"Look up…"
"The ceiling is opening, how amazing."
"The moon looks so close, so big and round!"
As a sound came from above, everyone in the audience looked up, and the ceiling slowly opened, revealing a beautiful full moon from the left side.
"This is the true face of Tsukiten Space."
"The cooking time for the finals is about two hours, from the moment that moon appears until it completes its celestial path and disappears again."
Isshiki Satoshi explained softly, holding the microphone.
Tsukiten Space is called Tsukiten Space precisely because of this magnificent view; that moon, seemingly within reach, is truly captivating.
Although it's an annual tradition, it still feels very exaggerated, making me recall...
Looking at the moon in the sky, Dojima Gin, sitting on the judges' panel, couldn't help but fall into recollection, thinking back to when he and Yukihira Soma's father had their decisive battle here.
Unfortunately, this time his son didn't even make it to the top eight.
Small JZ because the opponent was too strong...
Looking at Hoshino Sora and Lei Yuxing, who had already begun cooking on the stage, Dojima Gin's eyes were like torches.
The intensity of this year's competition is much stronger than their year; starting from the quarterfinals, there were already glimpses of the flair usually seen only in the finals of weaker seasons...
"Seasonal fruits as the cooking theme really test the contestants' imagination."
"It's true that dishes featuring fruit are rare on the market, but using fruit in dishes is itself a trap; the theme never said that fruit must be incorporated into the dish."
Nakitiri Senzaemon said calmly, watching the two handling their ingredients. Fruits themselves are not easy to handle, but processing them into desserts, cakes, and similar dishes are excellent choices.
However, both of these individuals excel at stir-frying, and currently, they haven't been seen making any dessert-type dishes. No, Hoshino Sora once sold a sugar-roasted pastry during the lodging training.
That could barely be called a dessert, but Nakitiri Senzaemon preferred to call it a snack.
"I seem to be getting a little excited; there's nothing more satisfying than admiring young boys!"
"Oh, I always feel like Mother is a bit lewd, and still the same, saying ambiguous words. But the handsomer one among them has already been reserved by your daughter, you know."
Alice Nakiri, at some point, had run back to the judges' panel and stood beside Leonora Nakiri, saying half-jokingly.
"Oh, are you talking about that black-haired boy? As expected of my daughter, she has my taste."
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who was freely sweating at the cooking station, his handsome face made Leonora Nakiri blush and her heart flutter. She immediately praised her daughter's good taste.
"Alice, please return to the audience seats."
"Erina, come over here too, can you? Grandfather."
Alice Nakiri said, turning her gaze to Nakitiri Senzaemon, a brilliant smile on her face, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry.
"No matter."
To this, Nakitiri Senzaemon merely responded with crossed arms.
But I'm a bit curious, Hoshino Sora and Alice. Did Alice's words just now mean she wants to be Hoshino Sora's girlfriend? Or has she already become one?
"Did you hear that, Erina."
"Your family is truly interesting, Eri Nai."
As he spoke, Dojima Gin glanced at Eri Nai, who was standing beside him, looking somewhat flustered, and couldn't help but tease her.
"Hehe."
Eri Nai didn't deny Dojima Gin's words, only gave an awkward smile, then turned her gaze to Hoshino Sora. At this moment, the young man was cutting an apple.
"Is that…"
"High-speed centrifuge, vacuum slow cooker, rapid ice maker… I didn't notice earlier, aren't all these Alice's equipment?"
Leonora Nakiri's expression showed a slight surprise as she watched Hoshino Sora using the centrifuge. She clearly remembered these were gifts she had given to Alice Nakiri.
Thinking of this, Leonora Nakiri turned her gaze to Alice, only to find that the other person was also looking at her, with a coquettish smile on her face, so the question on her lips stopped.
How the other party disposes of something given is her business, but can this guy really make good Molecular Cuisine? Although Molecular Cuisine looks simple, just reconstructing ingredients to build new flavors, there's a lot of knowledge involved.
It's not something an amateur can learn in a day or two of sudden study!
A hint of doubt showed in her eyes as she watched Hoshino Sora processing the seasonal autumn fruits. Although he used equipment like the centrifuge, this didn't mean he could produce qualified Molecular Cuisine.
What she meant by qualified wasn't just making Molecular Cuisine, that's just the absolute basic. Her definition of qualified was that Hoshino Sora could make excellent Molecular Cuisine!
As an expert in Molecular Cuisine, her demands for Molecular Cuisine are very, very high. Hoshino Sora choosing to make Molecular Cuisine in the finals is undoubtedly a provocation to her!
At that time, if he doesn't do well, even if he's her daughter's boyfriend, she will severely scold him! I hope this little guy doesn't disappoint Alice.
"Molecular Cuisine? Trying to win by surprise? Can he really handle such a bold move now?"
