Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Looking at the remaining ingredients on the cutting board, Bai Yuan thought for a moment and went over to clean the pot with a cloth and water.

"Adding ginger a second time gives the dish both the flavor of raw and cooked ginger..."

Muttering to herself, repeating Bai Yuan's words, Li Xiang stood in front of the stove, watching intently. Opportunities to learn from a master like this were rare.

I never expected that such a young boy would have such superb cooking skills!

"By the way, not only the ginger, but also the scallions, you have to stir-fry them later, otherwise the taste will be much worse. The aroma of the scallions cannot stand out on its own. If they are mixed with the original ingredients, the flavor will be messed up."

As Bai Yuan spoke, he re-stirred the food according to Li Xiang's method, and the control of the heat and the addition of seasonings made him sweat profusely.

There's no way around it; Bai Yuan's control of the amount was just too precise. If it were him, he would be at least a few seconds slower. That's the difference between the two.

A few seconds' error doesn't actually have a big impact on the taste of a dish, but if the difference is slight from start to finish, the quality will gradually decline.

This is why, when cooking the same dish using the same method, some people can create a luminous dish, while others can't even reach the top grade.

However, the key to this dish is not the timing or the addition of seasonings, but the second addition of ginger that Bai Yuan just explained to him!

This allows the dish to have both the flavor of fresh ginger and cooked ginger...

The so-called "double-adding of ginger" is actually quite simple: just divide the prepared ginger shreds into two portions, add one portion before stir-frying the dish, and add the other portion before serving.

Just one extra step, and how will the overall taste differ?

At this moment, Li Xiang no longer had any thoughts of comparing herself to Bai Yuan. She regarded herself as the young apprentice who used to do odd jobs for her master, and diligently absorbed new knowledge.

"Actually, even if I say it a hundred times, it's better to actually taste it once. You're a master chef, so you should be able to experience the dish more directly with your tongue!"

Bai Yuan didn't offer much explanation. Instead, he scooped the food from the wok and placed it on the white porcelain plate that Li Xiang had prepared in advance.

The one next to it is made by Li Xiang, and the contrast between the two is particularly striking.

At the same time, golden light emerged from the dish a few seconds after it landed on the plate, flashing for more than ten seconds before gradually dissipating. This was yet another dish that glowed!

Everyone present was stunned, but Li Xiang thought it was perfectly normal.

Given Bai Yuan's superb culinary skills, he would be surprised if the dish didn't glow.

"Oh, right, there's another issue. It's best not to put soy sauce in this dish. The dark color doesn't look very appealing and can easily affect the guests' appetite."

Comparing the colors of the two dishes, Bai Yuan thought for a moment and suddenly said, "This is a small but important detail that the chef needs to pay attention to."

"I see."

"Try it and see what the difference is between these two plates of Dong'an Chicken!"

Bai Yuan extended his hand, gesturing for Li Xiang to taste it.

Li Xiang didn't hesitate much. She picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of chicken. Before she could even taste it, the first word that came to mind was "tender"!

The chopsticks pressed the chicken into an arc, and the amazing elasticity was evidence of proper cooking. When you put it in your mouth, the first thing you felt was a light spiciness, which was due to the dried chili peppers and ginger and scallion shreds!

Because of the addition of chicken broth, the aftertaste is exceptionally rich and delicious. The essence of the chicken broth slowly permeates the chicken meat and seasonings, making the whole dish incredibly full and flavorful.

The Shaoxing wine removes the fishy smell and adds a touch of wine aroma to the dish. The addition of vinegar is a highlight of this dish; it cleverly balances the spiciness and greasiness of the dish, bringing a refreshing sour taste that makes the flavor more appetizing and less greasy.

At the same time, the sourness of the vinegar complements the savory flavor of the chicken, creating a multi-layered taste experience.

And most importantly...

The freshness and spiciness of raw ginger, and the depth and richness of cooked ginger, can coexist in one dish! What an incredible flavor!

"I never knew there was such a way to make it! The taste is so much better than the previous methods, it's amazing! Even if I were to make it using the same method, I should be able to achieve a top-tier three-star or even four-star level!"

As she savored the taste, Li Xiang couldn't help but mutter to herself, her eyes filled with complex emotions. This dish was supposed to be their restaurant's signature dish, yet they had made it wrong from start to finish. How embarrassing!

"dad..."

Upon hearing Li Xiang's words, Li Wanwan could hardly believe it. Her father's signature dish, which he had always been incredibly good at, was actually made incorrectly?!

"Thank you very much, Professor Bai Yuan. You are a very capable teacher."

Having received instruction, Li Xiang did not mind Bai Yuan's age and respectfully bowed to him as a junior.

He knew in his heart that if no one told him this step, he would never have understood it in his entire life!

Although he has a little talent, it is not enough to support him in perfecting the dish. Otherwise, he would have perfected it in the past ten years!

"You're welcome. As a chef, I always want to offer some pointers when I encounter an imperfect dish."

Your willingness to calmly accept this proves you have the potential to reach even greater heights. Keep up the good work, and I believe you'll become a top-tier five-star chef sooner or later.

At this moment, their identities seemed to have changed. Bai Yuan became a master chef with rich culinary experience, while Li Xiang became a junior apprentice who could only nod in response to his words.

Neither of them found it strange, but the others were looking at them with odd expressions. If they remembered correctly, Li Xiang had initially come to teach Bai Yuan a lesson, right?

"It's so lively here! The aroma is so rich and strong, it must be the legendary Dong'an Chicken. It looks really good!"

An aged voice came from the doorway, and everyone looked outside. Then they saw the Hundred Herbs Elder enter from the doorway, accompanied by Wang Wanqing.

"Brother Baiyao".

"Brother Bai Yuan!"

