Chapter 53
Chapter 53: Crossroad (4)
8 points. Jo Minjoon looked at that score dumbfoundedly for a long while. He didnt believe it. He thought that it was difficult to do so until now. And it wasnt that he had made a dish you were familiar with like Hugo. He wasnt familiar to, and didnt even like risotto. He got 8 points with that risotto.
It would be a weird thing if that situation made him only happy. Of course, his heart felt like exploding for the score he had received for the first time in his life, but at the same time, he felt dubious. How in the world could he get 8 points? Was concentration alone enough to do that?
Well, everybody take your hands off.
Even before he could organize his thoughts Joseph yelled. Of course, there was no one to have failed in completing their dish after 1 hour. Because 1 hour was enough to make risotto and paella.
As he slowly checked at his surroundings, his eyes fell on Kayas dish. He couldnt help it. Because he knew that she was showing a not confident attitude. But because of that, he couldnt help but wonder. Cooking score 8. He understood that. But.
Shallots and onions on a 1-1 ratio, parmigiano and reggiano, clam gravy, dry white wine.. This is exactly the same as Alans.
The dish Alan had served them just then was copied exactly the same in front of Kaya. Did she originally cook it like this? He didnt remember well.
Looking that it was 8 points means that she was successful in bringing out the same flavor. But can she get through the creativity?
Is not a problem that can get solved for me to worry about.
Those confident words made Alan momentarily flinch. Alan raised his head and looked at Jo Minjoon. A voice was heard. Not from Alan, but from Emily.
Minjoon. Last time you said that you had a scoring system. Was that called cooking score? So, what kind of score would you put to your dish? If you are confident, maybe a 7?
There were rumours in Grand Chefs house that Jo Minjoon scored a dish, and that he had said that his best was making a 7 points dish. Looking at Jo Minjoons confidence there was nothing wrong to say that his dish was a 7 point. But the weird thing was after that. Jo Minjoon replied while smiling brightly.
No. 8 points.
.8 points? Didnt you say that it was difficult with your current strength?
I wonder. Maybe the word miracle is used at times like this.
Jo Minjoons words were better than usual, it wasnt with the meaning to use as broadcast material. The judges, the participants and the casting crew that were looking at him all felt that. Joseph put the risotto in his mouth as if he couldnt take it more. He closed his eyes trying to feel the grains of rice one by one and soon, the same smile as Jo Minjoon was seen in his face.
I understand those words.
The happiness contained in those short words were really dense. Alan and Emily hurried to lift their spoon and ate the risotto. And at that moment, they could understand Josephs words.
Pear risotto. Actually, it wasnt a special recipe. The combination of prosciutto and pear was used by commoners a lot, and using sage leaves wasnt all that special either. Because it was a herb used frequently in risotto.
However, the depth of the flavor wasnt ordinary. Because even if it was the same recipe, according to the amount of dedication you put in and invest time and effort, the flavor would get different. Cooking was about that. Cooking didnt betray the time invested. Luxurious dishes taking a long time to make wasnt a coincidence either.
And from Jo Minjoons pear risotto, that dedication and time was felt clearly. The ingredients were exquisitely harmonious with each other, as if trying to not ruin the flavor even a little, and through the teeth the texture of rice grains that were chewed and the flavor of the gravy and wine were perfect beyond asking.
Alan opened his mouth. It was a voice filled with satisfaction.
How did you make this kind of risotto? Minjoon. This risotto kind of risotto shouldnt be able to be made by someone who doesnt know about risotto. Just say about seasoning, because thats entirely up to tasting. Someone like you should be able to catch that easily. However, it isnt for the rice. It shouldnt be easy to boil down the gravy this exquisitely
I wont entirely say that it was all because of my skills. Im thinking that I was really lucky back then.
But just because of that, it didnt change the fact that it was a good dish. Even if it was by coincidence, they felt good for having seen his potential. Joseph nodded and said.
Miracle comes to those who are ready for it. Minjoon. Its your luck and skills. Congratulations. If its 8 points it means that its the first time you have climbed your wall. The wall you have climbed once, will be easier to do so the other times.
Thank you. I would like it if its like that.
Jo Minjoon smiled and replied. Alan slightly glanced at the other judges. However, there was no need to ask them their opinions. Jo Minjoon had already said that his dish was 8 points. And the judges agreed to that. It was the best this he had made so far. Alan opened his mouth.
Minjoon. People are focused about your tasting right now. I also was like that. However, an excellent chef is not always an excellent epicurean. Even if you didnt have that sense of taste of yours, you should have still made an excellent dish. Because you are a person that can pour all of the attention in one risotto. That concentration will become your weapon.
I agree fully with Alan. Minjoon. If you place this risotto in any restaurant, it would never get a complaint. You are calling this moment to be a miracle, but if you keep working like this I believe that your everyday will be filled with these kinds of miracles. I ate well.
Emily continued to say after Alan. She was putting on a really big smile, maybe because of the risotto she had ate. Alan coughed and opened his mouth.
Go and treat your hand first, Minjoon.
.Did I pass?
The answer is on the plate.
Alan lifted his finger and pointed the plate. Risotto, no, the plate that contained the risotto. It was a really clean one.
< crossroad=”” (4)=””> End