"The final dessert, Lava Egg."
Looking at the judges whose faces were filled with happiness after tasting the Wellington steak, Kobayashi Rindo and Eishi Tsukasa exchanged glances, then walked to the back and took out the last dessert from the oven.
The main ingredients used were potatoes, bacon, and eggs, forming a stark contrast with the luxurious ingredients just used. But it was precisely these ordinary ingredients that created a unique deliciousness.
The method was simple: cut the potatoes in half, hollow out the middle, wrap them with high-quality bacon, and bake them in the oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.
After baking, add shredded cheese and sterile eggs to the potato bacon bowls, and continue baking in the oven at 170 degrees for 15 minutes.
This simple and delicious post-meal dessert was then complete.
"Sorry, I forgot to sprinkle the seasoning powder. Now, please enjoy the perfect form of this dish!"
After serving the dessert to the judges, Kobayashi Rindo was about to step down, then as if remembering something, she pulled out a can of shichimi powder from her pocket and sprinkled it evenly over the Lava Egg.
"The after-meal dessert is so well made. It's just a simple combination of potato, bacon, and egg, yet it can emit such a rich aroma!
The potatoes and bacon are crispy, the egg yolk is runny, and one bite is incredibly smooth and creamy. With the potatoes at the edge, the smoothness gains a slight graininess, and the texture becomes even richer."
Tasting the post-meal dessert, Lava Egg, Dekora closed her eyes, savoring the flavor of the dish while speaking contentedly, especially about the final sprinkle of shichimi powder.
The rich flavor of the shichimi powder played a crucial role in this dish, giving it more possibilities in the mouth!
"Although there's nothing particularly outstanding, the overall completeness of this set meal is very high. Whether it's the taste or the pairing, it belongs to the top tier of set meals!"
As world-class gourmets, they were accustomed to Wellington steak, and eating something repeatedly would somewhat reduce its score. However, this did not mean that Eishi Tsukasa and Kobayashi Rindo's cooking was poor.
On the contrary, they did exceptionally well!
If they were to score the set meal, it would definitely receive a rating of over ninety-five points!
Because whether it was the smoked salmon used as an appetizer or the final dessert, Lava Egg, both paired very well with the flavor of the Wellington steak, and their own completeness was excellent, with no pairing errors.
The drawback was a lack of distinctive character, an extreme lack of character.
This set meal did not showcase the personal style of the two, however, in reality, Eishi Tsukasa and Kobayashi Rindo had indeed tried new dishes during this period, but they had failed.
It couldn't really be called a failure; it was just that the taste wasn't as good as this classic version. Weighing the options, they decided to create a set meal centered around Wellington steak, which was the one before them.
"Wellington steak, such a classic Western set meal."
Looking at the classic set meal presented by Eishi Tsukasa and Kobayashi Rindo on stage, Erina Nakiri showed a hint of worry.
"Don't worry, ours isn't bad either. I'll do my best to assist you."
"Then let's begin."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Erina Nakiri seemed to have taken a reassurance pill. As the young man placed the appetizer on the judges' table, she also began preparing the main course for this competition.
The two chose a sour appetizer. Since this competition adopted a format of one appetizer, one main course, and one dessert forming a set meal, Hoshino Sora served sour fish.
Of course, it wasn't sour fish in the traditional sense.
He purchased nine-eyed fish that had been aged for a week on the market, then made a sauce with pickled vegetables, and drizzled a little prickly ash oil, which would give the entire dish a slightly numbing taste.
Salmon roe was also placed on top of the fish as a garnish. One bite and the rich flavor changes were enough to make one's eyebrows fall off!
This was Hoshino Sora's improvement based on the traditional sour fish dish. The portion was small, sour and spicy, perfect as an appetizer.
"Please enjoy, Miniature Sour Fish."
Making a 'please' gesture with his hand, Hoshino Sora placed the sour fish in front of the judges one by one.
"Miniature Sour Fish?"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's description, the judges' faces showed expressions of confusion.
If Eishi Tsukasa and his partner's dish followed tradition, then Hoshino Sora's dish was the ultimate in innovation. This miniature sour fish had completely broken through the scope of ordinary sour fish.
