Chapter 217
Hearing Mineo's words, Director Hikawah, who was standing not far away, was absolutely livid.
He was the head examiner responsible for the transfer student evaluations last year. Did Mineo's words just now imply that he was total trash?
Initially, he wanted to step forward and argue with this youth named Mineo.
However, after catching Senzaemon's calm gaze, Director Hikawah suppressed the anger in his heart for the time being.
He wanted to see clearly now—even before the interview and practical evaluation had begun—what kind of reason this young instructor named Mineo would use to eliminate people!
If he couldn't provide a reasonable explanation, he feared these examinees would surely cause a riot.
When that time comes, let's see how this young man settles the situation.
Glancing at Hisako, Mineo spread his hands helplessly and said:
"I was originally too lazy to explain to these people, but for the sake of respecting your beauty, Hisako, I'll give a brief explanation."
"First of all, as the head examiner, I recall that I have the right to change the evaluation method."
"Instructor Takamine's words are correct. As the head examiner, you indeed have the right to change the evaluation rules."
"However, every decision you make must have a truly convincing explanation."
Hearing Hisako's calm words, Mineo smiled without speaking. He turned around and walked in front of these dissatisfied examinees.
Then, he pointed at one person at random and said:
"Know why I decided he didn't pass?"
"Hisako, take a look at his fingers."
Hearing Mineo's words, Hisako instinctively looked toward the examinee's fingers. Then, that examinee also spoke while gritting his teeth:
"Is there a problem with my fingers?"
"Nails!"
Mineo uttered those two words very calmly. Then he continued casually:
"As a chef, personal hygiene must be strictly maintained."
"Since you knew you were coming today for the transfer student evaluation, why didn't you trim your nails to keep them neat and clean?"
"A chef's hands will touch the ingredients. What kind of feeling do you think this detail you neglected will give to the customers?"
After saying that sentence, Mineo looked at another person and said:
"Look at your shoulders. Dandruff is falling all over them, do you know that?"
"Under any other circumstances, no one would care if you scratch your head, but as a chef, before preparing a dish, you should reduce the use of your hands to scratch your hair!"
Immediately after, Mineo walked in front of a third person and said:
"This person, his personal hygiene has no issues, but he has no talent for being a chef. Even if he enters Totsuki, it would only be a waste of time. That's why I suggest you change professions."
"You bastard, on what basis do you say I have no talent as a chef!"
"I have practiced cooking hard since I was a child until now. You haven't even seen my cooking yet, on what basis do you make this conclusion!"
Hearing the emotional words from the transfer student, Mineo gave a thin smile and said:
"I know you have practiced cooking hard since you were a child, because the callouses on your palms prove that. But what I want to say is, since you have practiced hard for years but even your knife-holding position hasn't been corrected, do you really think you have talent as a chef?"
"As for why I can see your knife-holding position is wrong, go find a senior chef yourself to ask."
To the dozen or so examinees who were pointed out, Mineo highlighted the problems existing in each of them one by one.
By the end, everyone's faces had turned deathly pale.
At this moment, the entire group of examinees fell silent.
Not just Hisako, even the instructors standing not far away were truly speechless.
A slight smile appeared on Senzaemon's face. He turned around and walked toward another exit.
Seeing the Director stepping away, Director Chapelle and the others also understood that Mineo's performance today had made the Director very satisfied.
Since the Director was satisfied, these Totsuki instructors also knew there was no point in them remaining here.
Even though Mineo's age was quite young, his ability and the sharpness of his eyes were indeed not to be underestimated.
Therefore, the moment the Director turned to leave, Chapelle and the others also quietly left the area.
After their flaws were pointed out by Mineo, the eliminated participants left the exam site with pale faces and gloomy expressions.
Meanwhile, Hisako stood to one side, truly unable to say anything more. Mineo glanced at the crowd still standing there, then said casually:
"Now I will announce the next evaluation item!"
"It's very simple, just one theme!"
"See this ingredient rack behind me?"
"You may choose any ingredients here, then create the dish you are most skilled at, and then serve the finished dish to my assistant, Hisako, for tasting!"
"If your cooking can earn praise from her, then entering Totsuki Academy will not be a problem."
"If you cannot get her recognition, please go straight home!"
Hearing Mineo's words, Hisako, who was standing silently on the side, was instantly stunned. She stared at Mineo dazed, then asked in a tone of disbelief:
"Why... Why am I the one tasting!?"
"Isn't the examiner... Instructor Takamine?"
"Hisako, I remember Erina told you to help me well here today, right?"
"So I don't think the arrangement I've made has any issues! I believe your judging ability is sufficient; you should be able to carry out the duties of a judge."
"As for why I'm not tasting it myself! The reason is very simple."
"I don't think the food made by anyone here will reach the passing line of my culinary standards."
"If I were the one tasting, not a single participant here would pass!"
"So, if you don't want the number of passing transfer students for this batch to be zero, Hisako, you'd better do as I instructed!"
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