Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

It can be said that the deliciousness of loach largely depends on the flavor of the broth.

Looking up, I noticed the manager was simmering a rich broth with lots of bones in it. The essence of the bones permeated the broth, giving it an endless delicious flavor.

There were many people inside the shop, engrossed in enjoying the loach ramen. She had waited in line for half an hour to get in, and a realization dawned on Tadokoro Megumi.

"Boss, check out."

After saying this, Tadokoro Megumi silently placed the money on the table, put on her coat, got up, and left the shop.

Half an hour later, she took a taxi and quickly returned to the hotel. She then saw Beifengyuan sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard and immediately ran over to him.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Ms. Tadokoro?"

"May I use the kitchen here?"

The girl's voice was incredibly urgent, even pleading, which left Bei Fengyuan somewhat bewildered, but he still nodded gently.

"The kitchen is over there. You can use any of the ingredients inside. If you don't have enough, just go out and turn left. There's a supermarket there where you can buy most of the ingredients."

Not only did he agree, he also allowed Tadokoro Megumi to use the ingredients in the kitchen, and told her that there was a supermarket nearby. He was a really good person.

"Thank you!"

A warm feeling welled up in Tadokoro Megumi's heart. Although she didn't know why the other person was helping her so much, she still expressed her heartfelt gratitude.

"You're welcome. But you must be a chef, right? May I try some of your dishes? Our hotel is also looking to introduce some new dishes to attract customers."

A girl's gentle voice came through, tinged with anticipation. She now understood why the other person had come to Gunma Prefecture; he was most likely a chef.

"Definitely."

Megumi Tadokoro readily agreed, as it wouldn't be a loss for her; on the contrary, she could use the shop's kitchen, making it entirely beneficial.

"Are you planning to cook loach? Speaking of which, I heard that the final theme for the summer auditions at Totsuki Culinary Academy, a prestigious culinary school, is loach..."

Kitafuu stopped speaking there, her face full of anticipation. Tadokoro Megumi knew exactly what she wanted to say; the other party probably recognized her.

"That's right, I'm one of the contestants."

Without much hesitation, Tadokoro Megumi admitted her identity. It wasn't anything special, at least that's what she thought.

"Really? That's amazing! I knew it! Few young people come to Gunma Prefecture for tourism, and even fewer come to try loach dishes. You're really something else."

With a slight sway of her ponytail, Bei Fengyuan said excitedly.

The students of Totsuki Culinary Academy can be said to be the elite of the culinary world. Those who can participate in the summer selection held by the first-year students and successfully enter the finals are the best of the best, the elite among the elite.

Such a talented chef living in her hotel might not be useful now, but perhaps she can use it for publicity and attract customers when she becomes famous in the future.

"I was just lucky. I'm not as good as you think. I'm only slightly better each time, and I even used some tricks."

Tadokoro Megumi modestly touched her nose. It was the first time she had been praised by someone other than Shiro Awakening, and she was really a little embarrassed.

"Luck is also part of strength, and I don't think you won just by luck. Being better than your opponent is already quite remarkable!"

You've been here for three days, and you've gone out to check out the shops every day, even in wind and rain.

Putting everything else aside, your persistent effort alone is enough to prove your ability. Come with me, I'll take you to the kitchen.

Noticing Tadokoro Megumi's embarrassment, Kitafuuen grabbed her hand, offered words of encouragement, and then personally led her to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, the two arrived at their destination.

The hotel kitchen was small, only slightly larger than a family kitchen. At that moment, a young man was sitting in a chair, leisurely playing a game with his legs crossed.

"Ayumu, this is a chef from Totsuki Academy. He's borrowing the kitchen for a bit. I'll give you half a day off. You can do whatever you want."

Looking at the nonchalant man in front of him, Bei Fengyuan's face flashed with helplessness.

"Oh? You mean she's a chef at Totsuki Academy? She looks so young, is she a lower-year student?"

Hearing the familiar call, the boy named Bu Ye put down his phone and then saw his childhood friend walking side by side with a petite girl.

That girl had a youthful face and a small figure with braided pigtails; she didn't look like an adult at all, so it's no wonder he said that.

"Just started graduating high school."

Tadokoro answered truthfully.

"You're already a senior student, that's strange. It should be time for accommodation and training now. You should be at the Far Moon Resort, being trained by previous graduates. Why are you here?"

Oh, I see. You got eliminated. Yeah, the evaluation process at Totsuki Academy is brutal; they eliminate about half the participants almost every year during the residential training program.

Some of those who were laid off chose to go home and inherit the family business, while others went out to relax. You must be the type who went out to relax.

Upon hearing that Tadokoro Megumi was a senior student, the nonchalant man immediately began to talk incessantly, stroking his chin as he spoke.

Although he was just speculating, you could still tell he was full of malice. He believed from the beginning that she couldn't pass the test and was a failure.

"Sorry, that's just how he is."

Ever since he was expelled from Totsuki Academy three years ago, he's been constantly complaining and blaming others, always imagining the worst for them, just for his own amusement.

"Ouch, that hurts! Why are you pinching me?"

Hearing his childhood sweetheart's incredibly rude words, Bei Fengyuan felt a little embarrassed and pinched him hard while explaining.

"Is this gentleman also a student of Totsuki Academy?"

Upon hearing Kitafuuen's words, Tadokoro Megumi's face showed surprise. This seemingly carefree boy was actually a student of Totsuki Academy.

"It should be said that it used to be."

Because of his lack of skill, he was ruthlessly eliminated when moving from first to second year. By the way, this guy's name is Yamagami Ayumu, and he's eighteen years old.