However, the most crucial aspect of cooking was still the taste...
Thinking of this, the judges picked up the chopsticks Hoshino Sora had prepared for them, picked up a piece of sour fish, and put it into their mouths.
"Sour, the sauce made from pickled vegetables paired with the tender white fish is perfectly harmonious!
Spicy, a faint spiciness resonates with the sourness, elevating the flavor layers once more!
Fresh, closing one's eyes, it's as if the ocean appears before them, the intense freshness rushing straight to the spiritual core!"
With an expression of enjoyment on her face, Akame chanted about the deliciousness of the dish with a happy face. Although the external presentation was different, this miniature sour fish was even more potent than the original version.
One has to say, concentrated dishes are all essences!
One slice, two slices...
There were a total of four slices of fish on the plate, not a large quantity, but the few of them ate for a full four or five minutes, unwilling to gulp it down roughly, savoring each piece of fish with narrowed eyes.
The salmon roe had a rich flavor that would burst with a gentle press of the tongue. The faint prickly ash oil had a unique aroma, and the fish had a slight chewiness—this was the turning point!
Unlike the tender and smooth texture of traditional sour fish, the chewiness of the fish greatly enhanced the dish's mouthfeel. As an appetizer, this dish was of a very high standard.
Similarly, having already reached this standard as an appetizer, if the next dish's flavor couldn't surpass it, then this set meal would be a failure.
With anticipation in their eyes, everyone wanted to taste perfect cuisine, and they were no exception. As Hoshino Sora stepped down, Erina Nakiri walked up from behind him, pushing a food cart.
After a simple exchange of glances with her, Hoshino Sora stepped off the stage to quietly prepare the final dessert.
He believed in Erina Nakiri's cooking, and he believed in her skills!
"Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Secret Sauce, please enjoy."
As if by telepathy, Erina Nakiri, who was the second to go on stage, made the exact same gesture as Hoshino Sora had just done, even the angle of her palm was identical.
Compared to the other judges, Azami Nakiri was more attentive to these details; Erina Nakiri had been fully focused on her cooking moments ago, so it was impossible for her to have paid attention to the stage.
This meant that her current gesture was completely unconscious, as she had unconsciously started mimicking Hoshino Sora's actions after spending so much time together.
Thinking of this, a faint sense of displeasure welled up in Azami Nakiri's heart; it was something no father wanted to see—his home-grown cabbage being swayed by another pig.
"Pan-seared duck breast? This is a very traditional dish, but at first glance, it seems to have undergone quite a few improvements."
"Green grapes with duck breast, a very good pairing, and also the addition of cherries. The cherries deepen the sweet and sour taste and rich aroma of the red wine, which also makes the plating more colorful and the flavor profile richer."
Without tasting, he simply waved his hand to fan the aroma in the air. The rich sweet and sour scent, along with the cherries placed on top of the duck breast, brought a look of appreciation to An's face.
This pairing could be said to be excellent. The unique aroma and sweet and sour taste of the cherries elevated the red wine, and adding perfectly simmered red wine to the broth further enhanced the flavor layers.
Layer upon layer, the sauce's flavor had reached its peak, and paired with the crispy pan-seared duck breast, the dish's taste was simply impeccable!
As for the side dishes next to the duck breast, there were cherries, green grapes, and some golden fried golden ear mushrooms and water chestnut slices.
The overall side dishes were abundant and all designed to cut through richness. A knife and fork gently glided across the duck breast, and an enticing aroma of fat burst forth; in addition to being pan-seared, this duck breast had also been roasted.
Despite this, the duck breast's moisture was still firmly locked inside. Coupled with the sauce's cooking, the juices spread abundantly in the mouth, and this sensation was incredibly wonderful!
"Ah~"
"How could this be..."
"No!"
The voices were charming yet filled with shock. Almost simultaneously, all the female judges covered their chests and bent down, their cheeks flushed crimson.
What's going on?
Looking at the judges' strange behavior, the audience members were full of questions, looking left and right, not knowing what had happened.
