"This Steamed Sea Bass is also excellent, the flesh is firm yet springy!"
While Dylan sampled the Blanched Squid, Nakiri Alice ate the Steamed Sea Bass. For such fresh fish, steaming was indeed the best method!
"However..."
Putting down her chopsticks, Nakiri Alice looked hesitantly at the Steamed Sea Bass before her, then glanced up at Dylan. Seeing him also pick up his chopsticks and take a piece of the fish, she continued.
"Brother Dylan, this Steamed Sea Bass... it must have been salted during marination, right? I can taste a slight base flavour."
"But I remember you said before that it's best not to salt steamed fish during marination, as it worsens the texture. Yet, this sea bass was clearly salted, but it didn't affect the freshness and tenderness of the fish."
"It wasn't salt, it was scallion-ginger-salt-lemon water. A thin layer was brushed onto the surface of the river fish, then pork lard was brushed over that, allowing it to heat quickly in the steamer. The lard helps lock in moisture, counteracting the effect of the salt."
Facing Nakiri Alice's confusion, Dylan explained.
"When I taught you before, I said that to ensure steamed fish remains fresh, tender, and not dry, you don't need to add salt, just scallion-ginger water to remove the fishy smell. But that applies mainly to sea fish."
"For river fish, because they mostly live in muddy environments, they have an earthy, muddy taste. They smell much fishier than sea fish, so adding a tiny bit of saltwater is acceptable. However, you can't put too much salt in it, which is why he also added lemon water to counter the fishiness."
Dylan patiently explained the difference. Compared to sea fish, cooking river fish required more effort and care.
"I see."
Hearing Dylan's answer, Nakiri Alice nodded, seeming to half-understand. She hadn't expected such nuances.
"The shrimp pasta is quite ordinary. The tenderness of the shrimp wasn't handled well, making the texture a bit tough. But achieving this level at his age is already decent. With a few more years of polishing, he should be able to reach the standard of a Second Class Chef."
After tasting the dishes, Dylan gave a fair assessment. This was a restaurant without standout features, but one that executed basic dishes well.
Such establishments were well-suited for ordinary fishermen.
Through his experiences over this period, Dylan had come to understand the standards required for various chef levels.
To become a Second Class Chef, one needed to advance further in their specialized field, capable of producing at least 18 dishes that met the standards of that rank.
A First Class Head Chef needed to be able to tackle any challenge set by an examiner, creating a dish fitting the theme within the allotted time. Furthermore, they couldn't only excel in their own specialty; their skills in other types of cuisine had to reach at least the level of a Third Class Chef.
Special Grade Chefs were divided into nine stars.
To become a Special Grade Chef, one needed mastery in at least three different culinary directions and similarly pass examiner challenges, demonstrating no significant weaknesses.
To advance further and become a legendary Starred Special Grade Chef, one had to challenge a Special Grade Chef of the same star level, wagering the stars on their own chest in a Shokugeki duel, officiated under the impartial judgment of a First-Class Executive Officer from the Gourmet Research Association.
Yes, Shokugeki duels. However, the Shokugeki in this world were no longer the minor skirmishes of Totsuki Academy but a dueling method sweeping across the entire global chef community.
Any grudge, any grievance, could be settled through a Shokugeki.
Additionally, participating in various high-prestige cooking competitions could also earn stars, serving as the common promotion path for chefs.
"Listening to your tone, you must be a very skilled chef. I want to challenge you. If I win, I'll waive the cost of this meal for you."
Just as Dylan was lost in thought, Kurokiba Ryou's figure appeared behind him somehow. The boy's eyes stared intently at him, as if looking at some rare treasure.
"Challenge me? Isn't the order a bit mixed up? With your skill level, if you want to challenge me, you should wait another ten thousand years!"
Although Dylan had already sensed Kurokiba Ryou appear behind him, he had no intention of accepting the challenge.
A duel between mismatched opponents was just a waste of time, even if he won.
"Are you scared? Just now you were critiquing someone else's cooking so knowledgeably, looking quite the part. Could it be you're actually an utter fraud?!"
"Such a low-level provocation tactic won't work on me."
Seeing the fighting spirit burning in Kurokiba Ryou's eyes, Dylan understood his thoughts clearly. Back when he himself had gained a bit of skill, he also enjoyed challenging others everywhere.
Dueling with stronger opponents often yielded great rewards.
However, a strong person's time is precious. He himself had paid a considerable price back then to challenge those Lin Chefs in the Dark Culinary World.
"You think you are worthy of challenging my master?"
"And who are you?"
Kurokiba Ryou was about to say more but was interrupted. Turning his head, he found Nakiri Alice glaring at him with undisguised hostility.
"I am the apprentice of the person you want to challenge! It's not arrogance, but I'm telling you, if we were to truly compete, you wouldn't even measure up to me! How dare you speak so rudely to my master? Truly ignorant!"
Nakiri Alice spoke forcefully, her words sharp. At this moment, she was furious. After all, Kurokiba Ryou had insulted her master right in front of her.
Although she dearly wanted her master to step in and teach him a lesson, show him there are always higher mountains, the opponent's skill level wasn't even up to hers. It was rightfully her place to take action.
"What did you say?! Can a little slip of a girl like you even hold a kitchen knife?!"
Hearing Nakiri Alice's words, Kurokiba Ryou's eyes widened, his voice instantly rising several octaves, causing Dylan to cover one ear.
"What, what?! So rude! Not only can I hold a knife, but I can also use it to defeat you, beat you black and blue!"
Nakiri Alice shouted back, even more dissatisfied.
"In that case, you two have a match. The theme will be seafood, which you excel at. If you can win against Alice, then I will compete with you."
Looking at the fuming Nakiri Alice, Dylan thought for a moment and proposed.
This girl had been learning cooking for so long but hadn't yet competed against a chef of comparable skill. Her practical combat experience was pitifully weak. This was a perfect opportunity to gain some valuable experience.
"It's a deal!"
Hearing Dylan's words, Kurokiba Ryou hastily agreed. In his view, a frail girl like Nakiri Alice could never produce a dish surpassing his.
If even someone like her could surpass him, then his relentless days and nights working as head chef in the restaurant, honing his skills, would be utterly laughable!
"Then let's compete in your kitchen! The judges will be my master and the diners present here. The loser must apologize to the winner!"
"Fine, I accept your challenge! Follow me."
Seeing Kurokiba Ryou agree, Nakiri Alice's lips curled slightly upwards, her clenched fists relaxing somewhat. This guy had insulted Dylan so badly just now; it was utterly intolerable! She would absolutely not forgive him easily!
Since he didn't believe he could lose, Kurokiba Ryou's expression remained largely unchanged. He simply turned and walked towards the kitchen, Nakiri Alice immediately following suit.
____________
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