Who gave this heretical practitioner permission to cook?

Chapter 21, the final showdown, was over when a master suddenly called in via video.
"Bald cook!"

As soon as Zhang Yong finished speaking, the bald cook jumped up excitedly.

The eliminated "Home-Style Dishes" was very envious. He felt that this guy's luck was like stepping in dog poop. He was in the initial stage of being put on hold, then he advanced, and now he's been resurrected.

Xia Ming could understand the judges' thoughts. "Bald Cook" wasn't a bad dish; he was just unlucky.

I remember Zhang Yong's comment on the first bowl of fried rice was that the sausage flavor was too strong. It's a matter of personal taste, and he felt that it might have been too much for Nicholas Tse.

The second round was even worse. Shuai Xiaojian, who tore apart "Hua 6 level", made no mistakes in the game, but made a mistake in choosing the right ingredients.

To be fair, his skill level is above average among these contestants; he just doesn't pay enough attention to details.

Right after all the resurrected contestants were announced, the introductions of the qualifiers for this 1v1 showdown appeared on the big screen.

First, let's look at the chefs, listed in order of their competition dates.

[1. Shuai Xiaojian (Level 6, Chinese Language): Food critic, variety show star, proficient in multiple cuisines, known as the "Taste-Seeking Chef".]

2. Chen Xiaodong (Level 4, Chinese): Head Chef of "Leap" Restaurant, the youngest head chef at Black Pearl Restaurant, specializing in Cantonese cuisine, known as "Chef Like Fish".

3. Zeng Huaijun (Level 6, Chinese): Head Chef of "Chuan Song" Restaurant, 7-year Michelin certified, specializing in Sichuan cuisine, known as the "Queen of Sichuan".

4. Lai Chi-On (Level 6, Chinese): Founder of "Nearby" restaurant, specializing in Cantonese cuisine and its fusion dishes, known as the "Chef and Wine Master".

5. Dong Jiaqi (Level 6, Chinese Language): Possesses over 20 years of kitchen management experience, is proficient in multiple cuisines, and is known as "Sister Dong".

6. Yang Yanbin (Level 4, Chinese Language): Head chef of "Fu Lou," a rising star chef, winner of numerous culinary competitions, and the leader of the "Four Master Chefs of Fu Lou."

7. Huang Qiyun (Level 5, Chinese): Food judge, vice chairman of the Chinese Cuisine Association, inheritor of Shaoxing-Xin cuisine, specializing in Shaoxing-Xin dishes, known as the "King of Shaoxing-Xin Shrimp and Crab".

8. Wang Qingrui (Level 6, Chinese Language): Third-generation inheritor of the famous dish "Husband and Wife Lung Slices," a non-material cultural heritage chef, known as "Old Wang of Lung Slices."

Resurrected contestant.

9. Lin Chao (Level 4): A renowned chef in the Guangzhou-Shenzhen area, he has won numerous competitions and is extremely famous for his exceptionally delicious dishes, earning him the nickname "Chef Lin".

[10. Jin Hongnan (Level 5, West): Founder and manager of "Jin Cuisine," with exceptional expertise in French cuisine, known as "Big Jin."]

【11. Shao De Nong (Level 5 Chinese): Operates several Black Pearl star restaurants, with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. He is extremely skilled in handling fusion cuisine and is known as "Uncle Nong"】

As the information of the 11 chefs was revealed one by one, applause rang out in the competition arena, and the live stream chat was flashing wildly.

[The handsome chef is awesome! Chef Zeng is awesome!]

Chen Xiaodong just happened to encounter the "mischievous old man by the stove"; if it were anyone else, they might have been eliminated by now.

[This list is quite impressive. I've eaten at Chef Lin Chao's restaurant before, and his dishes are excellent. I support him.]

I still remember Master Huang Qiyun's Shaoxing wine-braised crab from three years ago!

[If the transition from "Senior Chef" to "Second-Level Special Chef" is this impressive, then wouldn't a First-Level Special Chef be invincible?]

[Don't even think about it, upstairs. A Level 1 Master Chef (Level 7 in Chinese cuisine) is impossible to get on this kind of variety show. The fact that so many Level 2 Master Chefs (Level 6 in Chinese cuisine) are showing up is only because the producer has extensive connections in the culinary world; otherwise, these Level 2 Master Chefs wouldn't even bother to come!]

I strongly suggest that more variety shows like this be made; I really love watching them!

Xia Ming also narrowed his eyes slightly as he stared at the list.

The development of chefs in this world is completely different from that in the Nine Provinces Continent. Just a "Hua Level 6" chef is enough to impress him, let alone the chefs above that.

"Actually, being a chef in this world is pretty good. You get paid for cooking, and you don't have to worry about getting the ingredients yourself. If you become famous, you can also help promote the show."

"This kind of treatment is something that even the Blood Blade Sect wouldn't dare to dream of, let alone the entire Nine Provinces Continent. Hmm, I need to quickly master the 'Blood Fusion Demon Cultivation Method' so that not only will my physical strength be improved, but I can also unlock some skills that can be used in the kitchen."

