Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Alice Nakiri didn't truly understand all the ingredients; everything she did was based on experience.

　There's no real problem; the key issue is her limited experience, which leaves her with few useful skills.

　While it's possible to create molecular gastronomy dishes that taste above average, to go further, one must return to the basics.

　Start from scratch, destroy and then build!

　"Let me demonstrate this to you. This is a new technology that I just developed. Let's take your initial grilled cod as an example. First, use a sous-vide cooking technique to cook it thoroughly inside and out."

　Next, miniature lemon butter foam is created using spheroidizing technology, which is then placed on the fish and grilled with a blowtorch.

　This allows the fish to develop a layer of caramelized brown on the surface, adding depth to the texture, while also melting the lemon butter foam, altering its flavor profile and creating a more perfect synergy with the grilled cod.

　As Bai Yuan spoke, he began to prepare the fish. Due to time constraints, he cut the cod fillets into bite-sized pieces. This way, they would be thoroughly cooked inside and out in about ten minutes.

　During the break, he prepared lemon butter foam, quickly made it using a molecular gastronomy machine, and then set it aside for later use.

　Because it was fresh cod and time was limited, Bai Yuan didn't plan to add anything else. With just these few ingredients, the freshness and flavor could be fully brought out.

　Fifteen minutes later, under Alice Nakiri's unwavering gaze, a dish radiating a faint golden light was placed in front of her.

　"Try it and tell me how this dish differs from yours."

　With a solemn expression, Bai Yuan looked at Nakiri Alice, his voice calm, yet it sent cold sweat down her forehead. There he was! The incredibly strict Master Bai Yuan!

　Chapter 52 The Future of Molecular Gastronomy

　"The cod is exceptionally tender due to slow cooking at a low temperature, while its appearance is enhanced by the caramelized aroma from being grilled over an open flame with a blowtorch."

　As the lemon butter foam melts over the flames, its flavor becomes exceptionally rich and blends perfectly with the cod underneath!

　Although it's presented in the style of molecular gastronomy, it doesn't feel like molecular gastronomy at all. How come?!

　After saying this, Alice Nakiri looked up at Bai Yuan, her eyes full of doubt, hoping to get an explanation from him. This dish in front of her was really overturning her understanding!

　"This was just an idea I had yesterday: what kind of taste experience would be brought about by secondary cooking of molecular gastronomy?"

　Picking up his knife and fork, Bai Yuan put the cod meat that Alice Nakiri had left behind into his mouth, a faint look of surprise flashing across his face.

　The dish tasted better than he had expected.

　It seems that molecular gastronomy's two-stage cooking method is feasible! Wait a minute? Thinking about it carefully, it seems that people thought of this hundreds of years ago.

　"Tofu..."

　Bai Yuan muttered to himself, feeling a sense of admiration for the wisdom of his predecessors. The things he had painstakingly thought of had already been considered by them.

　"What? Master, you're speaking in a language I don't understand again."

　Because Bai Yuan subconsciously spoke in Chinese, Nakiri Alice couldn't understand at all. At this moment, she only felt that her master was amazing, as he could actually cook molecular gastronomy a second time after it was already completed!

　Although it's just simple flame grilling, this opened the door to secondary cooking in molecular gastronomy! It's a true revolution in the world of molecular gastronomy!

　"I'm talking about tofu. Tofu is made by boiling soybeans into soy milk, adding gypsum powder, and then pressing it into a mold with a heavy object. It can be said to be the earliest form of molecular gastronomy!"

　For many dishes, tofu is simply an ingredient. In other words, the idea of ​​re-cooking prepared molecular gastronomy food to create entirely new and delicious flavors has been around for hundreds of years.

　Bai Yuan explained with a wry smile that when it comes to food, his charming ancestor was far more capable than him. The idea of ​​making tofu from soybeans was definitely the brainchild of a brilliant chef!

　Going from 1 to 10 is easy; going from 0 to 1 is difficult.

　"Oh right, and there's also tofu from China. It's definitely one of the earliest examples of molecular gastronomy, and it can be made into all sorts of other dishes. The most famous of these is Sichuan's Mapo Tofu!"

　Hearing Bai Yuan's words, Nakiri Alice belatedly realized what he meant, and then became somewhat excited. Mapo tofu is a famous dish that has been passed down through the ages! What about her? If she continued her research, could she also create a dish that would be remembered for all time?

　"Let's just follow this direction for now. In any case, there's definitely no problem with the secondary cooking of molecular gastronomy."

　Bai Yuan made a decision, instructing Nakiri Alice to continue her research along this path, assuring her that as long as she persisted, she would surely achieve something in the future.

　"Great, it just so happens that my molecular gastronomy skills have also reached a bottleneck, and I probably won't be able to break through it in the short term. This might be a new way out!"

