Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

　Because only when the mind is active enough will thinking not become rigid.

　As a chef, besides having incredibly solid basic skills, the most important thing is creativity in cooking; good ideas can even last for thousands of years.

　"After buying green apples, is she going to buy strawberries next? Why is there watermelon, maple syrup, and duck liver too? I'm a little confused about what she's going to cook..."

　As Ryoko Sakaki watched Alice Nakiri's movements on the screen, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

　She could understand the ingredients the other party had chosen earlier, but now she was puzzled.

　The reason for collecting so much fruit and pairing it with maple syrup is most likely to make a cake. After all, using a cake to represent the four seasons is a great idea. But why buy duck liver in this case?

　Whether it's fruit or maple syrup, these ingredients don't go well with duck liver, so logically they shouldn't be on Alice Nakiri's shopping list!

　"After all, with the molecular gastronomy machine, a powerful tool that can easily change the form and taste of food, it can definitely make the duck liver play its role."

　Upon hearing Ryoko Sakaki's words, Erina Nakiri stared directly at the molecular gastronomy machine on the competition stage, knowing it would be the key to Alice Nakiri's victory!

　For Alice Nakiri, who has been studying molecular gastronomy since childhood, she can deconstruct and create anything using machines, no matter what ingredients she chooses, which can be described as extremely domineering.

　The power of knowledge.

　"That's true.

　Alice often serves up unpredictable dishes, and each one has a peculiar flavor; this time will likely be no exception...

　Ryoko Sakaki nodded slightly, agreeing with Erina Nakiri's statement. Alice Nakiri was a very individualistic person, and her cooking was no exception.

　At this moment, on the big screen, Alice Nakiri is going back and forth between various shops, carrying a basket in her hand, constantly buying the ingredients she needs.

　"Pomelo, maltose..."

　What kind of dish is this guy making? I can't understand it at all!

　Some audience members frowned slightly.

　From the moment Alice Nakiri left the competition venue until now, his attention has been almost entirely focused on the big screen, so he has naturally seen her every move clearly.

　because of this.

　He was so surprised that Alice Nakiri had bought so many strange ingredients that were hardly even worthy of being used in a dish.

　"How could a mere mortal like you possibly understand the creative process of a master chef?!"

　If even you could see right through her, then she wouldn't be a master chef, but you would be! Of course, I wouldn't understand it either.

　"Tch! You talk a big game, I thought you actually knew a thing or two!"

　Hearing what the person next to him said, the man was just about to agree with him, thinking that he simply didn't understand the master chef's ideas.

　However, the other person's next sentence shut him up completely, leaving him only able to complain helplessly.

　“I never said I knew anything about it, after all, I’m just an ordinary person.”

　Seeing the man's speechless gaze, the young woman sitting next to him playfully stuck out her tongue and then looked back at the big screen.

　The two then chatted casually, discussing the ingredients Alice Nakiri had purchased and speculating about the dishes she would prepare next.

　Because they were both passionate food enthusiasts and had a certain level of culinary knowledge, they had a very pleasant conversation and even exchanged contact information.

　"Are you getting ready to go back so soon? It shouldn't have been half an hour..."

　As Alice Nakiri finished counting the ingredients and headed towards the stadium, a spectator glanced at his watch and couldn't help but comment.

　"After all, the previous hour was spent thinking, unlike Wang Qing, who needed to buy ingredients and think about how to combine them at the same time."

　This guy must have already planned the cooking, so it's perfectly normal that he resolved the ingredient issue so quickly and rushed back to cook.

　"Having bought so many bizarre ingredients, I wonder what kind of dish she will serve up in the end."

　Another ten minutes passed.

　Alice Nakiri appeared at the stadium entrance.

　Because she rushed back immediately after buying the groceries, she was breathing very rapidly.

　Those around her, watching the panting girl in the contestant tunnel, compared her exit time with Wang Qing's and couldn't help but complain.

　"Starting cooking right away without taking a break? You're certainly capable of enduring hardship..."

　"Cooking requires precision; not resting will affect the ingredients."

　The precision of the reasoning. However, after such a long delay, she really couldn't rest any longer.

　"With so many unusual ingredients, let's see what kind of dishes she can make!"

　Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Alice Nakiri returned to her work station and placed the various ingredients she had bought on it, her face full of seriousness.

　Nearby, Wang Qing, who had already entered cooking mode, couldn't help but look up when he saw Alice Nakiri return.

　His eyes were filled with confusion at that moment.

　Although focused on cooking, Wang Qing always paid some attention to Alice Nakiri and saw most of the ingredients she bought.

　To be honest, he was surprised.

　Because the ingredients that Alice Nakiri bought were scattered and there was no apparent connection between them.

　Furthermore, most of the ingredients that Alice Nakiri buys are fruits, and fruits are generally considered to be desserts in the culinary world, with very few dishes made with fruits as part of a main meal.

　Even if it exists, it's merely using fruit as a flavoring agent to enhance the deliciousness of the dish itself.

　It's rare to see someone like Alice Nakiri who uses fruit as the main ingredient in their dishes.

　"What an unexpected guy."

　Wang Qing took a deep look at Alice Nakiri, and the thought crossed his mind. He then became even more focused.

　Although he didn't think he would lose to such a chaotic dish, that was no reason to underestimate his opponent.

　He understood the saying, "A moment's misstep can lead to eternal regret, but caution is always the best policy."

　Moreover, the fact that Alice Nakiri was able to get this far proves that she is indeed quite capable and is not a weakling.

　Even if such an opponent behaves strangely, he would never underestimate him!

