Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　"Arrogance should be linked to strength. This kid is at most a second-class chef. I didn't dare to say anything so arrogant. How dare this guy?"

　Zhang Chen made a blunt critique, then stopped abruptly and turned his gaze to Leader Bai Yuan, who hadn't uttered a sound from the beginning.

　"Everyone who was promoted from the junior high school has received the most advanced culinary talent education. How dare you, a chef from a small restaurant, talk about reaching the top? That's too arrogant of you."

　As the surroundings quieted down and everyone focused their attention on her and Bai Yuan, Erina Nakiri finally spoke.

　He then looked at Soma Yukihira with some dissatisfaction, because he knew what kind of path everyone had taken to get into higher education, so he was very annoyed.

　He was furious that Soma Yukihira treated them with such contempt.

　"Three years of junior high school."

　The scene fell silent, and no one dared to say anything more. Soma Yukihira turned his gaze to Erina Nakiri next to Shiro, his back ramrod straight.

　"what happened?"

　Erina Nakiri was puzzled.

　"I first held a kitchen knife when I was three years old, and for the next twelve years, I lived in the kitchen."

　Soma Yukihira didn't continue, but his meaning was clear: this one sentence encapsulates twelve years of experience—can you handle it?!

　"Twelve years? That's quite an achievement. But for me, the time spent learning to cook doesn't mean anything; the skills I have are what matter."

　Just as Erina Nakiri was at a loss for words, Shirobuchi's voice suddenly rang out.

　When it comes to cooking, the shorter the time spent in the field, the greater the achievement, which is a true testament to exceptional talent. It's not something that can be achieved by simply spending more time on it.

　Of course, he did not doubt the potential of the boy in front of him.

　After all, he was chosen as the protagonist in the original world.

　·

　·

　The morning school opening ceremony has ended.

　Eight in the morning.

　"Jingle Bell."

　The school bell rang, and the students entered the classroom in an orderly manner. Although it was only the beginning of the semester, it did not mean that they could ignore the lessons.

　However, due to the significant reduction in student numbers, the number of students in each class has been reduced to six, so that all teachers can have work to do.

　The shift from large classes to small classes allows teachers to focus their energy on fewer students, a change that is undoubtedly more suitable for elite education, which is not a bad thing.

　now.

　Inside the teaching building.

　The Third Culinary Lab.

　"Let's get straight to the point. Starting today, classes will be taught in separate classrooms. Today, we'll cook according to the groups on the list in your hands. Do you all understand?"

　"A variety of ingredients are laid out on the table," the staff member in charge of the classroom said, glancing at everyone present.

　"I understand."

　The group responded in unison, and Tadokoro Megumi looked at Yukihira Soma, who was in the same group as her, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

　She remembered this kid; he had made some outrageous remarks at the opening ceremony that morning, and he was the kind of guy who had infuriated the students who had just entered the first year of high school.

　They clearly climbed to the advanced division by crossing hell and stepping over countless corpses, how could they be so looked down upon by a mere outsider who just arrived in Totsuki?!

　This is absolutely intolerable! Uncle can be tolerated, but Aunt cannot!

　"This is the first time I've ever cooked in class since I started taking cooking classes in home economics."

　Kouhei tossed an onion into the air and caught it.

　Soma looked wistful; cooking in class was a novel experience for him in every way.

　"You're the boy who spouted nonsense at the opening ceremony, right? Let me introduce myself. My name is Ueno Sugi, and I'm a first-year student at Totsuki Academy."

　Because there were only six students in the class, Soma Yukihira's red hair stood out, and given what he had said at the opening ceremony, Ueno Sugi took two steps forward and extended his hand to him.

　Soma Yukihira.

　"I know."

　With their hands clasped together, Ueno Sugi suddenly exerted force, and Yukihira Soma took a deep breath and countered with all his might. Their muscles bulged high, and for a moment they were evenly matched.

　"I'm really looking forward to your cooking."

　Ueno Sugi let out a light laugh as he released his grip, then waved to Yukihira Soma before turning and heading back to his seat.

