HP: Wizards at Hogwarts

A cooking competition?

That's quite novel!

Hogwarts has never held a similar event since its founding.

For a time, even the seventh-year wizards were eager to try.

They valued not only the 10 Galleons prize money, but also the honor of being champions.

During their seven years at school, most of them lived mediocre lives and achieved little.

If they can seize this opportunity and win a 'championship' at the school, at least they'll have something to be proud of after they leave Hogwarts.

Moreover, they all felt that Elaine, this young wizard, was extraordinary and would surely achieve great things in the future. Therefore, his creation of the "Food Research Society" would very likely be recorded in the future "A History of Hogwarts".

To be even bolder, perhaps decades from now, the title of "Hogwarts Cooking Competition Champion" will be an honor on par with the "Best Quidditch Player," and will be displayed in the trophy room on the third floor of the castle!

"Besides the competition, our 'Food Research Club' will also prepare a lot of delicious food on the day. Interested students are welcome to come and try it."

"I guarantee it's a delicacy you've never seen, heard of, or tasted before!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire cafeteria erupted in uproar.

Most wizards aren't particularly interested in studying food, but when it comes to tasting it, they're quite interested.

"Free, Elaine?"

"Well... personally, I'd love to say it's free, but as the president of the 'Food Research Club,' I have to consider its proper functioning."

"So my answer is that it's free for club members, and non-club members will each have to pay 1 Sico for admission."

"To participate in the competition, you need a registration fee of 10 Sico!"

One Sickle is well within an acceptable range for young wizards.

Even the Weasleys, a notoriously poor family in the wizarding world, had enough pocket money to buy this cheap admission ticket.

Sure enough, as soon as Elaine finished speaking, Ron next to him became incredibly excited and started silently counting how much pocket money he still had.

Ron’s twin brother, standing next to him, was whispering and plotting.

"Did you hear that, George?"

"Of course, the prize money is 10 Galleons, and I'm sure there will be a lot of people signing up!"

"All we need to do is set up a betting platform, and we'll have the start-up capital for 'Weasley's Trick Room'!"

The two exchanged a smile as they spoke.

After announcing the three events—the establishment of the club, the cooking competition, and the gourmet feast—Eleven concluded his speech.

The dining hall became noisy again, but this time, the young wizards had a new topic to discuss: whether to sign up for the cooking competition and try their luck at the 10 Galleons prize, and what new and interesting food Elaven would prepare for the banquet on Saturday.

Hufflepuff Table.

A group of young wizards surrounded Elaven, chattering away with questions.

"Elizabeth, I want to join the 'Food Research Club.' Who should I contact to apply? What are the requirements?"

"By the way, where is our club's base? Is it in the cafeteria? Or are we moving to the kitchen?"

"If I start learning to cook now, what do you think my chances are of winning the championship?"

"..."

Elaine waved his hands, signaling everyone to calm down, and then answered their questions one by one.

"You can join a club now; the membership fee is 10 shicos."

"What?! Ten Xicos?!"

Suddenly, someone behind me screamed, "Why is it so expensive?! Weren't the study club and sports club free to join before?"

"Because researching food is very expensive!"

Elaine spread his hands helplessly and said, "If the club wants to hold an event, it needs to buy all kinds of ingredients, and these things all cost money. The school can only cover part of the cost, and the rest naturally has to be shared by all members."

"Of course, if the club makes money, everyone will share it."

The people around fell silent.

They knew that Elaine's words made perfect sense, but they found it hard to accept because their idea of ​​"exploiting loopholes to participate in the banquet for free" had failed.

"The second question."

Elaine continued, "The newly established 'Food Research Club' does not have a fixed activity room. I will decide the venue for each event only before it is held. As for the kitchen utensils, recipes, and seasonings needed for the events, they are usually kept in the kitchens of Hogwarts and looked after by the house-elves."

"By the way, from now on, all activities of the 'Food Research Club' will be held on Saturday afternoons, with the meeting point in the cafeteria."

There is no club activity room?

Everyone was taken aback again: "Why isn't there an activity room? Did they fail to get the application approved? Doesn't the school have any abandoned classrooms left?"

"That's not how it works!"

Elaine shook his head: "Studying food is a complex and difficult undertaking. One must go out into nature, personally understand the mysteries of creation, the sun, moon and stars, observe the charm of mountains and rivers, wind, clouds and rain, and listen to the stories of plants, birds, insects and fish."

"If you limit yourself to one place or one room, you won't be able to do any research."

"We need to travel to different places to find inspiration in order to create foods with more variety in style and flavor."

"Just like learning, we can only improve by exchanging ideas with each other. However, this time we need to exchange ideas not only with people, but also with the entire natural world."

Everyone: "..."

Although I don't understand what you're saying, you seem really impressive.

Elaine then answered other questions.

Before long, more people came over, wanting to join the club, participate in banquets, and sign up for competitions.

After Elaine ascertained their names, grades, and colleges, he wrote them down one by one.

There were many young wizards who wanted to participate in the banquet, from various colleges and grades. They were all eager to see the food that Elaine had mentioned, food they had never seen, heard of, or eaten before.

The number of people joining clubs and signing up for competitions is relatively small, and the combined number of people from the other three houses is less than half the number of Hufflepuffs—the little badgers really love food!

"Having studied at Hogwarts for so many years, I've never heard of any 'cooking competition' or anything like that. I'm really looking forward to it!"

"Eleven, this is your first time organizing these kinds of events. Are you confident?"

"We are now members of the 'Food Research Club' as well, so please feel free to ask if you need any help."

"That's right. Although we can't cook, we can still help you organize the staff and manage the situation."

The little badgers' warmth and kindness deeply moved Elaine.

"Don't worry, everyone. I'll definitely contact you if I need your help!"