And those female judges from WGO naturally couldn't tell them that their bras had burst open from eating the dish.
Those with larger busts could still hold them up, but those with smaller busts had to desperately protect themselves with their hands, otherwise, they would have no face to stay in WGO in the future.
"Ah~ !"
Although no specific evaluation was given, the sounds coming from his mouth could not be faked. Azami Nakiri's face was full of enjoyment, his consciousness repeatedly appeared in mid-air, his clothes completely burst open from top to bottom, leaving only a pair of black boxer briefs.
"Look, it's the Nakitiri Family's unique Clothes Burst!"
Watching Azami Nakiri's clothes uncontrollably explode on stage, the audience began to murmur.
It was known that even Eishi Tsukasa and Kobayashi Rindo's dishes had only caused his upper body clothes to tear, but now even his pants had exploded.
One could imagine the power of this dish.
"Is it really that delicious? It's just a dish, after all."
Some audience members were puzzled. It was just a dish; even if it was incredibly delicious, it shouldn't cause such expressions, and their clothes exploding was simply too outrageous!
"You don't understand. This is the Nakitiri Family's unique Gourmet Pulse. It's incredibly powerful and can make eaters burst their clothes, and it might even affect those around them!"
Someone knowledgeable began to explain.
"How amazing! It can even make that ice-cold man show such an expression."
"Indeed, food doesn't lie."
Watching Azami Nakiri's expression of extreme restraint at the judges' table, a heated discussion erupted in the audience.
It was imaginable that if he hadn't desperately suppressed it, he would have completely lost face in front of his daughter today, and even he wouldn't have been able to maintain a cool demeanor after that.
"The last dessert, French Red Wine Poached Pears, please enjoy."
Seeing that the time was right, Hoshino Sora brought up the last dish.
This was a French dish, combined with Chinese medicinal cuisine, a suggestion given to her by Hisako Arato. The preparation wasn't particularly difficult, but the taste was excellent, elegant, and very suitable as an ending to a meal.
This set had conquered the palates of everyone in his harem.
Including Erina Nakiri herself!
A rich and elegant flavor spread in the mouth, combining with the lingering taste of duck breast, a fresh sweetness with the mellow aroma of wine, and the refreshing scent of lemon.
There were no overly complex flavors, but it was simply irresistible, leading to continuous bites. Soon, an entire plate of red wine poached pears, arranged like a rose, was completely eaten.
After finishing all the dishes, all the judges, including Azami Nakiri, showed satisfied expressions. Hoshino Sora's skill had earned his approval, and his cooperation with Erina Nakiri was impeccable.
Given this, what right did he have to dislike the other party?
"Then, after deliberation by the judges, the winner of this competition is, the Hoshino Sora and Erina Nakiri team!"
Watching the judges write down Hoshino Sora and Erina Nakiri's names on the paper with a brush, Kawashima Rei announced with an excited voice, her face filled with emotion.
Because Hoshino Sora and Erina Nakiri were their first-year students, the honor they received was also shared by the first-year students!
Ultimately, becoming a Far Moon Elite Ten as a first-year student was in itself an extremely remarkable achievement!
"How wonderful!"
Voices came from the audience.
"What a wonderful duel."
"Can we have another match? I haven't had enough!"
"Masterful cooking techniques performed live, the visual appeal is truly too strong. There will be plenty to brag about in the future!"
"Hoshino Sora..."
As the first voice sounded, more and more voices rose, and the previously silent audience instantly became incredibly lively. The atmosphere now reached its peak!
[Task Completed]: Heart of the Strong
[Task Requirement]: Never give up, defeat Eishi Tsukasa
[Task Reward]: Talent: Stronger When Challenged
[Stronger When Challenged]: When encountering an opponent stronger than oneself in overall ability, cooking taste increases by 10%, and cooking speed increases by 10%.
Amidst the clamor, Hoshino Sora's mind heard the system's prompt, acquiring this talent, which he wasn't sure if it was good or not.
However, if the gap in strength wasn't too large, this talent was indeed very powerful.