　"What a weirdo."

　Soma Yukihira clicked his tongue and uttered this sentence. Then he looked at the blue-haired girl next to him and found that she was also looking at him. The group assignment list from before involuntarily came to mind.

　"Um, you're Tadokoro-kun, right? My name is Yukihira Soma, you can just call me Soma."

　Scratching his head, and remembering that the other person was a teammate he would be cooking with later, Soma Yukihira greeted him, preparing to say something to at least get to know him.

　"Soma-kun, nice to meet you."

　Upon hearing Soma Yukihira's voice, Megumi Tadokoro gave a generous smile, but did not approach him, instead maintaining a distance of one meter.

　"Please give me some advice."

　Soma Yukihira nodded. Because the other party treated him well, he also behaved very politely. At the same time, Roland Chapel's voice rang out.

　"Attention."

　Good morning, young apprentices.

　Looking at the young students in front of him, Roland Chapel walked to the podium with a blank expression and then greeted them.

　Good morning, Ms. Chapel.

　"Oil...tea oil?"

　The five students nodded and responded in French, while Soma Yukihira looked puzzled and repeated Roland Chapel's words in Japanese.

　"From the moment you step into the kitchen, you take on the responsibility of making delicious food. This has nothing to do with experience or position. In my classes, dishes that don't get an A will get an E. Please remember that."

　Roland Chapel said these words with a serious expression, but his eyes were fixed on Soma Yukihira, clearly saying them specifically for him to hear.

　After all, of the six students present, he didn't recognize him.

　"Cook Roland Chapel, the head of the French cuisine department, is an extremely skilled and experienced master chef. Even in Totsuki Culinary Academy, he can be described as strict in his teaching."

　Glancing at Soma Yukihira's expression, Megumi Tadokoro gave a brief introduction, but her eyes showed no fear, only eagerness.

　She is no longer the cowardly and incompetent Tadokoro Megumi from the original story. Now, she has undergone a transformation and is not flustered even when facing Professor Roland Chapel.

　Under Teacher Bai Yuan's guidance, she has greatly increased the number of times she has received an A grade. Now, her bungee jumping success rate is as high as 95%, and the remaining 5% are all B+.

　Today's menu is bouillabaisse.

　Although it's a very basic French dish, I'll still write the recipe on the whiteboard.

　As soon as Roland Chapel finished speaking, his assistant, who had already written down the recipe for bouillabaisse, stood upright behind him.

　"The time limit is two hours. The team that finishes cooking will serve it directly."

　Incidentally, after a meeting and discussion among the teachers, it was decided to add an S-grade rating above the A-grade. Only one group from each classroom will receive this rating; it's an honor for the strongest students, and accumulating ten S-grades can be exchanged for a chance to attend Teacher Bai Yuan's class.

　When Bai Yuan was mentioned, Roland Chapel's eyes flashed with amazement and admiration. He was definitely the most talented genius he had ever seen.

　No, he has grown up; he should be considered the most skilled chef.

　If his mentorship opportunity were offered to the outside world, people would fight tooth and nail to get it, even if it were worth hundreds of millions. That's the value of a top-tier seven-star chef!

　"Gudu."

　Roland Chapel couldn't help but swallow as the image of Bai Yuan treating them to dinner and personally cooking for them flashed through his mind.

　That meal was absolutely the most delicious meal he had ever eaten in his life. If he could eat it again, he would be willing to die right now!

　"Master Baiyuan's guidance?!"

　"Is the reward really that generous? Looks like I absolutely have to get this S-grade rating!"

　"What a joke! With me here, why would I give you an S grade?"

　As Roland Chapel finished speaking, the atmosphere instantly became tense, with everyone except Tadokoro Megumi starting to challenge each other.

　The newly added S-grade rating for first-year high school students immediately became coveted by everyone!

　And this will be the most powerful catalyst!

　"Alright, let's begin now."