Upon seeing the Hundred Herbs Elder, Bai Yuan immediately went to greet him, opened his arms and hugged him. Then the elder turned his gaze to the Dong'an Chicken.

"Speaking of which, why are there two plates here? The appearance is so different, and the aroma is also so different. Are you perhaps having a cooking competition?"

Looking at the two completely different plates of Dong'an Chicken in front of him, Master Baiyao couldn't help but sigh. The scene before him clearly showed that the two were having a contest.

"Master of a Hundred Herbs"

"It's you, Li Xiang. I remember seeing you at the Guangzhou Chefs Association conference last year. I never expected to see you here again today."

Upon hearing Li Xiang's greeting, Master Baiyao turned his gaze and began speaking to himself, while Li Xiang remained by his side, smiling obsequiously.

"You noticed that? Your nose is really sharp. Try it, and while you're at it, try this one too. Then let me know your opinion."

This is a dish I created by fusing my understanding of Hunan and Cantonese cuisines; it's called Hunan-style Cantonese Seafood Hot Pot.

Bai Yuan pointed to the Hunan-style and Cantonese-style seafood hot pot not far away and said with anticipation in his eyes. He hoped that Master Baiyao, a true Guangzhou native, could offer his opinion and perhaps even improve the dish!

"Alright, I'll start with this seafood hot pot. It's a fusion of Hunan and Cantonese cuisine. I've seen this type of dish a few times, but unfortunately, I've never done it very well, only reaching the top-grade level."

Master Baiyao picked up his chopsticks as he spoke, but in reality, he didn't have high hopes for Bai Yuan's cooking. After all, the two cuisines were independent of each other, and it would be very difficult to combine them.

Many people have tried this throughout history, but very few have succeeded. The most successful one was an elderly four-star chef from a few decades ago.

However, when he picked up the shrimp and abalone from the seafood hot pot and put them in his mouth...

At that moment, Master Baiyao froze on the spot, then his chopsticks couldn't stop, as he shoveled food into his mouth one bite after another. The rich and mellow spiciness perfectly highlighted the freshness of the seafood, making the whole seafood hot pot distinct in flavor!

In addition, the salty and savory flavor of seafood soy sauce and the mellow aroma of rice wine, these seasonings used in Cantonese cooking, make the whole dish even more flavorful.

The spiciness of Hunan cuisine and the freshness of Cantonese cuisine are so perfectly blended together, without any sense of disharmony.

Without a doubt, this is absolutely at the level of a glowing dish!

Master Baiyao stared intently at the seafood hot pot in front of him, closed his eyes to savor it, and decided to go back and replicate it, adding his own touches to see if he could take it a step further.

However, before that...

"You really are a genius."

Master Baiyao spoke these words sincerely, tinged with a hint of envy. How could one not be envious? At the young age of 19, he had already reached a level that many chefs could never achieve in their entire lives!

"You flatter me, you flatter me. It's not that impressive."

Bai Yuan was unusually modest, but the upturned corners of his mouth made it clear that he was in a good mood.

"I lost this game, and it was a complete and utter defeat without any suspense."

Before the match, you said that if you won, you wanted me to answer one question: What is it that you want to know? I will answer everything you know.

"Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing. I estimate that not many people know the answer to this question, but Master Baiyao is definitely one of them."

Upon hearing Li Xiang concede defeat and remind him of the initial agreement, Bai Yuan suddenly realized and slapped his forehead, then turned his gaze to Master Baiyao.

Li Xiang may not know that he didn't actually have much hope, but Master Baiyao, as one of the four kings of the Guangzhou Chefs Association, is the most top-level figure in Guangzhou.

If even he doesn't know this, then this world might really not have such a thing as the legendary kitchenware.

"Oh? What question do you want to ask?"

Bai Yuan's words piqued the curiosity of everyone present, and all eyes immediately turned to him.

"About the legendary kitchen utensils."

Bai Yuan stared intently at Master Baiyao, observing his changes in expression. He then noticed that Master Baiyao's brow twitched and his eyes flickered slightly, and he was overjoyed.

He was right after all. The Food Wars world also has legendary cooking utensils. After all, they are all worlds that focus on food, so there is no distinction between them!

"Is this why you came to Guangzhou?!"

Master Baiyao's expression changed from his previous amiable demeanor to a serious one.

"I came to Guangzhou for two purposes: one is to pass the master chef examination, and the other is to find the legendary kitchen utensils."

So, saying that this was my purpose in coming to Guangzhou isn't entirely wrong.

Bai Yuan nodded, admitting without hesitation the purpose of his visit. There was no way to hide such things; it was better to speak frankly.

Being hesitant and timid will only arouse suspicion!

"Why are you looking for those legendary kitchen utensils? And where did you hear about them in Guangzhou?"

Master Baiyao paced back and forth in the kitchen, looking somewhat conflicted.

"Of course, it's to reach the pinnacle of culinary art! It's every chef's dream."

As for the legendary kitchen utensils, I saw them in a very old book.

Legend has it that there are eight legendary kitchen utensils in the world, each possessing the magical power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, enhancing the deliciousness of dishes.

Bai Yuan wasn't lying about what he said earlier. He came here to find the legendary cooking utensils in order to reach the true pinnacle of cooking!

Of course, kitchen utensils are just kitchen utensils. They can be used but not relied upon. They can only improve the quality of food, not make cooking skills better.

Bai Yuan was aware of this, so his search for the legendary kitchen utensils was more about experiencing what it would feel like to use them.

When it comes to actually cooking, he doesn't intend to rely on so-called kitchen utensils.

No matter how powerful external things are, they are not as strong as oneself!

As for the latter sentence, that's pure nonsense; he can't claim to have traveled from another time.

"To reach the pinnacle of culinary skill, what a magnificent spirit!"