"I wonder what it'll taste like. Pork, beef, and lamb are arguably the three most common medium-sized meat animals.
To combine them...
Erina Nakiri swallowed, curious about the taste of Ikumi Mito's dish. Combining these three ingredients... it couldn't be a dark dish, could it?
At the same time, the audience in the front rows also focused their gaze on Ikumi Mito, or more precisely, on the bowl in front of her.
As she finished slicing and portioning the dish, the staff on site came forward one after another, picked up the portioned dishes, and headed towards the audience in the first two rows below.
"I never thought I'd have a day where I'd be a judge."
In the front row, an audience member looked at the bowl in front of them and couldn't help but exclaim.
Then, they used chopsticks to pick up a piece, their gaze shimmering with curiosity.
On the meat patty, the lamb, pork loin, and beef fat were distinctly layered, interwoven, forming unique textures and color contrasts.
The bottom of the bowl was lined with a thin layer of roasted onion, which was used to pad the meat during roasting, providing a rich aroma to the patty.
Moreover, the golden color of the onion contrasted sharply with the brown of the meat patty, greatly stimulating one's appetite.
Looking at the dish before them, which was perfect in color, aroma, and taste, the audience member clasped their hands together in the signature gesture before eating, then picked up their chopsticks, brought the dish to their mouth, closed their eyes, and savored it.
The deliciousness and unique umami of the lamb became even richer after marination.
At the same time, it intertwined with spices such as minced garlic, minced ginger, and onion shreds in the marinade, forming a profound and complex flavor.
"The lamb's texture is firm but not tough, with a natural fresh aroma. The addition of pork loin brings a light delicacy and tenderness to this dish. And the use of beef fat is the crowning touch of this dish. When melted, it seeps into the other two meats, bringing a rich fatty aroma and a silky smooth texture to the entire dish."
Feeling the rich taste on their tongue, the audience member couldn't help but sigh in satisfaction. The final addition of beef fat not only enhanced the overall richness but also made the meat more tender and juicy, melting in the mouth.
Indeed, meat is best when it has a good balance of fat and lean!
"Dylan-sensei, please."
Hearing the praise from those around her, Ikumi Mito raised her hand in an inviting gesture, her large eyes blinking with anticipation, hoping to receive praise from him.
"Alright,"
Dylan nodded lightly and took the plate she offered.
Looking at the three layers of meat, which had already fused together with the aid of cooking twine, he picked up a piece with his chopsticks.
"The ratio between the lean meats and the fat needs adjustment, that's one thing. Another is that the cooking technique is too monotonous; the spices were all added at once, without creating layers of flavor..."
As the dish entered his mouth, Dylan savored its taste and began to offer his evaluation.
The idea was good, but it was too crude.
For this dish to become truly excellent, it needed further refinement. If it were him, he would consider using vegetables or fruits to enhance the flavor.
"Oh, right!"
Ikumi Mito nodded, quickly jotting down Dylan's suggestions in a small notebook. She would focus on trying them out when she returned.
"Besides that, there's also..."
Looking at the serious-faced Ikumi Mito, Dylan took another bite of the dish and continued to analyze its shortcomings, interspersed with some praise for its strengths.
"My dish is also complete! Beer Lamb, Pineapple Edition!"
Just then, Subaru Mimasaka completed his dish.
He didn't rush to distribute it to the audience below. Instead, he strode quickly to Dylan, giving a portion to him and one to Ikumi Mito.
"Have a taste. See the difference between us."
A triumphant smile appeared on his face. After saying this, Subaru Mimasaka returned to his cooking station, portioned the dish from the pot, and had the staff distribute it to the audience below for tasting.
Looking at Subaru Mimasaka's retreating back, as he left without another word after delivering the dish, Ikumi Mito clenched her source material and muttered with some dissatisfaction.
Dylan, however, showed no change in expression, calmly looking at the Beer Lamb in front of him.
Compared to regular beer, pineapple beer carries a faint fruity aroma. Mixed with the fragrant lamb fat rendered from pan-frying, it creates a unique cadence.
