Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

　"understood."

　"Come right away."

　"This looks really good! It's very appetizing."

　Soma Yukihira took out the smoked fish fillet from the plate. After being grilled at high temperature, the skin of the smoked fish fillet shrank to a golden brown color, and a slightly charred crispy crust formed on the surface. It made a "crackling" sound when pressed lightly.

　"It tastes even better! Stop looking at the food and eat it!"

　Seeing that Yukihira Soma had been holding the smoked fish fillet for a long time without eating it, Oomido Fumio couldn't help but laugh and scold him. Seeing this, the others no longer hesitated and picked up the smoked fish fillet and put it directly into their mouths.

　Your teeth first pierce the crispy skin, encountering slight resistance, before sinking into the creamy, smooth fish flesh, like cutting into a piece of semi-solid butter. Then, a subtle alder aroma wafts in, bringing a richer charcoal grilling fragrance, with a slightly bitter, smoky finish that's utterly captivating.

　"Wonderful yet delicious, Grandma Fumio, your cooking is truly amazing!"

　Experiencing the rich and unique flavors in his mouth, Soma Yukihira couldn't help but praise it.

　"You don't even need to tell me that. I've worked at the Polaris Dormitory for decades and have seen countless geniuses. Even if I only learn a little from each of them, it would be enough for me to dominate Totsuki!"

　Upon hearing Yukihira Soma's praise, Fumio's grandmother burst into laughter.

　"Grandma Wenxu is very powerful, more powerful than all of us."

　Seeing the subtle expression on Soma Yukihira's face, Satoshi Isshiki spoke with a knowing look on his face.

　"Indeed, I heard years ago that Grandma Wenxu once led a team to participate in the college competition, and she herself is a master chef."

　Ryoko Sakaki nodded in deep agreement. She was so shocked at the time that she even doubted whether the Granny Fumio they were talking about was the same Granny Fumio in front of her.

　"Really?! Grandma Wenxu is actually that amazing?!"

　Upon hearing Isshiki Satoshi and Sakaki Ryoko's words, Yukihira Soma's shock deepened. He glanced at Fumio, who was picking her nose, thinking that she didn't look like a culinary expert at all.

Chapter 291 Banquet Culinary Showdown, Appetizer: Squid Ink Spaghetti

"Although I know I am very charming, it is very impolite to stare at a beautiful woman for a long time like that, Yukihira."

Feeling the intense gaze of Soma Yukihira, Fumio Oomido blushed inexplicably, then covered his face in embarrassment and tapped Soma's head with the palm-leaf fan he was using.

Outsiders only know that she is a dormitory manager, but they don't know that she was also a genius in her youth. She was known as a beautiful and talented girl. She became a special-grade chef at the age of thirty and reached the first-level special grade at the age of forty. Now, she has been working in the Polar Star Dormitory for decades and her strength has long reached the third-level special grade.

"A charming woman..."

Looking at Ōmiya Fumio's aged and wrinkled face, and her frizzy white hair, she was completely unrelated to the word "beautiful lady." Yet, she was laughing loudly with a confident expression, and Yukihira Soma's face immediately became indescribable.

"What? You're not convinced?!"

Seeing the extremely subtle look in Yukihira Soma's eyes, Oomido Fumio immediately showed a dissatisfied expression, then put her hands on her hips and assumed a fighting stance. If the other party's answer was even slightly unsatisfactory to her, she would give him a lesson with her iron fist!

"No, Granny Wenxu is naturally beautiful, she's like a fairy descended from heaven. I was captivated by her beauty without even realizing it."

Feeling the dangerous look in that eyes, Soma Yukihira shrank back and decisively backed down.

"Although what you said is the truth, it still makes me happy to hear it!"

Oomido Fumio gave Yukihira Soma a look that said, "You're smart to know what's good for you," and his smile made his wrinkles even deeper as he walked toward the kitchen.

"Didn't you say you wanted to have a competition? The seafood supplier just delivered a batch this morning, so why don't you create dishes with seafood as the theme?"

Stopping at the kitchen doorway, looking at the two people standing opposite each other not far away, Oomido Fumio's voice was calm yet carried an indescribable penetrating power.

"No problem, let's make seafood the theme then."

"Making seafood dishes? I understand, let's begin."

