"This is the place your grandfather arranged for you. You'll be staying here."
"I've already contacted the Shokugeki Bureau. They can clear a space for us in an hour. However, because it's sudden, there won't be any audience members besides the judges. Even the venue will be completely closed off. Is that alright?"
After taking Alice to the house the Nakiri family had arranged for her, Erina Nakiri spoke briefly with Hisako Arato, then approached Alice and said.
"The audience doesn't matter; they don't help with the Shokugeki anyway. What's important is being able to have a Shokugeki with Erina. I've been waiting for this day for a long time!"
Letting Jonah put down the luggage, Nakiri Alice looked at Erina Nakiri, her eyes burning with a fierce fighting spirit. And that look, for some reason, made Erina Nakiri a little flustered.
This girl, why is she so intense?! No, she had always been number one among her peers, what was there to be afraid of!? Nakiri Alice was the challenger!
"Then let's head out now. The theme will be drawn on-site."
"Exactly what I was thinking!" Nakiri Alice said excitedly.
At the Shokugeki venue.
"How did it turn into this?!"
Wearing a pristine white chef's uniform, standing on the Shokugeki stage, with not a single audience member below due to Hisako Arato's arrangements. As an internal battle between the Nakiri sisters, it wasn't suitable for outsiders to watch, regardless of who won or lost.
Everything had been normal, but somehow Nakiri Senzaemon had heard the news and rushed over, dropping everything he was doing.
At this moment, at the judges' table.
Nakiri Senzaemon sat in the main seat with his arms crossed. To his left sat Roland Chapelle, the head and lecturer of the French cuisine department, and to his right was Totsuki Resort's head chef, Gin Dojima.
This lineup, this was an all-star team!
"I never thought I'd see these two sisters have a Shokugeki on a rare trip back to Totsuki. Speaking of which, Nakiri-kun, you were in Northern Europe before, right? You seem to have made quite an achievement in the field of molecular gastronomy; your skills are not to be underestimated."
Watching the two sisters about to compete on the stage, the closely-cropped Gin Dojima sat upright, a hearty smile on his face.
"Molecular gastronomy is a brand new field. No one knows how far it can go, but Alice's courage to try is, in itself, commendable."
Sitting upright in the main seat, watching Nakiri Alice, who had brought her spirit to its peak, Nakiri Senzaemon couldn't help but praise her inwardly. He had long heard from Nakiri Leonora that Nakiri Alice had taken a formidable chef as her master. At the time, he was skeptical, as that chef was too young and had no officially recognized rank, sounding very much like a charlatan.
But, seeing the burning passion Nakiri Alice was displaying on the stage at this moment, he changed his initial thoughts. Ordinary teaching methods couldn't produce such a student!
"Although I'm not sure about Alice's master's true strength, one thing is certain: he is definitely not a simple character!" Nakiri Senzaemon muttered to himself. Because Nakiri Leonora had intentionally kept it a secret, wanting to give him a surprise, he currently didn't know Nakiri Alice's true strength.
"Well then, will the two contestants please step forward to draw the theme?"
The petite girl hosting this competition sounded a little nervous, seeing so many VIPs sitting below. However, her excellent professionalism allowed her to hold it together, standing between the two contestants to advance the Shokugeki proceedings. Fortunately, she didn't have much to host in this competition, only needing to appear at the beginning and end.
"Drawing the theme, huh..."
Looking at the rapidly changing theme before her, Nakiri Alice reached out without thinking and pressed it. The scrolling text slowly stopped, finally landing on two words: "Fish Jell-O." A somewhat subtle ingredient.
"Fish Jell-O, to think we'd draw such a theme..." Erina Nakiri looked at the theme before her, pinching her chin in thought, while Nakiri Alice paced back and forth on the stage.
"I've got it!"
Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Erina Nakiri had an idea and immediately jogged off the stage, striding towards a truck not far away. This was the ingredient truck arranged by the Shokugeki Bureau, specifically for this competition. It was so richly stocked that as long as you could think of an ingredient, it would basically be there, almost like a different kind of Doraemon's magic pocket!
