Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Li Xiang scooped the food from the wok and placed it on a pristine white porcelain plate, then looked calmly at the girls who were discussing the relative strengths of the two.

　It's truly pathetic that even his own apprentices don't trust him.

　It's easy to imagine how mediocre the technology is.

　Perhaps it was because the exam happened to be on a topic I was good at, and there weren't any particularly outstanding people in my group, so I passed. These things happen occasionally.

　Thinking of this, Li Xiang looked at Bai Yuan. In front of him were several clay pots, which were bubbling and simmering. Judging from the aroma, it must be a seafood hot pot!

　Hunan cuisine, seafood hot pot?

　This guy must be trying to be funny!

　"Don't worry, you'll know how it tastes after you try it. You definitely won't be disappointed. This is the most authentic Hunan cuisine!"

　Turning his head, Bai Yuan met Li Xiang's slightly complicated expression. He raised his hand, shook his finger, and spoke in a rather cheeky tone.

　"I look forward to your masterpiece."

　Although she was somewhat dissatisfied, Li Xiang wouldn't easily lose her temper at this point; she simply silently brought her dish to the judging panel.

　Kikuchi and the others brought over several wooden tables from somewhere and sat neatly in a row, looking just like a judging panel.

　"Try Dong'an Chicken."

　Looking at the makeshift judging panel in front of her, Li Xiang's expression didn't change much; she simply divided her dish into five portions.

　Wang Wanqing hasn't arrived yet, but that doesn't matter. As long as these four people are on his side, he will still win the competition in the end.

　How to make seafood hot pot in the style of Hunan cuisine?

　"This isn't a joke..."

　Wait, this one's spicy!

　When Li Xiang presented the dish to the judges, a rich aroma suddenly wafted to her nose, with a particularly pronounced spiciness that perfectly matched the standards of Hunan cuisine!

　Maybe it tastes pretty good?

　Suddenly, Li Xiang swallowed hard, and a thought popped into his head that startled him. How could he have such a thought?!

　"It's cooked to perfection. Let's take mine and critique it together."

　Bai Yuan's voice came from not far away. Looking over, one could see a confident smile on his face, full of youthful arrogance and unbridled spirit.

　As he spoke, he even raised his hand and tossed the Hunan-style Cantonese seafood hot pot on the stove.

　Bai Yuan's movements, though seemingly rough, ensured that each pot landed precisely in front of the judges, placed alongside Li Xiang's Dong'an Chicken.

　"Of course, there's also some reserved especially for you."

　Bai Yuan placed the casserole on a tray in front of Li Xiang, and put his other hand on the lid.

　As a crack appeared, dazzling golden light burst forth uncontrollably, illuminating the entire kitchen.

　Li Xiang witnessed all of this, and at that moment, he completely lost his composure, replaced by an expression of utter shock.

　"The food is glowing?!"

　At the same time, Li Wanwan opened the casserole in front of her. The dazzling golden light made her close her eyes and murmur to herself in disbelief.

　"Really... this is glowing cuisine! Isn't it said that only top-level five-star chefs can make glowing cuisine? Why can someone who just became a top-level chef do it?"

　Miyoko Hojo was equally shocked, and also very puzzled.

　The scene before her eyes was truly beyond her comprehension. Who had told her that only a top-tier five-star chef could create a dish that glowed?

　"Because Teacher Bai Yuan's strength is not just Special Grade, saying he is Special Grade Five Star is an understatement. You should know that even the skillful old lady from the Four Heavenly Kings of the Cantonese Culinary Alliance praised his cooking!"

　"This guy is much more capable than you think! He can't be judged by the standards of an ordinary chef, or you'll suffer a great loss."

　Seeing the three's shocked expressions, Kikuchi Sonoka and Kakuzaki Taki, who had expected this, each spoke up. Because they already knew Shirobuchi's strength, they were actually the calmest people present.

　After seeing their expressions, Li Wanwan finally understood what they meant when they said that her father was destined to lose!

