The strongest anime shop owner

"Cough cough cough cough... Ugh, it's smoke."

When Soma finished the final touches, the charcoal stove was filled with thick smoke.

"Sweat? I know exactly what that guy does... but..." At this moment, Mimasaka, not knowing what he sensed or what, touched his neck and found his hand was covered in sweat. Looking at Soma, who was walking through thick smoke, carrying dishes, towards the inspectors, a strange sense of fear rose within him. This feeling was so unreal for someone who thought he controlled everything. He hesitated, wondering, "What... am I afraid of?"

"Alright, everyone... please enjoy your meal." At this moment, Soma had already served his dishes.

"oh oh···!?"

"this···"

"This is···!?"

After Soma served the dishes, everyone's attention was drawn to them, even his rivals Erina Nakiri and Subaru Mimasaka, despite not knowing what they would be like.

"Here, please enjoy... [Yukihira-ryu Stewed Beef] - [Autumn Selection Tournament Special Cooking]!!" Soma named his dish as usual after serving it.

"What?! Isn't it just stewing different cuts of meat together?"

"Plate it with pork belly and vegetables grilled over a charcoal grill...just like grilled meat!"

After Soma served the dish, its appearance was immediately revealed to everyone. In the center of the white porcelain plate was a piece of oxtail that had been pan-fried and stewed, which looked very tender. Around it were various ingredients that had been prepared earlier. The whole dish looked like a hodgepodge, and it looked very simple.

"Don't joke with me...! Who makes stewed beef like this?!" Looking at this dish that was almost a hodgepodge, Kakuzaki Taki was furious. Obviously, he felt that this dish was like... a random, unplanned stew. If you just looked at it like this, no one would think it was a good dish.

"Don't jump to conclusions yet. This is genuine stewed beef... because these are all side dishes." Compared to the hot-tempered and easily agitated Kakuzaki Taki, the others were obviously much calmer. Looking at the furious Kakuzaki Taki, Soma did not show the slightest anxiety on his face, but calmly explained.

"What...?" Kakuzaki Taki was clearly surprised by Soma's answer, because generally speaking, side dishes are like a refreshing agent, serving both decorative and flavor-enhancing purposes. Without side dishes, it's like a fish in water without oxygen. At least the side dishes wouldn't turn into a hodgepodge like Soma did.

"But speaking of cow diaphragm... isn't that cow's internal organ?! I've never heard of anyone using it in beef stew..."

"He's going too far with his own interpretation. Is that really a problem?"

Looking at Soma's dishes, the members of the Polar Star Dormitory were all worried, even Tadokoro was very concerned, obviously the dishes Su Luo made were too unexpected.

"It's just a hodgepodge of ingredients... What a chaotic dish! His side dishes can't even come close to mine!! The bacon smoked with the [Mother Bean Tree] has a unique and enticing aroma! That's my meticulously smoked masterpiece!!" Mimasaka Subaru looked at Soma's dish and compared it to his own in his mind, but he still thought that Soma was far superior to him.

"Hmm...it smells like it's been grilled over charcoal!" Hinako Inui, who had been trying to recruit Soma, scooped up a spoonful and exclaimed as she smelled the unique aroma.

"Is this beef tongue and beef fin meat...? The stewing temperature seems fine..." Kikuchi Koen scooped up some food, looked at the ingredients, and said, clearly somewhat distrustful of the dish prepared by Soma.

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Chapter 214 Examination 3

“Alright, let’s begin,” Dojima Gin said, taking a spoonful and addressing everyone, “Try it!”

This was the most tense and important moment of the competition. Although the judges' evaluations didn't mean much, a good evaluation meant a higher chance of winning. So at this moment, many people were staring intently, and there was almost no sound in the room. As Soma's companions, they all hoped that Soma's dish would be liked by the judges.

"Wha-what-!?" Kakuzaki Taki, who had initially been somewhat dismissive of the dish, was immediately surprised when he tasted it. The flavor bursting forth was like a thrilling rollercoaster ride: "Whoa! This place is such an unexpected twist-!!"

"Delicious!!" After swallowing the first bite, Kakuzaki Taki couldn't help but shout, "The beef fin meat melts in your mouth! The chewy beef tongue and honeycomb! Waves of deliciousness spread through my mouth, it's like a screaming amusement park!"

"Especially this diaphragm meat grilled over charcoal, it tastes absolutely delicious! Usually, diaphragm meat is sliced ​​thinly, but he specially cut it into thin slices, allowing the meat to absorb the rich meat juices! Then, he finely cut a grid pattern on the surface of the meat slices."

