Chef Hua
Chapter 254: Episode 151: Encounter with a Foodie - Part 2

Chapter 254: Episode 151: Encounter with a Foodie - Part 2

Chun Xi and La Mei were both quick to speak. Before Hua Xiaomai could answer, they pushed her forward impatiently and blurted out, "Wasn’t it her who made these? This restaurant is also opened by her, and as for culinary skills, everyone in our village has to give a thumbs up!"

"Don’t joke with me," the man said, frowning slightly as if displeased, tapping the edge of the bowl with his chopsticks. "Not to mention anything else, but just this pot of meat alone is not a simple dish. It looks as though it’s just a matter of throwing various ingredients into the pot to stew, which doesn’t seem complicated. However, in fact, each ingredient requires a significantly different degree of cooking. The ham is tender, the chicken and duck are delicate, and the pig’s leg melts in the mouth; having such precise control over the heat is impossible without six or seven years of experience in the kitchen. And this young lady seems to be only around fifteen or sixteen years old... Could it be that when you were eight or nine, your family already trusted you to manipulate the spatula all day?"

This remark really hit the nail on the head. Chun Xi and La Mei also began to feel a bit doubtful and nudged Hua Xiaomai’s arm, lowering their voices, "Yes, Xiaomai, I heard from Erqiao that before you were twelve, you really couldn’t do anything right, even messing up boiling a pot of water. How..."

How could Hua Xiaomai explain to them? This pot of meat wasn’t something she learned from Chef School at all, but rather a traditional main dish from her previous home, always present on the table during festive occasions!

Unable to find an appropriate explanation, she simply chose to completely ignore the question and with a smile, said to the man, "I haven’t deceived either of you. These dishes were indeed made by me. May I ask if they are to your liking?"

"My!" The woman exclaimed, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Seeing how young you are and yet capable of such skills is truly remarkable!"

The man was even more astonished, pausing as if still not willing to easily believe it, and looking intently at Hua Xiaomai, "Did you really make these?"

Hua Xiaomai just smiled and firmly nodded her head.

"Come, sit down, sit down, I must have a good chat with you!" The man gestured to the bench opposite him, appearing very eager as he spoke, "At such a young age, to be able to cook such good dishes, it couldn’t have all been figured out by yourself, right? Where did you learn this, and who taught you?"

"This..." Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips and lightly shook her head.

"Hard to say? Okay, I won’t ask further." The man didn’t persist, tapping the plates on the table with his chopsticks, "Let’s talk about these dishes you’ve made. The fried gluten, was it fried in raw oil and then again in sesame oil, right? It’s crunchy on the bite, squeaks when chewed, fully flavored with oil yet not at all greasy. Just achieving this is already quite remarkable. And about this pot of meat, as I’ve said before, it is a rare delicacy. A pot full of four to five types of meats, each flavor distinct yet infused together, truly a fine craftsmanship!"

Ever since she started catering for others, Hua Xiaomai was accustomed to hearing all sorts of praise, but hearing the same from a gourmet gave a different feeling to a chef. She immediately smiled and said, "Both of you have a discerning palate, and I am extremely pleased to receive your compliments. If you are not in a hurry to resume your journey, I will go and prepare a couple more dishes for you two later."

Hearing this, Chun Xi and La Mei turned around, muttering under their breath. Luo Yuejiao, simple-minded, blurted out without thinking, "The store has been open for a few days, and we haven’t made much money yet, and now you’re offering free meals to people!"

If it was not for the presence of others, Hua Xiaomai really wanted to go over and give her a beating right there and then. She angrily threw her a death glare, signaling her to stop talking nonsense. The man however seemed unconcerned, waving his hand, "No rush for other dishes. Right now, I would like to discuss this pickled drunken crab with you."

He seemed to imply something with his words. Hua Xiaomai focused her attention and asked earnestly, "How is this pickled drunken crab, is there anything inappropriate?"

...It couldn’t be likely, could it? This was truly one of her specialty dishes. Even the teachers from Chef School, having tasted it, had nothing but praise. She was very confident; what could possibly be the problem?

"Don’t be nervous," the man glanced at her face and said with a smile, "Regarding the pickling time and the preparation of the brine, even the ratio of Qu Wine to Shao Wine, it’s hard to find any fault. Most chefs are proud and don’t take well to criticism, and I am merely nitpicking here. You don’t necessarily have to listen to me— but may I ask something, in this pickled drunken crab, are the belly-button and sharp-nosed varieties both placed in the same jar?"

Is this not right? Hua Xiaomai slightly furrowed her brow and nodded, "Naturally, although the male and female crabs have slight taste differences, unlike green crabs, they are not clearly distinguished. I just pickle them together in the same jar. Could that actually affect the flavor and texture?"

"Indeed it does," the man spoke assuredly, "When the belly-button and sharp-nosed are soaked together, within just three to five days, the texture of the meat will grain, impacting the exquisite tenderness, though not significantly the flavor. However, if the two types are pickled and stored separately, this issue won’t occur. Even after ten days or more, they will still taste uniquely fresh. An old chef, who spent twenty years in the culinary industry, told me this. Initially, I didn’t believe it, dismissing it as absurd, until I tried it myself which convinced me."

Hua Xiaomai had always thought that she had seen quite a bit in the culinary field, yet this was something new to her. Upon reflection, she found it somewhat plausible.

This man, unremarkable in appearance, seemed to be quite studied in the art of "eating." She couldn’t help but blurt out, "May I ask your name?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)