The story of Shokugeki begins when Alice picks him up and brings him home

“No, he is the chef of this restaurant.”

"Huh? How is that possible? He looks about the same age as me!"

Hearing Bai Yuan's words, Nakiri Alice couldn't help but scream, and her words revealed a bit of disbelief, because Kurokiba Ryo was really young.

"From his aura, you can tell that the chef has a different aura in his own shop, and the food tastes much better than outside."

"Is it so mysterious?"

“You can think of it as self-confidence. Self-confidence is a good thing. It can make people perform beyond their normal level and make dishes that are far beyond their own level.”

The two of them started chatting back and forth, and soon the door of the Harbor Restaurant opened. Customers poured in one after another, and the scene instantly became lively. At this time, the waiter came to them with a menu.

"One portion of blanched squid, one portion of steamed sea bass, and two portions of seafood pasta as main course. I hope the seafood in the seafood pasta is shrimp."

After taking a look at the menu, Bai Yuan made a quick decision. The dishes he ordered all relied on the freshness of the seafood, which was also a unique advantage of seaside restaurants, as they could get the freshest ingredients!

"OK, just a second."

After writing the menu, the waiter nodded and then went about serving the next customer, while Shirabuchi and Nakiri Alice began to observe the restaurant.

"This restaurant has quite a lot of customers, so the food must be very good."

Looking at the noisy guests around her, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but speak expectantly.

“After all, it’s in a prime location at the port. It would be unusual if there weren’t even this many customers. Look, the line at the door is no more than three people, proving that this restaurant is not that difficult to replace.

However, since he was able to keep these guests, it proves that the chef is quite capable.”

After drinking the boiled water brought by the waiter, Bai Yuan slowly said, although there are many customers in this restaurant, the real reflection of the chef's level are the customers queuing at the door.

The popularity of this restaurant is just superficial. The real reason is probably that it is located in a prime location. For example, they found this restaurant because they saw it at first sight when they came to the port area.

"That's true. Although there are many customers in this restaurant, everyone's expression is very calm. Only a few people have expectant expressions on their faces."

After Bai Yuan's reminder, Alice Nakiri also discovered that the atmosphere in the restaurant was not right. A restaurant with a good location is worthy of a first-class chef.

Ten minutes passed.

"You ordered the blanched squid, steamed sea bass, and seafood pasta. Enjoy!"

Because he was particularly concerned about Shirabuchi and Nakiri Alice, the first thing Kurokiba Ryo cooked was their food and he brought the dishes to them.

"Just put it here."

Bai Yuan smiled faintly and pointed to the table in front of him. Seeing this, Kurokiba Ryo put down the food, looked at Bai Yuan deeply, and then went back to the kitchen.

He had an inexplicable feeling that the guy in front of him was very powerful.

There is no special reason, it’s just my intuition as a chef!

“Smooth and tender! The squid is briefly blanched in boiling water, retaining the most essential original flavor and delicate taste of the fish meat.

With simple scallions, ginger and garlic for flavor, and a little soy sauce or steamed fish sauce for seasoning, the fish meat has a bit of crispness and is cooked to the perfect temperature! ”

I picked up a piece of squid with chopsticks. High-end ingredients only require simple cooking methods. For the squid that has just come ashore, blanching it is undoubtedly the best way to cook it!

Chapter 15: The first challenge with Alice

“This steamed sea bass is also very good, the meat is firm and elastic!”

Shirabuchi tasted the blanched squid, while Alice Nakiri ate steamed sea bass. As expected, such fresh fish is best steamed!

"but..."

Putting down her chopsticks, Alice Nakiri looked hesitantly at the steamed sea bass in front of her. She then looked up at Bai Yuan and saw that he also picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of fish and put it into his mouth before she continued speaking.

“Brother Bai Yuan, this steamed sea bass should have been salted when it was marinated. I can taste a little bit of the base flavor.

But I remember you said before that it is best not to add salt to steamed fish, as it will make the fish taste worse. However, this steamed sea bass clearly has salt, but it does not affect the freshness of the fish. "

"It's not salt, it's scallion, ginger, salt and lemon water. Use a brush to apply a thin layer on the surface of the river fish, and then brush lard on the surface of the fish to heat it quickly in the steamer. The lard locks in moisture and offsets the effect of salt."

In response to Alice Nakiri's doubts, Bai Yuan explained.

