"I'm done! Please try it!" As the available spots dwindled, someone, worried that all the slots would be taken, hastily finished their dish. They approached Mamei and the Fat Elder, an eager expression on their face.
Since the previous contestants had passed so smoothly, he figured he should be able to as well! After all, he was quite well-known in Guangzhou!
However, the two in front of him only took a single bite before putting down their chopsticks.
"Failed! If the taste isn't up to par, it doesn't matter how well the content fits the theme. This is a strict requirement. I hope you'll reflect on this. Don't let others influence you; that's the biggest taboo for a chef. Go and hone your skills for another year!"
Looking at the stunned man before him, the Fat Elder directly delivered the verdict. Before a dish could embody the theme, its taste was far more important!
If a dish's flavor didn't reach the standard of a Special Grade Chef, then no matter how well it fit the theme, it would absolutely not pass the examination!
This was a non-negotiable standard!
"Ah!" Hearing the Fat Elder's words, the man who had anxiously presented his dish cried out in agony, then rushed out of the Special Grade Chef examination site without a backward glance.
This sent a chill through the hearts of the other contestants on site. They silently adjusted their pace back to normal, aiming not for glory but simply to avoid mistakes.
At this moment, everyone understood: this wasn't a simple speed competition where whoever finished their dish fastest would pass!
"Welcome to try our Steak Diane, a classic French dish passed down for a hundred years, a unique representation of 'Eternal Vows' for the French people." Carrying their steaks, the French twins, having finished their dishes at almost the same time, approached the two judges. They flanked them, one on each side, and spoke in slightly awkward Chinese.
"Steak Diane? That is indeed a classic. It's a must-order steak for French people on dates; it certainly has a connection to 'Eternal Vows'." Mamei nodded. When she was younger, she had studied in France for two years and had a boyfriend during that time. He loved taking her to eat Steak Diane and explained in detail what it represented in France. She had been quite moved back then.
"Then let's begin tasting." The Fat Elder looked at the steaks before him, a joyful expression on his face. He was a man who couldn't live without meat; any kind of meat could excite him!
"This Maillard reaction is beautiful! Perfectly done. In this state, the aroma is at its peak – truly optimal! Overdo it, and many harmful substances are produced, and the fragrance will be tainted with bitterness. Many Western chefs struggle with this precise point."
Before eating, he first observed its appearance. Looking at the flawlessly executed Maillard reaction on the steak, the Fat Elder couldn't help but nod, his eyes full of appreciation.
He had been a head chef abroad for 20 years, specializing in French cuisine, so he could naturally discern the quality of these two Steak Dianes. They had definitely reached the Special Grade level for Western cuisine!
"The Steak Diane made from ribeye is tender and juicy. Due to its moderate and evenly distributed fat content, it offers both the umami of beef and the richness of fat. On the other hand, the Steak Diane made from sirloin is relatively chewier, especially the sinewy outer edge, which adds a unique textural layer and a strong beefy flavor."
The Fat Elder nodded as he compared them. Both cuts had their merits, but he personally preferred the ribeye. Moreover, every starred French restaurant would exclusively use ribeye for their Steak Diane.
Sirloin Steak Diane was more common in smaller restaurants because it was cheaper and the taste and texture were still quite good, so it had its market.
"There's no issue with the taste; both of you are excellent. However, do you truly understand what it means to use different cuts of meat for Steak Diane?" Looking at the two clearly inexperienced youths before her, Mamei opened her eyes after tasting the dish, a faint sadness in her voice.
"The difference in using different types of meat?" Aiden and Leah, the French blond twins, glanced at each other, both seeing confusion in the other's eyes. Mamei's words had indeed touched upon a gap in their knowledge.
"It seems you truly don't know. No wonder one of you presented a Steak Diane made with sirloin." Looking at the two Steak Dianes, Mamei suddenly recalled a not-so-pleasant memory, also concerning that boyfriend of hers.