"This improvement is actually quite good. The original beer, as a working liquid, brought a refreshing malt aroma and a faint boozy fragrance to this dish. Subaru Mimasaka's innovation lies in replacing beer with pineapple beer, which not only retains the original boozy aroma of Beer Lamb but also adds a fruity fragrance and a hint of sweet and sour. The result is that the entire dish's flavor becomes more lively and fresh, possessing both the richness of traditional Beer Lamb and the innovation of a fruity taste."
Upon entering the mouth, the flavors within the lamb spread like a small bomb. The aroma of fat swirls on the tongue, and the meat becomes tender and flavorful.
The addition of onion and garlic mince provides a foundational pungency and sweetness, while thyme and bay leaves offer a long-lasting and complex herbal aroma.
A portion of the spices were stir-fried, making their flavor richer and more fragrant. Another portion of the spices were directly added to the pot for stewing.
One was rich, the other subtle, thus forming distinct layers.
Also tasting the Beer Lamb, Ikumi Mito seemed a bit lost in thought. She looked at Subaru Mimasaka not far away, her eyes revealing strong unwillingness.
Although she didn't want to admit it, the taste of this dish seemed to be much stronger than hers.
To say nothing else, just the distinct layers of aroma far surpassed hers. However, the meat's flavor was slightly inferior to hers, but a dish is judged as a whole...
For a moment, many thoughts surfaced in her mind. Ikumi Mito looked at Dylan, who was still tasting the Beer Lamb. She noticed admiration in his eyes, and her heart sank for a moment.
On second thought, it was normal. The other party used a recipe that Dylan-sensei had already perfected, and then improved upon it, resulting in distinct layers of flavor.
While she had only been researching her dish these past few days, and had managed to create something with the guidance of Dylan-sensei, it was far from enough. Being defeated by a dish using Dylan-sensei's recipe... it didn't seem too unfair.
"Before the results are out, don't assume you're going to lose. Otherwise, you'll be weaker than others in terms of aura, and that's not a good thing."
Noticing the emotions in Ikumi Mito's eyes, Dylan raised a hand and tapped her forehead, bringing her back from her daze. She nodded vigorously.
Even if you lose, it's not scary. As long as you're still here, there will always be a day you can win it back.
"He's just a thief, only stealing some superficial knowledge. Even if I'm not as good as him now, one day in the future I will definitely surpass him!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Ikumi Mito first flinched, then as if she realized something, her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
She spoke with excitement. "Huh... is that what I meant to say?"
"Never mind. It's rare for Little Ikumi to have such high fighting spirit, so let's not say anything else." For her, it's a good thing.
Dylan nodded, his expression unchanged. He then looked towards the audience, whose hands now held portions of the dish, and they were tasting it.
"This Beer Lamb is truly delicious! The flavor is rich yet fresh, the lamb is tender and juicy, and it also has the taste of beer!"
"That's right, it not only incorporates the sourness of fruit but also combines the malty aroma of alcohol. Its texture is rich, and the layers are distinct. It's truly a rare delicacy!"
"Ahhh! So amazing! Heat rises from the lower abdomen, all the way up to the chest, finally spreading throughout the body. It feels so warm and comfortable!"
As the dish entered their mouths, the audience members on site immediately showed expressions of ecstasy.
The rich flavor spread in their mouths. The warmth from the lamb entering their stomachs made them comfortably exhale a breath, their faces filled with blissful enjoyment.
"With this one bite, a faint warmth spreads from deep within the body, covering the entire person. It's truly comfortable!"
"Indeed, and most importantly, the lamb flavor is very strong! The intense flavor makes you know you're tasting lamb the moment you eat it!"
"That's right, purely in terms of flavor, the difference between the two isn't significant, but if the theme is lamb, the difference becomes very large."
At the same time, every audience member was given a scoring device. The next moment, the lights came on, and the final scores appeared on the big screen.
Ikumi Mito was completely defeated.
"There wasn't even one vote for me..."
