Chapter 24
Chapter 24: Three dishes and one meal (3)
Posted on May 31, 2016 by bsubak — 10 Comments ↓
“Time is over. Hands off the plate!”
Alan shouted sharply. Jo Minjoon looked calmly at Alan. Alan looked at all 9 participants and said.
“I’ll evaluate each team separately. Chloe, Minjoon, Marco. Bring your dish over here.”
Jo Minjoon grabbed the plate that contained the soft fried tofu and walked to where Alan was. The three plates were placed. Emily looked at the dishes and confusedly, opened her mouth.
“A japanese fried tofu, along with chinese fried scallops and on top of that, biscuits…. It feels as if various cultures are mixed. But would they suit each other?”
The one who replied to that was Chloe. She had a smile that anyone who looked at her would have a good impression towards her, and said.
“I think it will. Just like our team. We are all from different cultures but are harmonious.”
“I hope so.”
After finishing her words, Emily split the tofu. The fried coating was sticked to the tofu, so even while splitting it, it didn’t seem like it will crumble. With just that, Emily seemed half satisfied. At least, she was with the tofu.
The spoon was filled with the soy sauce, and on top of that was placed the soft fried tofu. Emily, with an elegant snap, put the tofu in her mouth.
While chewing it, Emily could know. That it was well made. She didn’t feel even a little bit of oil from the tofu juices. The soy sauce felt lighter because of the lime juice, and even while eating the tofu, she felt like she was eating salad.
Alan was expressing exactly what Jo Minjoon was thinking. Precisely speaking, it was what everyone was thinking. Perhaps, it would be better if she had made salmon sushi. But for it to be a hot tataki. That was too heavy for it to be an appetizer.
Kaya looked at Alan without saying anything. In the end, Anderson couldn’t endure anymore and opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry. Actually…..”
“Enough. I heard from the director. You fought for the spot of the main dish? It’s good for you to fight. But do you have to influence the dish because of that?”
Alan was looking at Anderson, but his words were also directed at Kaya. Kaya frowned a little and glared at Alan. She said with her low and husky voice.
“At least eat it. It will be delicious.”
When listening to Kaya’s angry voice, only then could Jo Minjoon understand the situation. When the winner candidates Anderson and Kaya formed a team, the results were disaster. The reason was simple. The dessert was in charge another participant but, Anderson and Kaya were arguing about who would be cooking the main dish.
The results of that was Anderson making the main dish. But after that, Kaya’s dish was the problem. She made the same salmon tataki as an appetizer. You couldn’t know if it was because she lacked understanding about appetizers, or because she felt resentment towards Anderson.
But the results were what was showing right now.
“I can’t eat this dish. I think that the other judges are thinking the same thing as me.”
Alan talked like that and looked at Emily and Joseph. The both of them were silent and just nodded. Joseph said lamenting.
“Kaya, why did you cook this dish? You are someone who understands cooking. And that also means that you understand the fun of eating. This….. I can’t say that this is the entirety. I can’t even judge the taste. Rather than disappointment, it is despair. How could this…..”
Joseph couldn’t even end what he was saying and let out a sigh. Jo Minjoon just looked at that sight. Those were some really harsh words to say in front of an 8 point dish, but Jo Minjoon understood them. It was just like Joseph had said. That dish got diverted from the theme. It didn’t have consideration for the one eating it, nor was made sincerely. It was a dish filled with selfishness, and rage because the main dish was taken.
And only then could Jo Minjoon understand. Even if Kaya was a genius, she was still an 18 year old girl. That she was still an ugly duck that had yet to grow to become a swan.* She was still a girl who couldn’t even control her own emotions.
Silence filled the room. Jo Minjoon just stared at the salmon tataki salad Kaya had made. 8 points. A dish that was difficult to let it go. But at the same time, a dish that no one could place a hand on.
This…..
< Three dishes and one meal (3) > End