Everyday Life Starting with Food Wars

Chen Yuxing put down the saffron in his hand, picked up a spoon, and tasted it: "Hmm... it tastes better than the one you made the day before yesterday. Did you reduce the amount of hawthorn?"

"Yes, I reduced the amount of hawthorn by about a third and added more other spices."

Soma Yukihira chuckled and said, "Didn't you tell me last time that the taste was a bit greasy? I was wondering if it was the hawthorn that was the problem."

"Yes, the taste is much better than before, and the beef is very chewy."

Chen Yuxing took another bite before putting down his spoon and nodding. He then handed a small bowl to Yukihira Soma, saying, "You should try mine too. I added a few more types of fish and changed the spice ratio a bit."

"Mmm! It's delicious!" Soma Yukihira took a sip and his eyes lit up: "The unique floral aroma of saffron is so appealing."

“I reduced the amount of fennel and added more saffron. I also added a type of fish called red bream.”

"This type of fish has a high oil content, which can bring out the aroma of flowers, and the flesh of the red bream is also very delicious."

The two of them cooked in the kitchen, tasting each other's dishes and offering suggestions.

Although the two are opponents in the semifinals, neither of them cares about such things.

This is the scene that Tadokoro Megumi sees every time she pushes open the door.

She didn't say anything, but simply placed the hot tea she had prepared for them on the empty counter and then left.

Yoshino Yuuki, standing outside the door, curiously peered into the room from the door frame.

"Are A-Xing and Soma still working on it?" Yoshino Yuuki asked Xiaohui with some curiosity.

"Yes, they both seem to be quite happy."

……

Time flies, and soon it was time for the semi-finals of the autumn selection competition.

Between the Moon and the Sky Venue.

An hour before the match was scheduled to start, the stands were already full.

Moreover, students from several other culinary academies even came to watch the semi-finals.

The audience was engaged in heated discussions as they watched the stage, which hadn't even started yet.

"Today's match was so interesting, it was an internal battle between two transfer students from Polaris Dormitory."

"Speaking of which, who do you think has a better chance of winning, Chen Yuxing or Yukihira Soma?"

"It's hard to say. One got the highest score in the preliminaries, and the other dared to pull out some terrible food during the competition, even causing the head coach to have his clothes ripped off. Both of them seem outrageous."

"I find it outrageous now too. Peanut and strawberry sauce squid, is this really a dish that a human could come up with?"

The members of Polar Star Dormitory had already taken up front-row seats in the audience. Yoshino Yuuki was holding a new banner today, which featured two chibi figures: Chen Yuxing holding a wok and Soma holding a squid.

"Aren't we raising it a bit too early? The competition hasn't even started yet," said Shoji Sato, holding up the right pole with a hint of helplessness.

“Yeah, Yuuki, and this banner is way too long. My arm is getting sore from holding it up.” Daigo Aoki said, holding up the left pole. “And what does this mean? Do you want Soma and Hoshino to tie?”

“Of course! After all, both A-Xing and Soma are very strong, so why can’t they advance together!” Yoshino Yuuki replied confidently, standing in the middle and straightening the banner.

“How could they possibly advance together?” Marui Zenji said, sitting to the side with his notebook. “Besides, if they both advance in the semifinals, it would be too chaotic. How would the other group of players choose? There would be too much controversy.”

"Oh, I don't care, I just want to see Hoshino and Soma advance together! What do you think, Megumi?" Yoshino Yuuki turned to Tadokoro Megumi and asked.

"Huh? Me?" Xiao Hui was stunned for a moment when she was suddenly called on. She thought for a moment and then shook her head and said, "Although it's not good to say it like this, I think we still need to distinguish between Ah Xing and Chuang Zhenjun."

"Xiao Hui, you're not on my side! It hurts so much!" Yoshino Yuuki clutched her chest, pretending to be hurt.

"I'm just telling the truth, and besides, Soshin-kun definitely still wants to compete with Hoshi-kun..." Tadokoro Megumi explained.