"After being grilled over charcoal, these meat slices become elastic and chewy. Even when added to stews, their intense flavor remains undiminished! This dish may seem chaotic at first glance! But each part is perfectly combined, making it a meticulously designed amusement park ride! It's a flawless creation!" Mizuhara Fuyumi commented as she ate.

"What did you say?! How can a dish made entirely on the spot have such a high level of completion?!" After hearing their praise, Mimasaka Ao exclaimed in surprise, because this evaluation was completely different from what he had imagined.

“Mimasaka, actually, I’ve thought about the same thing as you. I tried to emphasize the flavor by using a side dish like special bacon, but that would never achieve the flavor I’m looking for – just having a sharp, prominent taste isn’t enough, it wouldn’t be my style of cooking – yes, it’s like that, a feeling of various rich and colorful flavors and vegetables all coming together in one dish –” Soma explained, seeing Mimasaka’s flustered state. Clearly, Soma’s cooking was indeed improvised, but he still had his own considerations.

"That's truly original! I never imagined that stewed beef could have so many different flavors! How did you come up with this combination?" After taking another bite, Kikuchi Koen patted his chest, let out a satisfied sigh, and then said to Soma.

"Ah—actually, I did have a prototype for this dish." Speaking of this, Soma said casually, "I just thought of it this morning."

"A prototype? What kind of dish is the prototype he's talking about?" After hearing Soma's words, Kakuzaki Taki was stunned. He thought to himself, after all, a dish like this is almost unique, so many people would immediately think that the prototype must be an amazing dish.

“It’s [Chikuzen-ni],” Soma answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Haaaaaaah!?"

"Stewed beef and Chikuzen simmered beef!?"

"Meat dishes and vegetable dishes are completely unrelated!"

"Isn't Zhuzhuqianzhu a very ordinary home-style dish?"

After hearing Soma's answer, many people were surprised. It's understandable, as Soma's thinking was so unconventional that it was hard for many to accept, since vegetable dishes and meat dishes are completely different things.

“That’s a misconception! Professional chefs prepare Chikuzen-ni separately, so the vegetables are cooked for different times. This is to bring out the most beautiful colors and flavors of the ingredients! And when plating all the vegetables, they also pay attention to the balance of the whole dish,” Soma explained.

"Chikuzen-ni is a flavor that appeals to everyone!"

"This is Yukihira's specialty!"

After hearing Soma's words, the people in the Polar Star members' dormitory suddenly remembered Soma's specialty, and their original gloomy expressions vanished, replaced by high spirits.

"How could this happen—Soma, you bastard!" After hearing Soma and the others' discussion, Mimasaka Subaru almost lost control of his emotions. This food battle hadn't developed as he had expected at all; in fact, it had far exceeded his expectations. So, things with flaws will eventually show their weaknesses. In an instant, Mimasaka Subaru's face turned ugly, and he yelled at Soma, "You were cornered by me, so you resorted to improvisation to avoid the challenge, right?! Your mind should have gone blank, and your thinking should have stopped!"

"I never said I improvised! I kept simulating the effects of various combinations in my mind. Before this competition started, or rather, before I started cooking, I kept thinking about the path I've taken so far, constantly trying random combinations. I used all my memory, constantly building and recombining! Right in my mind!! All the dishes that my opponents investigated, in order to surpass them, this is something you absolutely cannot imitate!" It seems like Soma made it so casually, but that's only what others see on the surface. How many people can see the real thing? Every good dish cannot be made so casually.

"How is that possible?! That's a realm that even I can't reach even after tracking it completely?!" After hearing Soma's explanation, Mimasaka Subaru was stunned for a moment. He was speechless and covered in cold sweat, clearly realizing that Soma's understanding of him had exceeded his expectations.

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Chapter 215 Su Luo's Creative Dishes

"It seems that the one who never stops thinking is Soma, constantly searching for the traces of his own cooking—that's the true experience of a chef!" Dojima Gin thought to himself, arms crossed, observing the situation. "And what he's created is a dazzling paradise adorned with beef! In other words, a dreamlike kingdom that one never wants to leave!"

This dish is like taking all the tasters to an amusement park, where all kinds of joy make them linger, as if they are living in a fairy tale.

thump~

With the ringing of the bell, the review time for the second dish was over.

Next up was Su Luo's turn to serve her dishes. However, there were five judges for this competition, and considering her height and other factors, she had to serve her dishes in two separate servings each time, which was quite tragic.

As Mimasaka watched Su Luo's comical, short figure carrying the dishes, the contempt and confidence he had shown before were gone from his eyes. After what happened with Soma, he realized that his perfect tracking technique was not invincible.