Looking at the final scores, Ikumi Mito bit her lower lip slightly, her face showing a pitiful yet forced smile, appearing somewhat cold and desolate.
The girl couldn't help but murmur to herself. She had considered that she might lose, but she never imagined it would be a complete defeat.
"There's no need to cry. If you lose, just win next time. Your dish still has a lot of potential for growth, while Subaru Mimasaka's dish has almost reached its peak. Even with improvements, it would be hard to make it more delicious."
Reaching out, Dylan gently pinched Ikumi Mito's little face, finding it slightly stiff. He comforted her softly, which helped her heart calm down.
"I will work even harder!"
Ikumi Mito nodded earnestly, thinking that she would practice desperately after returning. Next time in a competition, she wouldn't rely on...
This was also due to limited talent.
Although she understood meat dishes very well, she usually used high-end ingredients and preferred to showcase the inherent flavor of the dish, and this time was no exception.
Unfortunately, she didn't control the proportions of beef, lamb, and pork well, resulting in something that didn't resemble any one of them, without a clear flavor preference.
"Increase the lamb proportion to two-thirds, beef fat to two-sixths, and pork loin to one-sixth. There will be about a 10% deviation from the perfect ratio. Go back and experiment, and make it for me next week."
Although he could have directly told Ikumi Mito the exact proportions, that would remove the process of exploration, which wouldn't be good for her.
So Dylan merely helped her narrow the scope, allowing her to make choices within that range, preventing her from having to search from scratch and wasting a large amount of time on one dish.
"Alright! I will definitely perfect it!"
Hearing Dylan's words and feeling the lingering warmth of his hand on her face, Ikumi Mito's cheeks flushed slightly, but she still said earnestly.
"Keep refining yourself."
Patting Ikumi Mito's shoulder and looking at her resolute expression, Dylan said earnestly.
"It seems the results are in. With the audience's vote, the final winner is Subaru Mimasaka, advancing to the main competition!"
As the votes were announced, Yua Sasaki's voice rang out on site, declaring Subaru Mimasaka's advancement to the main competition.
"What a harmonious master-disciple relationship. But unfortunately, I will defeat each and every one of you."
Glancing at Dylan, who was comforting Ikumi Mito, a hint of envy appeared in Subaru Mimasaka's eyes, but it quickly turned into faint jealousy. The next moment, he turned and left the competition venue via the competitor's passage, quickly disappearing from everyone's sight.
"Let's go back. Tonight, I'll personally cook a short celebration feast for you all."
Looking at Erina Nakiri and the others descending from the audience seats, Dylan's voice rang out. Advancing to the main competition was a good thing, and it was necessary to hold a celebration feast.
"Yay! We get to eat Dylan-sensei's cooking again!"
"That's great! I can't wait!"
"Tonight, I'll also show off my skills. I've recently researched a very impressive dish that will definitely conquer you all."
"Hmph hmph hmph, leave the dessert portion to me. Last month, I just researched a molecular gastronomy dessert that is at the One-Star Special Grade level!"
Hearing Dylan's words, there was a moment of silence at the scene, followed by an outburst of joyful laughter. The air was filled with a happy atmosphere.
Dylan looked at Huang Mei and the others, who were eagerly looking at him, and said, "You all should come over tonight too, and everyone from Polar Star Dorm. My yard is quite large, so we can have a barbecue party as well."
"Cheers!"
Countless beer glasses clinked together. Inside were juices, cola, beer, and fruit wine—all sorts of drinks were present.
"Congratulations on advancing to the main competition, Yūki, Megumi."
Looking at Yūki Yoshino and Megumi Tadokoro, whose faces were full of smiles, Ryōko Sakaki forced a smile, raised her glass, and spoke to the two.
Looking at the feigned cheerfulness of Ryōko Sakaki, Megumi Tadokoro and Yūki Yoshino exchanged glances, then sobered their expressions, seeing worry in each other's eyes.
She was the only one of the three who hadn't advanced. Although she looked fine now, only she knew her true state.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll go to the kitchen and get the barbecue ingredients."
