Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Of course, the most important thing is that it tastes good.

　"Such a clean and efficient technique!"

　"Isn't that steamer a bit too big?!"

　"Are they preparing to make steamed buns? But they're filled inside, so maybe it's a kind of pastry like red bean buns?"

　Just then, Soma Yukihira on the stage began to move. The various colored dough balls, like fluttering butterflies, danced in his hands and became lifelike. Soon, a landscape of pastries appeared in the steamer.

　"Mountains and rivers?!"

　Those in the front row looked at the landscape displayed in the huge steamer with astonished expressions. The exquisite craftsmanship of these pastries was comparable to that of a master chef!

　"rise!"

　With a soft sigh, Soma Yukihira took a deep breath.

　He bent over, gathered all his strength, and lifted the huge steamer on the countertop, placing it on the specially made stove.

　On the other hand, Erina Nakiri used liquid nitrogen technology from molecular gastronomy to shape corn chowder, sweet potato puree, mashed potatoes, pumpkin foam, and edamame mousse into spheres to enhance texture and layers.

　Treating various ingredients with liquid nitrogen takes at least half an hour. During this process, Erina Nakiri glanced at the pork belly broth next to her.

　"It's such a waste to just throw away the broth that's been simmered with spices..."

　Looking at the broth, Erina Nakiri had a thoughtful expression on her face. How to make use of this precious ingredient was what she needed to explore most right now.

　After much thought, she decided to use emulsification technology to make it into a sauce, which would be richer and smoother.

　By the time everything was done, an hour had passed.

　Because it was a newly emerging technology that no one had ever seen before, Erina Nakiri attracted a lot of attention when she used it.

　"Look, look! What an amazing landscape painting!"

　If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would have guessed that these were actually made from pastries!

　While most people were focused on Erina Nakiri, many others looked at Soma Yukihira, keeping a close eye on the steamer, and then they saw him step forward and open the steamer.

　In an instant, white steam rose from the steamer, creating a spectacular scene that immediately attracted a lot of attention.

　"Holy crap, the pastries are actually made to depict the scenery along the Yellow River."

　"This is appalling! Can this really be made from dough?!"

　"Incredible! This section should be the upper reaches of the Yellow River, in Qinghai and Gansu, where the banks are mostly plateaus and mountains, with magnificent and pristine scenery. Here, the Yellow River flows clear, meandering between grasslands and canyons."

　A geography expert covered his mouth in disbelief, saying that without careful research, it was absolutely impossible to recreate the upper reaches of the Yellow River with such a high degree of accuracy!

　In the Guide section of Qinghai, the Yellow River appears emerald green, with rolling green mountains and vast grasslands on both banks, where herds of cattle and sheep graze, creating a tranquil pastoral scene. Around the Liujiaxia Reservoir in Gansu, the Yellow River meanders through canyons, with steep cliffs on both sides, offering a magnificent view.

　Who would have thought that this little pastry would even depict this part!?

　A bald man spoke up. As an indigenous person born and raised by the Yellow River, he naturally recognized the scene before him at a glance, which was what surprised him—how could such a small pastry be presented so perfectly?

　"The Yellow River and the Yangtze River, as the origin of the Chinese nation, have nurtured countless great and outstanding figures, and deserve the phrase 'national prosperity and peace.'"

　"It feels a bit forced... Of course, the dishes are indeed spectacular."

　As the steam dissipated, a magnificent landscape was revealed, depicting the unique scenery of the Yellow River region.

　The moment this dish appeared, it instantly sparked cheers from the entire audience.

　Everyone was praising the exquisite cooking of Soma Yukihira. Every detail was meticulously crafted, making the steamed pastries look lifelike, like finely sculpted models.

　Of course, with praise comes criticism, since the dish depicts mountains and rivers, which is quite different from the idea of ​​peace and prosperity in the country, making people wonder if it has strayed from the topic.

　"It's just a simple pastry, yet it's made to look like a luminous dish. As expected of Yukihira!"

　In the audience, Yoshino Yuuki couldn't help but sigh.

　Even though it's just a very ordinary pastry, if you make it big and exquisite, it can still earn praise and make people marvel at the chef's superb skills.

　"It seems I'll have to go on stage first."

　Watching Erina Nakiri still putting the finishing touches on plating, Soma Yukihira smiled smugly, revealing a triumphant expression. He then lifted the huge steamer with both hands and strode quickly toward the judges' table.

　Soon, the steaming basket, still emitting heat, appeared on the judges' panel.