Lei Yuxing also noticed Hoshino Sora's plan to make Molecular Cuisine. At this moment, a faint disappointment showed in his eyes. He had thought the other party would present some amazing dish, but this is all it is?
Although the concept of Molecular Cuisine was proposed in the West, its earliest origin was their China; tofu is something made using Molecular Cuisine.
If he wants to defeat him with such an unconventional, minor path, it is undoubtedly a pipe dream!
His cooking is not that easily defeated!
Seasonal Fruit Fried Rice.
It sounds like Dark Cuisine, but it was the best answer he got after many experiments. Combining fruits and fried rice not only helps with appetite and digestion but also supplements various missing vitamins in the human body.
"Is that… dried fruit and hot rice?"
"I see, drying fresh seasonal fruits to enhance flavor and better integrate with the rice, but is he preparing to make fried rice?"
Dojima Gin pinched his chin with a subtle expression, looking at Lei Yuxing, who was boldly innovating with fruit fried rice, and Hoshino Sora, who was already proficient in using Molecular Cuisine instruments for the first time.
These two really don't take the ordinary path; they are completely clashing head-on with creativity and technique. If either side's technique isn't up to par and cannot turn their creativity into a qualified dish, they will make themselves a joke!
You know, this is the finals of the Autumn Elections, and the venue is filled with culinary celebrities. Even so, do they still have the courage to challenge themselves?
"Using fruit to make fried rice, is that guy crazy? Can fried rice with fruit even taste good?"
"I don't know, but it feels a bit like the pineapple fried rice from Thailand, probably the same type of dish."
"That's insane, this is the finals! Wouldn't it be better to make a normal cake or dessert? To actually serve the judges fried rice with fruit…"
"What do you know? Precisely because it's the finals, you need to be even more unexpected. Now it just depends on whether they can pull it off."
Watching the two figures sweating on stage, the appetites of all the spectators were piqued.
What kind of dish could be made by stir-frying with such ingredients? And what would it taste like? It must be said that for them, it was also a battle of imagination.
This led to everyone's eyes focusing on Lei Yuxing, or more precisely, on his wok, where the intensely simmering, distinct Golden Fried Rice was.
The first thing he made was Golden Fried Rice!
Before the fruits were even added to the wok, Lei Yuxing first prepared Golden Fried Rice. Simply put, it involves coating the rice with egg yolk liquid, creating a 'gold-wrapped silver' effect.
The egg whites are stir-fried separately into chunks for color and then added to the Golden Fried Rice for seasoning. It's stir-fried quickly over high heat; up to this point, it's the usual method for Golden Fried Rice.
The wok was taken off the heat, and with a swift knife, a series of dried autumn fruits were finely chopped, then added to the wok in layers and stir-fried. The heat was medium. Lei Yuxing's technique was seasoned; it was clear he had considerable experience with fried rice.
"Although adding dried fruit to fried rice can minimize moisture and prevent the rice from absorbing too much water, which would degrade the texture, this way seasonal fruits cannot be fully utilized…"
"Go, Hoshino-kun."
"Seasonal fruits are best eaten fresh!"
At the Far Moon Academy viewing area, in the Polar Star Dormitory section, comments occasionally arose. The air was filled with a rich, intoxicating fruity aroma. Dried by sun… wait, was it roasted?
Smelling the unique smoky aroma of roasted dried fruit, Ibusaki Shun slowly spoke. Sun-drying and roasting both essentially make moist fruits dry, thereby increasing their shelf life.
However, sun-dried fruits only receive heat on the top part, with less heat reaching the bottom, while fruits in an oven are heated uniformly.
This also results in a more concentrated aroma from oven-baked fruits because the heat from all sides fully activates the sugars. If the fruits are roasted, they can indeed bring out their original flavor.
"The first to complete the dish is Lei Yuxing!"
Kawashima Rei's voice echoed through the competition venue as she watched Lei Yuxing invert the slotted spoon onto a plate, let out a long breath, and prepare to serve. A spotlight shone down, and everyone's gaze followed, all concentrating on Lei Yuxing.
Truly, the center of attention.
Facing such attention, Lei Yuxing did not flinch. Instead, he walked up confidently. There were far more people at the Fujian Youth Chef Conference than here, and he wasn't afraid then, so naturally, he wouldn't be now.
"Mixed Fried Rice with Fruit Flavor, please enjoy."
Placing the dish in front of the judges, Lei Yuxing made a gesture of invitation. Compared to the casualness of the previous matches, he now appeared significantly more serious.
"Fruit fried rice, what a fresh dish. Thailand has a famous dish, pineapple fried rice. Is this an improvement based on pineapple fried rice?"
