Chapter 967: Is This a Beginner?

"Hey, does any dish made with eggs count?"

"Not bad, but if you bring me a boiled egg, I won't recognize that as cooking."

"What about egg fried rice?"

"Egg fried rice may be simple, but it tests the chef's control of the heat, so that's no problem."

Nakiri Erina crossed her arms and nodded in recognition of the fried rice.

"Of course, I have to remind you all of one thing: coming up with what dish to make with eggs isn't the problem; how to make eggs into a dish that satisfies me—that's the problem."

"Don't think this is just a simple transfer student exam. If the dishes you make have flaws and defile my tongue, I won't mind giving an honest evaluation to the outside world—"

"Broly-san, you're lucky. Today's exam content is actually something you only learned yesterday."

"Bastard, you two listen to me!"

Soma Yukihira ignored her, looking like he was talking to himself beside her, which made Nakiri Erina's stern expression crack, and she couldn't help but shout.

"I am listening seriously."

Broly immediately raised his hand, looking like a good child called on by the teacher in class.

"Anyway, it's about conquering your taste buds with cooking, right? I can hear you speaking, so don't shout so loud. That's not ladylike at all, much worse than my childhood friend Wenjing's personality."

Soma Yukihira rubbed his ears and spoke his mind.

Erina hardened, her fists hardened, and she really wanted to beat this bastard to death.

If it weren't for this bastard talking to himself with a look of disrespect toward her, how could she have shouted?

"The exam time is two hours. Within two hours, if you can't produce dishes that satisfy me, I'll make it so you can't survive in the upper-class cooking circles."

In the end, Nakiri Erina still held her temper, just snorted coldly, and then walked aside with Hisako.

"Broly-san, the fried rice you made yesterday was a low-spec version. This time, the examiner you're facing seems to have high requirements for the taste of dishes, so you might need to make a high-spec version of fried rice. The difference between low-spec and high-spec fried rice, besides piling on ingredients, is to figure something out with the sauce."

"Given your situation, it's not easy to change the ingredients, so you can only figure something out with the sauce. This requires using some clear soup stock. Coincidentally, the dish I'm making also needs clear soup stock, so just follow along and make it together."

After Soma Yukihira finished speaking, he began selecting ingredients for simmering clear soup stock on the preparation counter.

"My clear soup stock is to be made into clear soup stock jelly, needing more collagen. Yours doesn't, so I'll pick ten whole chicken wings to stew, and you can choose a whole chicken."

"Choose an old hen for the chicken, so the stewed clear soup stock will be more fragrant and mellow. Besides that, we'll also use katsuobushi flakes to make the umami base for the clear soup stock. Don't use too much, otherwise it will easily overpower the flavor—"

Broly nodded, imitating Soma Yukihira's manner, and selected ingredients on the preparation counter.

"Hisako, bring me the files of those two."

After walking aside, Erina didn't wait foolishly, but had her personal secretary Hisako Arato go find the personal registration files of the two who dared to challenge her God Tongue sense of taste.

"Soma Yukihira, fifteen years old, a third-rate chef from a small restaurant. No wonder he dares to say those big words. It's the ignorance of one who knows no fear." After seeing Soma Yukihira's file, Nakiri Erina's irritable mood calmed down considerably.

"If this person knew his own reputation and still dared to treat me with that kind of attitude just now, it would mean he doesn't take me seriously at all."

"But now, it's just that the other person's circle isn't high enough and can't reach the height of the upper-class cooking circle I'm in, so it's no problem."

"It's like a stray dog on the roadside not knowing the preciousness of a gem. If I really quibble with a third-rate chef from a street-side restaurant like this, it would only lower my own status."

"What about the other person's file?"

After looking at Soma Yukihira's file, Erina prepared to look at the remaining person.

"It's here, just—"

"What?"

"On the other person's file, there isn't even a headshot photo, and the personal information is also somewhat absurd."

"Hand it over, let me see."

Erina was somewhat curious and directly took the examinee file from Hisako's hand.

"No, how on earth did this guy pass the preliminary screening of Totsuki Academy?"

After seeing clearly, Erina was a bit dazed.

Only to see that on the information registration form in her hand, only Broly's name and age were simply written.

As for other information about cooking experience, it was none.

Even more excessive was that in the column for cooking skill level evaluation, it was actually written as Beginner.

The so-called Beginner refers to someone who has basic common sense about the kitchen but lacks actual practical experience.

"This kind of guy, if he applied for the First Year of Totsuki Culinary Academy's Middle School Division, there might still be a chance to be recruited."

"But high school, forget it. If they really let a Beginner get in, then Totsuki Culinary Academy wouldn't be far from closing its gates."

"Erina-sama, the other person might have used some private connections."

Totsuki Academy, although it respects cooking skill above all, can't avoid some human favors and social niceties.

"The people in the New Student Qualification Review Department are really too excessive. Not okay. Later I have to tell Grandfather and let him properly clear out the corrupt atmosphere in the academy, and clean out all those good-for-nothings who abuse their authority to open back doors for outsiders!"