Ryōko Sakaki waved her hand, smiling as she said she was fine, then walked towards the house.
Since it was a competition, there would be winners and losers. It just happened that she was the one who lost this time. It was nothing, perfectly normal; there are always winners and losers.
"Clack."
A series of footsteps echoed in the silent corridor. Ryōko Sakaki advanced alone towards the kitchen.
"Ryōko."
Biting her lower lip, Ryōko Sakaki felt her nose get a little stuffy, and tears fell "plop plop." Hearing someone call her, she immediately wiped away her tears with her sleeve and forced a smile.
"You performed very poorly this time. This isn't your true skill."
Noticing that Ryōko Sakaki was not in a good state, Dylan didn't immediately comfort her. Instead, he criticized her, because her performance was exceptionally poor.
"I'm sorry, Dylan-sensei, I've disappointed you."
Hearing Dylan's words of reprimand, Ryōko Sakaki's eyes dimmed. She then placed her hands at her sides and bowed deeply to him, feeling deeply apologetic.
Then, feeling it wasn't enough, she directly knelt down and performed the dogeza (prostration) toward Dylan.
This time, she had indeed failed Dylan's expectations.
Dylan-sensei must think she's useless...
Watching Ryōko Sakaki's actions, Dylan didn't stop her. Instead, he squatted down, looking at her bowed head until she raised it again.
"So, do you know what your problem is?"
Looking at the handsome face so close to her, Ryōko Sakaki's expression stiffened, and for a moment she couldn't answer, so she stammered and looked down.
"Hold out your hand."
Ryōko Sakaki was very obedient. As soon as Dylan's words fell, she extended her hand.
"These three strikes are for you only dwelling in loss and not analyzing the reasons for your poor performance."
A ruler appeared in Dylan's hand at some unknown moment. He struck Ryōko Sakaki's hand three times until it turned red, only then withdrawing the ruler and saying,
And Ryōko Sakaki endured it throughout, not even whimpering when struck, because she truly deserved it.
"Now, have you thought of the reason for your failure?"
Looking at the slightly bowed head of Ryōko Sakaki, Dylan spoke again.
"No..."
Ryōko Sakaki's face suddenly flushed as if she thought of something, but she still answered honestly.
"Then you're in trouble. Turn around and face your backside towards me. I'll stop when you remember."
"Of course, you can cry, but that will only excite me more, and it won't achieve anything else."
Dylan's voice was devoid of emotion. He merely sighed inwardly, never expecting that he would have to resort to this method in the end.
Ryōko Sakaki, this person.
She looked very mature.
But once she encountered setbacks, she was the most helpless. Diligent study and hard practice, only to fail to advance to the main competition in the end, must have been a huge blow to her.
Especially with the other two advancing.
Therefore, Dylan didn't intend to give her time to grieve. The way to distract from sadness was to make her think about the shortcomings of her dish.
As long as she immersed herself in cooking, she wouldn't think about irrelevant things.
Gritting her teeth, she lay prostrate on the ground, her body draped over Dylan's legs, her whole posture like a small, crouched cat.
"If you still can't remember, I won't be responsible if someone sees us later."
Looking at Ryōko Sakaki, who was gritting her teeth and thinking desperately, Dylan spoke quickly. After all, if such a scene were seen, he wouldn't be the one losing face.
"I..."
"Flavor, texture..."
"In terms of flavor, I used my strongest techniques, so I can't improve it in a short time. But texture can be improved. As long as I master the ratio of lean and fatty meat, and pay more attention when cutting, I can elevate the dish's texture by another level!"
Hearing Dylan's words, the girl's body unconsciously trembled, as if she imagined an unpleasant scene.
Almost shouting, Ryōko Sakaki combined her knowledge and blurted out all the improvement methods she had thought of.
After speaking, the girl tilted her head, looking at Dylan with anticipation, hoping to see approval on his face, which would allow her to escape her awkward situation.
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Unfortunately, two of our stories were removed... so I created a new account to post them: MikuDayo.
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I'm counting on your support <3 the director was very sad and scared by what happened...
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