As they spoke, Soma Yukihira and Satoshi Isshiki simultaneously stepped towards the kitchen.

The two walked side by side, neither willing to give way. Their eyes met once, and one could clearly see the boiling fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

"I'm getting really excited, I'm going to watch the game!"

As Yoshino Yuuki spoke, she ran towards the kitchen, with Tadokoro Megumi and Sakaki Ryoko following behind her, their faces filled with anticipation.

"Xingping learned a lot in Fujian, and I feel that the outcome of this match is quite suspenseful."

Thinking of Soma Yukihira's outstanding performance in the Fujian Youth Chef Competition, Ryoko Sakaki couldn't help but pinch her chin and start analyzing.

If it were the previous Yukihira Soma, no matter how well he performed, he would never have been able to beat Isshiki Satoshi. However, after gaining experience in the Fujian Youth Chef Competition, his opponent's strength has increased significantly. If the timing is right, the possibility of him winning is not small!

"In any case, the opponent is Isshiki-senpai, one of the Elite Ten of Totsuki. The chances of Yukihira winning are not very high." Compared to Sakaki Ryoko, Yoshino Yuuki seemed to trust Isshiki Satoshi a lot, and her words were full of support for him.

"Don't jump to conclusions before the answer is revealed. We didn't think Alice had a chance, but she still won the championship in the end."

Megumi Tadokoro's voice rang out, stopping the two from arguing.

Yes, it's pointless to discuss the outcome now, because both Soma Yukihira and Satoshi Isshiki are highly skilled chefs, and either one could win.

Furthermore, the outcome of a single match doesn't prove anything; it's just for fun.

"It's dinner time now. If I lend you the kitchen, you have to be in charge of dinner. In that case, this competition will be a banquet. You need to prepare at least two dishes and a soup for the competition within an hour."

Looking at the two people standing on either side of the kitchen, Fumio Oomido made a new request.

"Banquet cuisine? That sounds interesting. I have no problem with that."

Upon hearing Fumio Ōmidō's words, Soma Yukihira nodded slightly. Although this was his first time preparing banquet cuisine, he was willing to give it a try.

Accumulating more experience will only benefit him in future competitions, not harm him.

"I can start anytime."

Isshiki Satoshi nodded slightly. He had encountered similar topics before, and hearing them again, he was not flustered at all.

"Alright, the competition time is two hours. You can take any ingredients you like. Let's begin cooking!"

Seeing the expressions on the two people's faces, Fumio Oomido's lips curled up slightly. This was how members of the Polar Star Dormitory should look. He then announced the start of the competition.

"Octopus, eel, squid, abalone, and lobster... Have we struck it rich? How can we have so many high-end ingredients..."

As soon as Fumio Oomido finished speaking, Soma Yukihira and Satoshi Isshiki went to the kitchen where the ingredients were stored.

The next moment, they were surprised to find that the kitchen was full of high-end seafood, top-quality ingredients that would never normally appear in the dormitory kitchen!

"These were originally ingredients prepared for your first class of the semester, but due to the carelessness of the person in charge, some of them were delivered ahead of schedule."

The Totsuki clan had nowhere to dispose of their food, so they sent it to us as dorm meals. You guys are lucky.

Seemingly noticing Yukihira Soma's confusion, Oomido Fumio offered a simple explanation.

She was also a little confused. Logically speaking, Totsuki has its own set of procedures, and this kind of thing should never happen.

However, since the seafood had been delivered, she had no reason to refuse it. Once they had eaten it, no one could take it back!

"I see. In that case, the topic of the first lesson will be seafood...."

Soma Yukihira nodded slightly. After confirming that the ingredients had come from the right place, he picked up the lobster from the pool. This was the first dish he cooked.

"A banquet meal should consist of at least two dishes and a soup. One dish can be made using lobster as the main ingredient, and the remaining dish can be made from other ingredients."

Although abalone has a rich flavor, it takes a relatively long time to absorb the flavor, making it less than the best choice when cooking time is limited.

Cuttlefish has a strong fishy smell, and cooking it for too long will make the meat tough and chewy, and it is not suitable to be paired with other seafood.

