š„š„ You can find 40 chapters ahead here
Support link: pat_reon.com/Redon1
Also other exciting fanfic available š„š„
----------------------------------------------------------
Azami Nakiri was somewhat captivated by the deliciousness of the Agedashi Tofu. The exquisite flavors of Kaiseki cuisine are renowned in the realm of Japanese cooking. Renz and Erina, of course, wouldn't neglect their strengths.
Not only did they leverage the advantages of Kaiseki cuisine, maximizing its strengths and minimizing its weaknesses, they also avoided its shortcomings. This was the benefit brought by the God's Tongue. And clearly, the effect was significant. Even his father-in-law, who usually carried a slight air of superiority, was somewhat conquered by the dish.
He might still be verbally unconvinced, but his actions clearly showed him 'immersed' in Renz's cooking.
"Excellent!" Senzaemon Nakiri didn't hide his fondness for Renz's dish, laughing heartily,
"These young people nowadays are truly frightening!"
The higher Senzaemon Nakiri's praise for Renz, the greater his affection for Renz's cooking.
Dojima Gin felt an added layer of pressure. To satisfy Senzaemon Nakiri with a dish was, to be honest, a rare feat. Dishes that the Director-General appreciated always had something exceptionally good about them.
Especially since Dojima Gin had been a judge before and had tasted Renz's dishes, he couldn't have been unaware of the strength Renz had displayed in his previous cooking. In fact, Dojima Gin had done his best to lead and prepare the dishes, but whether they could win or not still depended on their opponent. Renz was performing beyond his usual level, and Dojima Gin simply couldn't stop him.
The onlookers, observing the judges' demeanor, immediately became curious about the taste of this young chef's dishes. At this point, the onlookers were not simple. Tourists who watched Shokugeki were entirely for the excitement; ultimately, they were there on vacation.
Many would glance and then leave, unless they found the competition interesting and stayed longer. The truth was, most of the people who stayed were scouts from major media outlets, like frontline reporters.
Challenging the resident chefs on Gourmet Street was undoubtedly big news in the Japanese culinary world.
These food media reporters all wanted to compete to report on it, to grab first-hand information. At this moment, these people were hidden in the crowd, silently
observing everything happening here.
After all, simply 'challenging the resident chefs on
Gourmet Street' was news worth reporting. This didn't even account for the 'win-loss situation.' Now, Renz was not only 'challenging the resident chefs on Gourmet Street' but had also won against most of them, and was now poised to deliver a final blow to the last resident chefs, until he successfully completed the challenge. The nature of it had instantly changed. In the former situation, media reports would have been mocking, ridiculing Renz's overestimation of himself, challenging the peak of the Japanese culinary world without understanding his own position. The latter situation was far more impressive.
A young man, on his own, tearing through the entire Japanese culinary world would you dare to say it, and would others dare to believe it? It was simply outlandish! Even now, these media outlets still didn't understand why Totsuki's Gourmet Street, considered the pinnacle of the Japanese culinary world, had become so fragile, crumbling at a touch.
The people who lost in these Shokugeki weren't nobodies. Even if the participants all had a certain level of recognition, they were all defeated fair and square in one-on-one battles.
And at the judging site. Senzaemon Nakiri had already begun evaluating Renz's other dishes, but he still hadn't touched the "Chawanmushi with Uni and Truffle." The best was to be saved for the final commentary.
Renz's dishes were all centered around "Chawanmushi."
Moreover, he first fully savored the flavors of the other dishes, and Senzaemon Nakiri had a remarkably good appetite. The sweet and refreshing Agedashi Tofu with Seasonal Vegetables, upon entering his mouth, earned Senzaemon Nakiri's unreserved praise.
The Agedashi Tofu was incomparably delicious, while the Gindara Saikyo-yaki brought a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture to Senzaemon Nakiri's palate. It wasn't to say that simpler dishes had no merit.
Simpler dishes were actually harder to satisfy a judge with, because everyone could make them.
So, making them stand out became a challenge. Agedashi Tofu, compared to Chawanmushi, was a simpler dish. Not only were the ingredients easier to obtain, but the cooking method was also more reflective of refined home-style cooking.
Chewing slowly, the delicate flavors from the tofu, when savored, released an incredibly clean and satisfying umami that lingered continuously in his mouth. The more Senzaemon Nakiri ate, the more satisfied he became. He didn't have the God's Tongue, but he had extensive experience.
He had eaten an enormous number of dishes, and in his youth, he often traveled to various countries in pursuit of gourmet food. For many local delicacies, Senzaemon Nakiri would go directly to their places of origin. The surprises Renz brought to Senzaemon Nakiri were indescribable.
