"Because of the sous-vide cooking, the cod meat is exceptionally soft and tender, while the exterior has a smoky char from being seared by the blowtorch's open flame."
"The lemon-butter foam, melted by the flame, takes on an especially rich flavor and integrates perfectly with the cod beneath it!"
"Even though it uses molecular gastronomy techniques, the feeling when it's served isn't like typical molecular gastronomy. What's going on?!"
After saying this, Nakiri Alice looked up at Dylan, her eyes filled with confusion, hoping for an explanation. The dish before her had truly overturned her understanding!
"This was just an idea I had yesterday: what kind of taste experience would secondary cooking of a molecular gastronomy dish bring?"
Picking up a knife and fork, Dylan put the remaining piece of cod left by Nakiri Alice into his mouth. A faint look of surprise also flashed across his face.
The taste of this dish was better than he had imagined.
It seems this method of secondary cooking for molecular gastronomy is viable! Wait? Thinking carefully, it seems like people figured this out hundreds of years ago.
"Tofu..."
Dylan muttered the word, feeling admiration for the wisdom of his predecessors. Something he had racked his brains to come up with, others had already thought of long ago.
"What? Master, you're speaking words I don't understand again."
Because Dylan had subconsciously spoken in Chinese, Nakiri Alice couldn't understand him at all. At this moment, she only thought her master was incredible, capable of applying secondary cooking to an already completed molecular gastronomy dish!
Although it was just simple flame searing, this opened the door to secondary cooking in molecular gastronomy! It could be called an innovation in the field!
"I said tofu. Tofu is made by boiling soybeans into soy milk, adding gypsum powder, pouring it into molds, and pressing it with heavy weights. You could say it's the earliest form of molecular gastronomy!"
"And for many dishes, tofu is just an ingredient. In other words, taking a prepared 'molecular dish' like tofu and applying secondary cooking to create a completely new deliciousness – this concept existed hundreds of years ago."
Dylan explained with a wry smile. When it came to food, his fascinating ancestors were far more skilled than him. Turning soybeans into tofu was definitely something devised by an extraordinarily talented chef!
Going from 1 to 10 is easy; going from 0 to 1 is hard.
"Oh right, there's Chinese tofu! That really can be considered the earliest molecular gastronomy, and it can be made into various other dishes, the most famous being Sichuan's Mapo Tofu!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Nakiri Alice had a belated realization, followed by excitement. Mapo Tofu was a famous dish passed down through ages! What about her? If she continued researching, could she also create dishes that would be remembered for centuries!?
"For now, let's research in this direction. Regardless, this path of secondary cooking for molecular gastronomy is definitely viable."
Dylan made his conclusion, telling Nakiri Alice to continue researching along this path. As long as she persevered, she would surely achieve something in the future.
"Okay! It just so happens my molecular gastronomy has hit a bottleneck. I probably can't break through in the short term. This might be a new way forward!"
A hint of excitement tinged Nakiri Alice's voice. She had been stuck at the First-Class Chef level for a long time. She had taken the Special Grade Chef exam once but ultimately failed.
At that time, she had even doubted the limits of molecular gastronomy until Dylan used molecular methods to create a dish that constantly shimmered, proving its potential. Only then did she settle down and continue her research.
Dylan's success made her realize she was simply... hopelessly inexperienced.
"It's getting late; we should head to the restaurant soon. From now on, delve into your research through practical application. This is molecular gastronomy's first major appearance here, after all."
Glancing at the clock on the wall, after their research and discussion, it was already 8:00 AM. By the time they got to the restaurant and made preparations, it would be just in time for the morning peak, when customer traffic was highest.
After yesterday's groundwork, there would definitely be more customers at the restaurant today, not fewer. Although it was a completely new form of cuisine, the culture in Northern Europe was quite open-minded, so acceptance shouldn't be too low.
"Alright! This is getting kind of exciting!"
Nakiri Alice clenched her fists slightly, the corners of her mouth lifting in a small smile. She looked full of fighting spirit. Clearly, she was eager to try the new direction Dylan had pointed out to her!
As long as she mastered this technique, perhaps she too could create dishes that would be passed down through the ages!
Let's do our best!
·
·
Three days passed in a flash. During this time, Nakiri Alice continuously cooked in the restaurant, conducting various practical experiments with molecular gastronomy.
With the help of extensive practice, Nakiri Alice had now basically mastered the method of secondary cooking for molecular gastronomy.
"The day has finally arrived! Other than Master, I've never competed against a Special Grade Chef before, especially not on a stage like this with everyone watching... I feel like the blood in my veins is boiling!"
The Shokugeki Dueling Arena was a circular building. In the center was the stage for the competitors, radiating outwards in concentric circles. The inner circles held various ingredients for the contestants to use, while the outer circles contained the audience seating.
Looking at the sea of people in the Shokugeki Dueling Arena before her, Nakiri Alice felt goosebumps rise all over her body, and her breathing grew slightly heavier.
Was she nervous? No, it was more like excitement!
"Everyone feels this way the first time they participate in this kind of duel. But it's not a bad thing. Boiling blood makes your mind highly focused, allowing you to exert 120% of your usual fighting strength!"
In the contestant waiting area, Dylan patted Nakiri Alice's shoulder, telling her to calm down. Behind them, Nakiri Leonora was sitting and resting on a chair, giving the two some time alone.
As Nakiri Alice's parent, she had naturally come to the competition venue to cheer Alice on.
"Is that so? Dylan-nii, do you think... I can reach the other side?"
Hearing Dylan's words, Nakiri Alice suddenly asked.
Her gaze was fixed on the center stage, the focus of everyone's attention. Two cooking stations currently stood there, surrounded by two rings of fresh ingredients. Further out were thousands of spectators, their faces filled with anticipation.
It made sense. A Shokugeki duel between Special Grade Chefs was a major event for Denmark, a place with relatively little entertainment. Coupled with intentional promotion by the organizers, it naturally attracted a large crowd on this day.
"Welcome everyone to the Shokugeki Dueling Arena! I believe you've all heard the news already. Using the arena this time is the Special Grade Chef from our Nuoyu Restaurant, Mr. Jiesis!"
"And his opponent is... the young lady who became a First-Class Chef at the age of 13, the heiress of Nakiri International, Nakiri Alice! Miss Alice!"
Simultaneously, on the competition floor, the host held a microphone, passionately hyping up the atmosphere.
One competitor was a Special Grade Chef, while the other had high status – a young lady rarely seen in daily life, who was also a First-Class Chef.
A match like this had explosive potential no matter how you framed it!
"Now, let's welcome our two contestants!"
"Nakiri Alice and Jiesis, take the stage!"
The host's voice rang out high and clear. As his words fell...
Two light screens descended from the arena ceiling, displaying the names Nakiri Alice and Jiesis!
The Shokugeki... has begun!
________
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