　Alice Nakiri's voice revealed a hint of excitement. She had been stuck at the first-class chef level for a long time. She had participated in the special chef assessment once, but ultimately failed.

　At the time, she had doubts about the limits of molecular gastronomy. It wasn't until Bai Yuan used molecular gastronomy to create a dish that continuously shimmered and flowed light, proving the limits of molecular gastronomy, that she calmed down and continued her research.

　Bai Yuan's success made her realize that she was just an incredibly naive person.

　"It's getting late, it's about time to go to the restaurant. Now you can practice and study, this is the first time molecular gastronomy has been presented."

　After glancing at the clock on the wall and some discussion, it was now eight o'clock in the morning.

　After the restaurant makes some further preparations, it will be just in time to catch the morning peak, when there are the most customers.

　After yesterday's setup, the restaurant will definitely be busier today. Although it's a completely new style of cuisine, the Nordic culture is open-minded, so acceptance shouldn't be too low.

　"Great! This is getting exciting!"

　Alice Nakiri clenched her fists slightly and raised the corners of her mouth, looking full of fighting spirit. Clearly, she was eager to try the new direction that Bai Yuan had pointed out to her!

　If she can master this technique, she might be able to create dishes that will be passed down through the ages!

　Then keep it up!

　·

　·

　Three days passed in a flash, during which Alice Nakiri stayed in the restaurant cooking and conducted various molecular gastronomy experiments.

　With the help of extensive practice, Alice Nakiri has now basically mastered the methods of molecular gastronomy secondary cooking.

　"The day has finally come! Apart from my master, I have never competed with a master chef before, especially on such a stage under the spotlight. I feel my blood boiling!"

　The Food Wars Arena is a circular building with the stage in the center where the two sides compete. Outward from the center are concentric circles. The inner circles contain various ingredients for the contestants to use, while the outer circles are where the audience seats are located.

　Looking at the sea of ​​people in the Food Wars arena, Alice Nakiri felt goosebumps all over her body, and her breathing became heavy.

　Nervous? No, more excited than nervous!

　"Everyone feels this way when they participate in this kind of duel for the first time, but it's not a bad thing. Getting your blood pumping will make you highly focused, allowing you to unleash 120% of your usual fighting power!"

　On the contestants' preparation bench, Bai Yuan patted Nakiri Alice on the shoulder to calm her down. Behind her, Nakiri Leonora was sitting on a chair resting, giving the two of them some time alone.

　As Alice's parent, she naturally came to the competition to cheer her on.

　"Is that so? Brother Baiyuan, do you think I can make it to the other side...?"

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Nakiri Alice suddenly asked a question.

　Their gazes were fixed on the center of attention, where two cooking stations were set up, surrounded by two rings of fresh ingredients, and beyond that, thousands of spectators, their faces beaming with anticipation.

　Indeed, a food battle between master chefs is a very significant event in Denmark, a country with little entertainment. With the organizers' deliberate promotion, it naturally attracted a large number of people on this day.

　"Welcome everyone to the Food Wars Arena! I believe you've all already heard the news. This time, the Food Wars Arena will be used by our [Nuoyu] Restaurant's Special Chef, Mr. Jancis!"

　His rival is Alice Nakiri, the heiress of Nakiri International, who became a first-class chef at the age of 13! Miss Alice!

　Meanwhile, on the field, the host enthusiastically hyped up the atmosphere with a microphone.

　One of them is a master chef, and the other is a very high-status young lady who is rarely seen in daily life, and is also a first-class chef.

　This kind of competition is full of exciting moments no matter how you describe it!

　"Now, please welcome our two contestants!"

　"Alice Nakiri and Jesse make their appearance!"

　The host's voice was loud and clear, and it faded as he finished speaking.

　Two light screens descended from the sky above the arena, displaying the names of Nakiri Alice and Jesse!

　Food battle begins!

　Author's Note on Launch (Please Read)

　Phew, this day has finally come.

　The book was released on August 8.28th and went on sale on September 9.13th, taking only half a month. You can feel my determination and passion, right?

　Without a doubt, this book is the best performing one I've seen before it was released. It had a fantastic start, peaking at number one on the click charts and consistently ranking second, proving that many people like it.

　I'm not good with words and I don't know how to say anything irrelevant. The record of this account speaks for itself. I can write a million words and finish a book with a few hundred orders, let alone now?

　On Hedgehog Cat, the completion of a book puts it ahead of 90% of the unfinished ones. I think people don't want to read books only to find out the author has disappeared. So, I'm very cautious about subscribing to those new accounts with no history.

　This guy is different! He sticks to one account! It's all to build credibility and reassure readers so they can subscribe with confidence. When I update frequently, everyone subscribes, readers enjoy the fun, and I earn royalties—it's a win-win situation!

