Star Forge Titan

"If I hadn't placed those two circles of pineapple slices on the Genoa open pie on the day of the apprenticeship exam, there might have been a slight chance of getting the official approval from that stubborn old man."

Chapter 173 Special Chef

"Pie is coming~"

With a slight ding sound, the wooden door connecting the kitchen and the front desk was pushed open from the inside.

Crocodile Udonna used her tail to push open the wooden door and walked out backwards. She wore a chef's hat shaped like a small cake on her head (due to the difference in size, the chef's hat that is tall and big for ordinary chefs looks like a small cake on Udonna's head, or like a cherry on top of a cake.), and in each of her left and right hands there was a wooden tray with steaming Genoa open pies on it.

Unlike regular pies, which completely encase the filling, this Genoese specialty covers the filling on the surface of the dough. According to locals, as a country known for its openness and tolerance, even pies should be more open and inclusive than those in other countries.

Open and inclusive, but absolutely not tolerant of putting pineapple on it...

Well, in Alvin's opinion, the Genoa open pie was actually no different from the pizza he had eaten in his previous life. So, he simply called it pizza in his mind.

Udonna's pizzas were generously prepared. The first pizza served was traditional, topped with just three toppings: high-temperature grilled cheese, pureed tomatoes, and emerald green basil. Heat and aroma filled the small, confined restaurant. Alvin could clearly hear the rumbling of dragons beside him. It was Afrediya swallowing her saliva.

The beautiful ancient dragon girl couldn't wait to reach out her hand, but was slapped away by the big crocodile's tail.

"Fre, even I think the pie should be cut with a circular cutter before eating it." Udonna glared at the smirking Demon King, then took out a circular cutter from the front pocket of her apron and cut the pizza into eight equal parts suitable for holding in hand in a few strokes.

"I thought there was only one barbarian here." Ivan said with a smile as he approached Frey. As expected, before eating the pizza, he was hit by an elbow from the Demon King.

"Shut up, you're so annoying." A faint blush appeared on Afrediya's oval face.

"Please don't flirt in front of single people. Come and try my cooking and see if it has improved." Chef Crocodile pushed the sliced ​​pizza in front of the two of them enthusiastically.

"Thank you." Alvin took a piece, and before he put it in his mouth, his nose was filled with the milky aroma of cheese, the sour and sweet taste of tomatoes, and the unique fragrance of basil leaves, a mixture of cloves and mint.

When you take a bite, the semi-melted cheese is pulled out into strands without breaking, and it feels like a bomb explodes in your mouth. It is delicious, ten points or even nine points delicious.

"Woo woo woo!" Before Alvin could come to his senses and reach for the second piece, he saw Frey, whose cheeks were puffed up like a hamster, already eating the third piece.

As for the first piece, wow, it has been completely eaten.

"Don't worry, there are other flavors of Genoa pizza." Seeing her friend enjoying the meal, Udonna was also very happy and immediately put another plate of pizza on the table.

In addition to the essential cheese, the filling of this dish mainly uses Genoa smoked ham and mushrooms. The dish is a mixture of smoked meat and mushrooms. It is also a powerful delicious bomb that everyone enjoys eating.

But the happy atmosphere did not last, and the door leading to the outside of the small restaurant was pushed open forcefully.

"Sorry, our store is closed today." Udonna stood up with a frown. In order to entertain her long-lost old friend, she hung a sign at the door saying that the store was closed for the day.

Most people who force their way in like this are up to no good, but Chef Udonna is never afraid of thugs coming to blackmail him. The reason is obvious: it's his strong muscles and sturdy scales.

If the crocodile is pushed to the limit, as a magically transformed creature produced by the Archmage's workshop, it has a unique skill called the triple breath of acid, poison and fire. At that time, the venom and acid will be evaporated by the flames into a highly toxic cloud and high-temperature acid mist. Combined with the heat of the flames, it has a power close to that of ordinary dragon breath.

