Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 180: Minor and Major Exams of the Workshop

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Minor and Major Exams of the Workshop

"This, this..."

The young man with the rooster comb hairstyle was at a loss for words.

The other chefs were also in a state of petrification.

Having never seen glowing cuisine, it was no wonder they were shocked. Even though Liangzi Lina had seen it many times, this time, revealing it herself caused her heart to flutter indescribably.

The night amplified the glowing effect.

But when the light faded, the rooster comb young man pointed at the food box and exclaimed for the second time, "Liangzi, it’s on fire!"

"It’s not on fire, look closely!" Liangzi Lina suppressed her laughter.

"Huh?!"

The chefs present heard her and all turned their gaze intently.

"Why does it have the color of flames?" The rooster comb young man touched the dyed red tuft on his head, silently comparing it in his mind. Damn it, the food in the box looked even more realistic than the flame effect he got at a high-end hair salon.

"Could it be made with artificial coloring?"

The rooster comb young man continued to mutter, not quite believing that a chef could use natural materials to create such a flawless effect.

The other chefs also expressed their opinions.

"What was that effect just now?"

The oldest among them, an old man, asked, puzzled and uncertain.

"I’m more interested in the feeling of this artwork..." said a fashionable middle-aged woman, her eyes gleaming.

"Did you smell the aroma? The way the spices are combined is the work of an expert!"

A young woman with a suntanned look said.

Liangzi Lina merely stood with her arms crossed, listening to the discussion among the fellows surrounding the food, the corners of her lips curling into a subtle arc, a pleasant feeling unknown to her heart.

Inside the shrine hall.

The ice-faced witch likewise stared in shock at the fiery sausage inside the food box, somewhat at a loss.

"Have a taste, Granny Chiyoda."

Xia Yu offered a pair of chopsticks.

The shrine master didn’t accept the chopsticks but instead widened her eyes, which should have been muddied but suddenly became clear and profound, and slowly asked, "Young man, you’re not a Neon native?"

"Correct. I’m from China," Xia Yu said. "I’ve been living in RB with my grandfather for over ten years."

"No wonder!"

There was a slight tremor in the old woman’s voice, "I never thought I’d see glowing cuisine in this era again!"

Xia Yu was secretly astonished; considering the old woman’s age, he calculated that Granny Chiyoda must have witnessed the historical events of World War I and II. Most importantly, she might have been born and started remembering during the most glorious period of the Chinese Cuisine World.

"Granny!" the ice-faced witch suddenly exclaimed. The old woman accepted the chopsticks, picked up a piece of ’Flame Dragon Roll Fish Fin Sausage,’ and put it in her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

The witch hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief, but the old woman raised her hand to stop her, allowing the tears to flow down her wrinkled face.

"I once visited that mysterious land and formed an unforgettable friendship with a Chinese chef... But unfortunately, at that time, the Chinese and Neon Food Worlds were irreconcilable, and after my experience, I accepted the arrangement to become the shrine’s witch."

The old woman’s voice was light, but from its tremor, Xia Yu could hear her deep obsession with that past.

"You passed the test."

"Now you are a qualified Chiyoda Shrine fellow."

Xia Yu came out of the main hall.

Speaking of the Chinese and Neon Food Worlds decades ago, it couldn’t be separated from the war. He didn’t think much about it; it was normal for the older generation to know about glowing cuisine. After all, during that era, Chef God Liu Maoxing and Lan Feihong might still be alive.

Finding Liangzi Lina, Xia Yu discovered that the group of fellow chefs was silent, each carefully tasting his ’Flame Dragon Roll Fish Fin Sausage.’

"Exquisite concept!"

A middle-aged man with great presence was the first to extend his hand to Xia Yu and shook it warmly, "I am Takai Masashi, the chairman and head chef of the Takai Hotels Group..."

"I am Ujou Mamie..." said a healthy, suntanned-skinned woman as she walked over, "a specially appointed culinary advisor for HUB Foods."

HUB Foods?

Xia Yu paused for a moment, feeling a bit familiar with the company name.

"HUB Foods is the company owned by the renowned Spice Queen duo, Chiben Xiaoya and Chiben Zhihui!" Xia Yu exclaimed, giving a thumbs up afterward.

Other chefs came over to greet him one after another, which counted as a form of acknowledgment.

The rooster comb young man stood there with a displeased look, not intending to come over.

"Alright, let’s continue tonight’s exchange—"

Among the crowd, the oldest, presumably called Hase Ichiro, the manager of a certain famous Japanese restaurant, was presiding over this gathering.

"The content is still on heat control."

"Everyone can speak freely, share any insights you might have."

Seeing this, Xia Yu nodded silently.

This was an exchange meeting among the fellows, or in other words, it was an exchange of experience levels within a tight-knit group of aspiring special-grade chefs.

As a newcomer, Xia Yu felt the need to strengthen his presence, and tonight’s topic happened to be one of his strengths, so Xia Yu raised his hand.

"Oh? Mr. Xia Yu, please speak. We’re listening." Hase Ichiro smiled.

Liangzi Lina quietly left. Xia Yu cleared his throat and began discussing his techniques on ’heat control.’

The [Bursting Flame] cooking skill gave him a deep understanding of utilizing flames.

As he spoke slowly and steadily, the fellows’ expressions grew heavier, with some chefs showing signs of realization.

The exchange meeting lasted for two hours. After it ended, Xia Yu found Liangzi Lina on the mountain.

"Pay attention. In six days, there will be a small test for the fellows. All contestants must cook a dish for Granny Chiyoda to taste and be ranked. The top three will qualify for the second round of the big test. Passing the second round means the fellowship training is successful," Liangzi Lina reminded him outside the bedroom door, "Failing this time of fellowship training is okay; you can come back next time until you’re qualified."

Closing the door, Xia Yu’s eyes displayed the system’s task prompt.

"[Fellowship Small Test]."

"Reminder: Stand out among the group of aspiring special-grade chefs and make the top three to pass the first fellowship small test."

"Reward: 5 Talent Points, ’Seven-star Breaking Army Rapid Cutting’ (cooking skill)."

Bang.

Xia Yu sat on the bed, shaking his head at the task.

The group of fellow chefs were all nine-star chefs, and he, as a two-star chef, was an exception among them. Fortunately, no one asked about his IGO chef level; otherwise, if he answered, the fellow chefs would surely take on a different attitude.

IGO chef level!

"I should attend the rating exam. Passing three stars and four stars won’t be a problem. For five stars, as long as the questions aren’t too tricky, I can still pass." Xia Yu was fully aware of his culinary skills.

Although he made the ’Flame Dragon Roll Fish Fin Sausage,’ he couldn’t afford any arrogance or pride.

A nine-star chef was much more formidable than someone like Lancelot.

However, being here, Xia Yu decided to try his best to rank high, even if he ultimately failed, to avoid ending up at the bottom.

"Let’s give it a try!"

Xia Yu clenched his fist, with a look of anticipation in his eyes.