"Done!"
Looking at the Molecular Honey-Glazed Char Siu in the oven, which was gradually reaching its peak state, Alice Nakiri clenched her fists slightly, an excited expression appearing on her face.
Opening the oven and feeling the rolling heatwave from within, Alice Nakiri picked up tongs and pulled out the oven rack.
The next moment, the Char Siu was completely exposed to the outside, and its aroma reached its zenith at this instant, rushing in all directions the moment it left the oven.
"What an intoxicating aroma."
Looking at the freshly baked Molecular Honey-Glazed Char Siu, Alice Nakiri took a deep breath with a look of enjoyment, savoring the wonderful fragrance.
Ignoring the scalding heat, she placed the grill rack on the cooking station, removed the meat, and quickly sliced it into Char Siu pieces of uniform length and width, arranging them on a plate.
And that wasn't all. She then picked up the pot with the previously prepared syrup and, using a spoon, drizzled the emulsified Char Siu honey glaze she had concocted earlier over the meat.
"Have a taste, Master. This is the best I've performed in a while. It's Molecular Honey-Glazed Char Siu, made by combining the emulsification technique from molecular gastronomy with the traditional cooking method for Char Siu."
Wiping away a thin layer of sweat that had formed on her forehead due to the heat, Alice Nakiri presented the dish to Dylan as if offering a treasure, her eyes full of expectation.
"Actually, you made a fatal mistake."
Without even tasting it, just by looking at the color of the Molecular Honey-Glazed Char Siu, Dylan suddenly spoke.
"Huh? What mistake..."
Hearing Dylan's words, the excited expression on Alice Nakiri's face suddenly froze. She then swallowed, her earlier anticipation turning entirely into nervousness, her heart beginning to pound "thump-thump" rapidly.
"I believe I've told you before that the temperature of different ovens varies. Many factors influence them, and the specific temperature needs to be determined through repeated experimentation by the chef. Under the same temperature setting, a home oven's temperature is lower, while a hotel's large oven temperature is higher. This is because the heating elements in a hotel's large oven are more powerful, and due to its larger volume, the temperature control is also stronger. As a chef, I don't want you to make this kind of low-level mistake."
Dylan's tone was serious.
Although this midterm assessment mostly involved training in Chinese cooking techniques, and ovens were rarely used from start to finish, it was somewhat excusable that Alice Nakiri hadn't noticed this.
But, he did not accept such an excuse.
Because he had explained similar issues to Alice Nakiri when she was eight years old.
At that time, Alice Nakiri had patted her not-so-ample chest and solemnly promised him that she would always remember.
Furthermore, such a low-level mistake really shouldn't occur from a Special Grade Chef.
Even if he hadn't said it, it shouldn't have happened.
"I'm sorry..."
Alice Nakiri hung her head like a defeated rooster, her voice full of dejection, a faint chill running down her back.
After Dylan pointed it out, she finally realized what a rudimentary mistake she had made.
"Don't apologize. If you made a mistake this time, just correct it next time. However, a punishment is still necessary, otherwise I'm afraid you won't learn your lesson in the future. Come to my room tonight; I think you've been getting a bit carried away lately!"
Looking at the dejected Alice Nakiri before him, Dylan continued.
"Okay, I understand."
His words, however, made the young woman's face flush red, but she still nodded and replied in a small voice.
"..."
On the other side, Erina Nakiri had long been startled by this scene. How did the usually amiable Dylan Sensei suddenly become so angry?!
Thinking of this, Erina Nakiri turned her head to glance at Alice Nakiri, noticing the young woman with her head bowed, looking utterly dejected.
"In that case, doesn't that mean my chances of winning are huge?!"
At this thought, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. If Dylan and Alice Nakiri weren't right beside her, she probably would have burst out laughing.
It seemed that this time, not only could she claim the top spot on the leaderboard, but she could also get rid of "Alice-oneechan," that shameful form of address!
Hooray!