　"Spring, one of the four seasons, looks so exquisite. It utilizes the tenderness of sakura shrimp, wraps it in glutinous rice paper, and deep-fries it until it is slightly translucent like a cicada's wing."

　Around the glutinous rice paper, there were also faint green and purple hues, which, based on the ingredients this guy had bought earlier, should be tender peas and perilla leaves!

　Are these three ingredients going to make a spring dish? And as Bai Yuan-ge predicted, Wang Qing is indeed doing his best to utilize his strengths.

　After placing all the ingredients on the table, Alice Nakiri did not rush to cook, but instead observed Wang Qing not far away.

　After all, everything she did was to deal with Wang Qing. If he didn't play by the rules, she would have to change her strategy.

　"The second summer dish features a winter melon carved into a wave shape, with a layer of seaweed coating on the outside. It seems he intends to use four parts to represent the four seasons."

　High-temperature frying creates a crispy outer layer and a semi-liquid filling, while freshly ground wasabi ice cream is added on top, achieving the ultimate taste experience of alternating hot and cold sensations.

　The food is cooked for no more than 30 seconds, and the next dish is a fried food that represents autumn: ginkgo leaves wrapped in sweet potato puree and decorated with lotus root slices shaped like maple leaves.

　The two are fried separately and then combined. This method results in a sweet potato skin that is crispy on the outside and soft and glutinous on the inside, while the lotus root slices are crispy like fallen leaves.

　As for the last dish, the main ingredient used was Hiroshima oysters...

　From the first fried dish representing spring to the last fried dish representing winter, Wang Qing controlled the entire frying process within two minutes.

　This ensures that the first batch of fried food is cooled down just as the last batch is finished, so it can be eaten directly and enjoyed.

　Now that the last fried dish representing winter is finished, Wang Qing let out a long sigh and placed it in the four-compartment bamboo cage.

　"For the Four Seasons Fried Food Platter, please start with this sakura shrimp and enjoy it clockwise. Finish the entire platter within three minutes for a unique and delightful experience."

　Three platters of seasonal fried foods, each served in a bamboo basket, were placed on the judges' table.

　As Wang Qing explained, he opened the small lid on the bamboo cage and gestured for the three people in front of him to enter.

　"This is truly beautiful. Four kinds of fried food placed together, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were called a work of art!"

　Looking at the platter of fried foods from all four seasons in front of him, Zhang Zhong couldn't help but sigh.

　Wrap the rice paper into small rolls and fry until slightly translucent, when you can vaguely see the pink color of the sakura shrimp inside.

　Furthermore, this fried dish is garnished with edible cherry blossom petals and tender pea puree, giving it an overall light pink and green spring-like hue.

　As for the one next to it...

　The winter melon is carved into a wavy shape, coated with seaweed batter, and fried to form a crispy, dark green shell. On top is a small scoop of wasabi ice cream, and the surrounding area is sprinkled with fine salt, resembling ocean waves.

　Ginkgo nuts and sweet potato puree are skewered into small pieces, deep-fried until golden brown, and topped with maple leaf-shaped lotus root slices. The bottom of the plate is covered with caramel sauce "fallen leaves," ensuring a beautiful presentation.

　Oysters coated in bamboo charcoal powder were deep-fried and placed in a salt sculpture snow scene. Bai Yuan picked up a grapefruit peel from the side, scraped off the peel scraps with a file, and used a small amount of dry ice to create a snow fog effect around them.

　Even disregarding the taste, the appearance of such a dish is enough to earn it high social recognition in the market.

　However, this is not a high-end restaurant, but the venue for the Fujian Youth Chef Competition.

　Want

　Winning the championship isn't just about good looks; taste is more important than appearance. So Zhang Zhong picked up his chopsticks.

　Fresh, sweet, and with a subtle herbal aroma, it makes you want to close your eyes and savor the taste.

　"The outer layer is a thin and crispy rice paper coating with a slightly charred aroma. The sweetness of the sakura shrimp and the refreshing taste of the tender peas intertwine. The herbal aroma of perilla leaves is released the moment it enters the mouth, and the aftertaste has a delicate pink sakura floral fragrance."

　Savoring the flavors on his tongue, Zhang Zhong offered his evaluation, his voice carried throughout the venue via microphone, making the audience swallow hard.

　"Light and not greasy, like biting into a piece of spring morning dew, it awakens the taste buds for the fried food that follows. Next up is winter melon and seaweed, representing summer...?"

　The judges for this competition were the same ones from the previous round, reportedly at the request of the two elderly men, one tall and one short, just so they could taste the contestants' dishes again.

　At that moment, the two of them closed their eyes simultaneously and began to savor the experience.

　Salty and savory, crispy, a clash of hot and cold.

　This is their first feeling after putting the food in their mouths.

　"The seaweed coating brings the salty freshness of the ocean, and after being fried at high temperature, it becomes crispy like waves crashing against rocks."

　After being deep-fried, the winter melon has a slightly charred outer layer, while the inside remains semi-liquid, sweet, and juicy, offering a rich texture.

　The tall old man spread his hands out, as if something was waiting for him to touch it.

　At this moment, the image in his mind somehow transformed into his younger self, standing on a reef, diligently pulling seaweed from the sea.

　"The accompanying wasabi ice cream is the perfect finishing touch. It doesn't just cleanse the palate, but rather provides a spicy, cold sensation that hits the taste buds, mimicking the refreshing coolness of a summer thunderstorm."

　The short old man was also trapped in the illusion, but instead of feeling the warmth of the sea, he felt a summer thunderstorm.