　“It was amazing to see from a distance, but now that it’s right in front of us, it’s even more spectacular. Is this your interpretation of the four characters ‘国泰民安’ (national prosperity and peace)? Could you explain it to us?”

　Looking at the giant steamer that occupied most of the round table in front of him, Zhang Zhong looked at Yukihira Soma.

　Even if the food is spectacular, it won't get points if it doesn't fit the theme, no matter how delicious it is.

　"I have incorporated the entire country into this dish."

　Upon hearing Zhang Zhong's question, Yukihira Soma smiled; this guy had finally gotten to the point.

　"First, there are four colored doughs: red, green, yellow, and white doughs, which represent the different landscapes of our motherland and symbolize the vast territory and abundant resources of our country."

　Pointing to the magnificent landscape before him, Soma Yukihira began to describe it in rapid succession.

　"Red yeast rice powder and edible gold leaf symbolize joy, good fortune, prosperity, and flourishing. Spinach juice and matcha powder symbolize vitality, peaceful development, pumpkin puree and edible gold powder symbolize abundant harvests and a strong and prosperous nation. Flour and coconut milk symbolize purity, beauty, and national unity."

　"In addition, I selected representative fillings from different regions."

　The ingredients symbolize the diverse customs and traditions across the country, yet their harmonious coexistence and common development.

　In the red area, I used rose petal jam and edible gold leaf to symbolize the richness and beauty of the southern region.

　The green area features matcha white chocolate ganache and pistachio crumbs, symbolizing the prosperity and vitality of the eastern region.

　The yellow area features mango mousse and coconut milk jelly, symbolizing the passion and exuberance of the western region.

　The white area contains coconut custard filling, lotus seeds, and lily bulbs, symbolizing the purity and simplicity of the northern region.

　As he spoke, Soma Yukihira observed the judges' reactions. Seeing them nodding frequently, he breathed a sigh of relief and then explained to them the meanings of the different colors, which he had already thought of while cooking.

　The so-called peace and prosperity of the country is a test of a chef's eloquence.

　"No matter where you start tasting the food from in these four places, you'll experience a sense of fusion when you move on to other places. This is what we call ethnic fusion and culinary fusion!"

　"Come on, give it a try!"

　Yukihira Soma greeted them warmly. Zhang Zhong and the others exchanged glances, suppressed their excitement, and immediately tore off pieces of pastry to taste.

　"The dough is carefully kneaded, resulting in a soft, delicate texture with a slight elasticity that melts in your mouth."

　"Different colored doughs taste different, but they are harmonious and unified as a whole."

　Clicking his tongue, Tan Guai's voice rang out from the scene. His expression was calm, because this was considered a basic skill in pastry making.

　"Red yeast rice powder brings a subtle sweetness. The refreshing aroma of spinach juice blends perfectly with the slight bitterness of matcha powder."

　The sweetness of the pumpkin puree complements the luxurious touch of edible gold powder perfectly, creating a warm and comforting flavor. The wheat aroma of the flour intertwines with the richness of the coconut milk, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture.

　She tore off a piece of the outer layer of each color of pasta, savoring the flavor in her mouth before moving on to the next. Once she had finished tasting them all, Su Yan placed her hands in front of her, her face filled with intense surprise.

　This four-colored brocade landscape is clearly not just for show; even its most unassuming surface exudes unparalleled charm. So what about the filling tightly wrapped within this outer layer...?

　With this inquisitive mindset, Su Yan tore off a large section of the pastry from the red area, releasing a faint fragrance of roses and lychees that made one irresistibly want to immerse themselves in it.

　"The sweetness of the rose petal jam and the subtle sweetness of the red yeast rice powder combine perfectly, accompanied by the aroma of lychee... Is this lychee flesh? Not the lychee flesh that is typical of Fujian, but the flesh of the fruit itself. The combination of the two brings an incredibly gentle sweetness, with a delicate and smooth texture that unconsciously gives people a sense of satisfaction."

　She ate every last bit of sauce off her fingers, not wanting to miss a single drop, and with a flushed face, Su Yan gave her evaluation.

　The fragrance of roses and the sweetness of lychee intertwine to create a romantic and sweet flavor.

　Chapter 259 Molecular Gastronomy: Harvest Symphony

　"The smooth and rich matcha white chocolate ganache, paired with the crunch of pistachio crumbs, is a combination that anyone who came up with is a genius!"

　Tan Luan tasted the green section. With one bite, the crisp pistachio and matcha white chocolate ganache flavors spread in his mouth, making his eyes light up.

　"The slight bitterness of matcha and the sweetness of white chocolate, when presented together in a dish, achieve a wonderful balance, while also bringing a fresh and natural taste."