"【Colorful Flame & Oxtail Meat】, please enjoy!" Su Luo said after serving all the dishes.

"Wow, this dish is so beautiful! This is the first time I've ever seen it made with so many different kinds of cocktails. Also, why isn't this dish served with any side dishes? Is this lemon supposed to be a side dish? And finally..." After looking at the exquisite dish in front of him, Mujichi Orchard said a whole bunch of things.

"Shut up! You big-breasted monster! What are you babbling about over there?!" Just as Su Luo was talking nonstop, Kakuzaki Taki next to her suddenly popped a big "well" shape on his forehead, kicked her, and roared.

"Colorfulflame!? You mean a cocktail with these seven colors?" At this moment, Fuyumi Mizuhara, who had been maintaining a cool and indifferent demeanor, finally spoke up.

"Hahaha, the dishes my little Su Luo made are really beautiful! Just by looking at this dish, I've decided to vote for you." Inui Hinako cupped her cheeks in her hands, revealing a cat-like face, and said to Su Luo.

"Ahem, alright. As a judge for this competition, I must ensure fairness. Let's start preparing for the tasting." Seeing that the judges' table was almost in chaos, Dojima Gin, sitting in the middle, coughed a few times and said.

After Dojima Gin finished speaking, the other four stopped and straightened their posture, indicating that Dojima Gin had a high level of prestige among them.

Just as Dojima Gin finished speaking, everyone picked up their spoons, ready to start tasting the dish. But at that moment, Su Luo's voice rang out: "Wait a minute, this dish isn't finished yet!"

"What!?" Upon hearing Su Luo's words, the examiners immediately stopped what they were doing and exclaimed reflexively.

"First of all, I need to explain that these two lemon slices are not side dishes, but merely garnishes." Su Luo felt it was necessary to explain her dish, since they still had many questions.

"What!? If this isn't a side dish, then this cocktail is probably..." After hearing Su Luo's words, everyone was obviously surprised. After all, apart from lemon slices, there didn't seem to be anything else on it. However, when Mujiu Zhiguoyuan looked at the dish, he seemed to remember something and said, but his words were somewhat surprised and hesitant. After all, it seemed that there really wasn't a cocktail as a side dish.

"That's right, but it's not a cocktail, it's a cocktail with concentrated broth underneath." Su Luo readily admitted, and then explained.

"What!?"

"This is the first time I've ever heard of using cocktails and broth as side dishes."

After hearing Su Luo's words, everyone was obviously taken aback, since they had never heard of using soup broth as a side dish before.

"And this is what the dish should really look like." After Su Luo said this, she set the entire plate on fire. Because the cocktail contained a relatively high amount of alcohol, the plate burst into flames upon contact with the fire. Due to the different colors of the cocktail, the flames created seven different colors. Under the seven-colored flames, the entire dish became somewhat dreamlike, with a very beautiful scene. A refreshing and strong aroma of alcohol immediately wafted out, making people feel intoxicated.

On a white porcelain plate, sizzling under the flames, the tender, juicy oxtail in the center looked incredibly tempting. It was garnished with a sprig of cilantro and a rich, original sauce, its color like a beautiful brown gemstone, radiating a captivating glow. Surrounding it were cocktails of various colors; through the almost transparent cocktails, one could vaguely see a milky white layer beneath the burgundy base. Two lemon slices were casually arranged on the plate, topped with a sprig of mint, which, under the heat of the flames, released a refreshing lemon and mint aroma. Under the seven colors of the flames, the porcelain plate also took on a rainbow of hues. The entire dish looked like a dream, and some of the women exclaimed in amazement.

"Hahaha, I knew it! My little Su Luo is the best!" Upon seeing this scene, the entire arena fell silent for a moment, followed by a deafening roar. Inui Hinako shouted almost immediately, her face full of excitement.

"What do you mean 'your home'? Don't talk nonsense, old lady~" Su Luo was very unhappy with Inui Hinako's way of addressing him. He hated it when people said he was small or something like that.

"Hello, by the way, Su Luo, didn't you say you'd come to my place after your studies? I've been waiting for so long." Inui Hinako completely ignored Su Luo's complaints and said this.

"Please don't say things that could cause misunderstandings!? It will bother other people. And hurry up and taste it!" After hearing what Inui Hinako said, Su Luo was speechless. What was that all about?

After hearing Su Luo's words, they realized that they were supposed to be inspectors. However, seeing their hesitant expressions, they said, "Just scoop it up directly. The alcohol content of the cocktail is not very high, and it's only one layer. You can eat it directly without waiting for the fire to burn out, otherwise it won't taste good."