"The most suitable cut for Steak Diane, if I recall correctly, should be ribeye. Sirloin is a newer version that emerged due to the scarcity of ribeye. Is there another story behind this?" The Fat Elder was also somewhat puzzled. Although he had cooked French cuisine for over 20 years and knew some stories behind the dishes, his knowledge was superficial, not profound.
"Although sirloin can be used for Steak Diane, it's slightly inferior in both texture and taste, and its price reflects that. So, there's a saying in French folk markets: you take your beloved to eat ribeye, and someone you're not so fond of to eat sirloin." Mamei's voice was heavy. This was something a French friend had told her when she was about to return to her country, as they were discussing her romantic experiences in France. Her friend had also said that every French person who had been in a relationship knew this.
"Being treated to a ribeye Steak Diane means true affection. Being treated to a sirloin Steak Diane means they just want to develop a blush-inducing, exciting fling with you." At that time, she had felt like she was struck by lightning, feeling her sincere feelings had been cruelly trampled upon. No wonder that man hadn't hesitated at all when they broke up.
"Just because of some folk rumors?" Leah frowned slightly, seemingly understanding what Mamei was about to say, and spoke up first. She didn't want her brother to be eliminated so easily.
"It's not just folk rumors. Because this matter bothered me, I specifically researched the history of Steak Diane. This dish was originally developed by a Three-Star Special Chef, Ram Toth."
His wife loved steak, but because she ate it every day, she quickly grew tired of all the steaks available on the market. And he loved his wife dearly, so he specially developed dozens of steak dishes for her.
Among them, Steak Diane became famous throughout France for its tender meat, soft and juicy texture, and rich, uniquely flavored sauce.
As a result, he became extremely busy, and the restaurant's revenue soared. However, just as he was enjoying success in both his family and career...
He discovered that the paper manuscript of the Steak Diane secret recipe was missing! Through a hidden camera, he found out his wife had stolen it.
Subsequently, he hired a private detective to investigate and found she was very close to a young man in his twenties. They even had photos of the two entering the same hotel. Without a doubt, he had been cuckolded.
After learning about this, Ram Toth was disheartened, closed his restaurant, and fell into despair for a long time.
But soon, Ram Toth pulled himself together. He quickly gathered enough evidence to sue his wife, leaving her with nothing, and applied for a national patent for Steak Diane.
This meant that even though the pair had stolen the secret recipe, they couldn't use it openly.
Finally, the young man came up with a solution: substitute the ribeye in Steak Diane with sirloin, adjust the proportions of the ingredients in the recipe, and named it Steak Dainna.
However, because the two dishes tasted similar and their names were also alike, later chefs, as the recipe was passed down, reverted it back to 'Steak Diane,' becoming another derivative version, causing people to forget the story behind it."
Mamei stated the results of her investigation. France is famous for romance, yet it's one of the countries with the highest infidelity rates. It's quite ironic, one must say!
"So, this Steak Diane you made with sirloin doesn't represent 'Eternal Vows,' but rather a thief in love!" Mamei said forcefully. If one chose to participate in the examination using the backstory of a dish, they had to be prepared for it to backfire at any moment!
"Steak Diane made with sirloin is actually a pirated version by an adulterer?!" Aiden's jaw dropped, seemingly in disbelief. But this was information that could be easily found with a quick online search; the other party wouldn't lie to him about it.
In other words, he had made a grave mistake!
And this very mistake made it absolutely impossible for him to pass this Special Grade Chef examination themed on 'Eternal Vows'!
Dong!
"French chef Leah, passed."
"French chef Aiden, eliminated. Please come back next year!" Mamei personally delivered Aiden's verdict. Someone who didn't research the market before preparing a dish, who acted rashly on hearsay, could not become a Special Grade Chef!
"To think there's such a story behind Steak Diane, it's truly surprising! Sister, I'm counting on you now." Aiden quickly accepted his failure, looking at Leah with a bright smile.
