The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 166 A Love for Cooking
Not only Qin Lang was somewhat impressed, but the comments section was also filled with praise. It was rare for the fans not to turn into haters and criticize Yu Zaozao.

"Besides the judges, the preliminary round also included a segment that I found very interesting." Yu Zaozao turned the camera to show a row of unfamiliar faces behind the judges' panel.

"Ta-da! The legendary audience experience seats!"

"Audience experience seating?"

Qin Lang asked curiously, "Do the audience also have the right to vote?"

If that's the case, why didn't he see this rule in the rules description before?

"No, no, no~" Yu Zaozao chuckled, "The audience experience seat also has another name, called the free meal seat."

"With so many people participating in the cooking competition, it's impossible for the judges to eat every single dish. To ensure their own condition and the fairness of the competition, each judge can only taste one bite of each dish."

"Then here comes a small problem."

What should we do with the leftovers after we've enjoyed all this delicious food?

Yu Zaozao chuckled, "This is when the audience experience seats come in handy!"

“Some of the selected audience members can enjoy food at the audience experience area. This approach not only allows more people to participate but also avoids food waste and prevents any behind-the-scenes manipulation.”

"That's interesting." Qin Lang nodded knowingly.

Indeed, if the audience can taste the food, then the food judges will not be able to blatantly allow bad-tasting food to advance.

As Yu Zaozao was introducing the dishes, contestants began to finish cooking and present their dishes to the five judges. The judges' comments, whether serious or relaxed, quickly attracted everyone's attention.

Yu Zaozao didn't say anything more, but simply pointed the camera at the judges and broadcast the scene of the preliminary competition.

Although it wasn't Qin Lang's turn to appear yet, he was watching the other contestants with great interest, and time seemed to pass even faster.

The team moved forward little by little, and soon only five or six contestants remained waiting in front of Qin Lang.

At that moment, a slightly displeased voice rang out throughout the entire venue.

"I believe your cooking is disrespectful to the ingredients!"

Qin Lang looked in the direction of the voice and saw a chubby man sitting to Li Yuan's left on the judging panel with a sullen face. It was he who had just said those words.

This judge, Zhuo Hui, is known for his sharp tongue. From the beginning of the auditions until now, his comments have often been the most unpleasant among the five judges.

But this level of criticism is indeed a bit excessive.

Qin Lang turned his head and glanced at the contestant standing on the stage. He was a rather thin boy who stood there helplessly, stammering for a while before finally speaking softly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhuo Hui, I..."

"I don't listen to excuses!" Zhuo Hui tapped the table and snorted, "No excuse is valid for making food like this... No, this can't even be called food anymore, I think even swill would taste better!"

Upon hearing this, a burst of laughter erupted from all around.

The boy looked even more embarrassed and looked to the other four judges for help, hoping they could say something.

After a few seconds, another judge cleared his throat. "Although Judge Zhuo's words were a bit harsh, I basically agree with the content."

"Child, perhaps you are not suited for cooking."

After two judges said this in a row, the boy on stage became even more disappointed. "Could you give me some advice? Maybe I could have done better..."

"Get down!" Zhuo Hui emphasized, pointing to the other contestants waiting behind the boy. "The other contestants' food is waiting for us judges. With such a tight schedule, who has time to give you advice?"

The boy nodded dejectedly and walked off the stage, but he didn't leave. Instead, he stood by the competition area, looking expectantly at the audience experience area behind the judges' panel. "Could you try the food I made and give me some suggestions?" Faced with his expectant gaze, the audience members sitting in the experience area couldn't help but turn their eyes elsewhere.

They came here to taste the delicious food prepared by the contestants, not to eat something worse than swill.

After hearing Zhuo Hui's comments, they completely lost interest in the food. They'd rather save their appetite for something else.

"Really... no one wants to try it?" The boy's face grew increasingly ashen. He skipped the audience seating area and looked around, but everyone who met his gaze immediately looked away.

Until a voice rang out beside the boy.

"Let me try it."

The boy turned to look at Qin Lang in surprise, "Really?"

"Qin Lang, are you sure?" Yu Zaozao's expression immediately tightened. "It's almost your turn, and you're tasting his food now..."

He didn't say the rest of his words aloud, but his expression already revealed what he was about to say.

What if food poisoning affects the competition?
"Not at all," Qin Lang smiled. "I'm just curious what kind of food could receive such harsh criticism."

Although it's unclear what gave this boy the courage to participate, he certainly saw his passion for cooking.

"Thank you!" The boy excitedly brought over a small portion of his food and handed it to Qin Lang. "If it's really bad, it's okay to spit it out."

"As long as... you can give me some advice, anything will do."

Qin Lang scooped up a mouthful with a small spoon, put it in his mouth, and then his brow twitched violently.

Overcooked food results in a bitter taste, a fishy smell, and an overly salty flavor…

This cooking skill is just as good as Cao Dongdong's back then.

Although Zhuo Hui is sharp-tongued, what he said is absolutely right.

But seeing the other person's nervous yet expectant expression, Qin Lang suppressed the urge to vomit and swallowed it without expression.

"If the heat is too high, shorten the cooking time of the ingredients. If you're unsure, use a lower heat. If the fishy smell is a bit strong, you can use scallions and ginger to remove it beforehand..."

Qin Lang casually said a few words.

The boy looked excited, trying hard to remember every word Qin Lang said, and then he gripped Qin Lang's hand tightly and spoke gratefully.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

In response to the boy's gratitude, Qin Lang could only pat his hand and say "Keep it up," hoping he would do even better in the future.

While he was tasting, the contestants in front of him had already entered the cooking unit, and the new cooking unit's light turned from yellow to green.

"Qin Lang, it's time to go on stage!"

Yu Zaozao, who was standing nearby, quickly reminded him.

"Okay." Qin Lang nodded, waved to the boy, and strode towards the cooking unit where the green light had been turned on.

The boy stared blankly at his back, then covered his cheeks with his hands and shouted.

"My name is Yang Xingze! Thank you so much for today!"

(End of this chapter)