Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

We'll win back yours too!

The speaker was a man with a towering build, a rugged appearance, and a deep, resonant voice, his words revealing a firm resolve.

"I hope so."

Samulan sighed softly. There was one thing she didn't say: Lia was not the strongest in the world of dark cuisine.

In other words, they are likely to face an even stronger opponent next, and it's practically a foregone conclusion that the Muslim Quarter will lose the match.

Of course, it's also possible that Leah was bluffing, trying to intimidate them.

Such a possibility is not zero. After all, if a master who can create a top-tier three-star dish is not considered the strongest, then how strong must the strongest be?

"This year's school exchange competition is in grave danger."

Unlike Samulan, who still held onto a sliver of hope, the team's coach looked utterly despairing when she lost the match.

Unlike students who hadn't done any prior research, he had conducted a fairly detailed study of this world of bizarre cuisine.

The first to appear, Lia, is the second strongest in the world of dark cuisine. It's truly difficult that their number one can't beat the number two on the other side.

Last year, they faced the top-ranked team in history, the Eastern Academy, right from their debut and were crushed by them with an impressive record of three wins.

They then doubled their efforts in the loser's bracket, giving their all to defeat two opponents, but ultimately finished in sixth place.

Originally, there was new blood joining this year, and Samulan also underwent rigorous training in that competition, which greatly increased her strength, giving her the strength to enter the first-level special two-star.

Thinking they could at least get a top-four finish this time, they were unexpectedly crushed in the first game.

"I am Bajiang, a contestant in the second singles competition at the Qingzhen Temple. Please give me your guidance."

After encouraging each other in the preparation area, Tomoe walked up from the stage with firm steps and introduced herself to Tadokoro Megumi.

"Tadokoro Megumi, contestant number two in the Dark Cuisine World solo competition."

As the burly man Ba ​​Jiang stepped forward, a terrifying aura swept over him. Upon seeing this, Tadokoro Megumi frowned slightly, took a step forward, and introduced herself with unwavering confidence.

"I've heard of you, the champion of the Totsuki Academy Autumn Selection, but you don't represent Totsuki Academy in the competition, so how did you join the Dark Cuisine World!?"

Bajiang asked the question that was on his mind, as well as on the minds of everyone present.

"This is none of your business. Instead of focusing on this, you should think more about how to win the next dish. You can't beat me if you don't concentrate on the task at hand."

When faced with Tomoe's question, Tadokoro Megumi had no intention of answering. After all, her purpose in coming here was very simple: to win a victory for the Dark Cuisine World.

As for other things, they were not within her consideration.

"I was being a bit too nosy. You're right. So, I will show you with my actions that our mosque is determined to win."

Hearing Tadokoro Megumi's somewhat sarcastic words, Tomoe's face turned ugly. He then stopped paying attention to why she had joined the Dark Cuisine world and slammed his hand on the cooking counter, shouting loudly.

Tadokoro Megumi didn't seem to care much about this.

Her gaze was now drawn to the large screen above her, which was flashing countless topics rapidly, gradually slowing down...

The theme of this round is...

"pasta."

As the image on the big screen froze, Tadokoro Megumi and Tomoe were able to see the text on it: noodles, which was the theme of their round of competition.

"It's a noodle dish, but if it's noodles, perhaps it can win over customers with its exquisitely crafted pastries, which is an advantage for me..."

As he looked at the theme on the big screen, the following thought came to Bajiang's mind.

There are many kinds of pasta in this world. Instead of thinking about which type is more suitable for the theme, it's better to do what you're good at.

Frying and baking are two cooking methods, and the range of pasta dishes is very wide.

Noodles, bread, steamed buns, pastries, flaky pastries, and all sorts of noodle-related dishes fall under the category of noodle foods; this subject encompasses a wide range of items.

"If we're talking purely about the requirements of the subject matter, perhaps that dish would be suitable..."

As she watched the themes appear on the big screen, Megumi Tadokoro had many ideas similar to Tomoe's, but she rejected them and ultimately decided to start with the ingredients themselves.

When dishes are of the same grade, the dish that fits the theme better has a higher chance of winning.

Megumi Tadokoro doesn't think she's that strong on this field.

If she wants to win, she must think more than others.

"The time allotted for this round of the competition is one hour. Please manage your time accordingly. You can obtain the ingredients you need from the ingredient room."

The second match was not much different from the first, except that this time the two opponents were Tadokoro Megumi and Tomoe.

After the competition began, both of them remained silent and followed the staff toward the food storage area.

"Xiao Hui's opponent this time is not weak. His nickname is Fierce Fang. He is famous for his amazing knife skills. Even among the top-level chefs, he is considered a strong one."

Watching the two head towards the food storage, and recalling the information he had seen the previous night, Bai Yuan's face showed a look of inquiry, and he became increasingly eager for the two's match.

"Xiao Hui also possesses the strength of a Special Grade One Star, but she can only be considered to be at an upper-middle level among Special Grade One Stars. Her raw strength is still somewhat weaker than hers."

Erina Nakiri's voice rang out.

Despite Tadokoro Megumi's rapid improvement this year, the time gap between her and the top geniuses of various academies remains a significant weakness.

This is not something that can be caught up with overnight.

"This small gap is insignificant; the key lies in performance during the match."

Upon hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Shirabuchi shook his head.

While skill can certainly influence the outcome, the gap between Tomoe and Tadokoro is not significant. The deciding factor lies more in their understanding of the theme and their performance on the day.

The most interesting thing about cooking is that it can help the weak overcome the strong.