Hearing this, Hojo Miyoko smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

"Relax a bit, Xiao Hui. Yuuki was just joking with you." Hojo Miyoko leaned back in her chair and looked towards the stage. "Besides, no matter who wins, the people who will enter the finals will be from Polar Star Dormitory. Not to mention, A-Hoshi and Soma don't care about these things. They will keep moving forward regardless of winning or losing."

“Yes, I don’t know about Chen Yuxing, but Soma really is that kind of person,” Mito Ikumi added from the back row.

She originally came alone today, but she ran into Hojo Miyoko and the others from Polar Star Dormitory on the way and ended up sitting together.

"So, have you tried the dishes that A-Xing and Soma improved upon?" Ryoko Sakaki asked, holding a thermos.

"No, but it shouldn't be too different." Shoji Sato relaxed his arm slightly.

"It's hard to say. Those two are just too creative. I even suspect that Soma will end up turning his red wine stewed beef into a culinary disaster," Daigo Aoki retorted somewhat seriously.

"Alright, alright, the match is about to start, we'll see soon." Granny Fumio sat in the middle, still holding Kamo no Suke in her arms.

At the same time, the lights directly under the moonlight suddenly dimmed.

The audience quieted down upon seeing the commotion.

A spotlight shone on the center of the stage, and Rei Kawashima, dressed in a light blue uniform, walked up with a microphone in her hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"The semi-finals of the 43rd Autumn Selection Tournament are about to begin!"

"Today's two semi-final matches will determine the final two players to compete for the championship!"

"Let's first introduce the four contestants who will be competing today!"

"The first match will be between Chen Yuxing from Polar Star Dormitory and Yukihira Soma, who is also from Polar Star Dormitory!"

"They are all transfer students who just joined this year, and they are all members and partners of the Polar Star Dormitory. But today, they need to decide the final winner on this stage!"

Upon hearing Kawashima Rei's enthusiastic introduction, the audience erupted in cheers.

"The second match is between Hayama Akira from the Spice Research Club and Kurokiba Ryo, who is known as 'Mad Dog'!"

"The battle between the genius of spices and the winner of seafood will be equally exciting."

"Then there is one more thing I need to explain to everyone."

"Due to the adjustment of the schedule, after the two semi-final winners are determined today, the final will begin tomorrow."

The audience on stage were in an uproar upon hearing the news, and they began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"What? The two finalists are decided today, and the final is tomorrow? Isn't that a bit too rushed?"

"Exactly, so how should the questions be chosen? Do the contestants have time to prepare?"

"The requirements for form are a bit high, but on the other hand, if you can win a series of matches, your final championship strength will be beyond doubt."

Kawashima Rei on stage clearly anticipated the audience's reaction, and she waited until the murmurs subsided before speaking again.

"Don't worry, everyone. Although the schedule is a bit tight, we have made relevant preparations in advance. However, I will explain the arrangements for tomorrow after the matches are over this afternoon."

"Let's give a round of applause to our five judges today!"

As she finished speaking, the lights on the judges' panel were turned on.

The first thing to appear was a tall and imposing figure.

Dojima Gin.

The head chef of Totsuki Resort, and also the first seat of the 69th Totsuki Elite Ten.

The second person to appear was also a familiar face.

She had short pink hair and black-rimmed glasses, wore a dark suit, and had a very cold expression on her face.

Shinomiya Kojiro.

Head chef of the Paris restaurant SHINO'S, and the first seat of the 79th Totsuki Ten Masters.

Kojiro Shinomiya walked to the judges' table, adjusted his glasses, and glanced at the students in the audience. When he saw Megumi Tadokoro from the Polar Star Dormitory, he smiled faintly and sat down next to Gin Dojima.

Two more judges emerged from the aisle behind the judging panel.

Taki Kakuzaki, the head chef of the Spanish restaurant Taki Amarillo and the second seat of the 88th Totsuki Ten Masters.