　Individually, they are unremarkable, but when layered together, they create a unique and rich flavor that invites careful savoring.

　The pure white chocolate ganache was a bit too sweet, but it became just right when paired with matcha!

　The bitterness mixed with sweetness is like a guiding light in the dark; even without careful observation, its presence can be detected, giving one a sense of security.

　As expected of a contestant who advanced to the second round, they noticed even such a tiny detail.

　"The sweet and sour mango mousse and the refreshing coconut milk jelly blend together, giving people a feeling of being in a tropical rainforest."

　"But if I had to say which one I like best, I would actually prefer the combination of coconut custard filling and lotus seed and lily bulb filling."

　The sweet custard filling and the refreshing lotus seed and lily bulb flavors combine perfectly, creating an exceptionally delicate and smooth texture with every bite. The coconut milk-based dough on the outside adds a warm and comforting flavor.

　Zhang Zhong tasted the remaining two sections at the same time, eating all the fillings from both sections.

　White is one of his four favorite colors, representing a clean and pure feel.

　"I love the vibrant red color; the combination of roses and lychee pulp is truly romantic!"

　Su Yan followed suit and expressed her opinion, her voice not loud but full of determination.

　"A passionate romance? How classy."

　I'm rooting for the green part. Sweets really are something that brings joy and pleasure; the subtle bitterness elevates the sweetness to another level!

　Tan Guai's voice rang out, and compared to pure sweetness, he preferred to add a touch of bitterness to it.

　Because only bitterness can bring out the beauty of sweetness.

　"The four types of dough and the exquisite fillings symbolize the prosperity of the motherland, which is national peace."

　The Yellow River, as the source of China, serves as a representative, sufficiently demonstrating the stability of the residents and signifying peace and security for the people.

　The use of pastries directly expresses the idea of ​​national prosperity and peace.

　Judging from the dough and filling, every detail is perfectly designed; it's undeniably a truly perfect dish!

　Watching the pastries in front of him being gradually devoured, Zhang Zhong couldn't help but nod inwardly.

　From any perspective, this dish aligns with his vision of national peace and prosperity.

　This young man has a good understanding of the theme and has expressed it through his cooking, which is excellent.

　"Although the fillings from different regions have very different styles, they can coexist harmoniously in the mouth, which in a sense represents the determination of people from all over the country to unite as one and create a better life together."

　I can see it! I see people all over the country helping each other—that thriving scene!

　Su Yan gave Yukihira Soma a sweet smile, her fingers lightly touching her chest, and told him what she had seen.

　Because of the pastries, she felt warm inside; perhaps this is the charm of cooking.

　"Even if we consider it simply as a dessert, this is top-notch!"

　After thinking for a moment, Su Yan added another sentence.

　"To have the judges praise you so much, Soma Yukihira, it seems you really have some talent."

　Carrying an exquisite silver plate, she stepped forward, taking in all the praise from the three judges.

　Fortunately, I listened to Bai Yuan's advice before coming and did not underestimate Yukihira Soma, otherwise I might have really suffered a great loss now!

　Erina Nakiri's voice wasn't loud, but the room fell silent instantly.

　The audience members all turned to look at her, or more accurately, at the molecular gastronomy dish she was holding, their eyes filled with curiosity.

　"You're more than just a few tricks up your sleeve, Nagi."

　I hope your dish won't disappoint. A competition that's won without any suspense is just too boring.

　Turning to look at Erina Nakiri walking towards him, Soma Yukihira's voice was arrogant, and his eyes were cold.

　You'll find out soon enough. I saved you a copy too.

　Once you've tasted it, you'll feel absolutely ashamed and will willingly admit defeat.

　Erina Nakiri's voice was gentle and soft, yet it was laced with barbs, infuriating those who heard it.

　"I hope that Nagi's cooking can be as powerful as your words."

　Faced with Erina Nakiri's extremely blunt provocation, Soma Yukihira accepted the challenge without the slightest hesitation.

　Their eyes met, and the space between them seemed to become an absolute territory, making anyone who passed by feel a chill.

　"This dish is called Harvest Symphony. It uses molecular gastronomy to reconstruct five kinds of grains, including corn, sweet potato, potato, pumpkin, and edamame, and then combines them with pork belly, a special sauce, and thin slices of black truffle."

　Stepping forward to the judges' table, she opened the lid of her plate, pointed to the dish inside, and began to introduce it in a gentle voice.

　What's most fascinating about this dish is the combination of various whole grains after being molecularly reconstructed.

　"Exquisitely crafted, like a work of art!"