Chapter 33: Another Original Dish That Astonishes the Entire Audience

Yun Xuan walked up to the panel of judges and set down five bowls, each covered with an inverted bowl, heightening the sense of anticipation.

“Honored judges, thank you for your patience. Let me conclude with this original dish—my own take on Lamb Stew with Flatbread, Yun Xuan Style!” Yun Xuan said with a gentle smile.

The five judges lifted the bowls to reveal a layer of flatbread covering each one.

“An original dish!”

“Another original creation?”

“Lamb Stew with Flatbread? What’s that? Lamb has such a strong flavor, and flatbread is just bread, isn’t it? How do those go together?”

The audience rose to their feet, exclaiming in surprise. Even the guests in the VIP section were taken aback. Yesterday’s cold noodles had been a revelation, and today, yet another original recipe?

“Another original?” Dongfang Aoxue frowned.

“Yun Xuan, you are truly fascinating,” Kamikawa Santaro remarked with a smile.

The five judges eyed the flatbread, then each pressed a spoon into the dish.

“The aroma!”

“What a wonderful fragrance!”

“It’s as if the scent is trapped inside the bowl! Incredible!”

The other contestants gasped in astonishment, even the five who had placed in the top ranks.

“A burst of fragrance?” The five from the Kamijo family were dumbfounded. Was it possible to play with flavor in this way?

“Incredible.”

“This technique—amazing, my friend.”

“You can actually do that?”

The students in the culinary academy audience were in shock.

“So this is what he meant. I never could have guessed,” Ye Shan Yuan smiled wryly.

“The burst of aroma—I came up with that this morning during a trial run. Ye Shan Yuan, thank you for your suggestion. This is the secret weapon I needed to defeat the five of you,” Yun Xuan declared loudly, turning around.

“It’s hot, but the smell is incredible,” Saionji Koguo said, sticking out her tongue, impatient to take a bite.

“To think aroma could be used like this,” Yuekawa Kazuma said, grinning.

“The powerful fragrance, the delicious broth, and this pleasant spiciness—this was worth coming for,” Chris exclaimed, devouring the dish with enthusiasm.

“Another addition to Chinese cuisine,” Yu Ping said with a proud smile. As a chef of Chinese origin, he felt a surge of pride.

“If he’s willing, I’d like to take him as my disciple. These remarkable ideas will cause a sensation. The culinary world is about to flourish anew,” Kamijo Furukawa laughed heartily.

The five judges ate with gusto, not leaving a single drop or crumb, even mixing the flatbread topping into the stew.

...

In less than half an hour, all five had finished and simultaneously raised their bowls.

“One more bowl!” they chorused.

The audience members collapsed in disbelief. Weren’t these five already full? They really were gourmands.

“There isn’t any more, I’m afraid. This was all I could make this time. Perhaps next time, if there’s a chance,” Yun Xuan replied, scratching his head.

“Please proceed with the scoring,” Chishima Meiyin reminded quietly.

“Very well, Yun Xuan. You must make this for us again,” Kamijo Furukawa said as he entered his score.

“Eighteen points!”

“Yun Xuan, you’re welcome to visit my maid café anytime. I’ll make you a special heart-shaped omelet rice myself,” Saionji Koguo said playfully as she scored.

“Nineteen points!”

“Yun Xuan, I’d like to discuss a possible collaboration with you later,” Chris said with interest, scoring.

“Nineteen points!”

“Yun Xuan, you’re always welcome at my French restaurant, ‘Summer,’” Yuekawa Kazuma said with a note of anticipation as he scored.

“Nineteen points!”

“I’m grateful you’ve added another dish to Chinese cuisine. If you’re interested, do visit my Sichuan China House, and I’ll host you myself,” Yu Ping said with a smile, scoring.

“Nineteen points!”

“Impossible!” Long Ao clenched his fists, staring at the scores that far surpassed his own.

“The total is... Ninety-four points! Congratulations to Yun Xuan for taking first place in the preliminary top five!” Chishima Meiyin announced with a deep breath, her voice ringing with disbelief.

“Ninety-four points!”

“That high?”

“What an extraordinary original dish.”

The audience and those in the VIP section were all amazed, murmuring in awe, feeling that this competition had truly been worth attending.

“Let me try your dish!” Long Ao strode up to Yun Xuan, speaking with grave sincerity.

“Is that how you ask someone for a favor?” Yun Xuan replied, half-smiling.

“Please... let me taste your cooking,” Long Ao said, bowing his head.

“Very well.” Yun Xuan returned to the kitchen counter, retrieved the last prepared serving, and handed it to Long Ao.

Original dishes are the private property of their creators, not to be tasted without permission. Even if you’re willing to pay, it’s not possible without the creator’s consent.

Long Ao inhaled the intense fragrance, took a spoonful, and tasted it.

With a single bite, he was struck speechless.

His own dishes had always been bold and domineering, yet this lamb stew with flatbread surpassed his own in intensity.

He quickly finished the small bowl, leaving it spotless.

“Next time, I’ll let you try my original creation. I will defeat you in the main competition,” Long Ao said seriously, setting down the bowl.

“I’ll look forward to your original dish,” Yun Xuan replied, extending his hand.

Long Ao shook it, his eyes burning with renewed fighting spirit.

...

“Ahem, I will now announce the afternoon matches and the list of contestants. Will the top five from the Five Elements division please step forward?” Chishima Meiyin said.

The five representatives of the Five Elements took the stage.

Metal: Sanchou Hiyotsuki, with long purple hair and a cold expression.

Wood: Kitagawa Fuka, a sickly beauty with black hair covering her eyes.

Water: The cute boy, Sakaue Ginko.

Fire: Hayami Sago, with short pink hair and a distinctive cowlick.

Earth: Kazuma Kazumasa, wearing glasses and a calm expression.

“Will the preliminary top five please step forward?” Chishima Meiyin spoke with a hint of reverence toward the Five Elements.

Yun Xuan and the other four joined the Five Elements representatives. Sakaue Ginko offered Yun Xuan a smile.

“Now, please draw lots in order. Contestants with matching numbers will face each other. The winners will advance to tomorrow’s grand finals,” Chishima Meiyin announced as a staff member brought over a box.

The ten contestants drew lots in turn.

“Number five?” Yun Xuan said, slightly disappointed. Drawing last meant he’d be competing in the evening.

“I’m your opponent,” Long Ao said with a faint smile.

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence? Looks like I can rest or experiment until then,” Yun Xuan shrugged, unconcerned.

“It seems the matches are set. The theme for the third match is rice. Please prepare accordingly. The first match will begin at five in the afternoon,” Chishima Meiyin announced. All these topics had been decided by Kamikawa Santaro.

“Rice?” The ten contestants were taken aback; the theme was broad and complex.

Congee, rice bowls—those were the first to come to mind for everyone.

“If only there was more time, I’d love to make rice dumplings,” Yun Xuan mused to himself. In this world, with no Qu Yuan, there were no rice dumplings—only dragon boat races.

“The second round is complete. Audience members, please exit in order. The venue will reopen at five. Contestants, please arrange your time as you wish,” Chishima Meiyin concluded before leaving.

Yun Xuan lingered behind, soon surrounded by the five judges, all pleading for another round of his lamb stew with flatbread.

Naturally, Yun Xuan wouldn’t miss such an opportunity; these five were all four-star chefs or their equals.

(P.S.: Can anyone guess what the third match will feature? It’s something quite familiar. Please vote for recommendations.)