20 Chapter 18: Culinary Master!
As everyone spread out to search for pigs, Raymond followed their trail, keeping an eye out for any signs of the Great Stamp's presence.
He moved through the forest casually like he owned the place.
Meanwhile, Gon and his friends stumbled upon a group of the Great Stamp.
They were taken aback to discover that these pigs were carnivorous, and they found themselves under attack as the beasts charged at them with ferocity.
The commotion attracted the attention of the other participants, who saw it as an opportunity to gather the necessary ingredients for the cooking challenge.
However, they soon realized the challenge was tougher than expected.
The Great Stamp's powerful snouts proved to be resistant to their attempts to subdue them.
Even when Todo tried to hurl large stones at the pigs, his efforts were in vain as the stones were effortlessly crushed under the force of the pigs' snouts.
However, Gon remained undeterred.
Despite being knocked over by the pigs' strength, he quickly observed a potential weakness.
When the pigs collided with trees, the impact caused fruits to fall from the branches, causing the pigs to recoil in pain.
Recognizing this vulnerability, Gon leaped over one of the pigs and struck it from above, targeting the vulnerable spot just behind its snouts.
With a well-timed blow, he managed to knock the pig off balance.
Inspired by what Gon had done, the others followed suit, eventually overcoming the Great Stamp and securing their own pigs for the cooking challenge.
Raymond observed the Great Stamps carefully, opting for a smaller one that was guaranteed to be tender.
As he approached his chosen pig, he noticed the others had already gotten one for themselves.
Deciding to follow suit, Raymond swiftly subdued the smaller Great Stamp that charged at him, knocking it out with a casual slap to the head after stopping its attack with ease.
With his prey secured, Raymond joined the others in preparing his pig for cooking.
As Menchi watched the participants cook their catches without any preparation, her irritation grew.
"These guys are clueless," she grumbled, shaking her head in frustration.
Being a foodie and a gourmet herself, Menchi couldn't help but feel annoyed at the sight of people wasting good ingredients due to their ignorance.
"If I wasn't an examiner, I'd smack some sense into their heads," she muttered, her frustration evident.
But as an examiner, there was nothing she could do but watch and hope they learned from their mistakes.
However, her eyes flashed in surprise as her attention turned toward Raymond, "Oh? Seems like this handsome guy knows what he's doing..."
Raymond carefully positioned the pig on the table, placing his pouch beside it and retrieving the mushroom he had collected earlier.
To the surprise of everyone around, Raymond then wore an apron, a curious sight that earned him puzzled looks from his fellow participants.
Leorio couldn't help but mumbled, "...No way, is he truly an actual cook?"
Ignoring the stares, Raymond focused on his task. With practiced hands, he wielded his knife expertly, swiftly skinning the pig with precision.
The onlookers watched in awe as Raymond skillfully handled the task, his movements fluid and efficient.
With the pork sizzling in the skillet, Raymond wasted no time. He sliced the mushrooms with precision, the knife gliding effortlessly through the tender caps.
Next, he turned his attention to the garlic, mincing it finely until it released its pungent aroma, filling the area with its distinctive scent.
As the oil in the skillet heated up, Raymond carefully added the sliced pork, the meat immediately sizzling as it hit the hot surface.
The scent of Raymond's cooking filled the air, drawing the attention of everyone around.
Despite their own attempts at cooking, the other participants couldn't help but be impressed by Raymond's skill.
As they watched him work, the others felt a pang of inadequacy compared to Raymond's culinary prowess.
"How dare you call these garbages a fucking dish!"
Their own dishes, lacking in flavor and presentation, had been rejected by Menchi and Buhara.
Meanwhile, Buhara, having eaten too much of the lackluster food, found himself craving for more as he smelled the aroma of Raymond's cooking.
Despite feeling uncomfortably full, he couldn't resist the temptation as he drooled.
"Menchi, I think that handsome guy would bring something awesome to us!"
"Just the smell alone already guaranteed that..." Menchi nodded in response.
The enticing aroma of the cooking meat filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the mushrooms and the sharp tang of the garlic.
He then sprinkled the miraculous white powder he had prepared beforehand.
With practiced skill, Raymond tossed the mushrooms and garlic into the skillet, the ingredients dancing together in a delicious symphony of flavors.
With a final stir, Raymond ensured that every piece of meat and vegetable was coated in the savory sauce, the aroma intensifying with each passing moment.
As the scent filled the kitchen, it acted like a magnet, drawing everyone closer to the source of the delicious smell.
"Perfect!"
With a satisfied smile, Raymond declared his dish ready, the anticipation evident in the eager expressions of those around him.
The participants had unconsciously gathered around the table as they couldn't help but be drawn to the smell.
Raymond's dish arrived at the judges' table, drawing the attention of Menchi and Buhara.
Their eyes lit up with anticipation as they beheld the masterpiece before them.
"Stir-Fried Pork with Mushroom and Garlic Sauce," Raymond announced with a smile, presenting his creation with pride.
The dish looked absolutely delectable, the pork perfectly cooked to a golden-brown hue, the mushrooms sliced thinly and arranged artfully around the plate.
The sauce shimmered invitingly, its aroma filling the room with promises of flavor and satisfaction.
Menchi and Buhara exchanged impressed glances before eagerly picking up their utensils to sample the dish.
"So tender! It melted right into my mouth like a cotton candy!"
As they took their first bites, their expressions softened into looks of pure delight, confirming Raymond's culinary prowess.
With eager anticipation, Menchi and Buhara each took a bite of the dish, their taste buds immediately tingling with delight.
It was as if they had been transported to culinary paradise, their senses overwhelmed by the explosion of flavors dancing on their tongues.
The tender pork, earthy mushrooms, and fragrant garlic combined harmoniously, sending them into a state of pure bliss.
"This is too good!" Menchi exclaimed with pure ecstasy.
Her eyes lit up with sheer joy as both continued to indulge in the dish, unable to resist its irresistible allure.
Before they knew it, they had devoured every last morsel, their plates empty save for the lingering traces of the delectable sauce.
Turning to Raymond with wide-eyed amazement, Menchi and Buhara could hardly contain their astonishment.
Their mouths agape in disbelief, they stared at him in awe, their admiration for his culinary prowess shining brightly in their eyes.
As they relished the delicious flavors, Menchi couldn't help but admire Raymond's skill.
"This handsome guy is a culinary master!"
She exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.
Buhara nodded in agreement with a satisfied expression.
They exclaimed eagerly, their voices filled with reverence as they begged for another serving of Raymond's extraordinary creation.
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