43 Surpassing All Chefs (2-in-1)
Tofu strands.
Shiitake mushroom strands.
Winter bamboo shoot strands.
Combined with green vegetable strands, creating a beautifully colored dish!
When the chicken soup with tofu strands reached Anne's throat, her taste buds were completely awakened.
The transition from light to extremely flavorful taste made her feel electrified, causing her body to tremble slightly and her cheeks to turn even redder.
Unable to bear it any longer, she took the ceramic bowl, paying no attention to her messy eating. She slurped it down eagerly.
The fresh and tender tofu strands slipped through her mouth with such rich and delicate flavors, making her feel like she was in a dream but at the same time experiencing something so real!
Meanwhile,Sonoka was stunned.
She had worked tirelessly on a high-class foie gras dish, hoping to satisfy the WGO first-class executive. Yet, Zane's classic tofu dish caused her instant capitulation?
"The soup base is made by slow simmering for over three years using chicken and then clarified with pig meat and water three times until the broth is clear."
"By adding shiitake mushroom, winter bamboo shoot, and green vegetable strands, and then gently swirling the soup to separate the tofu strands, a thin layer of sauce is produced."
"Hence, the whole classic tofu dish delivers a light but rich and pure flavor experience."
Anne slipped into a dreamy and illusory scene.
She found herself in a steamy hot spring surrounded by green trees, with mountains and water complementing each other. The sensation of warmth gradually relaxed her body, almost as if the water had taken away all the stress!
She started to feel her skin being gently massaged by the hot spring water, creating a very comfortable feeling.
At the same time, the murmuring sound of the water made her feel increasingly relaxed and at ease!
...
Classic tofu.
It's all about knife skills, but the real soul lies in the making of the soup base.
After all, as Anne had just said, refined knife skills are ultimately a visual feast, but how would Zane not understand this truth?
He also understood very well that such miraculous knife work in classic tofu was definitely not just for show.
It could be used for performance, but it was not merely for display—it was meant to create the highest level of Huaiyang cuisine!
Evidently, this bowl of classic tofu, seemingly plain, contained the essence of various ingredients, stewed over low heat.
The soup was clear and rich in flavor, the tofu strands were evenly cut like fine hair, and the overall taste was rich and long-lasting, lingering on the palate.
The true taste and essence of the tofu were fully revealed the moment it was tasted!
How could Anne not like such classic tofu? How could it not challenge her perception of cooking?
"Gone already?"
"When did I finish eating?"
Finally, after calming down, Anne was surprised to find that the entire bowl of classic tofu in front of her was completely empty.
...
"Why?"
"This classic tofu dish uses only common ingredients like firm tofu, chicken breast, shiitake mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, and green vegetables."
"But with every bite, it was so unforgettable!"
"Considering how I, as an executive, have visited countless restaurants over the years and have seen many talented chefs."
"Yet in today's worldly setting, everyone is pursuing fame and fortune."
"And to get their restaurants recognized by WGO, they are all trying to please me, but the dishes they make always leave me feeling very detached!"
"Today's classic tofu, simple and unpretentious, is the most satisfying dish I've experienced!"
Without a doubt, Anne considered Zane's cooking to be superior to the foie gras she tasted at Shunkatei today.
In her heart, this was the best dish in the world!
...
"Sob, sob, sob!"
"I've finally found it!"
After the outburst, Anne began to sob loudly in the tavern.
Her crying completely puzzled the owner, Zane.
Was it really necessary to be so exaggerated over a bowl of classic tofu?
"Lady Mana, I've finally found the dish that can cure your anorexia!"
At that moment, amidst Anne's loud crying, she thought of Mana Nakiri, who was far away.
Initially, to cure her anorexia, as a group of executives, they traveled all over the world, constantly visiting restaurants and tasting the food of many famous chefs, but almost always returned empty-handed.
Yes, the curse of the God's Tongue was not so easily broken, was it?
Watching Mana become increasingly emaciated, to the point where she could only maintain her life by receiving nutrient injections, deeply saddened Anne.
It was like a heavy weight was pressing on her heart, making her feel extremely burdened every time she thought about it!
...
For high-end restaurants, many people have serious lows and prejudices.
Just as no chef can please everyone, no dish can satisfy everyone!
The quality of ingredients, the skill of the chef, the taste, and texture of the dish, all these factual things can be fully shown.
Therefore, to have a unified standard and to truly judge the food, the WGO Food Organization was established in this background.
Although chefs like Zane don't fully agree with WGO from the bottom of their hearts, currently, there is no other review organization that can provide better and more rigorous standards! So, in the minds of many chefs, WGO is always the most authoritative.
In fact, the establishment of the WGO Food Organization.
While it aims to establish and unify standards for evaluating all cuisines worldwide.
More importantly, bookmaster Mana Nakiri wants to utilize the WGO platform.
Allowing all executives to legitimately find chefs who can conquer the God's Tongue by inspecting restaurants.
However, over the years, everyone has been searching persistently, but they still haven't found a chef who can conquer the God's Tongue!
No! It seems... they have already found one!
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Night, very quiet!
All the scenery was shrouded in darkness.
Whether it was a shooting star across the sky or the shimmering lake surface, these nighttime views always captivated people.
At this time, Erina, who had not come to the tavern, hid alone in the kitchen, starting to try making a dish of shrimp dumplings.