Nakiri Erina said somewhat indignantly.

Outside the exam area, at the front door, Senzaemon Nakiri was a bit embarrassed.

In his granddaughter's mouth, the person who abused authority to open back doors was himself.

【That guy Azami Nakiri recommended young people had better be reliable, worth this old man doing the thing of opening back doors to help pass the registration preliminary screening.】

The old man thought, and through the crack in the door, secretly watched the situation inside the exam area.

And at this moment, Broly and Soma Yukihira both began to simmer soup.

"Simmering clear soup stock has its particulars. If you want to simmer a milky white thick soup, it's best to simmer the soup ingredients over medium-high heat the whole time, so that fat and protein will violently collide and emulsify in the boiling pot, making the soup color turn white. But this kind of soup is relatively greasy and not suitable for fried rice or mixed rice."

"So, what we want to simmer is clear soup. First boil over high heat then turn to low heat, using the method of simmering slowly over low heat to fully dissolve the umami substances in the soup ingredients."

"During this period, some foam will be simmered out. We need to continuously skim off that foam. They are the source of the gamey smell. If not skimmed off in time, it will cause the soup color and texture of the simmered soup to decrease—"

Soma Yukihira guided while simmering soup, and Broly followed along, not feeling there was any difficulty.

And the fact was indeed so. Simmering soup was just slow work. Compared to testing skill, it tested patience more.

"The simmering time for poultry soup ingredients is usually 1.5~2 hours, but I'm using whole chicken wings, so I need to appropriately shorten the time."

Soma Yukihira's soup was finished first; he took some ice and a large plate of a certain height, then poured his simmered clear soup stock into it.

", what are you doing?"

"The exam time is tight; I need to make clear soup stock jelly, so I can only use this method to accelerate the cooling of the soup stock."

"Do you need help?"

Broly asked proactively, and besides water magic, he also knew some ice magic.

"No need, I can handle this side myself, Broly-san; you'd better not get distracted and just simmer your soup properly."

"Alright then."

Broly nodded, then suddenly thought of something and asked again: "By the way, if we communicate while cooking for this exam, won't we be judged as violating the rules?"

"Uh————"

Soma Yukihira was reminded and reacted.

"Then why don't I ask?"

"Fine."

"Hey, God Tongue judge over there————"

Soma Yukihira turned his head and raised his hand, shouting loudly.

"I have a name."

"It's just that I didn't remember what you're called————"

Soma Yukihira scratched his head a bit embarrassedly, but he thought this was normal.

After all, as an examinee taking the exam, how could he possibly remember the proctor's name?

"She's Nakiri Erina, and the one beside her is Hisako Arato."

Broly reminded from the side.

", Broly-san, did you know them before?"

"No, I just met them a moment ago; I just remembered their names."

【Nakiri Erina, Happiness Value Rise, currently 1】

【Hisako Arato, Happiness Value Rise, currently 1】

Without comparison, they wouldn't feel that a stranger they just met remembering them was something to be happy about.

But with Soma Yukihira, this infuriating detestable guy, in front, Broly, this tall guy who could remember people, seemed more pleasing to the eye.

"What's the matter with you, guy; do you want to give up the exam?"

Nakiri Erina asked in a bad tone.

"Of course not; I just want to ask, the way we two communicated earlier about how to simmer clear soup stock, does that count as exam cheating?"

"Strictly speaking, of course it counts; selecting ingredients, how to process ingredients, and some detail handling during the cooking process all count as tests of a chef's capability."

"Ah, then haven't we already failed the exam?"

"If I were serious, that would indeed be the case."

Hearing this, Soma Yukihira's expression stiffened.

【I didn't even pass the entrance exam, so how can I graduate, and go prove to my old man that I have the capability to surpass his cooking?】

Seeing the visibly disappointed look on the boy's face, Nakiri Erina's mouth corner curled slightly: "However, you two are both weaklings at cooking; even if you take the exam together, I don't mind; anyway, the final result will be the same."

", really, you don't mind us taking the exam together?"

"No, why don't you listen to the rest of what I said?"

"As long as it's not cheating, thanks, Nakiri-what's-her-name examiner, right; you're really a good person."

Soma Yukihira directly handed the girl a Good Person Card, and Nakiri Erina felt like she was punching cotton.

"Thank you."

Broly also said thanks.

"Hmph, wait until you can make some decent cooking before saying that."

Nakiri Erina turned her face away somewhat huffily.

Soma Yukihira was waiting for the clear soup stock jelly to form, while Broly was waiting for the clear soup stock to finish simmering.

Also, the rice to be used for fried rice needed to undergo cooling treatment.

The time required for both was about the same, but Soma Yukihira still finished the exam dish a step ahead.

"What is this?"

"One of Yukihira Diner's secret menu items, Transformation Egg Mixed Rice, please enjoy."

"Are you joking? A bowl of white rice topped with some fried egg flowers, and this is your cooking?"

"Of course."

"Sigh, I shouldn't have had any expectations from a third-rate chef from a small diner."

"Hey, you haven't even tried it, so how do you know it tastes bad?"