"Don't worry, brother! I'll become a Special Grade Chef in Guangzhou! When I do, I'll lend you the Dragon-shaped Armband to wear!"
"I'll be waiting for that day." Leah said seriously to Aiden, then looked towards Mamei in the distance and gave a very polite bow, as a sign of gratitude for her evaluation and clarification.
As a pair of homebody siblings who had been immersed in cooking since childhood and knew little about the outside world, they naturally wouldn't have specifically researched the history of a dish.
After all, Steak Diane held no special meaning for them; it was just a dish they had practiced a lot. Hearing the theme of this examination, they thought they could use it directly, and so they did. They never expected to fall into such a pitfall because of it.
And the siblings' one win and one loss further made people understand the true caliber of this Special Grade Chef examination.
The same dish, due to a difference in the main ingredient, yielded completely opposite results!
After this, over the next two hours, people continuously presented their dishes, yet not a single person passed smoothly, until that mature woman.
"Cantonese Beef Stew."
A beef stew made using Cantonese soup-making techniques, combining the essence of both Cantonese and Xiang cuisine, instantly conquered the palates of Mamei and the Fat Elder! After the routine questions, she became the fourth person to pass.
Now, only five chefs remained on site.
Sonoka Kinokuni knew she couldn't pass. After finishing her dish, she didn't present it to the judges but went directly to Dylan, requesting his evaluation and advice. Because she bowed very low when asking, her ample cleavage made Dylan momentarily unable to look away, and he subconsciously nodded in agreement.
Thus, the two found a corner and used the cooking station there to discuss. Mamei saw all this but didn't intervene.
After all, Sonoka Kinokuni had already voluntarily given up on the examination and was just borrowing a cooking station in the exam hall. There was no need for Mamei to offend Dylan, this rising star of the culinary world, over such a small matter. So, she turned a blind eye.
Just then, Taki Kakuzaki also finished her dish, carrying a small clay pot to Mamei and the Fat Elder.
"Spanish-style Specialty Beef Stew with Rice, please try it!" Placing the clay pot on the table before the judges, Taki Kakuzaki looked at them with determined eyes and said earnestly, word by word.
As her voice fell, she opened the clay pot in front of them. White steam immediately billowed out, accompanied by a rich aroma.
"Black rice? Is it forbidden rice? No, it's absorbent short-grain rice. Could this black color be squid ink?" Looking at the rice, Mamei pondered for a moment before speaking, a hint of surprise on her face. She clearly hadn't expected someone to pair squid ink with rice. This was indeed a novel combination!
"In any case, let's taste it first." Although the black rice looked a bit like an experimental disaster, the aroma in the air was incredibly appetite-whetting.
"The beef, slow-cooked for a long time, has become tender and juicy. With every bite, one can feel the umami within the beef fibers and the richness of the broth. At the same time, the sweetness and sourness of tomatoes, the slight spiciness of paprika, and the sweetness of onions and garlic have slowly melded in the clay pot, creating a multi-layered taste." Scooping a spoonful of the stewed rice mixed with beef into her mouth, Mamei closed her eyes to savor it carefully, analyzing the flavors of the dish.
"The addition of seafood brings an even fresher umami element to this dish, forming a sharp contrast with the richness of the beef, and also making the overall flavor of the dish more three-dimensional." The Fat Elder also nodded from the side. The combination of seafood and beef was uncommon, but because the proportions were well-controlled, the taste was better than expected.
"The short-grain rice has slowly absorbed the broth in the clay pot, becoming soft and chewy. It retains the distinctness of the grains while fully absorbing the essence of the broth. It's truly a model for stewed rice dishes!"
"Finally, the addition of green peas also adds a refreshing texture and color to the dish, making the overall mouthfeel richer and more diverse." Mamei and the Fat Elder spoke one after another, expressing high approval for the dish. Then, they both looked at Taki Kakuzaki and asked, "So, how does your dish embody 'Eternal Vows'?!"