As a result, the people who pushed the door open were several young men in chef's uniforms. The leader was about twenty years old, with drifting blond hair, which was very consistent with the stereotype of Genoese men in other countries, especially his handsome facial features.

Seeing this scene, Alvin and Afrediya both sat back in their original seats. It seemed that things were not as malicious as expected.

As expected, when Udonna saw the appearance of the person who came, an expression of embarrassment, helplessness and a little annoyance appeared on her face. They began to argue in Xuma language with a clear Genoese emphasis, and from time to time they also used very rich gestures, just like a finger dance.

"Master is very old..."

"Can't you just..."

"One last chance..."

"Be kind...at least think about yourself..."

"Stubborn, cold-blooded creature..."

The few words that came over seemed to say a lot on the surface. Ivan caught a glimpse of Frey laughing out of the corner of his eye.

"It's so annoying! I have my own way of cooking!" Udonna couldn't help but roar after saying that. Her bloody mouth was so wide open that it could almost bite half of the young chef in front of her, but the latter was not afraid at all. He just covered his ears with an expressionless face.

After Chef Crocodile finished his temper, he continued calmly:

"Anyway, I've left the invitation to the Grand Chef judging exam here. Udonna, stop being so awkward."

Before leaving, the young chef noticed the two people watching the show next to him and the pizza on the table, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Udonna, it turns out you can make pizza without pineapple." As he said this, he drew a very neat circle in the air with his finger.

"..."

The wind suddenly picked up and the crocodiles roared.

The next second, the handsome blond chef flew out of the window in a spiral with blood spurting from his nose.

The others were all stunned, and then they hurried away shouting names like "Chef, Chef Antonio!"

The small restaurant fell into silence, and only Udonna's heavy breathing could be heard.

"Special chef?" Alvin asked in confusion.

“That’s a rating only the best chefs in Genoa can earn,” Afrediya muttered to herself.

Coming back to her senses, she couldn't help but ask immediately, "Udonna, didn't you even get the permission to go out?"

"..." Chef Crocodile drooped his shoulders and sighed heavily.

"That's a long story."

Chapter 174 Leftover Fried Noodles

"Just because I haven't received my master's permit doesn't mean I can't be a chef."

Two pizzas were obviously not enough to fill the devil's stomach. Udonna, who was familiar with Frey's appetite, was now skillfully stir-frying in an iron pan, in which one could see golden-fried sweet onions, chopped ham, and diced mushrooms.

She didn't intend to continue hiding the doubts that Frey had just raised, so she simply complained about this mess with her friends while cooking.

"You also know that old-fashioned person never lets his apprentices change the recipes at will, but this is not the way of cooking that I approve of. Chefs should also modify the recipes appropriately according to the tastes of different diners. After all, making everyone happy with their meal is the greatest success of a cook." When talking about the way of cooking, Udonna's voice became low and steady, sounding full of unwavering determination.

"That's why the old-fashioned master can't stand me." Udonna snorted and sighed. "To be honest, it's not completely incomprehensible. A chef with limited skills who tinkers with recipes will only produce weird things."

"But treating the recipe as something sacred and inviolable is a bit too much." The crocodile chef shook the wok indignantly, and all the ingredients inside drew a beautiful arc like a crescent moon in the air, rolled evenly, and fell back into the wok steadily without spilling a drop, showing his superb basic cooking skills.

"And then?" Frey swallowed. She had vaguely guessed what was going to happen next.

"And then, hehe, during the apprenticeship exam, I doubled the pineapple slices that he thought couldn't be added to the main dish, and added them to the most traditional original Genoa pie." Udonna's words made the Demon King helplessly hold his forehead, and Ivan, who was listening next to him, couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

The so-called most traditional original Genoa pizza is the first plate that Udonna served earlier. Although it only contains cheese, tomatoes and basil leaves, it is the source and starting point of other branches of pizza factions.

For a local chef who values ​​traditional recipes, this recipe is clearly something that cannot be tampered with, especially since it uses pineapple, a tropical fruit with a distinct flavor that easily overshadows the dish.