"I taught you before that when steaming fish, in order to ensure that the fish is fresh and tender, you don't need to add salt, just add onion and ginger water to remove the fishy smell, but that only applies to marine fish.

As for river fish, since they live mostly in mud and sand, they have an earthy smell, which is much more fishy than sea fish, so adding a little salt water is OK, but don’t put too much salt in it, so he also added lemon water to remove the fishy smell.”

In response to Alice Nakiri's doubts, Bai Yuan patiently explained that compared to sea fish, cooking river fish requires more effort.

"I see."

Hearing Bai Yuan's answer, Nakiri Alice nodded as if she understood, she didn't expect there was such a thing.

"The shrimp fried noodles were just average. The shrimp wasn't tender enough, so it tasted a bit old. But it's good enough to be able to do this at your age. With a few more years of practice, I should be able to reach the level of a second-class chef."

After tasting the food in front of him, Bai Yuan gave a fair evaluation. This is a restaurant that doesn't have any special features, but it does basic food very well.

Such a shop is very suitable for ordinary fishermen.

After this period of accumulation, Bai Yuan understood the standards that chefs of different levels need to meet.

Among them, if you want to become a second-class chef, you need to go further in the field you are proficient in and make at least 18 dishes that meet the chef level.

First-class chefs need to accept any questions from the examiner and cook dishes that match the theme within the specified time. And they cannot only cook the type of dishes they are good at, but other types of dishes must reach the level of third-class chefs at least.

Top chefs are divided into nine stars.

If you want to become a top chef, you need to be proficient in at least three areas of cooking. You also need to accept the examiner's questions and cannot have obvious weaknesses.

If you want to go one step further and become the legendary star chef, you need to challenge a chef of the same star, using the star on your chest as a bet, and have a food battle duel under the impartiality of the first-class executive of the Gourmet Research Association.

That’s right, it’s the Shokugeki Contest, but the Shokugeki Contest in this world is no longer a small fight within Totsuki Academy, but a showdown involving chefs from all over the world.

Any hatred or grudges can be resolved through food battles.

In addition, participating in various high-quality cooking competitions can also earn stars, which is a common way for chefs to advance.

"From your tone, you should be a very good chef. I want to challenge you. If you win, I will waive the cost of this meal for you."

Just when Bai Yuan was lost in thought, Kurokiba Ryo's figure appeared behind him at some point. The young man stared at him with sharp eyes, as if he was looking at some rare treasure.

"Challenge me? Are you getting the order wrong? With your strength, you'd better wait another ten thousand years before challenging me!"

Although he had already noticed that Kurokiba Ryo appeared behind him, Bai Yuan was not prepared to accept the challenge he had issued.

A fight between people of unequal strength is just a waste of time even if you win.

"You don't dare? You just commented on other people's cooking in a very logical and reasonable manner. You looked quite serious. Could it be that you are actually a complete idiot?!"

"Such a low-level provocation won't work on me."

Looking at the fighting spirit burning in Kurokiba Ryo's eyes, Bai Yuan knew very well what he was thinking. When he had gained some strength, he also liked to challenge everywhere.

You can often gain a lot by competing with the strong.

However, the time of a strong man is very precious. He paid a lot of price in order to challenge those chefs in the dark cuisine world.

"You think you can challenge my master?"

"and who are you?"

Kurokiba Ryo was about to say something else when he was interrupted. He turned around and found Nakiri Alice looking at him with hostility.

"I am the disciple of the person you are challenging. I am not being arrogant, but I want to say that if we really compete, you are not even as good as me! How dare you speak so arrogantly to my master? You really don't know what you are talking about!"

Alice Nakiri spoke in a sonorous voice. She was angry at this moment. After all, Kurokiba Ryo mocked her master in front of her.

Although she really wanted her master to teach him a lesson and let him know that there are always people better than you, the other party was not as strong as her, so she should be the one to take action.

"What did you say?! How can a little girl like you hold a kitchen knife?"

Hearing what Alice Nakiri said, Kurokiba Ryo's eyes widened and his voice suddenly rose several degrees, which made Bai Yuan raise his hand to cover one of his ears.

"What? What? How rude! Not only can I lift a kitchen knife, I can also use it to beat you and torture you to a pulp!"

Alice Nakiri shouted even more dissatisfiedly.

