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The judging panel, formed by Azami Nakiri, Senzaemon Nakiri, and Asahi Saiba, stood together, awaiting the showdown between the two sides.
It was somewhat amusing that these three judges, despite having intricate relational ties privately, actually had very ordinary relationships with each other.
Back to the arena.
On Gin Dojima's side, several chefs had already been chosen to fight alongside him in this team Shokugeki.
The number of participants in a team Shokugeki could not exceed eight; eight was the maximum. Moreover, with too many people, management would become very troublesome.
As the commander-in-chief of the entire team, one had to be meticulous, identifying each person's strengths and directing them, which was quite arduous.
A four-person team was the easiest to command.
Gin Dojima, this time, opted for a six-person team for this Shokugeki. Hinako Inui, who had originally forfeited, agreed to participate in this team Shokugeki at Gin Dojima's request.
Compared to other chefs, Gin Dojima was clearly more familiar with the chefs who graduated from Totsuki Academy. He understood how to coordinate with Hinako Inui.
Before this team Shokugeki began, there was a five-minute discussion period. This discussion time was for both sides to deliberate on what dishes they would present for this round.
It's worth noting that in a team Shokugeki, it's generally
not about a group of people making just one dish, but rather a complete, systemic banquet.
Therefore, before starting, one must decide on the style of cuisine to be made.
For example, in Chinese cuisine, if molecular gastronomy and Western dishes appear, there would be a very strange choice in terms of structure and the overall pairing of the banquet.
It would be neither fish nor fowl, a standard four-not-like.
If one chooses Chinese cuisine for a banquet, it's best for the entire set of dishes to be from the Chinese culinary system.
These were basic mistakes that couldn't be made.
Neither side would certainly make such mistakes.
However, Renz and Erina, after pondering, had to consider
whether to make Chinese or Japanese cuisine.
In fact, the difference between Chinese and Japanese
cuisine isn't significant. Which means that mixing Chinese and Japanese cuisine in such a team Shokugeki wouldn't cause any sense of disharmony.
However, Chinese cuisine and Western cuisine definitely clash.
A plate of stir-fried vegetables and a plate of fried chicken placed together create an indescribable conflict and repulsion. Just looking at them can be somewhat uncomfortable.
It's worth noting that Chinese cuisine, generally in Asian regions, is widely recognized due to cultural trends.
In European regions, however, Chinese cuisine becomes a less appealing subject.
Due to cultural and taste differences, Chinese cuisine in
European regions is almost always modified Chinese dishes.
These modified Chinese dishes seem fine, but they have obvious deviations in taste, completely eliminating the flavors preferred by Asians, and catering more to Europeans.
Some modified Chinese dishes don't necessarily taste good.
Moreover, during the mass exodus abroad, many Chinese chefs were half-baked. Whether their modified Chinese dishes could be properly handled and create the original excellent taste was a question.
This led to the status of Chinese cuisine in the world being established by recognition in Asian regions. In the eyes of many Europeans, Chinese cuisine has always been considered a kind of "dark cuisine."
Many who have never eaten authentic Chinese cuisine, only modified Western-style Chinese food, are brave enough to criticize Chinese cuisine. Most ridiculously, some people have never eaten Chinese cuisine, not even modified Western-style Chinese food, but have only seen a few negative reports about Chinese cuisine online and thus concluded that Chinese cuisine is not good.
The content of these negative reports is simple and classic: century eggs.
That's right.
It's century eggs.
In the eyes of ordinary people abroad, delicious Chinese dishes don't have much fame. Instead, strange-looking dishes that resemble "dark cuisine" become widely known.
Century eggs also give many foreigners the impression that "Chinese cuisine is all like this" a "dark cuisine" vibe.
This is similar to how Chinese people believe all British cuisine is "dark cuisine."
Why? Because of that famous British dish: "Stargazy Pie."
It's too famous!
This British "dark cuisine" is also known as "Death with Eyes Open."
Its original name is Fish-pie, and it's also called "Hell's
Chant."
"Stargazy Pie" is almost universally known in China, even more so than top-tier famous dishes.
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During these five minutes, with active adjustments from both sides, Renz and Erina unanimously decided to start with Kaiseki cuisine from the Japanese culinary system.
Kaiseki cuisine, this culinary system, has a fresh, mild, and balanced taste moderately seasoned and nuanced, suitable for a sophisticated palate.
