Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 173: Secondary

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Secondary

"But—"

Shinohara Shigetaro expressed his regret, "Unfortunately, I and the other judges are unable to give an exact grade to ’Flame Dragon Roll Fish Fin Sausage.’ Chef Xia Yu’s cuisine certainly possesses Special Grade quality and true ultimate taste. However, this ultimate taste is not a singular type of ultimatum, but a symphonic blend of flames and spices..."

"It is below Special Grade One Star quality, but it completely sheds the label of ’faux’."

From the conflicted expression of this IGO Neon Department head, it was very hard for him to determine the specific quality of ’Flame Dragon Roll Fish Fin Sausage.’

"..."

Chiyoda Aichi fell silent for a moment, then turned the microphone toward Xia Yu.

"Chef Xia Yu, what would you like to say about your dish to everyone?"

Xia Yu shrugged his shoulders and said, "I completely agree with Minister Shinohara’s assessment of my cuisine. The flavors of flame and spice I infused into the dish were actually a clever trick, an unorthodox approach where their combination forms the ’ultimate.’"

"If separated, this type of ’ultimate’ taste would obviously no longer exist. And according to the IGO’s international gourmet standards for Special Grade Cuisine, a One Star Special Grade dish is a singular ultimate, and my flame and spice alone do not qualify!"

"As everyone knows, only a chef who has mastered at least one ultimate technique is eligible to apply for the Special Grade assessment," said Xia Yu, appearing very modest. After he spoke, the audience erupted in applause. They were conquered by him.

"So, do you consider ’Dragon Roll Fish Fin Sausage’ a Special Grade Cuisine?" asked Chiyoda Aichi, her beautiful eyes staring at him, her lips pursed.

"Of course!"

That’s how Xia Yu responded, scratching his face, "It should be called ’Sub-Special Grade’ Cuisine more appropriately."

"Sub-Special?"

This answer made Shinohara Shigetaro’s eyes light up and he couldn’t help but applaud.

"Yes, yes, yes, ’Sub-Special’! It shouldn’t be ’qualifying’ or ’faux’!" Shinohara Shigetaro exclaimed, "It appears that Chef Xia has a deep understanding of his own cuisine and was fully prepared for this Food Duel."

"Victory is for those who are prepared, and you are worthy of this magnificent triumph!" Shinohara Shigetaro led the applause, and around the stage, the applause was loud and uniform, lasting a long time.

Then, in the presence of the camera and the live audience, the IGO Neon Department’s Food Duel Administration transferred the spoils of the Food Duel victory to Xia Yu.

Two ’Real Estate Ownership Certificates’ and a signed Food Duel transfer agreement, with the Tokyo Three Tigers Construction Company as the party of the first part, and now Xia Yu flamboyantly signing his name in the party of the second part section.

"He reclaimed two pieces of land and buildings."

Xia Yu held the agreement and property certificates, his eyes falling on the large public bathhouse to the left of Xia’s shop and the three-story family inn on the right.

Given their proximity, Xia Yu planned to reclaim these two buildings adjacent to Xia’s shop for homeownership or use.

To develop a VIP dining area, with the shop’s original structure, it wasn’t possible to play around with variety.

Therefore, opening a new store seemed very important, and in the VIP dining area, the cuisine that glows, the service, and environment must match correspondingly. This would be an essential financial resource for Xia’s shop in the future.

To say the least, the old shopping street had already entrenched itself in Xia Yu’s mind.

This time, he had thwarted Lancelot and the ’Gourmet Society’ backing him, and Xia Yu was already prepared to face more Food Duels.

...

As night fell, the street lights glowed softly.

The crowd, akin to those attending a summer fireworks festival, finally began to disperse.

Not only was the old shopping street bustling tonight, but the new shopping street also became crowded immediately after the Food Duel as the shops and restaurants along the street were instantly packed.

The audience enjoyed a spectacular Food Duel, but this indulged their demon of gluttony.

