Chapter 510: It's Hard to Please Everyone
Zhao Yangfan had to admit—he truly regretted it.
If he were given another chance, he would never have taken the initiative to challenge Han Shi to a culinary showdown.
But he quickly realized that this matter was never up to him in the first place.
It was the emperor's command for the Bright Court Pavilion to compete with Han Shi. So even if he had known Han Shi's true strength in advance, the challenge would still have to take place.
In other words, he didn't even have the option to regret it.
At that thought, Zhao Yangfan's expression grew even darker.
Looking at the three head chefs standing before him, he hesitated for a moment before turning to one of them.
"Chef Song, are you certain Han Shi's dishes are really that good?"
"I'm certain." The slightly stout Chef Song nodded. He had gone to Han Shi in disguise as an ordinary customer during dinner, and his expression was now quite serious. "For the beef theme, the secret-style beef tenderloin we prepared is slightly inferior to their Tomato Beef Brisket. And if the dish they bring isn't even that one, the gap will only widen."
Since this "secret-style beef tenderloin" was Chef Song's own creation, his words carried weight.
"As for the fruit theme…" Chef Song glanced at the thinner chef beside him. "I tried one of their dishes called Crab Stuffed with Orange. It uses orange and crab, along with some cooking techniques I couldn't fully understand. Compared to that, our lotus-fragrant fruit-flavored fish… the gap is quite large."
Hearing this, the thinner chef immediately bristled.
"Old Song, you say your dish is only 'slightly inferior,' but mine has a 'large gap'? Where's your conscience? Are you saying my skills are worse than yours?"
"Alright, alright." The third chef, who had been silent until now, quickly stepped in to mediate. "Old Hong, calm down. You know Old Song's personality—he's just telling the truth. Besides, your lotus-fragrant fruit-flavored fish is indeed delicious, but it's true that the fruit flavor hasn't fully integrated with the other ingredients. Based on Old Song's description, that Crab Stuffed with Orange must use a very special technique."
"Hmph." Chef Hong snorted, still somewhat displeased. "Tomorrow, I'll see for myself what that twenty-something kid can really cook."
Once Chef Hong vented his frustration, Chef Song continued.
"As for the vegetable theme… Han Shi doesn't really have purely vegetable dishes. Most of their dishes combine vegetables with various meats, so I can't be sure what they'll present."
After speaking, he turned to the chef who had just mediated. "Old Jin, your vegetable dishes are the best among us—what do you think?"
"If it's as you described, they'll probably present a dish combining vegetables and meat tomorrow?" Chef Jin scratched his head, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. "If that's the case, I should be able to win this round."
"I've successfully developed the Emerald Jade Dew."
"Oh?"
At those words, the other two chefs' expressions immediately lit up.
"You've perfected Emerald Jade Dew?"
"Indeed. Just a couple of days ago. I can use it in this competition," Chef Jin said confidently.
And he had every reason to be confident.
Back when he served as an imperial chef in the Sun Moon Palace, Chef Jin specialized in vegetable dishes. He had a unique technique that made vegetables taste even better than meat. During his time in the palace, many nobles who rarely ate vegetables grew to love them because of his cooking—proof of his exceptional skill.
As for Emerald Jade Dew, it was a vegetable dish he had spent two years perfecting. Using it against Han Shi was almost a guaranteed win.
"Ahem." Zhao Yangfan coughed lightly, interrupting their excitement, his expression darkening. "So… out of the three dishes, only one has a chance of defeating Han Shi—and it's the last one?"
His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over them. The three chefs instantly snapped back to reality.
Right.
The only dish they were confident in… was the third one.
Which meant it might not even get the chance to appear.
Their earlier excitement vanished.
Didn't that mean… they were almost certain to lose this culinary showdown?
Zhao Yangfan fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking.
"The Bright Court Pavilion… cannot lose."
They were a restaurant backed by the royal family, and the preferred dining place for the powerful and influential of Mingdu City.
They simply could not afford the consequences of losing a culinary showdown.
The emperor hadn't considered such issues because, to him, a single restaurant was insignificant.
But the Bright Court Pavilion was Zhao Yangfan's life's work. He could not just stand by and watch Han Shi win.
"Chef Song, let me ask you one last time." Zhao Yangfan looked at him seriously. "Are you certain the gap between Han Shi's Tomato Beef Brisket and your secret-style beef tenderloin is really small?"
"Yes." Chef Song nodded firmly.
"Chef Hong, Chef Song has already analyzed the appearance and possible preparation of Crab Stuffed with Orange. Based on that, can you improve your lotus-fragrant fruit-flavored fish overnight?" Zhao Yangfan turned to Chef Hong and asked earnestly.
"That's not possible." Chef Hong shook his head helplessly. "Even if I had personally tasted it, I couldn't significantly improve this dish in just one night. According to Chef Song's analysis, that Crab Stuffed with Orange uses a very complex method, it's not something easily replicated."
Which meant the fruit theme was essentially a guaranteed loss for Bright Court Pavilion.
Zhao Yangfan reached that conclusion internally, then turned back to Chef Song.
"As for the secret-style beef tenderloin, please try to refine it as much as possible overnight."
"I understand, but reaching the level of that Tomato Beef Brisket will be difficult. And if Han Shi uses a different dish…" Chef Song hesitated.
"Han Shi is a new restaurant, it likely doesn't have any hidden trump cards." Zhao Yangfan shook his head, dismissing the concern. Then he turned to Chef Jin, his expression turning serious.
"Chef Jin, I will find a way to ensure Bright Court Pavilion wins at least one of the first two rounds. As for the final vegetable theme… we're counting on you."
"You mean…" Chef Jin seemed to understand Zhao Yangfan's intention. A trace of dissatisfaction appeared in his eyes, but he only sighed. "Don't worry. Once Emerald Jade Dew is served, no vegetable dish will be able to compete with it."
Zhao Yangfan nodded. "In that case, I'll leave it to the three of you tonight."
With that, he turned and left the room, quietly departing from Bright Court Pavilion.
It seemed… he would have to resort to other methods.
There was a saying: it's hard to satisfy everyone's tastes.
Since the difference in flavor between the two beef dishes wasn't that large, influencing the judges wouldn't be difficult.
Using personal taste preferences as an excuse, it would be entirely possible to sway some judges—especially those already inclined toward Bright Court Pavilion—to vote in their favor.
Of course, Zhao Yangfan didn't dare go too far. If the gap between dishes was too obvious and he still manipulated the outcome, it would be like treating everyone as fools. That would severely damage Bright Court Pavilion's reputation. If not for the urgency of the situation, he wouldn't have considered such a method at all.
According to Chef Song, the difference in the fruit-themed dishes was obvious. So tampering there would be unwise.
Better to concede the fruit round, secure at least one win in the first two rounds, and ensure entry into the third.
Then, with Chef Jin's Emerald Jade Dew, decide the final victory in one stroke!
A look of determination slowly formed on his face.
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Tn: I updated the story once every 2 days, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
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