It's important to note that Genoa's cuisine is primarily salty and savory, with a few using the sour flavor of tomatoes as a garnish. However, a fruit like pineapple, with its high sugar content, would obviously disrupt the original flavor balance. Furthermore, pineapples are native to other regions, making them even more likely to be rejected by locals.

"Wow, the local chef didn't even put you in the oven." Afrediya covered her face and made a sharp complaint, looking as if she couldn't bear to watch.

"Maybe because they can't beat me." Udonna laughed and didn't take it to heart at all.

"In short, although many established chefs dislike me and my new recipes, most diners are willing to try something new. Well, although the Genoese who can accept pineapple on their pie are still in the minority."

"Wait, wait, Udonna, did you create a new faction?" Frey's eyes widened. After not seeing her for a few years, her friend seemed to have done something remarkable in the industry.

"Almost. Many young chefs have secretly learned a trick or two from me. Although they didn't say anything openly, restaurants across the City of Thousand Towers have quietly introduced many new dishes. Haha, I'm afraid the old stubborn guy can't stand seeing this." Udonna laughed evilly, and a smug look appeared on her crocodile head.

Alvin, quietly listening to their conversation, could discern clues from the slightest shift in their expressions. Perhaps this tough-looking crocodile chef wasn't as relieved as she pretended. If things were truly going so smoothly, Udonna wouldn't even be living in such a small restaurant.

"But that Antonio just now seemed to be your senior brother, right? Why would they send you an invitation to the special chef assessment? This is the highest level assessment for chefs in the Genoa Federation. Anyone who can pass it will become an important figure in the culinary world." Afrediya pointed out the loopholes in her old friend's words without mercy.

"Hate it, Frey, you're still so sensitive." Udonna made a 'crackling' sound, her hands moving non-stop, pouring the pre-cooked yellow wheat noodles into the pot and stir-frying them.

The lining of a crocodile's trachea is covered in tiny holes that allow air to circulate. When the crocodile breathes, the air flowing through these holes creates vibrations, producing this sound. Wild crocodiles typically make this "kakaka" sound when threatened, but Udonna's was clearly annoyed.

But is she really unhappy now?

Boom!

"Crocodile leftover fried noodles. Sorry for the poor hospitality, just make do with it!" Finally, pour the egg liquid into the pot, heat it slightly, and then a whole pot of fragrant fried noodles is placed on the table.

"I know how much you eat, so I won't arrange the dishes." After wiping her hands with a towel, Udonna glared at Frey unhappily.

"Wow, it's been so long, and you're using leftovers to entertain old friends. That's really sad." Sad tears flowed from the mouth of Her Majesty the Demon King. On the contrary, the silver fork in her hand flew up and down, devouring everything in its path.

"Ivan, this leftover fried noodles is delicious." Although she emphasized the word "leftovers", Frey ate three large plates in a row before reluctantly letting go of the pot.

After taking a bite, I found that the tomatoes, onions and hot sauce were fully combined. The slightly pungent seasoning really whetted my appetite.

"It's delicious, but why is it called this name?" Alvin looked at Udonna curiously.

Chef Crocodile shrugged and told a hilarious story.

"One day when we were about to close, Antonio came over and said he was hungry and wanted to eat the food I cooked."

"This bastard didn't even realize what time it was. There wasn't anything left in the kitchen. So, I just randomly stir-fried all the leftover ingredients from other dishes, added some noodles, and threw it in front of him."

"As a result, he actually said it tasted really good and recommended it to other diners, causing a bunch of bored guys to come here every day to eat the leftovers." Udonna made another "crackling" sound.

“It’s so frustrating!”

"Oh, it's just fried randomly." Frey's eyes turned and she showed a very subtle expression.

"Yes, yes, of course it's just random speculation." Udonna crossed her arms and looked towards the ceiling.

"Really? I don't believe it." Afrediya moved closer and circled around the crocodile chef, who angrily made another "clicking" sound.

