"Go on, Alice! Let's separate here!"
"I'm not Pikachu, you know. Though, I was just thinking about asking Master to be my master for a while..." Nakiri Alice said the first part teasingly, sounding half-joking, half like she was blurting out her true feelings in the heat of the moment.
After saying this, without waiting for Dylan's reaction, Nakiri Alice left the prep area without looking back. A few moments later, she appeared on the broadcast feed below.
"Don't just stand there watching so intently," Nakiri Leonora said, seeing Dylan standing at the edge looking down at the stage. "Come over here. There's plenty of space. It's a waste not to use it." She gestured to the empty seat beside her, inviting him to rest.
"I'm fine watching from here," Dylan replied. "This is Alice's first duel against a Special Grade Chef, after all. I need to observe every detail, figure out her strengths and weaknesses. That way..."
"...Because I'm leaving soon," Dylan continued, perhaps more to himself. He wanted to leave some things behind before departing; the training plan he'd just finalized was part of that. He couldn't let Alice's progress stall just because he was leaving.
"Don't worry," Nakiri Leonora reassured him. "I am her mother, after all."
Still, Leonora mused inwardly, Why do his words sound so serious? Logically speaking, isn't that my role as her parent?
Hearing Leonora's words, Dylan also sensed something slightly off in his own line of thinking. He quickly brushed it aside, his gaze returning to the stage below.
At this moment, Nakiri Alice and Jiesis were already in position, each occupying one side of the stage, standing opposite each other.
"Both contestants have arrived on stage! Now, let's determine the main ingredient! The selection is entirely random, decided by the theme roulette wheel!"
The spinning made the words on the wheel impossible to read. The host took a dart from his podium and casually tossed it towards the wheel.
The dart struck the wheel, simultaneously bringing it to a stop. Everyone present, including the judges, directed their gaze towards it.
Looking at where it stopped... Everyone saw the theme displayed. Alice paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
Seeing the close-up of the wheel segment on the large screen, Nakiri Alice reached up and gently stroked her chin, pacing back and forth on the stage.
Jiesis also stroked his chin. The moment he saw the theme, his mind instantly recalled one of his restaurant's signature dishes – coincidentally, it fit the theme perfectly and could be adapted.
"The time limit is two hours! Contestants, please manage your time effectively and create a dish that fits the theme within the specified period!"
"However, before the cooking officially begins, we need to proudly introduce this competition's judges!"
As the host's voice faded, the spotlights on the judges' area flared to life.
The previously dimly lit judges' section was now brightly illuminated, drawing everyone's attention.
"First, we have the Branch Director of the Northern Europe Gourmet Research Association, Mr. Lansi!"
Steady, rhythmic footsteps echoed from nearby, and Lansi's figure appeared before the crowd, causing a stir among the audience.
"Whoa, seriously? That's amazing! Does anyone know the inside story? Could one of the contestants be the illegitimate child of someone important?"
Some in the crowd had heard of Lansi, others perhaps hadn't, but his title as the Branch Director of the Northern Europe Gourmet Research Association spoke volumes!
Lansi nodded slightly. "Hello everyone. I am honored to serve as a judge for this Shokugeki. I guarantee fairness, impartiality, and transparency, with absolutely no bias."
The host nodded, then turned his gaze towards the seats next to Lansi, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
"You may not be as familiar with the other two judges, but they are titans of the modern culinary world!"
"Everyone knows them! These two are CEOs of major food corporations!"
"CEO Sendawara Natsume and CEO Sendawara Orie!"
Sendawara Natsume spoke first, her voice smooth. "I'm particularly interested in the little lady. I hear she's only thirteen, yet became a First-Class Chef at eleven. Such potential for the future!"
Sendawara Orie added coolly, "I don't deny her talent. But talent is merely talent; ability is ability. The two cannot be conflated."
Sendawara Natsume leaned back slightly. "But perhaps she'll show us something unexpected? Otherwise, why challenge a Special Grade Chef? In any case, I'm quite looking forward to her performance."