Unless there is a significant disparity in strength between the two sides, there are numerous instances where a two-star chef can defeat a three-star chef through creativity.

Therefore, before the results of a match are announced, no one can predict the final outcome.

"Noodles, I wish I could be the one performing this time. I really want to show everyone the Silver Chopsticks Ten-Pot Reversal technique that I learned from Brother Bai Yuan next time."

Looking at the noodle theme on the big screen, Alice Nakiri, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke, a look of regret on her face.

If she were to use the Silver Chopsticks Ten-Pot Return technique in such a high-profile setting, just thinking about it would make one's blood boil, and Bai Yuan would feel proud.

Unfortunately, it was Megumi Tadokoro who played in this match.

Chapter 418 The Great Showdown of Pastries! Black Tea Peach Shortbread VS Abundant Eight Treasures - A Major Disaster!

"Your turn to shine will come later. For now, just enjoy watching Xiaohui's match."

Hearing Alice Nakiri's remark, Bai Yuan reached out and patted her head, which shut her up and made her refocus her attention on the competition.

At this moment, Megumi Tadokoro had already come out of the food storage room, holding several bags of flour in her hand, her face expressionless.

Those who truly want to win don't laugh.

Go to the counter and place the flour on it.

Next, I found a small dish and an electronic scale. I used fine cornmeal as the main ingredient, added soybean flour, a little wheat flour, sugar, and egg yolks, and prepared a bowl of osmanthus flowers.

"I see. So, Xiaohui is planning to win with pure noodles? That's very much her style. As for her opponent, it seems they're preparing pastries..."

His gaze wandered over Tadokoro Megumi and Tomoe's cooking station, observing the ingredients they had prepared, and Shirabuchi began to guess what dishes they were making.

“Pure noodles are undoubtedly the most fitting for the theme. As long as Xiaohui can make dishes of the same level as Bajiang, she can basically win the competition.”

“That’s right, unless Bajiang’s dish is also pure noodles without any other ingredients, but that would be too difficult.”

Looking at Tadokoro Megumi and Tomoe on the stage, Yoshino Yuuki and the others couldn't help but discuss it, their faces showing a hint of excitement, clearly hoping that Tadokoro Megumi would win the match.

On the other side, in the mosque's preparation area.

Seeing the two of them like this, Samulan had a bad feeling. However, Bajiang had already taken the stage, so even if she wanted to say something, she couldn't get it to him.

At this moment, all she could do was pray that Ba Jiang could perform exceptionally well in this competition and create a dish that was at least a Special Grade Two-Star.

Otherwise, his chances of winning will be greatly reduced.

"250 grams of cornmeal, 125 grams of soybean flour, 125 grams of wheat flour..."

Megumi Tadokoro found an electronic scale from somewhere and weighed the flour while pouring it into a bowl, strictly controlling the proportions of the ingredients, which is the essence of noodle dishes.

To make good pastries, the first thing to do is to control the proportions. This will ensure that the taste of the pastries is consistent; otherwise, the taste will be different every time you make them.

A skilled pastry chef, besides having perfect control over the proportions of ingredients, can also adjust the proportions of flour based on its age to make the pastries taste delicious.

"Teacher Baiyuan, why did Xiaohui add steamed egg yolks when she was making pastries? Even if she was going to use egg yolks as filling, she shouldn't have to crush them, right?"

Seeing Tadokoro Megumi's actions, Mito Ikumi looked puzzled, then reached out and patted Shirabuchi's arm, her big eyes filled with curiosity.

"After the egg yolks are steamed, they will produce the aroma of lecithin, which can enhance the aroma of chestnut flour, thus achieving a 1+1+2 effect."

In response to Mito Ikumi's timely inquiry, Shiro gave her an appreciative look, since he had originally intended to explain. He then began to explain to her and the others.

"Can egg yolks enhance the aroma of dough? No wonder there are dishes like egg yolk pastries on the market. Is the same principle used to make cakes?"

Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, everyone present fell into deep thought.

They know that many people add an egg yolk when kneading dough, but most dishes add raw egg yolks. Dishes like those by Megumi Tadokoro, which directly add cooked egg yolks, are quite rare.

Hisako Shinoto then raised her doubts.

"This involves knowledge of chemistry."

When cooked egg yolks are heated, a series of chemical reactions occur, such as the Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation. This not only produces a rich egg aroma but also releases flavor compounds with a unique powdery and oily feel.

This flavor pairs perfectly with the mild and mellow aroma of plant-based ingredients such as chestnuts, lotus seeds, and red bean paste—what people often call the nutty and roasted aromas!

These aromas combine to create a synergistic effect, with each complementing the others to greatly enhance the overall flavor profile, resulting in a rich yet not cloying taste. Classic examples of this principle include egg yolk pastries and lotus seed paste and egg yolk mooncakes.

Seeing that everyone was interested in egg yolks, Bai Yuan closed his eyes, organized his thoughts, and began to recall what he had learned at Alice Nakiri's house.

He spent a lot of time figuring out the principles behind these dishes.

As for why we should learn these things?

The main purpose is to broaden my culinary horizons.

Although he reached the level of a seven-star chef in his early years, his understanding of cooking was mostly superficial. In other words, he could only replicate without understanding.

At that time, he studied cooking, but it wasn't all cooking.

Only by understanding the characteristics of ingredients and knowing their inherent nature can we have more choices in cooking, which is also the foundation of innovative cuisine.

"In the past, I only knew when to use egg yolks, but I had no idea what the principle behind it was. This meant that I could only cook what I was good at in every competition, even if it didn't quite match the theme, and I couldn't be innovative during the competition."