Who gave this heretical practitioner permission to cook?

Chapter 5: Hot first, then cold, the flavors are different. Where did you learn this heretical method?

[They've joined the game? Holy crap, even grilled scorpions can be involved? I feel sorry for the guy who was grilling gluten earlier!]

[That guy who made grilled gluten only appeared in the initial shot and in the judges' discussion. I don't think our veteran chefs in the East Third District are that bad!]

[Heh, the Eastern District 3, huh? That makes sense then. If we want to release your faction, we'll have to amend the criminal law, otherwise it'll be difficult!]

[What do you mean? I don't understand. Aren't the restaurants in the East Third District known for their large portions and low prices? Is there some other reason behind this?]

[This is a shady deal! According to the rules, Nicholas Tse announced the result after the time limit had expired. Shouldn't the result have been invalidated?]

[While I think it's absurd that roasted scorpions made it into the competition, don't talk nonsense. The two hours were for the contestants to prepare the food. This "Ice and Fire Chef" finished just before the deadline, without exceeding the time limit!]

When they heard Nicholas Tse's final judgment, the guests and the production crew who had gathered around were all stunned.

The assistant director's mouth dropped open.

"Passed? No, that one."

He didn't know how to start the conversation for a moment, because judging from Xia Ming's background and skills, it was no joke that he was going from 86 to 16.

Moreover, Nicholas Tse's reaction after eating didn't seem like a normal reaction to eating delicious food.

However, in the variety show "One Meal to Fame", the judges have a lot of power. According to the rules, Nicholas Tse has a full vote.

After mumbling and stammering for a while without saying anything, the assistant director could only give an awkward smile.

"It's alright, everyone go back to your seats. Congratulations, Sichuan-Chongqing Ice and Fire Chef, you've successfully advanced! Go to the second floor!"

Even a blind person in the live stream could see how forced the assistant director's smile was.

Xia Ming glanced at the waiting area to the side, then at the assistant director, as if he understood something, but said nothing and turned back to prepare to clean up the food table.

On the other side, Xie Tingfeng, who had recovered, found that "Zhang Yong" had approached him at some point. When he turned around, he saw that "Zheng Yongqi" was standing far away.

Nicholas Tse smiled. He knew that Zhang Yong was more tolerant of food. There was a contestant who made "ant eggs", and he ate them without hesitation. He was a tough guy.

On the other hand, "Zheng Yongqi" has a prejudice against this kind of ingredient that is not easy to accept.

He likes a harmonious blend of flavors, and his motto is "Cooking must be balanced." He finds it difficult to satisfy him with common, less popular ingredients, whether in terms of preparation or taste.

Just as Nicholas Tse recovered, "Zhang Yong" had already put the scorpion in his mouth and was chewing it.

Although he couldn't object to Xia Ming's match result, he could try it out and satisfy his curiosity.

As he continued chewing, "Zhang Yong" nodded slightly.

He wasn't familiar with scorpions, but he had eaten them before. Even though they were a bit cold, he could still taste their unique flavor.

Seeing this, Nicholas Tse looked at him curiously. He was particularly curious to see if "Zhang Yong" would have the same feeling as him after being touched.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yong chewed for a long time until he swallowed, and he was in a good state, without any of the "mixed feelings" he had felt before.

Xie Tingfeng was also a little confused at this moment, and asked "Zhang Yong" for clarification.

"You ate it? Did you feel any disorientation? Or, perhaps, a shock?"

Zhang Yong was also completely bewildered. What electric shock?

He admitted that the scorpion tasted good, and adding a little water would make it barely passable, but that was about it.

Seeing that Zhang Yong's expression behind his glasses didn't seem fake, Xie Tingfeng also began to ponder.

The only difference between him and "Zhang Yong" is that he ate two scorpions, one hot and one cold, while "Zhang Yong" only ate the cold one.

"Could it be that there's a specific way to prepare this Five-Flavor Scorpion?"

Just then, Xia Ming had finished tidying up the table and was about to head to the elevator to the second floor when Xie Tingfeng finally couldn't resist his curiosity and asked about the secret of the "Five Flavors Scorpion".

Xia Ming glanced at the live stream, which was still open and the camera was still on him, and stopped, turning back to look at the two of them.

"Judge Xie is right. The Five Flavor Scorpion tastes different whether it is eaten cold or hot. But if you eat two of them, hot first and then cold, the first scorpion can serve as an introduction."