Sendawara Natsume said this, crossing her long, elegant legs almost unconsciously as she leaned back in her chair, resting one arm on the armrest.
"Sendawara Natsume! Japan's 'Curry Queen'! They actually managed to get her for this competition?!" Someone in the audience exclaimed.
Clearly, some people in the stands knew of Sendawara Natsume's reputation, their faces showing unconcealed excitement. What was with this Shokugeki? How did it attract so many unexpected V.I.P.s?!
"Being able to invite someone like her! The organizers who pulled this off are really something!"
"But you have to admit, these judges... not only fabulously wealthy, but also gorgeous! Whoever marries them would be set for life!"
For a moment, the audience buzzed with discussion, focusing only on the judges...
For a Shokugeki between a Special Grade and a First-Class Chef, the presence of judges like Sendawara Natsume and Sendawara Orie wasn't entirely unexpected, given their high standing in the culinary world and involvement in judging similar high-level competitions.
However, the appearance of Lansi was truly shocking.
If he were in Japan, he would be considered on the same level as someone like Nakiri Senzaemon – a truly powerful figure who, under normal circumstances, would absolutely not take on the role of a mere judge.
"The ingredients provided on stage are freely available to both contestants! The time limit is two hours! And the theme is... EGGS!"
Feeling the atmosphere in the arena gradually reach its peak, the host struck a dramatic pose, body tensed, and declared, "Let the Shokugeki... BEGIN!"
Two hours. Ingredients freely available.
Alice's eyes lit up. "Got it! I'll make that!"
As her gaze swept over the ingredient stands, various culinary principles suddenly clicked together in her mind. Nakiri Alice turned her attention towards where the staff were bringing in equipment.
At that very moment, several burly staff members were wheeling in the bulky molecular gastronomy machines Alice had arranged for beforehand. This large commotion immediately attracted the audience's attention.
"What on earth are those? Are they chemical instruments?"
Someone scratched their head, completely bewildered. "In a proper cooking competition, why bring out chemical instruments? This has to be a joke!"
"Is that girl even a chef? Or perhaps... these instruments have some other culinary purpose?"
"Ah, this must be that 'molecular gastronomy' that's emerged in recent years," someone knowledgeable spoke up. "I recognize that young lady; she's garnered quite a few accolades internationally using molecular gastronomy."
The person who spoke looked around rather smugly, clearly proud of their broader knowledge compared to the others nearby.
"Molecular gastronomy? What in the world is that? Never heard of it before."
"This is a duel involving a Special Grade Chef! People are here to see top-tier cooking!"
The drones hovering above also focused their cameras, some now centering on Jiesis, broadcasting his movements live.
Thanks to the host's skillful promotion during the lead-up, the match was being broadcast live, and countless people were watching eagerly from their homes.
The host, specially selected for today's event, possessed exceptional emceeing skills and was himself a competent Second-Class Chef.
Focusing on Jiesis's actions, he began analyzing his thought process, acting as the commentator.
"Ah, Chef Jiesis starts by selecting ground meat! Is he perhaps making a hamburger? A common dish, yet its success hinges entirely on the patty! Using such fresh ingredients requires precise handling to perfectly draw out the natural flavors. This tests his fundamental skills with meat!"
"As expected of a Special Grade Chef! The supporting vegetables he's chosen are all exceptionally fresh, showcasing vibrant colors. It seems this hamburger aims to express the pure, unadulterated flavors of nature!"
Sendawara Orie observed, "His approach seems solid and orthodox. Unlike Chef Jiesis, however... it's rather difficult to tell what that little lady is planning."
Sendawara Natsume nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting to Nakiri Alice. The girl had been busy calibrating her machines since the start, with only a bag of flour visible on her cooking station so far.
Humming a light tune, and seemingly satisfied with her equipment checks, Nakiri Alice finally moved to her cooking station.
Everyone watched as she poured out a large amount of the flour, added salt, and mixed it evenly. She made a well in the center and gradually poured in yeast activated with warm water, followed by eggs, and then...
Next came the powerful kneading!
After spending so much time on preparation, she certainly knew how to apply kneading techniques, putting all her skill into it.