Seeing the boy rubbing his waist and crying out in pain, Bei Fengyuan said irritably, then introduced him by name, before turning to look at him with his hands on his hips.

"This little girl is one of the two finalists in the Summer Selection, unlike you who were eliminated in the second year."

Furthermore, there was no residential training this year; the selection process went straight to the summer. As a chef, don't you care at all about Totsuki Academy?

This statement was both to vindicate Tadokoro Megumi and to warn Yamagami Ayumu not to continue talking nonsense and to quietly remain a wooden figure.

She had finally managed to build a good relationship with this girl, and she couldn't let it be ruined so easily. Yamagami Ayumi was such a jerk, and he was such an unreliable person.

Even though she dropped out of Totsuki Academy three years ago, she's still like a child who hasn't grown up, and her cooking skills haven't improved at all.

As if she had thought of something, Bei Fengyuan pursed her lips. If the other party hadn't been her childhood sweetheart and someone with connections, she would have replaced the chef long ago, given his personality. How could she have kept him until now?

"Why should I pay attention to Totsuki? There's nothing worth paying attention to, that kind of trash..."

Yamagami Ayumu pursed his lips, seemingly wanting to say something bad about Totsuki Academy, but when he glanced at Tadokoro Megumi, he ultimately didn't say it.

"You rascal! Get out of here, Ms. Tadokoro needs to use the kitchen now."

Kitafuu grumbled in exasperation, then looked at Tadokoro Megumi behind her: "Ms. Tadokoro, you can use anything in the kitchen as you please. I look forward to your cooking."

"Thank you."

Tadokoro thanked her again.

"Hey, hey, hey, you two, stop talking to yourselves here. This is my territory. How can you let outsiders use it without my permission!"

Upon learning that Tadokoro Megumi was a genius at Totsuki Academy, Ayumu Yamagami's frivolous expression subsided considerably. However, when he heard that Kitafuuen had lent out his kitchen without his permission, he couldn't help but swear.

"What do you mean 'your kitchen'? This is clearly my hotel's kitchen!"

Others are just borrowing it for a short while and won't fight you for it. The kitchen is just sitting idle anyway, so why not lend it to someone who needs it and let it make the most of it?

Upon hearing what Yamagami Ayano said, Kitafuen immediately became displeased.

What do you mean by "his kitchen"? The entire hotel belongs to her Beifeng Garden. When did the kitchen become a separate entity? This guy is a bit arrogant.

“I don’t care. I’m in charge here now. If she wants to use the kitchen, she can only do so if I have a food battle with her. If I lose, she can use it.”

Thinking of what Kitafuuen had just said, Tadokoro Megumi was a top genius who had entered the finals. If he could compete with such a genius, or even defeat him, it would be a way to make up for his regrets at Totsuki.

"What nonsense are you talking about? He's so busy, how could he possibly find time to compete with an unknown guy like you! Stop fooling around."

Kitafuu glared at Yamagami Ayano, seemingly warning him to stop his erratic behavior. But despite saying that, she had no intention of stopping him.

"I don't care, if you want to use this kitchen, you have to beat me at cooking! Don't tell me you're too scared to accept the challenge, little girl!"

Yamagami Ayumu hummed softly, then looked at Tadokoro Megumi, who hadn't spoken yet, looking forward to a good match with her to test his skills.

"I'm willing to accept your test, but I'd like to set the theme of the dish as loach, is that alright?"

Megumi Tadokoro's voice finally rang out. She was no longer the timid and cowardly little girl she once was, and she naturally faced challenges head-on.

Of course, even though the other party was a Totsuki student who had been expelled, Tadokoro Megumi dared not underestimate him in the slightest. It would be too unfair to Shirobuchi-sensei if she were to fail.

Chapter 217 The final battle begins, Alice Nakiri's mother

"Good, at least he's not a coward."

Upon hearing Tadokoro Megumi's answer, Yamagami Ayumu was very excited. He stood up from his chair and looked at her with eyes full of fighting spirit.

“Ms. Tadokoro, you don’t need to play along with his nonsense. That’s just how he is. He’s a little single-minded. A little talk will do the trick.”

Upon hearing that Tadokoro Megumi had agreed to the contest, Kitafuu tugged at her sleeve and whispered something.

"It's alright. It's unbearable for anyone to have their kitchen, which they rely on for a living, suddenly borrowed by an outsider without even knowing her skill level. It's normal to want to have a competition."

I will prove myself and show him that I deserve to be in this kitchen.

Tadokoro's voice wasn't loud, but it was strong and confident. No matter what, she firmly believed that she couldn't lose.

"Alright, then you two compete."

Seeing Tadokoro Megumi suddenly become so enthusiastic, Kitafuu knew she couldn't dissuade her, so she could only sigh and let them compete.

"Meet in the kitchen in half an hour. Now go and buy the ingredients you need."

As he spoke, Yamagami Ayumi casually draped the coat hanging on the chair over his shoulders and then strode out of the kitchen.

"it is good."

Tadokoro Megumi agreed, then stood there waiting for Yamagami Ayano's figure to disappear, leaving only her and Kitafuuen at the scene.

"I'm sorry to have gotten you into this unnecessary trouble. The supermarket isn't far, but it's easy to get lost if you're not careful. Let me take you there; it'll save you some time."

Thinking that this matter originated from her childhood sweetheart, Bei Fengyuan immediately showed an embarrassed expression, and then took the initiative to lead the way.

The trouble caused by her childhood sweetheart always ends up being cleaned up by her. What a troublesome guy! I'll definitely have to give him a good talking to later!

"Thank you, you are such a good person."

Hearing Kitafuuen's words, Tadokoro Megumi said with some emotion.