"Generally speaking, hot scorpions determine the flavor, while cold scorpions determine the texture. Of course, some people have reported that when they eat them, they are so delicious that fragments of their lives flash through their minds." "However, that situation can only occur when the scorpion is in perfect condition, so it is something that can only be encountered by chance."

"This Judge Zhang only ate the cold scorpion, so naturally he wouldn't have the same feelings as Judge Xie!"

Xia Ming's explanation was so mysterious and profound that even the chef on the second floor was completely bewildered.

Yang Yanbin, the younger "Michelin-starred chef of Fujian cuisine", curiously asked Zeng Huaijun, the "Queen of Sichuan and Chongqing Female Chefs".

"Master Zeng, is roasting scorpions in Sichuan and Chongqing really that particular?"

Zeng Huaijun was speechless. Scorpions were not a common ingredient, and she had never known that Sichuan and Chongqing had such a way of preparing scorpions, so she could only remain silent for the time being.

Just then, Shuai Xiaojian, who was standing to the side, suddenly realized something.

"Now I understand why he used the human pyramid method to roast the scorpions! Time, there wasn't enough time!"

Since scorpions can be eaten hot or cold, they naturally need to be cooled to a certain degree. At that time, Xia Ming's biggest shortage was time, so he needed to ensure that the scorpions were warm to the touch without being overcooked.

Therefore, he chose to use the back of a scorpion to conduct heat, which would ensure both the taste and the cooking time.

After figuring it out, Shuai Xiaojian lightly tapped the railing. He realized that this young man called "Sichuan-Chongqing Ice and Fire Chef" was indeed quite interesting.

Turning to the other side, after hearing Xia Ming's introduction, Zhang Yong's curiosity was even stronger. If it weren't for the fact that they were currently filming a variety show, he would definitely have tried to eat it again.

However, they had already dragged on for quite a while, and the director in the broadcast studio was now urging them to move on to the next segment through their headsets.

There was no other way, so Zhang Yong had to give up. However, considering that Xia Ming would serve more dishes after advancing, he was not in a hurry.

On the waiting list, the nine contestants watched with bated breath as Xia Ming went up to the second floor and took the seats that were rightfully theirs. Some were convinced, while others were jealous.

Next to the "bald cook" was a chef called "restless chef" who immediately sneered.

"Hey you, you lent them a hand, and now look what happened! They've advanced, and you're still waiting to be decided!"

The bald cook smiled upon hearing this.

"Whether someone has good skills or not, it doesn't change anything. Your name does suit you, though. If you're going to cause trouble, just shut up!"

Looking at the fierce-looking "bald cook," the "restless chef" rolled his eyes. He looked down on this guy who was making fried rice in the competition and wished he would be eliminated soon.

At the same time, the three judges also cast their votes for their favorite contestants in accordance with the rules.

Because Xia Ming took up time in the process, the production team, unusually, didn't waste any time and directly announced the list of candidates to be shortlisted.

"Congratulations to 'Bald Cook' and 'A Plum Blossom of Taiwan' on your successful advancement!"

As Nicholas Tse announced the answer, both of them breathed a sigh of relief, while the other seven contestants had different expressions.

But that doesn't matter anymore, since those who are eliminated have no say.

Just as "Bald Cook" and "Treasure Island Plum Blossom" went up to the second floor and sat down at their seats, all the lights in the center of the venue went out instantly!

Amidst the shocked gazes of the live stream audience and everyone present, the competition venue, which had previously been furnished with dining tables, was instantly cleared out, and then a chessboard rose up in the center.

Between the lines, the black and white generals each rise to a platform.

Just as everyone was wondering what the mechanism was, 16 cracks appeared in the floor in the center of the chessboard, from which 16 beams of light of different colors rose.

Above the pillar of light, the abbreviations of the 16 districts of the country float.

Sichuan, Beijing, Jiangsu, Hunan, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian

As the beam of light burst forth with a unique color, the announcements on the loudspeaker also came on at the opportune moment.

"Congratulations, contestants! You have successfully advanced to the top 16. You now have the opportunity to challenge the chef."

"16 chefs, 16 challengers, and 32 top chefs present—how many will ultimately pass the next round? Please watch the big screen!"

Almost the instant the broadcast ended, the big screen displayed the number of people who had advanced in this challenge: 16!
That means eliminating half of them!

(End of this chapter)