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Chapter 216 The Final Result

"Then let's all start the tasting!" Dojima Gin said after hearing Su Luo's words.

"Yes, it truly lives up to its name, 【Colorful Flame & Oxtail Meat】. If someone were to serve this dish at night, the scene would be incredibly romantic." Looking at this dreamlike dish, Kikuchi Koen placed her hands together on one side of her face, a blissful expression on her face.

"Stop dreaming! No one could possibly like a big-breasted monster like you!" Seeing Kikuchiko's infatuated expression, Kakuzaki Taki couldn't stand it anymore. His fiery temper flared up, and his words shattered Kikuchiko's fantasy.

"Do you think anyone will like you, you tomboy?" At this moment, the usually timid and cowardly Kikichikoen suddenly found the courage to say such a thing.

"Hey, you have guts!" Seeing that Mujichi Orchard was talking back to him, he immediately put on a fierce expression, clenched his fists, and looked like he was about to start a fight.

"Have mercy! I was wrong!" When Mujichi Orchard realized the situation was bad, he suddenly remembered that he had just been so cool. He really couldn't stay cool for more than three minutes.

"After the cocktail is lit, it not only makes the whole dish look more beautiful, but the heat also processes the dish again. Eating this dish is like eating a freshly cooked dish. The oxtail is still sizzling. The heat makes the aroma of the whole dish overflow, making your mouth water. If you eat it at night, it will be even more wonderful," said Hinako Inui, looking at the dish in front of her.

"Yes, under the heat of the flame, it not only looks beautiful, but also processes the original broth, revealing the refreshing lemon and minty coolness, as well as the rich meaty flavor and the mixed flavor of various cocktails. You can smell different aromas with almost every breath," said Mizuhara Fuyumi, looking at the dish.

"This dish is indeed very beautiful and creative, but I wonder what it will taste like." Dojima Gin picked up a spoon and scooped up a spoonful. Although he said this, there was a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Mmm, it's so delicious! Even though this oxtail meat has been pan-fried and then grilled, it still stays tender and juicy. The moment you bite into it, the juices burst out, and with the rich original juices from the pan-frying, it's even more delicious, Su Luojun. This oxtail meat has been pan-fried and grilled the whole time, so how does it still stay so tender and juicy?" When Mu Jiuzhi Guoyuan ate the meat, the juices from the oxtail meat burst out and filled her entire mouth. She immediately held her face and showed a look of enjoyment.

"Because this is frozen meat," Su Luo said bluntly, standing there.

"Frozen meat!?" Kikuchi Orchard reacted with a start, then exclaimed.

"That's right, it's frozen meat. Many people say that freezing meat products will destroy their nutrients and texture, but that's not true. With the development of technology, although this technology is not currently used for food storage and is not very mature, it is possible to freeze human bodies in reality. Many people believe that in the future, technology will be more advanced, and they hope to freeze people with diseases who have family members who are willing and willing to pay for it, hoping that they can be revived when medical technology is more advanced in the future."

In other words, even if freezing stops all bodily activity, under certain conditions, it's considered to enter a dormant state. However, the cost is simply too high; spending money on food storage is not worthwhile unless you're a fool. Moreover, the technology isn't particularly mature yet. Therefore, reviving it won't cause too much of an impact. My method is the same: while freezing, I preserve the meat's quality and nutrients. When frying, I coat it with a fine layer of wheat flour. Of course, the meat is already seasoned with spices when it's frozen, so even if the ice inside melts, it retains sufficient moisture and flavor, ensuring it's not only tender and juicy but also has a richer taste.” Su Luo held up one finger and explained seriously.

"I've never heard of this before." Inui Hinako put a finger to her lips, as if she was thinking about something, but then she stopped thinking about it and said, "My little Su Luo is really knowledgeable, she even knows about this kind of thing."

“It’s normal that you don’t know, after all, these are not the same field.” Su Luo waved her hand and said, but what she said was also true. After all, different fields really don’t get much attention, let alone the fact that medical and culinary professions are not even on the same track. Who would pay attention to such things?

"But you act like you know everything, even though you're just a 7 or 8-year-old kid," Hinako Inui muttered, pouting.

Upon hearing such casual words, Su Luo's forehead immediately creased with anger, but considering the current situation, she held back.

"Ah-what is this?! It's so delicious!! The broth is made from concentrated bone broth, and it tastes like a hidden bomb."

The moment it enters your mouth, the rich, meaty flavor fills the air—the essence of the whole cow! Paired with a mellow red wine, it's an absolute perfect match.

After baking for such a long time, the alcohol in the red wine did not dissipate; this must be due to the tin foil.