The old man had always thought Renz was a decent chef, similar to someone who seemed competent, cooked well, but didn't leave a deep impression, usually appearing low-key and reserved. In terms of cooking, Renz was someone Senzaemon Nakiri couldn't remember.
But today, he had truly opened Senzaemon Nakiri's eyes.
It wasn't that his grandson-in-law was incompetent, but that he hadn't paid enough attention, hadn't delved deeper to understand his grandson-in-law's true capabilities. Good boy. He's been holding back. He's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve. How does he know how to do everything? Senzaemon Nakiri felt exactly like that at this moment.
Yes, since this challenge began, Renz had been like a treasure trove, displaying one skill after another. This he knew, that he knew too. Senzaemon Nakiri grew happier and happier watching him. The better Renz performed, the wider Senzaemon Nakiri's smile became.
And soon, Renz also welcomed the final judgment. In team cooking, well-made side dishes were a bonus, but the decisive factor in victory was whether the core dish of the entire meal was well-executed.
Side dishes were merely icing on the cake; they couldn't steal the show. When scoring, most of the points were awarded for the core dish. Chawanmushi with Uni and Truffle, a typical representative of Kaiseki cuisine, known for its emphasis on delicate technique and heat control. And this steamed egg custard was not just simply refined, but also infused with luxurious uni and truffle.
This level of dish remains a staple in high-end Japanese banquets to this day. It can be said to be one of the most celebrated dishes in Kaiseki cuisine. All dishes were made in three portions, each distributed to different judges for tasting. Now, as the judges continuously tasted, many empty plates accumulated on the table.
Theoretically, judges shouldn't eat too much, as overeating can easily impair judgment. A person's evaluation of food differs when hungry versus when satisfied. When hungry, everything tastes good, everything is edible, and one is willing to eat anything, unconsciously leading to higher scores.
After eating one's fill, even the most delicious dish can become a bit tiresome and unappetizing, leading to lower scores. Therefore, judges are very mindful of this phenomenon and do not eat too much, to avoid reaching this state of satisfaction. However, these are default rules, not officially established regulations; whether you choose to eat more or less is up to the judge themselves.
Nevertheless, most judges adhere to this rule and eat a little less to ensure their judgment remains accurate.
Unless it's simply too delicious, then there's no helping it.
Senzaemon Nakiri, an experienced judge, seemed to have finished Renz's dishes. In reality, for Senzaemon Nakiri's appetite, these were merely components of a multi-course meal and not enough to affect his judgment. Renz knew that the "Chawanmushi" dish was the most intense stage of this team Shokugeki.
Victory or defeat depended entirely on the strength of this dish. He wouldn't rely on winning due to an opponent's mistake; that would be leaving his fate to others. Renz always wanted to win by his own hand. He wanted to win because his own cooking was good enough.
Watching Senzaemon Nakiri pick up his elegant spoon, delicately scoop a portion of the Chawanmushi with a piece of uni, and put it into his mouth, then repeatedly perform these actions as if savoring liquid gold, Renz knew that this Shokugeki was his for the taking. To be honest, he had already believed he would win, as Renz had made no mistakes in the cooking process.
But there are no 100% winnable matches in this world. Renz still had to see if the judges liked his cooking, not just if his cooking had no flaws.
And Senzaemon Nakiri's actions proved that he truly liked Renz's "Chawanmushi."
Azami Nakiri's expression could no longer hold. The more unwilling and resistant he was to admit it, the better the dish was. Silently looking at the warm, delicious dish in front of him, Azami Nakiri felt a bit lost at this moment, unsure of where to go. He unconsciously picked up the spoon and put Renz's dish into his mouth.
The better this dish tasted, the more resentment grew in Azami Nakiri's heart.
Compared to Azami Nakiri, whose mind was complex and whose emotions constantly shifted, Asahi Saiba, one of the three judges, was the first to cast his vote. He was the first judge to taste dishes from both sides.
And, after tasting, he immediately distinguished whose dish was superior. The difference was clear. Dojima Gin's team dish lacked originality; it was merely a collection of the resident chefs' signature dishes. Although seemingly modified, the core remained unchanged; it was what it was. He tasted it.
The level of a master chef. It couldn't be said to be not brilliant, but it couldn't be said to be very brilliant either. It could only be said to have skill, but not to the point of being astounding. However, Renz achieved a level that made Asahi Saiba's eyes light up. Purely in terms of skill, Asahi Saiba felt that Renz was a cut above the rest. A master chef was no match for Renz.
But how old was Renz?
