ten was evident!
"Tsk, it's not a perfect score, huh? Whatever, I just made it casually anyway. It's just a selection round after all."
Looking at the score below the judges' table, Kuga Terunori showed a very dissatisfied expression, then shook his head, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, looking at Eishi Tsukasa, who was next to take the stage after him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Ah, apologies, I didn't prepare utensils. I'll go get them now!"
Gently placing the dish on the judges' table and uncovering the lid, Eishi Tsukasa spoke with some social anxiety, then realized there were no utensils prepared on the table and immediately wanted to go down to get them.
As a result, due to his overly frequent and forceful steps, he almost fell, but fortunately, he managed to retrieve the utensils smoothly in the end.
After some twists and turns, the judges finally began to taste Eishi Tsukasa's dish: Dipped Deer Tendon Meat. It looked somewhat like a pork jelly, with a side of dipping sauces.
"If possible, please taste these sauces from left to right."
Awkwardly scratching his face, Eishi Tsukasa pointed to the left dipping sauce and spoke, seeing Black Eyes starting to dip from the right. Hearing him, Black Eyes stopped her movements and switched directions to dip.
There were a total of three pieces of deer tendon meat on the plate, corresponding to three dipping sauces.
The first sauce was soy sauce, meant to taste the original flavor of the venison. Closing her eyes and savoring it carefully, the venison, prepared in the style of meat jelly, made its chewy texture become tender.
And it had no fishy or gamey smell at all; the overall style was very elegant. This was the feeling the first sauce paired with the deer tendon meat gave her.
Then came the second sauce, spicy. This was her first impression. The taste of the deer tendon meat was no different from before, but paired with the sauce, it gave her a completely new experience.
The third sauce had a hint of herbal fragrance, not strong, but it perfectly complemented the taste of the venison and was very appetizing, serving as a foundation for the next dishes.
The rich and varied flavors brought expressions of ecstasy to the faces of the three judges. Although it was just a cold dish, it produced a thousand changes in flavor. Should they say, 'As expected of the First Seat of the Elite Ten'?!
10, 10, 10.
This was Eishi Tsukasa's final score. The judges entered the scores without any hesitation. Seeing this, Hoshino Sora also carried his newly completed dish and walked up, and as he passed by him...
"Tsukasa-senpai, could I also try your dish? In return, I'll let you try mine too."
Turning around, Hoshino Sora handed a dish to Eishi Tsukasa, seemingly wanting to exchange. The other person looked hesitant but still nodded.
"I happen to have some ingredients left over there. Just wait for me."
He didn't take Hoshino Sora's dish but instead returned to his own cooking station. Hoshino Sora didn't force the issue and quietly carried his dish up.
"We meet again, Red Eyes, Black Eyes. Come and see my progress during this time."
Without avoiding suspicion, Hoshino Sora greeted the judges on the stage, then uncovered the lid. A faint spicy aroma wafted from the plate, lingering in the air. The scent wasn't strong, but it was very mellow.
It had a long-standing feeling.
"This is Fuqi Feipian, also a cold dish from Sichuan Cuisine."
After a brief introduction of the dish before them, Hoshino Sora stood by. The first person to try it was Red Eyes. She picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of the evenly sliced meat in front of her without speaking.
The composition of these thin slices was complex, but it was certain that they were all parts of a cow.
There was beef tripe, beef, beef tongue, beef heart, and a small amount of beef scalp. The beef scalp here refers to the meat from the scalp, all off-cuts from the cow.
"In the late Qing Dynasty, there were many peddlers carrying poles and baskets selling cold mixed lung slices in the streets and alleys of Chengdu.
They used inexpensive beef offal scraps, which they cleaned, braised, sliced, and then mixed with soy sauce, red oil, chili, Sichuan peppercorn powder, sesame powder, and other seasonings. This is what they made, Fuqi Feipian.
And because of its unique flavor, low price, and good quality, this Fuqi Feipian was especially popular among rickshaw pullers and poor students of that time."
Looking at the dark red Fuqi Feipian with various offal in front of her, Lin swallowed, explaining it to everyone present. As a third-class executive officer of the WGO, she had a certain understanding of famous dishes from various countries.
It's worth mentioning, just like how there's no wife in a 'Wife Cake,' there's also no husband or wife in 'Fuqi Feipian'—ah, no, I mean no lung slices."
In the audience, Lei Yuxing curled his lips and said, looking at the nearly perfect-looking Fuqi Feipian. He understood that Hoshino Sora's cooking skills had improved quite a bit.
"Actually, there originally were, but the husband and wife who invented this Fuqi Feipian felt that the texture of beef lung was not good enough, so they gradually abandoned it. After all, everyone's lives are getting better," Feng Xuanya said with a smile.
Although girls from the Minnan region can't handle overly spicy Sichuan Cuisine, she could still accept the level of spiciness in Fuqi Feipian.
And this dish, whether in taste or texture, was quite to her liking, so she was quite fond of it.
"Spicy, numbing, fresh, and fragrant. It feels like a great river of red oil is appearing before my eyes…"
Her voice was laced with confusion. As a mouthful of Fuqi Feipian entered her mouth, the rich spicy, numbing, fresh, and fragrant flavors exploded in her oral cavity. However, compared to the earlier drool-inducing chicken, which was more prominently spicy, the coordination of this dish was undoubtedly better.
Before Akame's eyes appeared a wide, surging long river of red oil, with a group of skinned cattle galloping in the river.
However, upon closer inspection, it could be seen that they were not skinned beef cattle, but rather their skins had all turned into red oil, which was now continuously surging and flowing.
The visual impact was incredibly strong!
"What a rich flavor. You must have added beef bone broth to it."
As she tasted the last bit, a glimmer of light flashed in Akame's eyes. Unknowingly, a plate of Fuqi Feipian was already at the bottom, with only a few scattered ingredients left.
"That's right. I stirred it with beef bone broth. This enhances the original flavor of the Fuqi Feipian and also appropriately reduces the spiciness of the chili oil, making it easier for people to accept," Hoshino Sora explained with a smile.
To perfect a dish, one must analyze it from its roots, and he did exactly that, which is why he added beef bone broth to the Fuqi Feipian.
"Considering the customers wholeheartedly, that is precisely the spirit a chef should have! The taste of the dish is also impeccable, so I have decided…"
Pressing the scoring button, Lin looked at Hoshino Sora's sincere face and began to speak with a smile.
-----------------------------
I've just uploaded up to 40 chapters in advance on Patreon!
If you enjoy this story, please supporting me on Patreon!
👉 [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your amazing support!