"In that case, why don't you two have a competition? Let's use the seafood that you are best at as the topic. If you can beat Alice, then I will compete with you."

Looking at the angry Alice Nakiri, Bai Yuan thought for a moment and then spoke.

This guy has been learning cooking for such a long time, but he has never competed with chefs of similar ability. His practical experience is pitifully weak, and he can take this opportunity to improve himself.

"A word is settled!"

Hearing Bai Yuan's words, Kurokiba Ryo responded anxiously. In his opinion, a weak girl like Nakiri Alice would definitely not be able to cook a dish better than his.

If even a guy like this could surpass him, then it would be ridiculous for him to work as a chef in a restaurant day and night to hone his cooking skills!

"Then we'll have the competition in your kitchen. My master and the diners present will serve as judges. The loser must apologize to the other party!"

"Okay, I accept your challenge! Come with me."

Seeing Kurokiba Ryo agree, Nakiri Alice's mouth curled up slightly, and her clenched fists loosened a little. This guy just insulted Bai Yuan so much, how could he be tolerated! She would never forgive him so easily!

Because he didn't think he would lose, Kurokiba Ryo's expression didn't change. He just turned and walked towards the kitchen. Seeing this, Nakiri Alice immediately followed.

Chapter 16 Cod Soup Ramen VS Fish Shaomai

"Chef, you're back."

"Are these two guests? They were brought directly to the kitchen. They seem to be very important guests."

"Good afternoon, chef."

Bai Yuan followed closely behind, and soon the three of them arrived at the kitchen. The kitchen helpers were busy in front of various stoves. When they saw Kurokiba Ryo, they would look up and greet him.

The hands kept moving.

It can be seen that Kurokiba Ryo has a very high reputation in this kitchen. In response to everyone's greetings, he always nods indifferently, but because everyone knows his character, no one says anything.

Soon, the three of them found two empty cooking tables, on which were placed a lot of fresh seafood that they had bought at the market that morning.

"You can use whatever ingredients you want here. As long as there's one person who thinks your seafood dish is better than mine, you win the competition!"

Looking at Alice Nakiri who was looking left and right in the kitchen with a nonchalant look, Kurokiba Ryo stared at her with angry eyes.

If he didn't want to compete with that young man, he wouldn't waste time dealing with this little girl! She must not even be able to use a kitchen knife!

However, who exactly is this young man? Just the aura on his body made him tremble with excitement, and the chef's soul was completely activated.

I must compete with him!

Kurokiba Ryo roared in his heart. This was the first time he had such a feeling. If he could fight him, his cooking skills would surely improve by leaps and bounds!

"If you underestimate me, you will suffer a great loss."

Seeing Kurokiba Ryo who had been staring at Shirobuchi, Nakiri Alice had calmed down by now and was looking at him with an unhappy expression, obviously caring about his contempt.

But it doesn't matter, she will use all her strength to defeat him!

"I hope you can warm me up successfully."

"What an arrogant fellow!"

After saying that, Kurokiba Ryo ignored Alice Nakiri's shouting and walked to the cooking table. Looking at the cod that had just been caught from the sea in front of him, a dish emerged in his mind.

Cod broth ramen.

Thinking of this, a kitchen knife appeared in Kurokiba Ryo's hand. He bent down and arched his body, and his aura changed at this moment.

I saw him holding the fish knife tightly in his right hand, and the tip of the knife gently scratched the skin and flesh below the fish gills, along the lateral line of the fish body, and with an almost artistic technique, he cut steadily and reached the spine.

With a "swish" sound, the fish knife pushed lightly on the bone, and the whole fish body was neatly divided into two. Then, with several consecutive cuts, the fish meat and the fish bones were separated instantly. The movements were so precise, as if every cut was precisely calculated.

Then, Kurokiba Ryo turned over the half fish body in his hand. His technique was still agile. With the same angle and strength, he gently deboned along the ribs and removed the tiny fish bones one by one. During the whole process, the fish meat was almost not damaged, maintaining its original integrity and tenderness.

This amazing performance immediately attracted the attention of the people around, and the kitchen helpers cheered in unison. Bai Yuan was no exception, with a strange light flashing in his eyes.

This kid's skills in handling seafood are much better than he thought. Although his technique is still a little raw, it's already pretty good for his age.

Unfortunately, Kurokiba Ryo was facing Alice Nakiri who had undergone his devilish training!