[Task Completed]: Far Moon Reform 2.0
[Task Description]: Azami Nakiri's establishment of the Central Gourmet Agency and the abolition of seminars, research groups, and hobby clubs caused dissatisfaction among the general students. A new reform is coming!
[Task Requirement]: Overthrow Azami Nakiri's rule and make Erina Nakiri the true Academy Director.
[Task Reward]: Phased rewards given based on task completion, with three stages of rewards.
[Stage One Reward]: 20000 Reputation Points (Already obtained)
[Stage Two Reward]: Gourmet Manor Butler * 1, Gourmet Manor Slave * 10 (Optional), 10000 Reputation Points, Gold-tier dish: Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth. (Already obtained)
[Stage Three Reward]: Unknown
Reputation Points: 44300
Hoshino Sora was still immersed in the previous reward when the next system prompt immediately entered his mind, which made him both surprised and delighted, a clear smile appearing on his face.
And this smile, to outsiders, naturally appeared to be his joy at winning the competition, which was very reasonable.
"Everyone present, I have an announcement to make here."
Looking at the cheering audience and Erina Nakiri standing beside Hoshino Sora with a happy expression, Azami Nakiri snatched the microphone from Kawashima Rei's hand and spoke loudly.
Hearing his voice, Hoshino Sora also turned his gaze, wanting to see what trick he was up to now.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to pass on the position of Far Moon Director to Erina Nakiri, my daughter. She possesses strong abilities and has considerable experience in handling academy affairs..."
Holding the microphone, Azami Nakiri spoke eloquently, every word seeming sincere, portraying himself as an exceptionally good father in front of outsiders.
With more than half of the Elite Ten standing with Hoshino Sora, his stepping down was almost inevitable.
Rather than waiting for the competition to end and letting him use the Elite Ten to force him to step down, it was better to seize the opportunity now and step down voluntarily. Stepping down voluntarily and being forced to step down were completely different concepts, with vastly different societal impacts.
In the former, he would retire gracefully; in the latter, he would leave in disgrace. As an 'old fox,' Azami Nakiri knew well how he should choose now.
Moreover, he had a feeling that Hoshino Sora could break the curse of the God Tongue and create dishes that surpassed the God Tongue! Although he was still relatively young now...
"What the heck, how long has he been Director? Why is he abdicating already?"
"Exactly, it's so sudden. I heard this new Director forced the old Director to step down using the Elite Ten Council. Is it to pave the way for his daughter?! I think I've discovered a huge secret!"
"What a good father! What a good man!"
As expected, as Azami Nakiri uttered these words, the scene erupted in an uproar.
Hoshino Sora listened briefly; most comments were positive and favorable to Azami Nakiri, but he didn't care, as the overall situation was decided now, and outsiders' opinions didn't matter.
[Task Triggered]: Far Moon Reform (Finale)
[Task Description]: After you obtained the Elite Ten First Seat, Azami Nakiri voluntarily resigned as the Academy Director and announced that he would pass the position to Erina Nakiri.
Having received the appointment as Academy Director, Erina Nakiri will take office as the new Academy Director the next day.
[Task Requirement]: Work with Erina Nakiri to build Far Moon Academy, making Far Moon a utopia for the Neon culinary world, and gain significant influence within the Elite Ten.
[Stage Three Reward]: ① For every student who successfully graduates, receive 1000 Reputation Points reward.
② Every time Far Moon Academy appears on the world stage, receive Reputation Points rewards of varying degrees based on influence.
③ Far Moon graduates receiving WGO star ratings will grant the host rewards: one star 1000 Reputation Points, two stars 5000 Reputation Points, three stars 10000 Reputation Points.
Listening to the system prompt sounding in his mind, his gaze fixed on Erina Nakiri. It was clear she was a bit bewildered now, and similarly, Hoshino Sora was also a bit bewildered.
Facing the sudden influx of generous rewards, happiness filled Hoshino Sora's mind.
What kind of task was this? This was clearly his money tree! No, it was a reputation tree!
Moreover, unknowingly, his Reputation Points had accumulated to over forty thousand! After digesting these resources, to what extent could he grow?!
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