In fact, the "Blood Fusion Demon Cultivation Method" is not a cultivation technique specifically for kitchens. To be precise, Xia Ming had never heard of a cultivation technique in the Nine Provinces Continent that was specifically for chefs.

His ability to process ingredients using the "Blood Fusion Demon Cultivation Method" was largely thanks to the "Master Chef" in the Blood Blade Sect's kitchen. "If it weren't for the 'Master Chef' telling the Blood Blade Demon Ancestor that I had a talent for cooking, I probably wouldn't have survived three years in the Blood Blade Sect with my mixed spiritual roots."

"I remember when the Blood Sabre Sect was wiped out, Master should have been down the mountain making supplies. I hope you're alright. Your disciple is unfilial; I can't take care of you in your old age."

"Let me put these skills you taught me to good use in this world! Don't worry, once I open my shop, I'll definitely set up a 'stone statue' to worship you."

Thinking of the master chef, Xia Ming's expression turned somewhat emotional. After letting out a long sigh, he composed himself and continued to look up at the screen.

At this point, the screen began displaying information about the 11 players, still sorted by match.

[1. Sichuan-Chongqing Ice and Fire Chef (Unrated): An ordinary barbecue restaurant owner who won unanimous praise from the judges for his extraordinary creativity and imaginative culinary skills.]

2. Xiaohua (West Level 4): Head chef of "Embroidered Red Flower French Cuisine," specializing in creative dishes that combine French and Chinese cuisine.

[3. Hard work pays off (Level 3 in Western cuisine): A highly daring and promising young chef who has worked in several Western restaurants.]

[4. Banquet Cuisine Graduate Students (Chinese Level 3): Head Chef of "Mei Shi Yan" (美·时宴), National Champion of Chinese Molecular Gastronomy, extremely skilled at preparing banquet dishes in various extreme environments.]

[5. Fish Fairy (Level 2, Chinese): Owner of Xu Ji Seafood Stall, who impressed the judges with a bowl of clear fish soup.]

6. Pure-hearted Little Chili Pepper (Level 2, Chinese): Executive Chef of "Xiang·Ao," extremely skilled in Hunan cuisine, her "Stir-fried Pork with Chili and Sweet Potato Noodles" won over all the judges.

[7. Lolo Hum Hum (West Level 3): Owner and head chef of "Shiye" in Yunzhinan District. Extremely skilled in using spices, his strength lies in combining Yunzhinan's unique flavors with Western cuisine.]

[8. A Dark Horse (Level 3, Chinese Cuisine): A mysterious young man from a rural restaurant, whose culinary specialties are unknown. In a 1v1 competition, he defeated Chef Shao Denong, a Level 5 Chinese Cuisine chef, leaving a very deep impression on the judges and the audience.]

Resurrected contestant.

9. Xia Yuxingye (Level 4, Chinese): Owner and head chef of "Seven Summers" restaurant, a rising star chef, winner of multiple culinary competitions, and one of the "Four Lucky Chefs".

[10. Chef of Chemistry Department (West 3rd year): Owner and head chef of the restaurant "OtK" in the Minato Ward, specializing in molecular gastronomy, and a recipient of the Minato Ward's Top Ten Emerging Chefs award.]

[11. Bald Cook (West Level 3): Head Chef of "Waldau" Restaurant. Skilled, bold, and meticulous. We look forward to seeing even better performances from him.]

The information of the 11 contestants was relatively simple compared to that of the chefs, and controversial voices kept rising in the live broadcast room.

Among this group of people, the Sichuan-Chongqing "Ice and Fire Chef" looked like a clown.

[Yes, even the production team didn't know how to describe it, so they were forced to use extraordinary creativity and wildly imaginative culinary skills to cobble together a summary.]

The extraordinary creativity refers to "fermented mung bean juice + balut," and the unbridled culinary skill refers to "roasted scorpion" (just kidding)

[This is hilarious! It feels like an amateur has snuck into a perfectly good cooking competition.]

[Being unranked means being second-rate, which is equivalent to being an amateur!]

[I think this bald cook is a total noob. He was resurrected after his initial appearance, and he's still resurrected now. He's just relying on luck to beat his opponents.]

[Could this dark horse be someone from the organizers? Master Shao is a Huawei 5, how can this kid compare?]

Putting aside the comments, the contestants' information was displayed on the big screen, and then the production team came over to tell everyone to go back and rest.

The competition will start in the morning as well. After Xia Ming wrote down the details, he returned to the hotel with everyone.

Downstairs at the hotel, the contestants split into several small groups. Some went to sing karaoke, some went for a drink, and some said they wanted to stroll through the night market. The bald cook originally wanted to invite Xia Ming for a drink, but he had to rush back to cultivate the "Blood Fusion Demon Cultivation Method," so he declined.

Just as he was getting a takeout meal downstairs and heading back to his room, his phone suddenly rang.

He picked it up and saw it was a video call. He casually clicked on it, and on the other end appeared a middle-aged man with graying hair. Judging from his dazed eyes, he was clearly drunk.

Xia Ming glanced at his face and suddenly his eyes widened.

"A great master??"

(End of this chapter)