She wrapped the essence of the filling and shrimp brains tightly in two different layers of dumpling skins, then steamed them over gentle heat in a steamer.
When the time was right, she quickly turned off the fire and then lifted the lid of the steamer with her hand.
And as the steamer was uncovered, the internal mist bloomed like fireworks, instantly enveloping the entire kitchen.
Accompanied by a rich fragrance bursting out, Erina became even more eager, but unfortunately, there was no dazzling light, no miraculous event happening.
The deep crimson "dragon" lay motionless in the steamer, devoid of any vitality.
It wouldn't rise and float in the air like the dragon dumplings made by Zane!
"Ah!"
"Can't it work?"
Seeing this, Erina's expression turned somewhat disappointed.
...
Unexpectedly, just as she finished speaking, the tail of the shrimp, no, the tail of the dragon, actually twitched slightly.
Erina, with her sharp eyes, couldn't miss this subtle change and couldn't help but exclaim, "Great, it's finally moving! Oh? Why did the tail droop again?"
In frustration, Erina, gritting her teeth, could only use chopsticks to "eliminate" this failed creation.
Although it had two layers of different dumpling skins, they were both subtly beautiful.
Combined with exquisite folds and plump shapes, this dragon dumpling dish in Erina's hands was indeed crafted delicately, reshaping the details everywhere!
Taking a bite, the inside was juicy and sweet, an enjoyment beyond words.
Even the late-night appetite was completely opened up by this bite of shrimp dumplings, leaving a lingering taste!
"Every time, it's the same. Using the same ingredients and methods, but I can't replicate his dishes perfectly."
After finishing, Erina put down the chopsticks and sighed deeply.
Feeling a bit discouraged, it now seemed impossible for her to catch up to Zane's pace no matter how hard she tried.
Considering her position in the culinary world, endowed with theGod's Tongue ability, gifted in cooking, and even renowned within Totsuki Academy, she felt quite disheartened by this realization.
Nevertheless, Zane's appearance often left her thoughts in turmoil.
On the one hand, she liked... his dishes.
On the other, she was afraid that he would shake the beliefs she had painstakingly held onto for years!
...
Different individuals.
For different regional cuisines, there are varying opinions!
Thus, in the culinary world, there exists a hierarchy.
For example, some ingredients are considered more high-end than others, such as:
Imported meats and seafood are often considered more upscale than local ingredients, while delicacies like black truffles, caviar, foie gras, are even more precious.
Furthermore, organic vegetables and fruits without pesticide residue are also seen as healthier and more premium!
Looking at cuisine types, some are thought to be more delicious than others.
For many people, French cuisine is considered superior to English cuisine!
On a personal level, a first-class executive like Anne would certainly disdain the low-priced dishes from roadside stalls.
Of course, when Erina first arrived, she vigorously despised commoner cuisine, which was a classic move.
Even chefs like Zane occasionally slightly look down on other chefs due to their exceptional culinary skills.
In short, while there is certainly a hierarchy, this simple classic tofu managed to conquer Anne!
"Owner, perhaps you already know my identity."
"But I still want to tell you, I am the current first-class executive of WGO Food Organization and also Mana Nakiri's secretary, Anne!"
"The classic tofu you make, though not within my review scope, is the tastiest dish I have ever had in my life!"
After wiping her tears, Anne began to calm down and then looked up at Zane.
"Whether as an executive or not."
"Anyone who comes to my tavern, in my eyes, is just a diner, nothing more!"
Zane, with a smile, replied to Anne.
"Owner, truth be told, without considering other factors and solely based on the quality of this classic tofu, you definitely have the skill of a three-star restaurant head chef!"
"No, those 72 three-star restaurant head chefs, their dishes are nowhere near as good as yours."
"I believe when the actual evaluation comes, awarding you the unique title of a four-star restaurant head chef is not at all excessive."
"In my opinion, in this world, there is no cuisine that can surpass yours!"
"Fo... Four-star restaurant head chef?"
Next to her, Sonoka, who had just taken on the role of a bystander, was once again shocked!
...
Three-star restaurant chef.
Three-star restaurant head chef.
These two have a big difference.
After all, a three-star restaurant definitely can't have only one chef, and there is certainly a difference in skills between chefs, so these are two different concepts.
As for the head chef, naturally, he is the strongest in terms of skill!
At the same time, WGO Food Organization updates all executive-reviewed restaurant results every year, all recorded in the book "THE·BOOK" for food reviews in Anne's hands.
So far, "THE·BOOK" has recorded only 72 three-star restaurants, 1028 two-star restaurants, and 4421 one-star restaurants!
It is imaginable that a restaurant recognized by WGO Food Organization represents the highest standard of restaurant operation and quality worldwide.
However, restaurants that have received star ratings may not necessarily continue to thrive in the catering industry.
There are also star-rated restaurants that have closed due to poor management and declining reputation, among other reasons.
In short, even receiving the lowest one-star rating is a great honor in the lives of many chefs!
But what's the result?
As soon as Zane took action, he completely won over Anne.
And in her evaluation, she even believed that Zane had the ability to surpass all three-star restaurant head chefs.
This left Sonoka deeply shocked, unable to calm down for a long time.
At this moment, she realized that some things come easily to others, while she had to struggle her whole life and still find it hard to achieve!
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This was a 2-in-1 chapter, meaning there is 2 different chapters in this 1 chapter. Make sure to give more power stones!
