The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 103. Completion
The flounder sashimi composition was complete on the plate.
The golden fish splayed open like a pinecone, with shrimp and shiitake mushroom visible through the gaps.
The crimson gloss of the gochujang sauce draped across the top.
Finally, the green of the scallion threads balanced the entire composition.
One plate. Everything contained within it.
That was the moment.
[Dish completed.]
[Evaluation in progress…]
[Evaluation complete.]
[Rating: ★★★★]
[The synergy between 【Absolute Palate】 and 【Ingredient Harmony】 has reached its peak.]
[This dish awakens all five senses of those who consume it.]
‘…What?’
Four stars. I’d never achieved that before.
Thump!
My heart pounded once, hard.
I looked down at the plate. The golden flounder gleamed.
A dish the system had acknowledged.
The highest grade.
‘I did it.’
I checked the timer.
04:12.
Four minutes remaining.
I turned my head. Ern Kim was finishing his plate.
Truffle was being placed on top. Almost simultaneously with me.
Jeong Si-woo had also finished and was standing.
Quietly. In front of his own plate.
He wiped his hands on his apron, cleanly completing the final steps of his dish.
‘I can go first.’
This was a competition. I had to move.
“Jin-woo.”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go.”
* * *
I picked up the plate. Jin-woo followed beside me.
‘Carefully. But quickly!’
We ran side by side toward the judges’ table.
Every eye in the audience followed us.
Two people running with plates in hand.
-running
-look at those two
-the supporting expression next to them
Ern Kim picked up his plate as well. His pace was quick, but he wasn’t running.
It was clear he was trying to maintain composure until the very end.
Jeong Si-woo followed with his plate in hand. His steps were quiet.
But we were first.
I set the plate down in front of the judges’ table. The very first one.
Jin-woo was breathing heavily beside me.
“Huff…!”
“Jin-woo.”
“Yes?”
“Catch your breath and stand still.”
“Y-yes…!”
Even though it was a short distance, I was out of breath. The tension must have added to it.
Jang Han-su picked up the microphone.
“Chef Kim Seon-woo, who finished first! Let’s take a look at the plate!”
The camera swept across the plate. The flounder sashimi was zoomed in on the monitor.
Gasps erupted from the audience.
* * *
Han Jae-won received the dish first.
The perfectly sliced flounder sashimi was placed before his eyes.
The fish spread open like a pinecone, with the inner ingredients visible between the layers.
The colors were vibrant. It was a composition he’d never seen before.
Traditional Chinese technique layered with his own interpretation.
‘Interesting. More interesting than I expected.’
Han Jae-won smiled inwardly.
This competition had been entertaining throughout.
The charity pledge was entertaining, Jang On-gyu’s expression was entertaining, and that chef’s knife work was entertaining.
But.
Han Jae-won picked up his chopsticks.
Entertainment and deliciousness are different things.
‘Cooking is ultimately about taste. If there’s no taste, nothing else matters.’
No matter how good the visuals, if the taste is lacking, it’s over. He’d seen countless dishes designed purely for show.
Plates perfect for posting on social media. Plating ideal for photography.
Dishes as pretty as a photo zone.
Dishes people take one bite of and abandon after taking pictures.
Such things didn’t work on Han Jae-won.
He always focused on the essence.
While running six brands, he’d reviewed thousands of menu items. Perhaps even more than that.
I’m always cooking, eating, and making it again.
Before launching a new menu item, I taste-test everything myself.
There’s only one standard for approval.
‘Do I want one more bite?’
If not, it doesn’t go on the menu. The tongue cannot lie.
‘To be honest, I’m worried.’
They would have been amazed with just the song fish, but I filled it with ingredients inside.
I was trying to create a double layer of flavor. A dish that’s already difficult to focus on one element.
‘This carries significant risk.’
If the filling isn’t cooked enough, the texture becomes mushy; if overcooked, the fish flesh falls apart.
To hit that balance, the oil temperature must be controlled with second-level precision.
Under live broadcast pressure, the structure has a high failure rate.
‘I wonder if he actually pulled it off.’
He couldn’t help but feel nervous too.
Still, he had to do what needed to be done.
“Phew….”
He picked up a piece with his chopsticks.
The crispy skin crackled and crumbled between the chopsticks. The sensation of it breaking apart felt good.
‘At least the frying is perfect.’
He put it in his mouth.
As soon as he bit down, the crispness came first.
Crackle. Crunch.
The shell breaking apart cheerfully. The golden fried coating split between the layers.
Then came the softness of the filling.
“!!!”
The tender texture of the shrimp burst between his teeth. Immediately after, the aroma of shiitake mushroom rose to his nose.
Subtle and deep. At the same time, they blended together.
Crispness and softness became one in his mouth.
The outside and inside weren’t playing separately. They were playing together.
‘This is…. Wow….’
Han Jae-won’s eyes widened.
And the sauce.
The spiciness of gochujang came through.
It wasn’t sweet. It perfectly captured the richness of the fish.