With a focused grunt, she tossed the evenly mixed dough into the air, using the strength and dexterity of her hands and arms to knead it rapidly in mid-air.
Under the relentless kneading, the various ingredients melded together perfectly. In no time, it transformed into a smooth, elastic dough ball.
While perhaps the effect wasn't as visually dramatic as the legendary 'Chinese Snake Coil Kneading', it was still an exceptionally flashy and skilled display. If this were in Japan, netizens would likely shower it with praise.
The purpose of this intense kneading wasn't just for show; it was to develop the gluten structure perfectly, ensuring the resulting bread would remain soft and resilient, supposedly staying fresh even after three days.
"She's started! Such proficient technique!" Sendawara Natsume exclaimed softly. "The dough is like putty in her hands. Could her specialty actually be bread?"
Nakiri Alice's swift, precise actions caught Sendawara Orie's attention. Watching her performance, Erina's usually impassive expression showed a flicker of surprise.
"Incredible! That technique has to be Special Grade level, right? I've never seen a First-Class Chef who specializes in bread making like this!"
"She's tossing it between her hands and arms continuously, and it doesn't even fall! Such amazing dexterity!"
After finishing the kneading, Nakiri Alice didn't immediately move on to other ingredients. Instead, she carried the dough ball over to one of the complex molecular gastronomy machines.
After manipulating some controls on the panel, a specialized proofing chamber ejected from the machine. She deftly placed the dough ball inside.
Watching this sequence, Sendawara Natsume instinctively brought a hand to her chin, thinking. Using a machine to perfectly control the proofing environment and timing... combining technology and traditional methods is indeed a clever approach.
"I see," Sendawara Orie murmured, understanding dawning in her eyes. "So the purpose of these machines is to refine and systematize the process, controlling every minute detail of the cooking. Quantifying each step... no wonder the results can be so consistent."
Hearing her sister's murmured thoughts, Sendawara Orie's expression cleared further, fully grasping the potential application.
"That is low-temperature proofing technology," Lansi suddenly interjected, his voice calm and authoritative. "By precisely controlling the proofing chamber's temperature and humidity over time, the dough ferments slowly at a lower temperature. This develops more complex flavor compounds and results in a finer crumb structure."
"This method also helps reduce any overly strong yeast odor and makes the final bread exceptionally soft and fluffy. ...A truly fascinating approach. She is a talented student indeed. It's no surprise, given who her master is."
As the two Qianbiao sisters were murmuring their analysis, Lansi, who had remained mostly silent until now, spoke up, his gaze on Nakiri Alice carrying a note of clear approval.
He then turned his head slightly, glancing towards Dylan who was standing with his arms crossed, watching intently. This young man... truly unfathomable! To think even his apprentice possesses this level of skill and innovation.
Sendawara Natsume and Erina exchanged glances, their curiosity about Dylan piqued by Lansi's comment. However, in front of the venerable Branch Director Lansi, they didn't dare pry too openly, restraining their usual inquisitive natures.
Lansi chuckled softly, noticing their curious looks. "Hoho! It seems he prefers not to reveal his name just yet. So, allow this old man to maintain the mystery for now. I'm sure you'll find out in due time."
Lansi shook his head slightly. Since the young man was unwilling to accept his earlier invitation and clearly values his anonymity...
...then without his explicit permission, I won't carelessly reveal his personal details.
"Hmph," Natsume pouted playfully. "Playing mysterious now, are we? You've just piqued our curiosity even more! Oh, come on, Director, just tell us!"
Sendawara Orie also leaned forward slightly, a rare hint of pleading in her eyes. Towards a young man capable of earning Branch Director Lansi's veiled praise, their usual composure held little sway.
Lansi waved a hand dismissively, though his eyes twinkled. "Now, now, spare this old man. He might actually blame me the next time we meet if I spill the beans. Once I have his consent, I promise I'll arrange a proper introduction."
Seeing they couldn't extract any more information from him, Sendawara Natsume and Erina sighed inwardly and turned their attention back to the ongoing competition on the stage.
________
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