　As soon as those words were spoken, the kitchen immediately became busy, with people moving back and forth to the ingredient area to retrieve the ingredients they needed.

　“Let’s begin. Bouillabaisse requires many kinds of fish. Because it’s a popular French dish, there are many variations. This is one of the ones that Teacher Chapel has written on the blackboard.”

　Because processing a large number of fish is time-consuming, it requires two people to work together to figure out Yukihira Soma's method.

　After using it, Tadokoro Megumi felt a little more relaxed.

　She didn't trust the outsider, only the culinary skills she had acquired under Bai Yuan's tutelage, so she decided to personally oversee the main part of the dish.

　"Ten S-grade ratings?"

　Upon hearing Roland Chapel's words, Soma Yukihira murmured to himself. He had accumulated many culinary questions that he needed Shirabuchi to answer.

　Now is the perfect opportunity!

　Once you get ten S-rank ratings, you can take Bai Yuan's class, and all the questions that have been accumulating in your heart will be answered!

　"Wait here, I'll go take a look at the recipes first. I've never properly cooked French food before."

　Because he didn't know how to make this dish and was afraid of delaying Tadokoro Megumi's progress, Yukihira Soma walked towards the whiteboard and looked at the recipe on it.

　"Huh? You don't know how...?"

　Tadokoro was somewhat surprised. After hearing his boastful remarks that morning, she thought he would be a very capable person, but she didn't expect him to be unable to cook such a basic dish.

　"Soma Yukihira, let's have a contest and see who can get an S-rank rating from Professor Shapel. Let us see your true strength, and whether you're as good as your mouth is!"

　Seeing Yukihira Soma walking towards him, Ueno Sugi assumed he was there to provoke him, so he spoke first, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

　"Okay, but we'll have to wait a bit."

　As he spoke, Soma Yukihira walked past Sugi Ueno and stood in front of the whiteboard. He then crossed his arms and began to look at the recipes on it.

　"So this is your first time making this dish? I've made it at least ten times already, and I know the process by heart. I'm sure I'll win this competition!"

　Ueno Sugi chuckled at the sight, then focused his attention on the kitchen counter in front of him.

　He challenged Soma Yukihira not for any other reason than to prove that the students of Totsuki Academy were not stepping stones!

　It's one thing for Commander-in-Chief Totsuki to say it casually, but you, an outsider chef, actually took it seriously.

　Even if we, the students of Totsuki, really become stepping stones, we will not allow an outsider like you to step on us. You rude fellow!

　Chapter 158 Bouillabaisse, the Taste of Home

　"I see."

　Looking at the recipe for bouillabaisse written on the whiteboard, Soma Yukihira stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

　"This dish is so similar to the cooking method that Teacher Baiyuan taught me a couple of days ago; I never noticed before..."

　Tadokoro Megumi stood in front of the kitchen counter, closed her eyes and recalled the cooking methods that Shirai had taught them a couple of days ago, and was surprised to find that the two methods had quite a few similarities.

　"However, Teacher Bai Yuan teaches the principles, while this dish teaches the method. To be fair, what Teacher Bai Yuan taught is actually more useful."

　As if she had thought of something, the corners of Tadokoro Megumi's mouth turned up slightly.

　Throughout history, countless talented chefs have shared the same ideas and thoughts.

　In this situation, simply copying their recipes is like imitating a cat without truly understanding them. Only by grasping their core principles can one truly unleash some of their divine power.

　By slicing three types of fish into thin slices and layering them together to make sashimi, the dish's flavor can be elevated by discarding its drawbacks and combining its strengths.

　This bouillabaisse is also made by mixing several types of fish together, but it is cooked using a stewing method.

　There are countless methods and approaches, but they all lead to the same goal.

　"Monkfish, sea bass, and mussels—these ingredients taste delicious together. Let's use these ingredients to make this bouillabaisse."

　Bouillabaisse, a world-famous soup, is surprisingly easy to make. Even an ordinary housewife can prepare it with incredible skill, creating a dish that is unforgettable and leaves a lasting impression.