"I did take inspiration, as pineapple is used among the seasonal fruits. However, due to the different flavors of fruits, some combinations can result in strange tastes.
Therefore, I used apple as the main body, pineapple as the secondary main body, supplemented with various yellow peaches, mangoes... and finally completed this mixed fruit fried rice, focusing on clear layers of flavor."
"The rice grains are distinct, golden and appetizing. The chosen ingredients are also mostly golden, and gold represents autumn: apples, pineapples, yellow peaches, mangoes…
It looks beautiful, but the most important thing in cooking is still the taste. How does your dish taste?"
Scooping up a spoonful of the shimmering golden rice, Leonora Nakiri swallowed her saliva, her face slightly flushed. The rich fruit aroma was truly irresistible to her. She had never imagined that fruit fried rice could be so fragrant!
Bringing a large mouthful of the dish mixed with autumn fruits to her mouth, Leonora Nakiri's mouth was slightly agape, her expression somewhat astonished, and then she lowered her head, her body trembling slightly.
Beside her, Nakitiri Senzaemon's eyes widened, feeling the incredible taste in his mouth, and his clothes instantly burst open—a very authentic clothing explosion!
"It's here, the Grand Master's most authentic clothing explosion!"
"What's this? Once, the Grand Master even had his pants explode; now it's just his clothes."
That was close!
If he hadn't been highly concentrated, his pants might really have exploded, and in front of his daughter-in-law no less. Where would he put his old face then? Luckily, he managed to stop it at the last moment.
But the cooking of young people nowadays is truly terrifying.
Nakitiri Senzaemon thought with lingering fear, showing no emotion on his face. Although it was he who created the Jade Era, the quality of the contestants now clearly exceeded his initial expectations.
Golden Age!
"It seems it's about to happen, Mom's clothing explosion."
Alice Nakiri said softly, watching Leonora Nakiri, who seemed to be pondering her words. However, there was no worry in her eyes, as she firmly believed in Hoshino Sora.
"Eh, in front of such a large crowd?"
"Really?"
"That won't do."
Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's words, the audience seats below immediately erupted in exclamations, along with cheers, most of which came from men.
At the same time, everyone's gaze shifted from the dish to Leonora Nakiri. The next moment, Leonora Nakiri slowly stood up, her hands clasped in front of her chest, seemingly preparing for something.
"This is truly an excellent fruit fried rice dish. From the moment it was presented, it had a very strong visual impact. The golden color perfectly represented the autumn harvest scene.
The rich fruit aroma bursting in the mouth was incredibly splendid, and the choice of fruits—apple, pineapple, yellow peach, mango... the flavors of these fruits formed strong layers, with pineapple as the main one, apple slightly weaker..."
"Whenever Mother tastes some delicious dish, she fluently expresses one or two thoughts."
"This is more than one or two sentences."
Shiina Mahiru in the audience couldn't help but retort, watching Leonora Nakiri speaking incessantly on the judges' panel. At this moment, a sacred white light seemed to emanate from Leonora Nakiri, and her highly professional commentary made many in the audience look at her with new respect.
They had initially thought she was just a filler judge, but now it seemed she truly possessed the qualifications of a judge. Her incredibly professional knowledge, just listening to it, made one feel she had something special.
Queen of Theory!
"It is indeed a top-grade dish. It also uses butter, which perfectly integrates all the fruit aromas, making them a harmonious and more appealing whole."
Dojima Gin also gave his evaluation after tasting it. Compared to the verbose Leonora Nakiri, he immediately pointed out the key: butter. Butter integrated all the fruit flavors.
This was the key to the harmonious blend of fruit flavors in this fried rice!
The effect that other fruits couldn't achieve must come from seasonal autumn fruits, with their sugar content at its peak, and through roasting, the dried fruit flavor becomes even richer, embodying the culmination of this kid's cooking technique...
Closing his eyes, a golden orchard appeared around him, it was the best season for autumn harvest!
The air was filled with the fragrance of ripe fruit, and in the distance were large fields of rice, feeling his whole being merge with the wilderness!
"How amazing! A contestant from Huaxia."
"The judging panel actually gave such a high evaluation, can fruit fried rice really be that delicious?"
"I really want to try it!"
Extremely high praise came from the judges' mouths, and the audience below immediately started discussing, most people wanting to taste the fruit fried rice.
"Can I also have a portion of that fried rice to try? In return, I've made your dish, and of course, Alice's and Erina's too."
"Sure, elaborate."
Hearing Hoshino Sora speak to him in Huaxia, Lei Yuxing focused his gaze on the tray on his cart. What kind of dish could this guy, with a protagonist's face, possibly serve?
He was very curious!
"Delicious, it's hard to imagine frying such amazing fried rice with fruit. Every cell in my body is trembling."