Soon, Erina Nakiri emerged from the ingredient truck, carrying a basket filled with the ingredients needed for this dish. Before returning to the stage, she glanced up at Nakiri Alice, who was 'anxiously' pacing on the stage, and her nervousness dissipated somewhat.
"Hmph, can't even quickly come up with an answer for a theme of this level, and still dares to boast about beating me, truly ridiculous!" Sneering inwardly, Erina Nakiri returned to her cooking station, took out the salmon wrapped in parchment paper, and cut it into rectangular pieces with a knife. Then she added brandy, white pepper, and sea salt for a simple seasoning of the tuna, and set it aside.
The trimmed scraps were diced, also seasoned with brandy, white pepper, and sea salt, but this time she added a little olive oil. Tomatoes were also diced, placed in the bowl with the diced salmon scraps, mixed evenly with a fork, and set aside. Lemon sliced thinly, garlic sliced.
Heat a pan, add garlic slices, thyme, white wine, and brandy, bring to a boil over high heat to let the alcohol evaporate, leaving only the aroma of the wine. Then strain through a sieve into a bowl and set aside.
In another pan, pour red wine, add two lemon slices, a spoonful of honey, and wait for the red wine to reduce before removing the concentrated lemon slices.
After completing this step, Erina Nakiri looked up and found that Alice had finally started to move, taking a live cod from the ingredient storage. Seeing its vibrant energy, it must have been flown in just this morning.
However, why take a whole cod directly? Was she planning to kill it on the spot? Didn't she know the cooking time for this was only one hour!
"The quality is really good." Looking at the cod before her, Nakiri Alice gently stroked it, feeling its surging vitality, and muttered to herself.
Then she opened her cutlery case; inside was a complete set of Seven-Star Knives. She had gotten the blueprints from Dylan some time ago and had specifically sought out skilled craftsmen to forge them by hand, one by one. After more than half a year of getting used to them, she had already mastered the use of each knife and could coordinate them harmoniously, processing fish twice as fast as before!
"Stop struggling. You're already on the chopping block. No matter how much you struggle, it's too late." Nakiri Alice said, holding the Lucun Saber from the Seven-Star Knives, aiming directly at the cod's neck. In a flash, she decisively swung the knife. The blade accurately cut through the cod's carotid artery, instantly taking all its life.
Then, Nakiri Alice laid the cod flat on the cutting board, quickly scaling, deboning, gutting, and filleting it with various knives. The whole process was smooth and fluid, as if practiced countless times.
"These fundamentals are very solid!" Watching Nakiri Alice's performance, Gin Dojima at the judges' table couldn't help but praise, his eyes filled with admiration. If there was one thing that could best show a person's effort, it had to be their fundamentals! Because fundamentals couldn't be faked; however much you practiced would be reflected in your results, very clearly and visibly.
"Mm, I initially thought that since she took the path of molecular gastronomy, she wouldn't care much about fundamentals. Now it seems I had some preconceived notions." Gin Dojima's words made Nakiri Senzaemon nod, a smile appearing on his face. Clearly, Nakiri Alice's performance made him very satisfied.
"If you don't speed up, I'm going to surpass you." After completing this step, Nakiri Alice noticed Erina Nakiri's gaze, her mouth slightly agape, clearly surprised that she could dismember a whole cod so cleanly. The whole process took less than two minutes!
"Hmph, no need to remind me. You should speed up. This assessment is only one hour, and 20 minutes have already passed!" Hearing Nakiri Alice's words, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but snort coldly, then buried her head and focused on her own cooking.
"Forty minutes is more than enough!" Nakiri Alice said with a relaxed smile, putting the processed cod bones, along with onion, carrot, celery, and other vegetables, into a pot to boil over high heat, adding white wine to enhance the flavor while it simmered.