Sea bream is difficult to prepare, but it doesn't have any major flaws in taste. This sea bream in front of me looks quite fresh; it was probably caught this morning and is here this afternoon, which can add flavor to the dish. The octopus tentacles are chewy and can provide a good texture. These two might make a great combination!

Looking at the many ingredients in front of him, Soma Yukihira became completely absorbed in the moment.

As I gently run my fingers over the seafood, recipes immediately come to mind, and if one doesn't work, I move on to the next.

Satoshi Isshiki looked at Soma Yukihira, who was focused on his task, and did not rush up. Instead, he stood aside and waited quietly for Soma to finish choosing his ingredients.

"Why is Isshiki-senpai just standing there instead of going to choose ingredients?"

Seeing that Isshiki Satoshi had not taken any action, Yoshino Yuuki couldn't help but show a puzzled expression.

"He probably wanted Yukihira to choose first, and he would use the remaining ingredients to avoid conflict."

Ryoko Sakaki rationally analyzed the situation and realized that she would do the same thing if she were in Satoshi Isshiki's shoes.

While it's theoretically acceptable to compete for priority in getting ingredients when facing off against a junior, it's morally a bit unfair.

Soon, Soma Yukihira selected the ingredients, and Satoshi Isshiki stepped forward the moment he left, picked up the necessary ingredients, and then rushed back to his own cooking station.

"Squid, abalone, and eel? What kind of dish is this being prepared...?"

Looking at the ingredients that Isshiki Satoshi had chosen, most of which were things that Yukihira Soma had passed by but hadn't taken, the three of them began to discuss it quietly.

When it comes to seafood dishes, there are many options for these three ingredients.

However, they are preparing banquet dishes, which require a connection in flavor between the dishes, so the selection of dishes must be carefully considered.

the other side.

A silver sea bream lies horizontally on a cypress cutting board, its scales gleaming with a pearly luster.

Soma Yukihira put on cotton and linen gloves, pressed down on the fish's head with his left hand, and held the slightly curved back of the willow blade in his right hand. He lightly touched the edge of the fish's gills with the tip of the blade, and in the moment of concentration and breath-holding, the blade moved against the scales, making a soft "snap" sound. Then, the silver foil-like scales rolled up with the blade and fell into the water tank like the first snow of winter.

Watching the scales fall, Soma Yukihira pressed his thumb against the fish's belly to stabilize its slippery body, precisely controlling the force with his wrist to ensure that the operation would not damage the crystal-clear subcutaneous fat layer.

The scissors tipped into the upper edge of the tail, cutting along the smooth curve of the belly to the lower jaw. The pinkish-white internal organs, along with the aroma of seaweed, wafted out, making one marvel at the freshness of the sea bream.

"This kid has improved so much in just two months!"

Nearby, Fumio Oomido, watching Soma Yukihira processing a sea bream, stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, and couldn't help but show a shocked expression.

Such a swift and decisive technique was like watching a magnificent performance!

Previously, Soma Yukihira would never have been able to achieve this level. It seems this young man has gained a great deal this summer!

With this thought in mind, Fumio Ōmida's face showed a look of satisfaction.

She only found out recently that Yukihira Soma is the son of Saiba Joichiro, who should now be called Yukihira Joichiro.

No wonder they have the same hair color, similar personalities, and even their cooking styles are somewhat similar to those of Saiba Joichiro when he was young.

After watching Yukihira Soma butcher the fish, Oomido Fumio came to Isshiki Satoshi's side.

At this moment, Isshiki Satoshi was processing the squid. He held the body with one hand and pulled the head with the other, gently pulling it out to remove the head and internal organs together. At the same time, he cleaned the internal organs and ink sac. His technique was light and skillful, as if he were dancing a graceful waltz.

"Although Isshiki-senpai prepared the squid very well, what he really needs is squid ink. If I'm not mistaken, he should be preparing to use squid ink as a sauce. They're cooking pasta over there."

Tadokoro Megumi's voice rang out, looking beyond the surface to the essence. Isshiki Satoshi had gone to great lengths to deal with the squid, but what he really wanted was the ink sac inside the squid.

"Indeed, Isshiki-senpai has begun to take action!"

Just as Yoshino Yuuki and the other two were discussing, Isshiki Satoshi began to take action, and his movements instantly attracted the attention of Tadokoro Megumi and the others.