The ingredients are mostly premium and seasonal, emphasizing freshness and a clear, delicate taste, which is very suitable for refined palates.
Choosing Kaiseki cuisine as the theme was a very wise decision.
As for Kaiseki cuisine, this culinary system is one of the pillars of traditional Japanese cuisines, and one of the few that places extreme emphasis on precision in
preparation and presentation.
Its precision requires techniques such as perfectly uniform julienne cuts, flawlessly delicate tempura batter, and intricate sashimi arrangements.
In terms of cold dish and appetizer preparation, Kaiseki cuisine's plating techniques are extremely demanding. A "Hassun" with "seasonal motifs, artful asymmetry, and precise placement" just a handful of words can bring countless culinary artists to their knees.
This demanding precision in knife skills, skillful plating, and precise color coordination make Kaiseki cuisine resemble meticulously crafted works of art.
It places extreme emphasis on the dish's form and presentation. Color, aroma, taste, and appearance must all be considered to be considered acceptable.
Renz and Erina did not present dishes they would make for their children this time.
The dishes children enjoy are not the kind that would
gain much advantage in a Shokugeki.
The dishes they were making this time were merely one of the many dishes they would have eaten during decades of peaceful life.
With Renz's side having decided on their theme, Gin Dojima's side also made their decision. The discussion between the chefs from both sides concluded, and the Shokugeki confrontation immediately began with fervent energy.
At the very beginning.
Everyone's eyes collectively turned to Renz's side.
Erina and Renz had an extremely high level of tacit understanding; they could almost know what the other wanted without any communication.
Renz's side, with a raised hand, first processed the raw
ingredients, picking up a chef's knife to cut vegetables, while Erina?
She raised her hand to start simmering a "soup."
Soup is the most time-consuming dish, and making "soup" usually begins right at the start.
After the soup is done, to maintain its heat and freshness, it's kept warm in a pot until serving.
Having made "Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth" in the previous round, no matter what soup was presented now, it couldn't surpass the level of "Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth."
But how keenly aware was Erina of the situation? How could she possibly choose to push against such a challenge?
The "soup" she intended to make could not be a soup like "Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth" that could influence the entire banquet's composition.
She was making an appetizer soup.
Its purpose was to stimulate the diners' appetites.
And while Erina and Renz didn't prepare dishes intended for their children, the issue was that even if they didn't, many details and habits couldn't escape their subconscious actions.
For example, the appetizer soup Erina was making yes, it wasn't a dish prepared for their children, but the method of stimulating the diners' appetites was the same as stimulating the appetite of a picky eater at home.
And with Renz's exceptionally high level of tacit understanding, whatever raw ingredients Erina needed during the soup-making process, Renz would prepare and lay out for her in advance, with zero communication.
From what was seen,
Renz and Erina never paused; they were busy throughout the entire process.
This was quite rare.
Many times, unintentional gaps or pauses would occur, where some people in a team Shokugeki wouldn't know what to do and would stop, experiencing a mental lapse.
Renz and Erina's efficiency clearly showed that they knew what to do and how to do it. Their cooperation was
seamless.
Almost everything Renz processed, Erina could use the very next second. What was even more astounding was that they could even cross-process dishes.
When Senzaemon Nakiri saw this scene, he was completely stunned. One moment, Erina was simmering soup, and the next, she turned to prepare other dishes, while Renz took over Erina's work.
He simultaneously watched the soup in the pot, stirring it a few times with a ladle to observe its progress, while handing the cut ingredients in his hand to Erina.
And Erina began chopping vegetables, preparing the next dish based on the ingredients Renz had half-chopped.
Their movements were as fluid as if one person were making the dishes.
They seamlessly transitioned between workstations, demonstrating a tacit understanding that allowed them to quickly fill each other's gaps.
This level of tacit understanding could only be achieved
through long-term cooperation.
In contrast, Gin Dojima's team was "chaotically abnormal." With a total of six people, their cooperation involved moving back and forth, as if each person was
doing their own thing.
And Gin Dojima's organizational skills were undeniable; these other five people only achieved this effect under Gin Dojima's constant verbal instructions.
If their opponents hadn't been Renz and Erina, these six people could have been described as relatively orderly.
But the crucial point was the comparison!
Once compared, Gin Dojima's group could no longer be called orderly; the gap was visibly apparent.