After finishing the longest part, she turned to process the cod fillets. First, she lightly soaked them in diluted saltwater to remove the fishy smell, then patted them dry with paper towels, brushed a layer of olive oil on the surface, sprinkled a small amount of sea salt, and let them sit for a moment to absorb the flavor.
Meanwhile, Erina Nakiri was also working hard, currently pan-frying salmon.
The cooking progressed intensely. Watching the two young girls operate with such skill, the VIPs at the judges' table couldn't help but discuss.
"Erina is indeed worthy of being the top student in the elementary division. Whether it's her ideas or techniques, there's not much difference from the Totsuki Elite Ten." Roland Chapelle watched Erina Nakiri's cooking and couldn't help but praise. The dish she was making was undoubtedly French, and it incorporated many of the things he had taught.
"Alice too. It's clear she worked very hard practicing her culinary skills in Northern Europe. I just don't know what kind of dish she'll present in the end. I still haven't experienced the special之处 of molecular gastronomy." Nakiri Senzaemon looked at Nakiri Alice, his voice tinged with a rare hint of doubt. Since her specialty was molecular gastronomy, why wasn't she using it?
"What's that?" Gin Dojima's voice sounded as he turned his gaze towards Nakiri Alice. Then the three of them saw two people in staff uniforms pushing a large, mostly steel device into the Shokugeki venue.
"Finally made it. I paid extra for express shipping, so it's worth it. Next, I'll let you witness my true strength, Erina!" Letting the two staff members lift the molecular gastronomy machine onto the Shokugeki stage, Nakiri Alice muttered under her breath.
Since she wanted to crush Erina Nakiri, she naturally had to go all out, making her realize the huge gap between them and thus be completely convinced.
This time, I will make you say 'delicious' with your own mouth, Erina! Thinking of this, the childhood memory of being told her food was "unappetizing" resurfaced in her mind. Nakiri Alice gnashed her teeth and returned to her cooking station, happening to meet the gaze of Erina Nakiri, who was looking at her due to the commotion. She then gave a relatively friendly smile.
"Is this so-called molecular gastronomy? Are you going to use this huge machine to cook next? But what's the use of this machine..." Such thoughts appeared in Erina Nakiri's mind. At this moment, she was also puzzled, as it was her first time seeing molecular gastronomy techniques.
"However, I will not lose!" Shaking her head, she refocused her attention. She forcefully smashed a spoon onto a plate, breaking up the thick sauce made with heavy cream, salt, and butter, to increase the visual impact. For French cuisine, plating was an incredibly important part.
After doing this, Erina Nakiri took out the Fish Jell-O that had been chilling in the refrigerator, cut it into three portions with a knife, then placed it on a cart and pushed it in front of Nakiri Senzaemon and the others.
"A French appetizer, Salmon Pudding. Please, three judges, try it." After saying this, Erina Nakiri made an inviting gesture with her hand, then stood aside to wait, her heart full of confidence.
And Nakiri Senzaemon and the other two, at this moment, also turned their gazes to the dish before them. The crystal-clear Salmon Pudding, garnished with a mint leaf, paired with the white cream sauce below, looked very exquisite.
Cutting off a piece with a knife and fork and putting it in his mouth, Gin Dojima couldn't help but close his eyes, carefully savoring the taste of this Salmon Pudding.
"The freshness and coolness of the Fish Jell-O are the overture of the whole dish. The lemon slices at the bottom bring a slight tartness and freshness, intertwining with the richness of the red wine and the sweetness of the honey, forming a base that is both fresh and deep." Feeling the taste in his mouth, Gin Dojima slowly explained. In terms of flavor shaping, Erina Nakiri had done an excellent job. This exquisite little French appetizer brought a rich and diverse taste experience.