　"Alright, stop worrying about the star rating. The important thing is the taste of the food. The star rating is meaningless. Hurry up and pick up your chopsticks and try it!"

　Bai Yuan clapped his hands to stop their argument, and without him saying anything more, the group had already dipped their chopsticks into the Hunan-style Cantonese seafood hot pot in front of them.

　Li Xiang was the fastest among them.

　"The tenderness of fresh shrimp, the bouncy texture of squid rings, the sweetness of scallop meat, and the delicacy of abalone slices—these seafood flavors intertwine on the tip of the tongue, creating a refreshing and elegant seafood taste."

　With one chopstick, Li Xiang gathered all the seafood, closed her eyes, and savored the flavors. Like waves crashing on the beach, the freshness unfolded layer upon layer on her tongue!

　"The spiciness of Hunan cuisine is cleverly incorporated into this dish. There must have been chopped chili sauce and fermented bean paste added to this seafood hot pot! The spicy flavors brought by the two not only enhance the overall taste of the dish, but also make the freshness of the seafood stand out even more."

　Li Wanwan exclaimed in surprise, the unique spiciness of Hunan cuisine blended perfectly into this seafood hot pot, complementing the ingredients beautifully.

　Taking into account that people in Guangzhou are not good at eating spicy food, the spiciness of this seafood hot pot is just right, allowing you to taste the spicy aroma without being too spicy.

　Chapter 74 My ambition is to reach the pinnacle of culinary arts!

　"Moreover, the spiciness here is not just a simple stimulation, but more of a mellow aroma, which blends with the sweetness of the seafood to create a unique and wonderful taste experience!"

　Kikuchi Yoko breathed heavily and groaned softly as she took a few sips.

　After eating the food, she felt her body warming up—it felt wonderful!

　The use of Cantonese seasonings also adds a touch of warmth and delicacy to this dish.

　The salty and savory flavors of seafood soy sauce, the mellow aroma of rice wine, and the umami-enhancing effect of a touch of sugar make the overall flavor of the dish more full-bodied and complex.

　These seasonings intertwine with the seafood and the spiciness of Hunan cuisine, like a well-woven fabric, tightly woven yet without any overlapping or chaotic patterns, but rather in a state of perfect order!

　Looking at Bai Yuan, Li Xiang's eyes no longer held the initial disdain, but instead were filled with deep respect.

　To be able to blend Hunan cuisine and Cantonese cuisine so perfectly, one must first have a deep understanding of both cuisines, at least to the highest level.

　It's unimaginable what he went through. Was prenatal education some kind of gourmet recipe?!

　"Let me try yours next."

　"please."

　Although she knew perfectly well that she had no chance of winning, Li Xiang's expression remained unchanged.

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's request, she silently handed him the Dong'an chicken that Li Wanwan was about to eat.

　"I might say something unpleasant next, about the shortcomings of this dish. Do you want to hear it or not? If you don't want to hear it, I won't say it."

　As soon as the dish entered his mouth, Bai Yuan frowned and put down his chopsticks.

　The dish is of exceptional quality in terms of taste, but one detail was not handled well, which means that the dish can only reach the level of exceptional two stars at best.

　"Please tell me, I won't be angry, and I'll even thank you for your guidance."

　Because Bai Yuan just made a luminous dish, and because Kikuchi and Sonoka said that the other party is highly regarded by the skillful old lady.

　At this moment, Li Xiang no longer dared to act like an elder, and showed a humble expression in response to Bai Yuan's probing words.

　Do you know what "double-pouring ginger" means?

　Bai Yuan didn't rush to point out the shortcomings, but instead asked a question. Seeing Li Xiang's slightly puzzled look, he understood.

　"The so-called double-adding of ginger means adding ginger shreds at the beginning and then adding them again when the dish is almost done cooking. This way, both raw and cooked ginger flavors will be present in the pot, making the overall taste richer."

　"You haven't learned this, either your teacher held back some secrets, or you haven't mastered the technique. I'll cook it for you using the same method."

　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 stretched out

　He gestured to 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.