These master chefs weren't just found on any street corner; in all of Japan, there were no more than thirty people who could truly be called masters. Furthermore, the Kaiseki cuisine Renz chose was very interesting.
Asahi Saiba could see that the dishes Renz selected were all known for their delicate and exquisite taste. The pristine purity of Agedashi Tofu and "Chawanmushi" could stimulate appetite, while the Gindara Saikyo-yaki could provide a satisfying richness, balancing the subtle flavors. This isn't to say Renz's choices were contradictory, conflicting, or bad. On the contrary, it was very wise.
Things taken to extremes tend to reverse. Is an overly delicious taste necessarily good? Not necessarily. It's like eating a full-bodied sushi omakase: the more toro and fatty cuts you eat, is that necessarily good?
Too much richness will eventually make you overwhelmed. And what's it like to have a clean, light clear soup or delicate pickle in between? When your tongue is enjoying the indulgence but can't quite handle it, then a palate cleanser that taste is more refreshing than anything. The exquisite refinement of Agedashi Tofu and "Chawanmushi" can bring a climax to the tongue, but after eating, that lingering taste can actually affect the diner. It feels great while eating, but not necessarily afterwards. The Gindara Saikyo-yaki and other components effectively eliminate this.
After continuously savoring the varied textures and flavors, the different elements, like the Suimono or Seasonal Sashimi, can gently cleanse and reset the palate, allowing for continuous enjoyment.
They complement each other. Renz's team dish was extremely scientific and systematic. It wasn't merely about constantly escalating the 'pleasure valve' for guests' palates, leading to some undesirable 'side effects' after eating. Seasoned. Many talented young chefs don't pay attention to this, only focusing on a momentary burst of sensation for the guest. They don't care about the overall experience or how the guest feels after the meal. They only want to achieve perfection during the meal. Many seasoned chefs avoid this problem, adding an extra dish to counteract these after-effects. Renz displayed incredibly rich experience.
His cooking was also flawless, with no room for criticism. No wonder he could partner so seamlessly with the God's Tongue.
"My vote goes to Renz," Asahi Saiba cast the first vote, and this first vote immediately caused an uproar. Renz, another vote for Renz. Now, the initiative was entirely in Renz's hands. This one-vote advantage placed him in an unassailable position, practically signifying the end of this challenge. Because it was hard to imagine the other two judges, who had eaten their plates even cleaner than Asahi Saiba, casting their votes for the Gourmet Street team.
"My vote," Senzaemon Nakiri pointed, "Goes to Renz-kun."
Asahi Saiba opened the curtain of victory, and Senzaemon Nakiri delivered the final verdict. Three judges, one vote could sway the outcome, two votes would decide the victory. Even if Azami Nakiri had more opinions, or stronger opinions, he couldn't change the outcome. Azami Nakiri certainly didn't want Renz to win so easily, so comfortably.
He couldn't stand Renz. Because Azami Nakiri and Renz had somewhat similar experiences, but Azami Nakiri had failed; his life had failed. And it had failed thoroughly.
However.
He didn't give his vote to Dojima Gin either. The disparity was too obvious. Renz had clearly won. If Azami Nakiri were to defy the popular sentiment, he could easily be labeled as a narrow-minded villain by those with ulterior motives. It wasn't worth it. And no matter what, he had eaten the dishes on the table very cleanly. To sing a different tune now would be too much of a slap in his own face.
"My vote also goes to Renz. He is an undeniable rising star, a new generation genius in the culinary world. I can hardly imagine what heights he will reach in the future.
In his cooking, I saw the limits of the culinary world."
Azami Nakiri said, a forced smile on his face.
He could let Renz win, but he didn't want Renz to win too comfortably. These words were enough to 'praise to death' someone. If Renz's future performance was not as brilliant as it was now, he would be met with an overwhelming flood of negative news. The only thing to worry about was... if Renz's future performance remained as consistently excellent as it was now, this 'praise to death' wouldn't just fail to backfire, but would actually inadvertently elevate Renz even further.
However, for a young person to never make mistakes, have no bottlenecks, and always be at their peak... Is that even possible? It's plain as day.
Renz, he can't do it!
However, after this battle, Renz's burgeoning fame was unstoppable. Successfully challenging Totsuki Gourmet Street and defeating the entire Japanese culinary world was an accomplishment that few could achieve. It would be difficult for Renz not to become famous.
__________________________
š Boost This Fanfic! š
Every 350 Power Stones gets 2 bonus chapters! š
Want faster updates? Show your support by dropping Power Stones, leaving reviews, and sharing your thoughts in the comments! Your engagement keeps the story going strong!