"Actually, the issue of excessive temperature isn't unsolvable. As long as you constantly monitor the oven and observe the color changes of the maltose syrup on the surface of the Char Siu, you can still identify the problem. Cooking requires a balance of tension and relaxation. You came over here to rest for a while during the cooking process—that's relaxation, I won't fault you for that. But, when it's time to be tense, you must be tense. From the moment the Char Siu enters the oven to the final product coming out, it's only a matter of a few minutes. It's not difficult for you to keep an eye on the oven."
While lecturing Alice Nakiri, Dylan picked up a piece of Char Siu with his chopsticks, lifted it to the light, and examined it closely.
Looking at the unevenly colored Char Siu honey glaze on the surface of the meat, he couldn't help but shake his head slightly. This was a sign of improper control of the heat.
This girl had always been number one, with no rivals in Tōtsuki. Her mentality had inevitably become inflated, leading to such a problem.
She needed a good reprimand; otherwise, if this continued, things could escalate to an uncontrollable point. Arrogance was the sharp knife that killed a chef!
"I'm sorr... I understand! I will never make such a low-level mistake again."
The words of apology were about to come out, but remembering what Dylan had just said, Alice Nakiri clenched her fists and swallowed them back. The next moment, she lifted her head to look him straight in the eye, speaking with a determined expression.
"Very good, that's the spirit! Although this mistake isn't major, it can lower the grade of your dish by one level. You still need to be more meticulous in your cooking in the future."
Seeing Alice Nakiri's determined expression, Dylan finally nodded with satisfaction and then put the Char Siu on his chopsticks into his mouth.
The Char Siu, having undergone meticulous sous-vide processing, allowed the deep aroma of the sauce to perfectly meld with the freshness of the plum blossom pork. The meat became exceptionally tender, yet it didn't lose its original chewiness and layered texture.
And under the gentle embrace of the sous-vide cooking, every spice in the sauce seemed to transform into a magician.
The aromas of onion, shallot, garlic, ginger, and green onion deeply penetrated every fiber of the meat, perfectly blending with the meat's own fragrance, forming an indescribably mellow aroma.
The richness of the cooking wine and the umami of the oyster sauce were also gradually released during the slow cooking process, perfectly integrating with the plum blossom pork, adding an incredibly unique freshness and sweetness to it.
The addition of dark soy sauce not only cloaked the plum blossom pork in an alluring reddish-brown coat but also made its flavor richer and more layered.
The tempering effect of the white sugar harmonized the taste of the entire dish, making it neither too salty nor overly sweet, achieving a perfect balance of flavors.
This was the most essential flavor of this Molecular Honey-Glazed Char Siu, a flavor accumulated through the technique of sous-vide cooking!
"Through the sous-vide cooking method, the Char Siu meat is tender and juicy, with a slight chewiness. Compared to common Char Siu, its texture is more delicate, and the meat is softer."
Beside him, Erina Nakiri also picked up a piece of Char Siu and put it into her mouth. Feeling its unique texture, she couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"At the same time, the intricately processed Char Siu sauce presents a complex, incredibly rich aroma, and its texture is exceptionally smooth. It must be the effect of that machine. What operation did you use to make the texture of the Char Siu sauce so silky!"
Erina Nakiri savored the taste in her mouth, looking at Alice Nakiri with curiosity.
And apart from the core flavor of the Char Siu meat, there was also the honey glaze enveloping its surface, which formed a protective film after air drying.
This protective film prevented the Char Siu from becoming too dry during the roasting process and helped retain its internal juices, which was the ultimate secret to the Char Siu's tender and juicy texture!
"That's the emulsification function in the molecular gastronomy machine; it can speed up the emulsification of the sauce."
"Emulsification?"
Hearing Dylan's words, Erina Nakiri was somewhat puzzled. She knew the term, but she didn't know if he meant the same thing she understood.
"Emulsification technology allows the oil-based and water-based components in the Char Siu sauce to form tiny droplets and disperse evenly. When tasting emulsified Char Siu sauce, diners can experience a silkier, creamier texture."
Dylan's voice sounded from the side, explaining Alice Nakiri's earlier operation.
"Is it like whipping cream?"