"The tough texture and rich nutrition of the beef symbolize the tenacity and endurance of love. The addition of squid ink gives the entire dish a deep black color, as unfathomable as the true sea. To fuse these two together requires a long time of slow simmering. Just like lovers, only by spending a great deal of time undergoing trials and tribulations can their bond become firmer and deeper. This is my 'Eternal Vows'!"
As she said this, Taki Kakuzaki glanced at Dylan in the distance. Because both of them were making dishes that required a long cooking time, she had directly adapted his words. It had to be said, using a formula to solve a problem was indeed fast!
When Dylan heard her answer, he just smiled faintly and looked down without saying anything, because all he could see before him was a vast expanse of white. Due to the height difference, with Sonoka Kinokuni standing in front of him, his view was completely unobstructed. He finally understood why Taki Kakuzaki called her a "big-chested monster."
Dong
"Japanese chef Taki Kakuzaki, passed!" With a strike of the gong, the fifth person to pass appeared.
"Alright!" Hearing she had passed, Taki Kakuzaki jumped up excitedly, then trotted over to Dylan and Sonoka Kinokuni, a clear smile on her face.
"Not bad. It seems she's teachable material after all." Dylan nodded. Although Taki Kakuzaki's previous attitude towards the examination wasn't good, to know one's mistakes and be able to correct them is the greatest virtue. She had finally passed the preliminary test.
"The remaining contestants can stop what you're doing! You have been eliminated!" The Fat Elder's resonant voice echoed through the hall, causing the chefs who were still struggling desperately to freeze, looking at Taki Kakuzaki with expressions of unwillingness.
Some even went limp and collapsed, clearly unable to bear the blow.
"At least taste our dishes first! Maybe we're better than her!" Someone stepped forward with an unwilling expression, wanting to argue with the Fat Elder.
"Even if you are better than her, it won't do. It was made very clear at the beginning: the examination ends once five successful candidates have emerged. The rest of you, go back!" The Fat Elder's imposing voice rang out. The few remaining chefs sighed, then packed their tools and left the examination site.
"The preliminary test for Special Grade Chef is now entirely concluded. The official test will begin shortly!" Striding to a wide iron door at the end of the room, the Fat Elder looked down at the successful candidates, his aura at its peak.
"The five successful candidates, you have all expressed the theme of 'Eternal Vows' very well."
"Freelance chef Dylan, using beef trimmings, simmered a pot of intensely flavorful beef, symbolizing an inseparable bond, with a texture that is satisfyingly chewy yet not greasy, and a taste of powerful impact. Therefore, passed."
"Iron Arm Amu of Chao Taste Pavilion, his beef dish is Guangzhou's famous Chaoshan Beef Balls. Only love that has been tempered through a thousand trials can stand firm until the end! Passed!"
"French chef Leah, Steak Diane, a must-order steak for French dates, possessing unique cultural heritage and symbolic meaning. Passed!"
"Xiang cuisine chef Lanyu Jin, she combined Cantonese cuisine, one of Guangzhou's three major cuisines, with Xiang cuisine. Her innovation is like the most steadfast vow between mountains and seas; though different in style, they can coexist harmoniously. Passed!"
"Japanese chef Taki Kakuzaki, used seafood to accentuate the richness of the beef, and utilized a long cooking time to prove the eternity of love. Passed!"
"The five of you mentioned above, please prepare to participate in the official Special Grade Chef test now. The five of you, gather at the main gate immediately! You will proceed to the true Dueling Kitchen!"
After saying this, the large door in front of the Fat Elder slowly opened, and then he and Mamei disappeared from the examination site. Dylan and the others exchanged glances and chose to head towards the main gate together.
Passing through several corridors, they soon arrived at their destination for this trip: the main gate.
At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun painted the sky; it was already evening. The true examination for Special Grade Chef was about to begin!
________
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