"This kind of thing doesn't need trying at all; even if you add clear soup stock to it, in my opinion, it's also a somewhat failed dish."

"Rice, eggs, clear soup stock; are you using leftover kitchen waste scraps from a hotel back kitchen to make an employee meal?"

"Your exam has failed; you are unqualified and have no qualification to attend Totsuki Academy."

Nakiri Erina directly announced the exam result and prepared to leave the exam area.

"Erina-sama, isn't there still one examinee?"

Hisako Arato reminded.

"A third-rate chef from a small diner didn't pass the exam; do you think a beginner who needs a third-rate chef to guide them can expect any good taste? Let's go, Hisako; wasting two hours here was my stupidity."

"Hoh, hoho————"

However, before the girl had taken more than a few steps, Soma Yukihira's somewhat contemptuous laughter came from behind her.

"What are you laughing at, you guy?"

That laugh was somewhat grating, making Nakiri Erina furrow her brow; she turned around and questioned her.

"Of course I'm laughing at how unprofessional this cooking school is, actually letting an irresponsible guy like you serve as a judging examiner."

"Shut up, you guy, Erina-sama is one of the Totsuki Ten."

"I don't know what this broken title is; I only know that here there is a guy who hasn't even personally tasted the cooking, yet arrogantly comments on cooking he hasn't tasted in an unreasonable, self-righteous way. If this cooking school is full of guys like you, then not enrolling is correct."

"Originally I wanted to let you off easy, not preparing to harshly evaluate a third-rate chef like you's craftsmanship, but since you yourself don't know what's good for you and want to completely ruin your family restaurant's reputation, then I'll grant your wish."

Nakiri Erina couldn't take the provocation; she immediately came back. She had already decided that after tasting this person's cooking, she would publicly announce her evaluation of this third-rate chef's craftsmanship in the most merciless attitude; by then, the other party's family restaurant would probably suffer poor business because of it.

However, this was all the other party's own doing; she couldn't blame herself.

【, Wait, this doesn't seem to be Clear Soup Stock Egg Mixed Rice, but rather Clear Soup Stock Frozen Egg Mixed Rice————】

The Spoon scooped up the Rice, and Nakiri Erina only then noticed that mixed among the Eggs on the Rice was half-melted Clear Soup Stock Frozen.

Just changing the form of the Clear Soup Stock and mixing it into the Rice; after all, this is still unrefined commoner Cooking, how could it

possibly————be this delicious?!】

The Mixed Rice entered the mouth, the Clear Soup Stock Frozen melted, bringing out the aroma of the Rice and Eggs, 【This isn't Soup Soaked Rice, but rather a method similar to Covered Rice; the slightly melted Clear Soup Stock Shiru wraps the Eggs and Rice, making a bowl of Mixed Rice that looks Ordinary have multiple layers of Texture and Taste, the Breasts feel as if lightly caressed by a Feather————】

Just as Erina subconsciously went to scoop a second mouthful, Soma Yukihira directly took away the transformed Egg Mixed Rice.

"This God Tongue judging examiner, you haven't said how my Cooking's Taste is yet; how about, if you say it's delicious, I'll let you eat a second mouthful?"

Soma Yukihira held the Bowl and swayed it in front of the girl, using a tone of having her in his grasp, and began to tempt her.

If it were General People, they might be manipulated by this Medicine King.

But Erina isn't General People; this only made her Angry.

"Delicious? Who told you it's delicious?"

", Then why do you still want to eat a second mouthful?"

"Shut up, your Cooking is difficult to eat to death!"

"Zila~"

Just as Nakiri Erina's Evaluation came out, Broly's Fried Rice sound interrupted her.

Preparing the Clear Soup Stock Sauce took nearly two hours, but the actual Fried Rice process only needed one or two minutes.

Broly imitated Soma Azami Nakiri's Fried Rice technique, quickly attracting Erina's attention.

【Beginner? Joke, can a beginner fry to this level?】

The control of the heat was almost perfect; even with her eyesight, she couldn't pick out a flaw.

"Clear Soup Stock Egg Fried Rice is done, please enjoy slowly."

Broly served up the Rice; the aroma of the Fried Rice just out of the Pot made the two girls subconsciously swallow their throats.

Nakiri Erina this time didn't Dislike the Fried Rice, scooped up a mouthful and ate it down.

On her face, a Satisfied expression soon appeared.

This is a portion of Fried Rice that even her God Tongue can't find fault with; everything seems just right.

"Qualified, you passed the exam."

Nakiri Erina ate the last mouthful of Fried Rice, then nodded to Broly, giving an evaluation of passing the assessment.

", No, why? In terms of Taste, my Mixed Rice shouldn't be worse than his Fried Rice, right?"

"Hmph, why? Naturally because he quietly waited for me this Judging to finish tasting the Cooking, while you took away the Cooking midway."

Forest Elf's Question, a diner goes to your Home Restaurant to Dine, but you suddenly take away the Cooking; what would the Customer's Mood be?"

The girl answered with a cold eye.

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