"What I want to praise is the layer of minced salmon and diced tomatoes in the middle. This layer has a more delicate texture. The tenderness of the minced salmon and the sweet and sour taste of the tomatoes complement each other, making their flavors more distinct. At the same time, the broth mixed with gelatin flakes adds a smooth texture to this layer, allowing one to clearly feel the fineness of the ingredients and the smoothness of the broth when chewing." Roland Chapelle also couldn't help but nod in praise. It had to be said, she was indeed his student. After three years of systematic teaching, her understanding of French cuisine had reached the level of an average first-class head chef!
The top layer of pan-fried salmon, cooked to medium-rare, was the most essential part of the whole dish. The salmon fillet's skin was slightly seared yellow, while the inside remained tender and juicy, forming a sharp contrast with the freshness and delicacy of the previous two layers.
The umami of the fish itself and the aroma absorbed during pan-frying merged. Paired with the rich, milky, and slightly salty special sauce, it formed even more distinct layers in the mouth.
"A good piece of work!" Nakiri Senzaemon also nodded. At this moment, he seemed to have entered an ocean world. The seawater was clear to the bottom, sparkling, and in the distance were continuous snow-capped white mountains, reflected on the sea surface. And in this interweaving of blue and white, schools of salmon swam leisurely, looking incomparably lively and agile. They shimmered with silver light, like spirits in the sea! This dish gave an exceptionally fresh feeling, gently opening the tasters' palates, making them look forward even more to the next main course.
"Then it's my turn. I call this dish the Molecular Fish Jell-O Pagoda." Just as the evaluation of Erina Nakiri finished, Nakiri Alice walked up carrying a pagoda-shaped dish, a confident smile on her face.
"Molecular Fish Jell-O Pagoda?" Hearing Nakiri Alice's words, everyone present turned their gazes towards her, then saw the item she was holding.
It was a tower body alternately stacked with Fish Jell-O and thin fish slices. The Fish Jell-O was crystal clear, displaying a crystal-like texture, while the fish slices were as thin as cicada's wings, their delicate texture faintly visible.
The top of the tower body was covered with a light and delicate foam, presenting a cloud-like whiteness and fluffiness, adding a touch of dreaminess to the whole dish. Besides this, there were also seaweed crisps, caviar, and other ingredients garnishing the Fish Jell-O Pagoda. They served to enrich the dish's texture and flavor, and also formed a sharp visual contrast, like a princess's castle in a fairy tale world!
"What a beautiful work. Is this so-called molecular gastronomy?" Such a beautiful little pagoda surprised everyone. If Erina Nakiri's was exquisite plating, then Nakiri Alice's was exquisite from beginning to end. They just didn't know if this dish was beautiful and delicious, or if it was all show and no substance. The specifics would only be known after tasting!
"Let's taste it with a spoon." Seeing that they were preparing to continue using knives and forks, Nakiri Alice brought three spoons, because what she made was also a dessert.
"Then let's start tasting!" Nakiri Senzaemon looked at the dish before him, a hint of anticipation rising in his heart. As his voice fell, everyone picked up their spoons almost simultaneously.
The Fish Jell-O part presented a light and elastic texture. It gently melted on the tip of the tongue, releasing the umami broth carefully simmered from fish bones. This broth fused the richness of fish meat, the freshness of vegetables, and the fragrance of white wine, forming an indescribably wonderful taste.
Immediately following was the delicacy and umami brought by the cicada-wing-thin fish slices. And during the tasting process, the spoon would inevitably pick up some of the caviar dotted on the surface. These small black pearls burst in the mouth, releasing a rich, salty-fresh taste and fish oil aroma. Of course, these were not the key.
The most crucial part was the delicate foam on top of the Molecular Fish Jell-O Pagoda, which was made by whipping fish broth and special caviar soy sauce with high-pressure gas, as fine and dense as clouds, melting in the mouth! The tiny bubbles contained in the foam gently burst on the tip of the tongue, releasing a fresh and complex aroma that intertwined with the umami of the Fish Jell-O, forming an unprecedented taste experience.
"Truly, too intense!" A sound of clothes tearing rang out. Nakiri Senzaemon's muscles bulged high, and then he let out a long, turbid breath.
_______
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