Even if a high level of tacit understanding wasn't the decisive factor in winning the match.
However, in terms of overall viewing experience,
Renz and Erina directly surpassed the team organized by Gin Dojima by a significant margin.
And now,
Renz's side had already prepared Gindara Saikyo-yaki (Miso-marinated Grilled Cod).
When he was plating it, he prepared an extra small portion for Erina to taste.
Gindara Saikyo-yaki is a characteristic traditional famous dish, often seen in Kaiseki cuisine, known for its delicate balance of sweet and savory flavors.
It features thick, succulent fillets of black cod, marinated for days in a special Saikyo miso blend, then expertly grilled until caramelized and flaky.
It's rich but not greasy, with a buttery, soft texture that melts in the mouth. This is a refined dish Renz particularly enjoys, and because he appreciates its nuanced flavors, he undoubtedly put a lot of effort into its preparation.
As for why he gave it to Erina to taste,
It's simple: Erina's God's Tongue can identify any problems. If the quality isn't up to par, there's still time to adjust or remake a portion.
Renz didn't believe he would make a mistake or that the quality would be substandard; letting Erina taste it was a precautionary measure.
Carefully basting the Gindara Saikyo-yaki with its
delicate glaze, Renz took out a small, exquisite ceramic plate specifically for Erina to taste.
He could feel the warmth of the plate and gently blew on the perfectly grilled fish.
He took out his precision chopsticks and separated a small, tender flake, allowing it to cool down faster.
"If you're going to taste it, hurry up; we still have many dishes to prepare for the full Kaiseki experience, and time is tight," Erina reminded him from the side.
She had many dishes requiring intricate techniques and precise arrangements to handle and was very busy.
Renz hummed in acknowledgment. He took out a small, elegant spoon and another fresh ceramic plate, carefully took a portion of the flaky, marinated cod from the Gindara Saikyo-yaki, then gently blew on it again.
Then he delicately placed a few blanched seasonal greens alongside it on the plate, extended his hand, and handed the spoon over.
Erina was accustomed to this tasting process. She turned
her head, opened her mouth, and gracefully accepted the "tasting Gindara Saikyo-yaki" Renz offered.
The freshly grilled Gindara Saikyo-yaki was warm, but with Renz's meticulous care flaking the fish to dissipate heat, continuously blowing on it to cool it down, and even using a new plate that had been carefully warmed to the perfect temperature and then wiped clean by Renz the cooling speed was quite efficient.
When Erina bit into it, it was still delightfully warm, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. It was just right, perfectly cooked and exquisitely palatable.
"Excellent!" Erina exclaimed after eating, without looking at Renz, and gave him a thumbs up.
The meaning was simple: the tasting was successful; this dish had passed the scrutiny of the God's Tongue.
And Renz quickly placed the remaining Gindara
Saikyo-yaki onto its serving vessel, carefully setting it aside to maintain its warmth and integrity. It would be served with all the other dishes when the full Kaiseki sequence was ready.
At the judges' table, Senzaemon Nakiri, of course, could discern the principle behind Renz's actions.
He was using the ability and characteristics of the God's
Tongue to taste his dishes.
If even the God's Tongue found no unusual taste, then the finished strength and deliciousness of this dish were
guaranteed.
However, Senzaemon Nakiri understood it.
But that didn't mean the audience below could understand it.
The audience was dumbfounded.
"I came here to watch your Shokugeki, but how can you forcefully feed us dog food like this?"
The "dog food" was shoved down their throats so unexpectedly.
"How can you play like this?"
"In the middle of making a dish, you directly perform a feeding play?"
"Even if you're a married couple, you should follow the basic procedures for showing affection. This kind of surprise attack is too much!"
Unbelievable.
Completely unbelievable!
Who would have thought this?
At such a solemn competition, they could still be distracted enough to perform such feeding actions.
And they could do it completely nonchalantly.
The onlookers were "irritated" to the point of their scalps tingling.
"Do they even consider us, the onlookers, as human beings?"
"Is there still human rights? Is there still law?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you great because you're married? Is it great that your wife is beautiful? Is it great that you have children? Is it great that you have a good relationship with your spouse?"
"Since you two are so amazing,"
"Then keep showing off your affection for me!"
"Let's see who gives up first!"
"These young people, don't they get tired of dating like this?"
....
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