"The principle is the same."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's question, Dylan nodded, then put another piece of Char Siu into his mouth.
"The Char Siu, after being cooked sous-vide, fully absorbed the aromas of numerous seasonings, and then was coated with the Char Siu honey glaze, locking the fragrance within. One bite leaves a lingering aroma on the lips and teeth; the quality is very high. However, due to the slight lack of heat control, the aftertaste is a little bitter. Because you poured another layer of Char Siu honey glaze after this, most people honestly wouldn't be able to taste this subtle flavor."
After eating a few more pieces, Dylan gave a comprehensive evaluation.
The oven issue affected the grade of this dish. If it could be resolved, this Molecular Honey-Glazed Char Siu could very well become a One-Star Special Grade dish.
If a dish was scored out of 100, reaching the 80-point mark would be a so-called Special Grade dish.
And 95 to 100 points was the level of a Glowing Dish. Exceeding 100 points reached a new realm—Flowing Light Cuisine.
For dishes of the same score (level), the more complex the preparation steps and the more harmonious the flavor combinations, the higher the overall score.
Sometimes, exceptionally complex dishes could also compensate for deficiencies in completion.
Ultimately, the most important thing in cooking was still the taste, not the so-called glowing effect.
"Indeed, there's a faint, subtle bitterness at the very end of the aftertaste. It should be the taste of maltose caramelizing under high heat. However, Dylan Sensei, do you also possess the God Tongue? Why can you taste even such detailed flavors? Even I have to concentrate carefully."
Opening her eyes from the reverie of the aftertaste, Erina Nakiri looked at Dylan with a complicated expression.
She had also put in some effort to taste that slight bitterness in this dish. If it were an ordinary person, they wouldn't be able to detect it at all!
"You haven't yet developed your God Tongue to its fullest. It's currently only in its initial state, so its abilities are naturally limited."
Dylan didn't directly answer Erina Nakiri's question, but from his words, it wasn't hard to tell that he also possessed a similar ability.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have said: "Your ability has not yet been developed to its fullest."
"The God Tongue hasn't been developed to its fullest..."
Dylan's words made Erina Nakiri think. Then, she looked at him seriously: "Dylan Sensei, do you have a way to help my God Tongue grow?"
A hint of longing was revealed in the young woman's eyes. When she asked this question, her heart pounded "thump-thump-thump" rapidly, her fists slightly clenched in nervousness.
Her current God Tongue was already very powerful. If it could be improved further, Erina Nakiri didn't dare to imagine what level it could reach!
"Of course. I have a specialized training method, but you'll have to become a Special Grade Chef before you can use it. For you right now, it's a bit too intense."
Looking at the young woman's eyes, Dylan naturally understood her thoughts. He didn't hide anything and directly stated the prerequisite for teaching: becoming a Special Grade Chef.
"Become a Special Grade Chef?"
Erina Nakiri repeated Dylan's words, feeling somewhat conflicted. This guy made it sound too easy; was becoming a Special Grade Chef that simple?!
Even among the Tōtsuki Elite Ten, the only one who had become a Special Grade Chef before graduation was that senior who graduated with the top scores of all years over a decade ago, Gin Dojima.
Most others only became Special Grade Chefs a few years after graduation. If it was a less talented cohort, it wasn't uncommon for some to never become Special Grade Chefs in their lifetime.
"Don't overthink it. With my special training, it won't take long for you to become Special Grade. Of course, the premise is that you listen to me."
Looking at Erina Nakiri's melancholic expression, Dylan spoke.
Her foundation was good, unlike Alice Nakiri who needed to be taught from scratch. At most, it would take her a little over a year to complete her transformation.
In fact, the first year of high school was inherently the time for these students to transform. There was also an interesting fellow who would enroll around that time.
"Hmm, the transfer student assessment... Perhaps I can come up with something interesting."
Dylan stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Dylan Sensei, Dylan Sensei!"
Just as Dylan was lost in thought, a few calls and a gentle shake brought him back to his senses. He then looked at Erina Nakiri.