Hoshino Sora was right, the Gourmet Cells in his body were indeed trembling. That extreme deliciousness, with an impossibly high level of completion, to defeat such a dish, he couldn't do it without putting his heart into it!
"This one is Erina's, and this one is Alice's."
"Oh dear, being a playboy isn't good, and with sisters no less. Hoshino-kun really knows how to pick them."
Watching Hoshino Sora distribute the dishes to her daughters, Leonora Nakiri covered her mouth and joked, then reached out to unveil the cover of the dish in front of her, and everyone's eyes also focused on it.
Because they had just been attracted by Lei Yuxing's fruit fried rice, most people hadn't noticed what Hoshino Sora was making. In fact, Molecular Cuisine hadn't achieved much in this competition.
Alice Nakiri, who was hailed as a hot favorite to win, was even eliminated in the first round, which greatly lowered the audience's expectations for Molecular Cuisine.
"Fruit Ice Qilin!"
As the dish's sign was unveiled, a large block of ice appeared before everyone, and inside the ice block was a frozen, colorful Qilin, vibrant and beautiful all over its body.
"So beautiful..."
"This isn't just a dish, it's practically a work of art!"
"However, how do you eat this thing? You can't possibly expect the judges to gnaw on ice cubes."
Seeing the dish appear on the judges' table, the audience below immediately erupted in chatter. That stunningly beautiful ice Qilin, with the colors of autumn fruits found all over its body.
If Lei Yuxing's dish was a golden autumn scroll, then what Hoshino Sora depicted was a beautiful, magnificent landscape. That lifelike ice Qilin, it was hard to imagine how it was made.
"This is actually a drink, or more accurately, a drink that can be eaten as a main course. You'll only truly know once you've tasted it. Please enjoy!"
Seeing the crowd's confusion, Hoshino Sora began to explain. This dish was something he created by taking the imagery from Shiina Mashiro's cooking and reconstructing it using Molecular Cuisine techniques.
In the world of Food Wars, drinks are also a type of dish, and excellent drinks are even rarer than excellent dishes.
Looking at the lifelike ice Qilin on the stage, Shiina Mashiro's eyes in the audience flickered, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards, while Shinohiru Shiina had a surprised expression, wasn't this her sister's style?
"You're the first kid to serve a drink in the Autumn Elections finals! Are we supposed to smash the ice block on top with a hammer?"
"That's right, I've already made cracks in advance, so you can open it with a light tap."
Snapping his fingers lightly, Hoshino Sora explained with a smile.
Hearing his words, the three people on the judges' panel didn't hesitate. They held hammers and tapped gently. As the top ice block entered the colorful ice Qilin, a rich fruity aroma immediately wafted throughout the entire venue.
"Delicious!"
"Delicious!"
"Just smelling it, I can already feel its deliciousness!"
"That unparalleled fruity aroma is wafting over!"
"Plum, mango, pineapple, all sorts of autumn fruit flavors are coming through. It feels like opening Pandora's Box, madly tempting people to drink!"
As the dish was unveiled, a golden light seemed to emanate from it, and a rich fruity aroma permeated the venue, causing shouts of 'delicious' to rise and fall from the audience.
"Amazing!"
"Hoshino-kun's dish is amazing!"
Tadokoro Megumi and Shinohiru Shiina's voices rang out almost simultaneously.
"Gulp, this also uses Molecular Cuisine techniques."
Swallowing, Leonora Nakiri's face was even redder than before as she looked at the dish emanating a rich fruity aroma. She exhaled deeply, wondering what it would taste like?
"Gulp..."
The first to eat the dish wasn't a judge, but Erina Nakiri, who was behind the judges' table. She simply couldn't bear it any longer. That fatal fruity aroma... However, the moment she drank the 'fruit juice dish'...
She knelt on the ground! Her body was still trembling slightly, her God Tongue was almost instantly captured, and a myriad of diverse flavors intertwined and fought in her mouth, her tongue becoming their battlefield.
Amidst the clash, Erina Nakiri had no time to savor, only to swallow. However, her sensitive body simply couldn't endure under the assault of such exquisite deliciousness, and she succumbed within two or three seconds.
Her legs gave way, and she sat on the ground, her face flushed, unable to speak for a long time.
Such an impact!
Seeing Erina Nakiri's reaction, the judges' faces also showed a hint of seriousness. To make the God Tongue react like this in a venue of ten thousand people, it was not to be underestimated!
"That's the Academy Director's snicker!"
Sharp-eyed individuals noticed Nakitiri Senzaemon's sly smile and immediately exclaimed it loudly, drawing everyone's attention to the Director's face.
At this moment, Nakitiri Senzaemon was grinning excitedly.
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What do you think the main character will do next? 👀 There's only one way to find out — the new chapter is up on Patreon! [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]