The conversation between friends continued until late. Before leaving, Fulei couldn't help but ask:

"Are you sure you don't want to take the special chef exam?"

“…” Udonna was silent.

"It's easy to move mountains, but it's difficult to change the prejudice in people's minds." Alvin suddenly spoke, and with his current strength, the first half of the sentence seemed inexplicably convincing.

"If you don't like something, refusing to accept it is one way to deal with it, and doing your best to change it is also a way to deal with it. In comparison, I think the latter is much more positive."

Even though it was their first meeting, Ivan felt that this intimidating-looking chef actually had a warm heart that cared for others. If possible, he would be happy to give him a gentle push.

After hearing this, Udonna remained silent for a long time, and then slowly exhaled.

"...Frei's egg-laying partner, you have a point."

Ignoring the limp demon king's irritated cries of "What are you talking about?", Udonna slammed her left hand into the palm of her right.

"I'm going to use 'leftovers' to fairly defeat those old stubborn people at the assessment meeting."

"Are you really not beating them?" Frey said softly.

"Shut up, you demon!" Chef Crocodile roared immediately.

Chapter 175: Quick Clearance

After saying goodbye to Udonna and promising to go to the assessment site to cheer her on, the two of them walked out of the restaurant and suddenly found themselves in a state of doing nothing.

"When does the special chef assessment begin?" Ivan asked casually.

"In two days, the class reunion will be on the third day. Hmm, it suddenly feels so rushed." Frey leaned over, her face full of a speechless expression that said, 'It's really not fun to think about this.'

"Can the competition be finished in one day?" Alvin was a little curious. Even if it was just for publicity purposes, the momentum of this top chef selection event could not be small.

"I say, how many people do you think are qualified to take the special chef assessment in the entire Genoa Confederation?"

Afrediya glanced at the still-lit diner in the back with a sigh. Udonna had already begun practicing her basics before leaving. Given her physique, which matched her crocodile's rugged appearance, she likely planned to stay up all night for the next two days.

"That's right. Speaking of which, you're a good person. He knew you had become a demon king and was in such trouble, but he didn't say anything today."

"Hehe, what do you think? Udonna has known me since she couldn't speak yet. I even taught her the Huma language." Afrediya raised her head proudly, then became a little worried.

"But she's been incredibly stubborn ever since she was learning to speak, and I'm not sure if she'll be able to get through this time."

"If you believe in your friends, just choose to silently bless her." Alvin said comfortingly.

"Even if the Genoese cuisine world really can't accommodate Udonna, you can still invite her to Elrond, right? Maybe you can even create a new cuisine in the North."

"Oh, that's right! Why didn't I think of that?" The Demon King slapped Ivan's thigh hard, then put his arms around his neck and rushed towards him in the face. His whole set of movements was extremely skillful, and it was obvious that he had planned it in advance.

"What!?! Tai, you, the Dragon Queen, must have thought of it just now. Wait, I'm flying a flying carpet, flying a flying carpet! I can't see! Fulei, I can't see what's ahead!"

While making a fake scream, Ivan was secretly delighted as he drove the flying carpet in a Brownian motion trajectory that would result in the traffic police revoking his license.

In reality, as a djinn driver, there was no way he could possibly have an accident while piloting such a simple magical vehicle. He was just joking with Frey, considering that there were no other vehicles passing through the flight path at that moment.

Of course, this behavior is definitely not worthy of praise. After all, not every pilot has the tough body to land on the surface from outer orbit without any auxiliary equipment. Not every passenger has the strong scales of an ancient dragon that can withstand cosmic radiation and meteorite impact.

In a word, don’t learn from this in-laws.

After imitating the spirit of the young man flying on the flying carpet, the two of them arrived at the top floor of a spacious tower. During the day, this place was a park open to the public, but now that the tourists had dispersed, it seemed particularly quiet.

"It's been a whole day, and Mockingbird hasn't contacted me yet. I have a weird feeling I'm wasting my time." Ivan sighed and dragged Frey back to lie down.