　Therefore, for the sake of this book's success, I hope everyone will try not to let it sit unread. The author also wants to push it to the top of the bookshelf, and needs to reach 4000 average subscriptions by Wednesday. Currently, the number of readers following the book is about that number, and with the support of the bestseller list, the chances are quite high.

　My book is the only one that can handle the Food Wars theme. If it does well, other authors might write similar stories (laughs). Let's make food-themed stories by Hedgehog Cat flourish!

　Food safety!

　Currently, I owe 11 chapters for the bounty. From Monday to Thursday, I updated 12 chapters in 4 days, paying back 4. For the next few days after it goes on sale, it'll be 10,000 words a day, 10,000 words a day, and I'll try to pay it off within this week! Then I'll open it again!

　The God of War is about to arrive at the scene!

　I hope everyone will support me!

　See you at noon!

　Chapter 53 Food War Begins! Hamburger Showdown!

　"Go, Alice, use molecular gastronomy!"

　Upon hearing the host's voice, Bai Yuan looked at Nakiri Alice, pointed towards the cooking station on the competition field, and said in a rather comical manner.

　"I'm not Pikachu, but I'd like to have Brother Bai Yuan as my master~"

　Alice Nakiri gave Bai Yuan a subtle look, as if joking, or perhaps using an excuse to reveal her true feelings.

　After saying that, Alice Nakiri didn't dare to look at Bai Yuan's reaction and left the preparation area without looking back. A few minutes later, she appeared on the arena below.

　Bai Yuan stood on the high place, her heart stirred by her words, but her face remained expressionless as she quietly watched everything that was happening below.

　"Don't just stand there like an idiot, come sit here. There's still plenty of room, it would be a shame if no one sat down."

　Seeing Bai Yuan standing by the window looking down, Nakiri Leonora patted the spot next to her, wanting him to come and rest for a bit.

　"I'll just watch from here. After all, this is Alice's first time facing off against a master chef. I need to observe every detail, judge its strengths and weaknesses, so that I can formulate a plan for her future development."

　Since he was about to leave, Bai Yuan wanted to leave something behind before departing. One of these things was the training plan for Nakiri Alice; he couldn't let Alice stagnate just because he was leaving.

　"The task of urging her to improve is entirely up to you, Nora. You'll need to take care of Alice as well."

　"Don't worry, I am her mother."

　However, something about what you said sounds a bit odd. Shouldn't that be my line?

　Reaching out and stroking her soft hair, Leonora Nakiri finally found the source of the strangeness. It seemed that this guy was the outsider!

　"Ahem, it's all the same, it's all the same."

　Upon hearing Leonora Nakiri's words, Bai Yuan realized the inappropriateness of his own words and immediately chuckled, turning his gaze downwards.

　At this moment, Alice Nakiri and Jessie were already in place, each occupying one of the cooking stations, standing opposite each other.

　"Both contestants have arrived at the venue and will now begin selecting their themes. The selection of themes will be completely random and will be determined using the most primitive dartboard method."

　The so-called dartboard game involves throwing a dart at a spinning wheel; wherever it lands becomes the theme of the food battle.

　The host briefly explained the dartboard, which was requested by Bai Yuan because it's difficult to tamper with and is relatively fairer.

　The rapidly spinning turntable made it impossible to see the subtitles on it. Alice Nakiri took a dart from the host and casually threw it at the turntable.

　The dart struck the spinning wheel precisely, causing it to slowly come to a stop. All the spectators, including Bai Yuan, turned their attention to it.

　"It's a hamburger?!"

　Looking at the words on the turntable, everyone was somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting this. It wasn't that it was impossible, but it seemed difficult to showcase a high level of skill in cooking hamburgers.

　Aren't hamburgers just bread with meat in it? They're somewhat similar to the roujiamo (meat sandwich) from Shaanxi. What's so special about them?!

　However, since it's cooked by a master chef or a first-class chef, it might be able to create a unique hamburger dish.

　"Hamburger..."

　Watching the enlarged rotating image on the big screen, Alice Nakiri stroked her chin and paced back and forth on set.

　This is her way of thinking, which she learned from Bai Yuan, and how physical movement brought her mental agility.

　"Then let's make fish burgers. A burger, to put it simply, is a combination of grilled bread, a meat patty, and vegetables. The meat patty is the most important part. As long as the meat patty in the burger is delicious, this dish will definitely be fine!"

　Jancis rubbed his chin. The moment he saw the theme, another signature dish of their restaurant came to mind, which was also a flavorful fish fillet dish that could serve as the core of a burger.

　Alice Nakiri continued pacing back and forth, a move that puzzled the audience, who thought she was just being deliberately mysterious.

　"The cooking time is 2 hours. Please make good use of the time and make a dish that fits the theme within the time limit."