Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 187 - 186: Topics on Spring Seasons

Chapter 187: Chapter 186: Topics on Spring Seasons

From the neighboring Far Moon Resort, he returned to Chiyoda Shrine.

In the following days, Xia Yu had to shuttle between the two places; fortunately, he had a temporary female driver, making his comings and goings convenient.

The next day.

Several Far Moon Bus School Buses were parked in the square in front of the resort hotel.

"We finally made it!"

A group from the Polar Star Dormitory got off the bus. Xingping Chuangzhen looked up at the skyscraper in front of him, sweat on his forehead, "It’s really luxurious!"

"I heard that usually staying here costs 80,000 yen a night!"

Yoshino Yuuki’s eyes sparkled with little stars, staring longingly at the luxurious hotel, "Wow, we actually get to stay here!"

"Far Month Palace?"

Sen Tian Makoto glanced at the hotel sign erected nearby. She was actually quite nervous but didn’t show it because beside her was the innocent and nervous Tanaka Hikari.

Following the crowd, the group arrived at the grand banquet hall of the ’Far Month Palace.’

The space was spacious, with nearly a thousand students gathered here without feeling crowded. The students, either sitting or standing, were not in the mood for laughter, their faces showing worry, and the atmosphere was heavy.

"Good morning, everyone!"

Suddenly, a steady male voice sounded on the banquet hall stage.

The students all looked over to see the familiar Professor Far Moon, Roland Chapele, standing onstage with a microphone. After the crowd quieted, he began to explain the training camp’s outline slowly.

"On the first day, we will divide 981 students into 20 groups, each led by different mentors, meaning each group faces entirely different tasks!"

Roland Chapele wore a stern, serious expression.

"If any student receives a below-standard evaluation by the instructor, they will lose qualification, be sent back to Far Moon by bus, and ultimately face expulsion!"

"Regarding guest lecturers..."

He spoke about the topic students were most concerned with, and finally, a hint of a smile appeared on his stern face, "Each one of them is your predecessor, taking time out of their busy schedules to join us, so let’s welcome them—"

Then, led by Shigong Xiaoci Lang, the Far Moon graduates began to emerge from behind the stage curtains.

What shocked the students was what came next.

A young boy, looking much younger than the graduates, hands behind his back, casually strolled out last.

The crowd burst into commotion.

"It’s Instructor Xia!"

"Didn’t expect Instructor Xia to be invited to the residential training as well..."

After the initial shock, the whispering Far Moon students felt secretly pleased.

Compared to the graduates whose age and culinary skills were far out of their reach, this special instructor, Xia Yu, seemed more approachable.

Moreover, since he was young and supposedly lacked experience, many students were already scheming how to win over this peer-like instructor.

A number of students waved at Xia Yu from below the stage, more so the girls, and Xia Yu responded with a smile, not putting on a stern face.

Xia Yu had stolen all the limelight, leaving the graduates likely frustrated.

"You—"

Shigong Xiaoci Lang suddenly pointed at a student in the audience, playing out a classic scene from residential training, "Yes, you. Your hair styling product carries a citrus scent that will overpower the aroma of the dishes... so, you may leave!"

The male student next to Xingping Chuangzhen stood there like he’d been struck by lightning, stunned.

Xia Yu shrugged. On this matter, he agreed with Shigong Xiaoci Lang.

Dojima Yin was the last to come out, leading the review panel made up of Far Moon’s celebrity graduates. Of course, an outlier with underestimated popularity among the graduates was also present. Xia Yu himself remained calm about this.

...

After Dojima Yin finished his speech, the students began moving in large groups.

The 20 groups were directed to get on buses, heading to different hotels in the Hakone Area.

’Far Month Palace’ was merely a place for the students to stay and conduct special assignments in the evening, while other Far Moon hotels in the area served as their study venues in the morning and afternoon.

Half an hour later.

At a hotel by the shores of Lake Ashi.

"Everyone’s here..."

Xia Yu held a microphone and stood in front of a series of kitchen stations, with each station having a pair of student partners standing behind it.

The 981 students were divided into 20 groups, with 49 students per group, but his group had 50 students and, Xia Yu noticed, some familiar faces.

Tiqie Helinai.

Tiqie Ailisha.

Shen Liangzi.

Yashan Liang.

He couldn’t help but let out a whistle in his heart; this group had quite the lineup!

Not to mention Tiqie Helinai, the current Tenth Seat of the Elite Ten, Yashan Liang was the brilliant student in the original story who constantly outshone the protagonist, Xingping Chuangzhen, possessing the "Divine Nose," or rather, the "Divine Sense of Smell."

One Divine Tongue and one Divine Nose!

"Instructor Xia!" a girl of unknown name called from a nearby kitchen station, waving to him, clearly relieved and delighted to be placed under Xia Yu’s instruction.

"Everyone, please pay attention to the content of my assignment!"

Xia Yu wore an innocent smile as he pointed toward the rippling Lake Ashi outside the window. It was a quiet corner of Lake Ashi with no tourists, creating a serene ambiance.

"Huh?"

He simply pointed outside without further explanation; the fifty students waited several minutes without hearing Xia Yu’s explanation, causing the quiet classroom to become chaotic.

"Instructor Xia, out-outside is a vast lake! There are no ingredients!" exclaimed the girl who had previously greeted him, now flustered.

Shen Liangzi, Yashan Liang, Tiqie Helinai, and Tiqie Ailisha, however, rested their chins in thought.

"Who says there’s none?" Xia Yu casually replied, "The content of my assignment involves the entire Lake Ashi. I don’t care how you do it; just use the fresh lake fish from Lake Ashi to prepare a fish dish themed around ’spring seasonal ingredients.’"

"As for side dishes, they will be provided in the classroom."

"Please note, I’m looking for food themed on spring!" Xia Yu emphasized.

The classroom fell silent.

Dealing with fresh river fish was one thing; the real challenge was how to create the ’spring seasonal’ effect.

"The main ingredient is fish; the style of the dish is largely fixed. Most effort should be focused on the side dishes and sauce pairing!" Tiqie Helinai bit her thumb, her eyebrows knitting into a frown.

"River fish? Removing the earthy flavor is a challenge. What spices and side dishes can evoke a taste of spring?"

’Divine Nose’ Yashan Liang was also deep in thought.

"River fish!"

Tiqie Ailisha raised her hand, "Instructor Xia, can I use my own molecular instruments?"

"No restrictions on kitchenware or equipment; I just want a fish-based dish," Xia Yu understood Tiqie Ailisha’s intentions. This girl was an expert in molecular cuisine, and without precision instruments, her molecular cooking would cease to exist.

Watching the fifty students disperse.

Xia Yu sat alone in the classroom, pondering the task he had set.

If it were him resorting to local materials, there was a high chance he would make grilled fish.

To impart the essence of ’spring’ on grilled fish sounded incredible, but it was simple for him; just drizzle some special sauce on it, and the seasonal flavor would emerge.

Outside the window, figures were moving. A pair of student partners paddled a boat away from the shore. The girl’s clear voice floated into the classroom:

"I’ve been to the Lake Ashi area before for recuperation. The edible freshwater fish here include Crucian Carp, Rainbow Trout, Saiko Fish, and Jewel Star Tilefish..."

Saiko Fish?

Jewel Star Tilefish?

Hearing the unfamiliar fish names, Xia Yu immediately felt an itch, reaching out to the Chef God Space to begin his practice.