The head chef of the Western restaurant Shunka-tei, and the first seat of the 89th Totsuki Ten Masters – Kikuchi Sonoka.

Kakuzaki Taki walked directly to the judges' table and sat on the right side, while Kikuchi Sonoka followed behind her and sat on the right side as well.

An empty space was left in the middle.

The people on stage gasped when they saw the lineup.

"Isn't Dojima-senpai supposed to be the head chef of Totsuki Culinary Resort? He's usually so busy that he doesn't even attend the resort's own food battles. How come he's here as a judge for the Autumn Election...?"

“Chef Shinomiya too! Isn’t he supposed to be in Paris? How come…”

"And there's also Kakuzaki-senpai and Kikuchi-senpai... All the people who came today are graduates from Totsuki Academy, and they're all quite famous."

"You don't even need to guess the last judge, right?"

The spotlights shone all over the center.

"Let us welcome our last judge—the headmaster of Totsuki Academy, Mr. Senzaemon Nakiri!"

Chapter 86 Beef Stew in Red Wine

The light shone into the passageway, and an elderly man dressed in a dark black kimono slowly walked out.

Nakiri Senzaemon.

He walked to the center of the judging panel, scanned the entire room, and then sat down.

All five judges were now in place. Compared to the previous lineups, this lineup was much more demanding, consisting of four outstanding graduates of Totsuki Academy and the Totsuki Grand Marshal himself.

Just then, a complaint suddenly came from the audience.

"No! That's not fair! That's too much! Why can't I be a judge!"

A woman with her hair tied in a ponytail and dressed in casual clothes said angrily, biting the silk scarf in her hand.

"Hinako?" Taki Kakuzaki leaned halfway out from the judges' table, frowning as he looked at the audience. "Why are you sitting over there?"

"I can only sit here! It's all Shinomiya-senpai's fault. He said he wanted to be a judge and pushed me out! Now I'm all alone in the audience! It's so unfair!"

Hinako Inui stood up and called out towards the judges' panel, then looked at Kojiro Shinomiya sitting on her left with a hint of resentment.

“I am also an outstanding graduate, I am the second seat of the Top Ten, and I even taught them when I was doing residential training!”

“But today we need judges specializing in Western cuisine, what are you doing here?” Dojima Gin looked at Inui Hinako with a headache.

"It's all Shinomiya-senpai's fault for trying to steal my position!"

"Shut up, Hinako." Even Shinomiya Kojiro on the judges' panel couldn't hold back any longer. He glared fiercely at Inui Hinako.

Hinako Inui paused for a moment, then puffed out her cheeks again and protested softly, "I don't care, it's all Shinomiya-senpai's fault..."

But she eventually sat down again, biting her handkerchief and muttering to herself.

Kakuzaki Taki's lips twitched as he looked at Inui Hinako in the audience.

"Alright, leave her alone." Shinomiya Kojiro turned to look at the stage. "Let Hinako stay by herself."

Dojima Gin smiled when he saw this, then stood up and looked at Kawashima Rei in the center of the stage: "Then let's begin, host."

"Don't keep the audience waiting too long."

In the center of the stage, Kawashima Rei took a deep breath, her sweet smile returning to her face as she raised the microphone in her hand.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting!"

"The semi-finals of the 43rd Totsuki Academy Autumn Selection Tournament are now officially beginning!"

"The first match of the day will be held first!"

Two names appeared on the big screen.

Chen Yuxing VS Yukihira Soma.

"The theme for both matches today is—Western cuisine!"

The audience started discussing this as well.

"Western cuisine? There are so many dishes to choose from."

"French, Italian, and Spanish cuisines are all very broad topics; the scope of this subject is too wide."

"However, relatively speaking, such a broad topic can be very difficult. Not only do you have to choose the one that suits you best from so many options, but you also need to be able to beat your opponent."

"But aren't either of the transfer students particularly good at Western cuisine?"

"I don't know, we'll find out as we watch."

Everyone in the Polaris Dormitory stood up at this moment.