Just as the heaviness was about to rise, the spiciness cut through it.
And finally, the tartness of the plum syrup finished it off.
Clean. Without any lingering aftertaste.
‘It’s perfectly balanced, isn’t it? To my taste?’
Or rather, it might be perfectly balanced to Korean palates.
Either way, it doesn’t really matter.
‘My mouth felt refreshed.’
I wanted to eat more. Just one more bite.
It was Chinese cuisine, yet it tasted Korean.
Traditional yet innovative. Familiar yet entirely new.
Han Jae-won slowly set down his chopsticks.
The surroundings fell silent. The judges watched Han Jae-won intently, completely absorbed in observing him.
Han Jae-won’s face was zoomed in on the monitor.
Han Jae-won opened his mouth.
“…Could I possibly have one more bite?”
A brief evaluation. That was all.
But those few words said everything.
-One more bite?!
-Han Jae-won?
-That means it’s delicious
-Look at his expression
-The judge requested an additional tasting
-This is confirmed
Jang Han-su interjected with a smile.
“Representative Han Jae-won, is this the first time a judge has requested an additional tasting?”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes, it’s the first time!”
“But I can’t refuse, can I?”
Han Jae-won laughed.
He was already picking up a second piece.
He placed it in his mouth. He chewed. He closed his eyes.
“…Indeed.”
It tasted just as delicious the second time.
* * *
The remaining judging proceeded quickly. Ern Kim’s plate was brought up.
Truffle steak.
It looked magnificent.
The judges nodded in approval.
But.
“Hmm… It was delicious.”
Han Jae-won did not request a second bite.
* * *
Next, Jeong Si-woo’s plate was brought up.
Traditional omakase.
It was clean and refined.
“It’s delicious!”
Im Ha-un delivered her characteristic assessment.
I stood beside Jin-woo and waited.
“….”
“Aren’t you nervous?”
Jin-woo had his fists clenched.
“I’m nervous. In moments like this.”
“Hehe. So you’re human after all, hyung?”
“What else would I be?”
“Right. But knowing that even you get nervous somehow makes me feel a bit better?”
“That’s good.”
I was clenching my fists too.
I pretended otherwise, but my palms were sweating.
“Well then, all the tastings have concluded! Normally it would be first-come-first-served, but didn’t all three chefs arrive at nearly the same time? So we had no choice!”
Jang Han-su stood at the center of the stage. He was holding an envelope.
“However, we didn’t change the rules. The results are in this envelope here. If Chef Kim Seon-woo’s dish reaches 3 points first? Then it’s over!”
The studio fell silent. Only breathing could be heard.
Ern Kim stood with his arms crossed. His expression was completely rigid.
“Of course, if you’d like, I can explain separately! Now then! I announce!”
Jeong Si-woo had his hands clasped in front of him, his head bowed.
“The final results!”
Jang Han-su opened the envelope. His fingers pulled out the paper.
It was slow. Deliberately slow.
‘That’s probably just production too.’
PD Ga must have instructed something through the earpiece. To build suspense.
“Chef Kim Seon-woo’s dish result is….”
He paused for a beat.
It was long.
Jin-woo’s breathing came from beside me. It quickened.
A cough sounded from somewhere in the audience. Beyond that, there was no other sound.
Hundreds of people were holding their breath.
No one in the judges’ section moved either.
Han Jae-won rested his chin on his hand, watching the stage.
Jang On-gyu sat with his legs crossed. Maintaining his smile.
“Five points!”
My heart pounded.
Once. Hard.
“The champion is Chef Kim Seon-woo!”
It erupted.
The audience.
-Woooooooow!!
-Kim Seon-woo!!
-A comeback victory!!
-Insane!!
Cheers engulfed the studio. Applause thundered against the ceiling.
Jin-woo leaped to his feet.
“Chef! We won!!”
Jin-woo, tears streaming down his face, was laughing and crying simultaneously, his nose flushed red.
“Chef! Chef! We really did it!!”
“…Yes.”
I smiled without realizing it.
* * *
“Wow…! A championship here too! I’ve seen it twice! I’ve seen it twice!”
Lee Sae-rom stood up, clapping.
“…This is crazy.”
Sonny was crying again. She was more emotional than expected, and quite prone to tears.
Im Ha-yun, on the other hand, was smiling.
She mouthed something to me.
I thought it might be “well done.”
Han Jae-won was unexpected. He nodded and applauded loudly. Vigorously.
‘That must be how he celebrates.’
That’s when Jeong Si-woo approached.
“Chef Jeong?”
“Chef.”
Jeong Si-woo bowed deeply in greeting.
“I learned much from you.”
“…I did too.”
He was the image of someone who understood graceful defeat.
I genuinely learned from him.
His sincere approach to cooking was genuine.
“I’d like to treat you to a meal sometime. Would that be alright?”
“I happen to feel the same way. Haha.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll be waiting whenever.”
“Yes. I’ll visit soon!”
“Thank you.”
He had clearly gained something through this competition.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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