Chapter 72
Chapter 72: Footprints in front of his feet (3)
Before you start reading! The 7 points curd he made on the previous chapter isnt the complete dish! Its more like a garnish or some kind of that.So that means that the main dishcan be further improved or worsened,
A 7-points curd. For a curd to have that score, it was being perfect. It was to the point that he thought if it was possible to make something beyond that. Jo Minjoon looked at the clock with a confident face. 50 minutes. There were still 1 hour and 10 minutes left. And, what he had to do right now, was to rest for an hour. Because he could finish his dish in 20 minutes and still have spare time. Looking at Jo Minjoon being still, the judges approached him.
Minjoon. Why are you standing still?
Because I have to wait for 50 minutes.
He said it bluntly. Emily asked with a perplexed voice.
Do you mean that you have nothing to do for 50 minutes?
Yes. Oh, but just because of that, it doesnt mean that I could have chose the one hour time.
..I understand that. But are you really planning to rest for 50 minutes?
I think that its not only me doing that.
Jo Minjoon said that while slightly glancing at his surroundings. It was just as he had said. Even Sasha had spare time because she was waiting for the bread to ferment. Alan let out a sigh.
It seems like there isnt going to be any funny scenes.
We dont know. Maybe Martin will get to know the aesthetics of slowness.
Emily shrugged her shoulders. Joseph didnt say anything and looked down at his sudachi curd, and lifted a small spoon of it.
The flavor of the curd, can I try it?
Of course.
Time is over! Everybody put your hands off.
There was no one who couldnt complete their dishes. But of course, it didnt mean that they all had satisfying results. Jo Minjoon slightly glanced at Peter. In his dish, there was apple pure and baked apple. The appearance seemed quite delicious, but you couldnt know how it was in reality.
Joseph opened his mouth.
Are you all satisfied at the results?
Yes, chef.
We looked at you cooking and picked the three dishes we expect the most. And the one we are going to call right now is the one we worry, expect, and are the most curious about. Minjoon! Come to the front please.
It wasnt really unexpected. Because he still remembered the faces of the judges when he said that he could also guess the proportions of the ingredients. Jo Minjoon went to the judges with a calm face and with his dish. Just placing one dish was enough to fill the small table in front of them. Joseph got in front first.
Minjoon. Explain your dish.
I placed sudachi curd and green apple jelly together. I roasted and grounded cashew nuts for the crispiness. I brought out more of the sour and sweet flavor through a moderately simmered pear in sugar water, and deepened the aroma with nastrium.
You said that you have reproduced the dessert in Rose Island, when you recently went there. Ah, theres no need to point that out. Because imitation is the basics for cooking. Even when Kaya reproduced Alans risotto, I have said nothing. Do you remember?
Yes. I do.
If you have correctly imitated the flavor you ate there, with just that, there will be worth in your dish. Are you confident?
Jo Minjoon smiled instead of replying and pushed the dish slightly towards Joseph. He looked at Jo Minjoons eyes at that moment, and lifted his fork and knife and sliced the jelly. He smeared enough sudachi curd, smeared cashew nuts in that curd and placed a pear on top of the fork.
And that went in his mouth just like that. Joseph slowly opened his mouth. Honestly, he was a little preoccupied. Because there were many cases when you made jelly, that if you made a mistake it would turn a rubber and without flavor. Also, it had the tendency to not suit very well with other ingredients.
The first thing he felt was the refreshing flavor of the sudachi curd. And the cashew nuts that were smeared in the curd, got grounded in his teeth and the oil that came out of it made it heavy.
The pear originally doesnt have sourness, but the short time it was simmered in sugar water made the sourness disappear and it didnt disturb the flavor of the sudachi curd at all. In the middle of that, the combination caramel and apple that was felt from the jelly made him clearly feel the ability Jo Minjoon had. He felt the spicy flavor of the nastrium at the last, and Joseph let out a sigh of amazement.
This.Is really similar to Daves jelly. And the curd is also similar. Really.. You really reproduced that flavor. It was to the point I felt chills down my spine.
Thank you.
Maybe, if you put in a little bit more of an ingredient, the balance would have crumbled. And that would have ended as a piece of sugar. Minjoon, your talent surprises more and more. And maybe I should call it skill instead of talent. Even if you did know the recipe and the flavor, to reproduce it this much is clearly your own strength. It was a good dessert. Thank you.
Joseph talked like that and fell back. This time, Alan stepped to the front. He tried to eat slowly as usual, but his hands were faster than usual. After he ate the jelly without saying anything, he let out a hopeless laugh.
Im curious about how David will feel after looking at the broadcast. I will say something to him.
Alan looked at the camera.
This doesnt fall back at all compared to yours.
Incredible. You are really incredible. Minjoon.
Interview. Martin said while holding Jo Minjoons hands. Jo Minjoon laughed awkwardly and took out his hands. Martin looked at him with shining eyes.
Where did you say you came from, Korea? Arent you lying? Arent you an angel that came down from heaven?
..Lets proceed with the interview.
Whew, yes. Im sorry. I got excited. So how do you feel? You became one of the remaining 10 people
At Martins question, Jo Minjoon smiled bitterly. He said with a voice that wasnt bright nor dark.
It would be a lie if I wasnt happy, but I cant feel that happy. Because two of the people I used to hang with left.
Peter and Leslie It has plenty of meaning for them to have reached to this point.
I wonder. Even though it may have some meaning to Leslie, but I think that this trip was more of a loss for Peter.
Leslie from the two hours one, and Peter from the one hour. Peters dish was full of sweetness and lacked sourness. It was because he simmered it in sugar for too long, and cooked it for too long. Jo Minjoon said with a regretful voice.
In the end, Peter left without being able to spread his wings.
Do you think that it was cruel?
I wonder. Actually, I think that he reaped the fruits of his actions. Not being able to show his skills properly, and not being able to control what he said was also his responsibility. Its just regretful.
All the competitions are like that. Because in the end, only one can laugh in the end. Do you think that you will be able to become that person?
.Honestly speaking, I think that I have to grow more. In this situation, even if I win, it will not be a real victory. Im planning to improve the most in the remaining time.
At his words, Martin didnt say anything and just looked at him. Martin seemed to be hesitating for a moment, but soon asked with a silent voice.
Dont take it bad. Honestly speaking, I hope that you survive for long. But I dont want you to win.
Taking into account that the PD had said that, it was too direct. Jo Minjoons face turned strange. It was Martin that had said that he wanted Jo Minjoon to win. Of course, he could see it as a service comment, but he couldnt know the reason why he was talking like this. Martin continued speaking.
Its not because I think that you are lacking or I dont like you. If you win in this competition, you will be called for events for a year. You will get busy.
What do you mean?
.We are preparing a program that is going to be the continuation of Grand Chef. The theme is tasting travelling. I was thinking to connote Emily, but she refused. However a month ago, she told me that if I satisfied one of her request, she will participate. And that was you participating in it.
Jo Minjoon let out a sigh unconsciously. Emily had approached him that time, but he didnt know that she had asked for that kind of request. Martin hurriedly continued to say.
Of course, aside from Emily participating, I think that your character as a chef is very good. People will go crazy if a person with an absolute sense of taste is doing a tasting travel. I assure you.
..So that means that if I get eliminated, you will let me participate. Is it that kind of offer?
Im not planning to listen to your reply right now. Think about it plentily. I need to give you that much of a consideration. Of course.
Martin laughed.
Although, it will become a story that never happened if you win.