In front of Xia’s shop, a group of adorable customers who came in support lingered for a long time.

"Boss Xia, are you still open tonight?"

"Boss Xia, I want to taste your cooking again! I’m so hungry!"

"Boss Xia..."

Standing at the door, Xia Yu, surrounded by a crowd of young patrons, felt victorious and very pleased. He waved his hands and said, "I haven’t prepared enough ingredients for the next two days due to the holiday, but if you are willing to wait, I can have IGO deliver a batch right away..."

The young guests were immediately delighted and rushed into the small shop to find good seats.

An Yilun, Sazuma Eri, and an inconspicuous short-haired high school girl sat in a row at the bar.

"What’s on the menu today?" An Yilun turned and called to Xia Yu, who had just finished a phone call and returned.

"Today, I’m improvising... and it’s on the house!" Xia Yu smiled.

The group of customers inside the shop cheered.

"Being on the house isn’t the point, I finally get to taste the off-menu dishes!" Ren Xue exclaimed, pulling Shuigu Jun to sit not far away, saliva literally dripping down.

"Yes! Yes! Custom dishes!" A girl of similar age sitting next to them nodded seriously, "Let’s take photos together later and upload them to Twitter to make those who didn’t come jealous."

Thump, thump.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Xia Yu looked up, and the guests were also drawn by the sound, with several young people exclaiming in surprise, "Miss, Miss Chiyoda!"

Outside the door was today’s popular female host, Miss Chiyoda Aichi.

On the street outside, there was a van with the Tokyo TV Station logo, with the driver, cameraman, and Miss Chiyoda’s assistant all standing in expectation.

"May we come in for a meal?" Miss Chiyoda cautiously observed Xia Yu’s expression.

She seemed to know that Xia’s shop wasn’t open for business tonight.

"Welcome—" Xia Yu stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture. Miss Chiyoda paused for a few seconds before waving to her crew behind, "Everyone come in, Chef Xia has agreed to serve us!"

Her voice was filled with the excitement and joy of a young girl.

Miss Chiyoda and her team took their seats, and the shop was almost bursting at the seams.

About half an hour later, IGO’s ingredient truck arrived, and several personnel in black began moving ingredients to the storage area next to the kitchen. Without further ado, Xia Yu started her cooking rhythm.

...

IGO Neon Headquarters.

The top-floor office was brightly lit; the staff had just delivered the video of today’s Food Duel.

Watching it repeatedly, the focus was always on the moment the steamer was opened.

In the video, perhaps due to the angle of the shot, the mist swirling around the steamer made it look like it was actually on fire.

Shinohara Shigetaro held the remote control, pressing it against the projection device repeatedly, not at all tired or bored, and accompanying him were Aoki Motota and Liangzi Lina.

"Minister, are you sure this guy hadn’t learned cooking in his previous decades?" Aoki Motota, rubbing his bald head, grew more puzzled as he watched.

Shinohara Shigetaro shook his head.

"You forgot, his grandfather is that person!"

"Mr. Xia Qing..."

Talking about the old man, Liangzi Lina’s eyes showed respect, saying, "I think it must have been Mr. Xia Qing, secretly grooming his grandson. As the only heir of the Xia Family line, his destiny was extraordinary from birth."

As the IGO trio discussed, as the international culinary institution’s arch-nemesis, the high-ranking officials of the ’Gourmet Club’ were furious over their thwarted plans.

"Useless!"

During a video call, a stern-faced middle-aged man scolded Lancelot, "You’ve not only shamed Orlando Academy but also caused our ’Gourmet Club’s’ plans to fail..."

Lancelot couldn’t help but say, "Mentor, you sent me to Neon and spent a fortune to buy an entire old street block, what exactly is the plan!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man fell silent.

"My intelligence department, not long ago, obtained a very cryptic clue from outdated archives... related to ancient legends from the Chinese Continent."

"Lancelot, have you ever heard of the ’Eight Legendary Culinary Tools’?"