"Dylan Sensei, you still haven't said who the winner of this match is."
Seeing Dylan finally snap out of it, Erina Nakiri asked, her gaze somewhat evasive.
"Don't you already know the answer?"
Looking at her, Dylan said speechlessly.
How could a girl possessing the God Tongue not be able to discern the quality of a dish? She was merely waiting for his confirmation to completely give up hope.
"Is that so? Damn it!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Erina Nakiri pouted, a helpless expression on her face. It seemed the gap between her and Alice Nakiri was still quite large.
Indeed, it was impossible to surpass her relying on this kind of special training that everyone had.
She would have to interact more with Dylan Sensei later and see if she could receive special training, preferably the kind that she had, and Alice didn't!
Dylan's secret training!
"Although I lost again this time, the gap between us isn't that big anymore. If this continues, it won't be long before I catch up to you!"
Accepting her defeat, Erina Nakiri looked at Alice Nakiri beside her. Even though she had won the match, that girl didn't seem too happy.
Damn it, did she disregard her that much!
"Before you say that, remember to call me Alice-oneechan first. You haven't forgotten our previous bet, have you, little sister Erina?"
Looking at the high-spirited Erina Nakiri, Alice Nakiri couldn't help but deal a blow. She had just been reprimanded by Dylan and didn't want to see Erina getting so carried away!
"I know, Alice-oneechan."
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri said with a slight flush on her face.
When she spoke, she didn't dare to meet Alice's gaze, but her voice was much more natural than before. Clearly, being managed like this during this period had made her accustomed to it.
But, she would absolutely never admit this!
"Hey! Little sister Erina. Hearing your voice makes my mood much better. From now on, call me like this. I didn't even get to enjoy this treatment when we were little, but now I'm enjoying it."
Alice Nakiri responded cheerfully, a smile reappearing on her face, looking to be in a good mood.
"Alright, the match is over. The final winner is Alice Nakiri. It's getting late now, everyone go back and rest. Tomorrow morning, find your own opponents to challenge. Alice, come with me."
Dylan stood up and spoke to the surrounding students, then looked at Alice Nakiri beside him. She also happened to look up, their eyes meeting.
"Mm."
Their gazes met and separated in an instant. Alice Nakiri nodded lightly, then followed behind Dylan, the second to walk out of the kitchen.
Erina Nakiri watched all of this, feeling somewhat conflicted.
Then, as if she suddenly thought of something, she quickly followed them out, then went down to the fifth floor, where Hisako Arato was in the middle of a Shokugeki.
"The final score is 3-0! The winner is Hisako Arato, who presented Black Chicken and Turtle Soup! What a splendid Shokugeki!"
The judge's voice clearly reached everyone present, including Erina Nakiri who had just entered through the door, which made her smile.
"Hisako, well done."
"Erina-sama, you're here!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Hisako Arato, who was wearing a white chef's uniform and looking sternly at her opponent, broke into a smile and then trotted to her side.
"Go over there and lie face down on the bed."
After entering the room, Dylan closed the door and locked it, then urged Alice Nakiri.
"I understand, Master. I'll do as you say."
Hearing Dylan's extremely direct words, Alice Nakiri's face visibly reddened. She then pursed her lips and spoke.
"I only told you to lie face down on the bed, I didn't tell you to take off your pants... And what's with that tone of yours? Anyone who didn't know better would think I was doing something..."
Watching Alice Nakiri's actions, Dylan hurriedly stepped forward to stop her, simultaneously retorting about what she had just said.
He merely wanted to give a small punishment; why did it sound like he was a pervert under the embellishment of her words.
"I feel this way will make the memory deeper, and hitting through clothes doesn't feel right. I'm ready, let's start quickly, Dylan-nii."
Reaching out to double-check that the room door was locked, Alice Nakiri's face was very red. She then walked to the bedside and lay face down directly.
"Forget it, let's just do it this way."
Dylan said, raising his hand high.
To deal with a disobedient disciple, one must resort to some means to make her remember.
Remember this shame!
Never make this kind of mistake again!
_____
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