Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 439 - 438: The Duel of Clones (Part 3)

Chapter 439: Chapter 438: The Duel of Clones (Part 3)

"Different!"

"Refreshing!"

As the cake entered their mouths, all five judges felt as if they had been instantly transported to the seaside estate on the Mediterranean coast, filled with lemon trees, stretching their arms out wide as though to embrace the azure sea before them.

"An overwhelming lemon flavor..."

Dojima Yin put down his silver spoon, carefully inspecting the plate where a corner of the frozen cake was missing, suddenly moved, he said, "So there’s a fourth layer to the cake, breaking all conventional wisdom. Then, what exactly is this golden layer in between?"

Takeomi’s gaze was firmly fixed on the young instructor centered before him. Seeing him put down his spoon and lift his head in satisfaction brought a silent thrill to his heart.

"That must be lemon curd," Xia Yu replied with a smile, explaining, "This type of condiment originated from the United Kingdom. It’s made by thoroughly mixing ingredients like eggs and lemon juice with a whisk, then heating them in a bain-marie until they transform into a creamy substance."

"The curd releases the sophisticated sweet and sour notes of lemon, gradually melting in the mouth, blending seamlessly with the finely textured whole egg sponge cake..." Xia Yu savored the lingering taste in his mouth.

Upon hearing this, the audience silently wiped their drooling mouths.

"But there’s more to it than that!"

Indira suddenly spoke up, pointing at the thin slice of fruit on the top layer of the cake and said with intensity, "This slice of ’lemon peach’ is also key to creating a refreshing taste!"

"And furthermore..."

She paused for a moment, then fixed her gaze on Takeomi, "This lemon curd you’ve made on the spot!"

"Beyond the standard eggs, sugar, and cream, there’s also lemon juice and lemon zest."

"But here the lemon juice and zest specifically come from the ’lemon peach’!"

’Lemon peach’ is a well-known imaginary fruit.

In some high-end supermarkets, one can even find vacuum-sealed ’lemon peaches’.

It looks like a lemon on the outside but is like a peach inside, with a sour and sweet taste that is incredibly remarkable.

Had Takeomi actually used ’lemon peach’ to craft a uniquely branded condiment?

The Far Moon students were shocked.

Even the teachers who had come to watch were filled with astonishment.

This student was no ordinary talent!

"Hahahaha..."

Suddenly, Mizuo Ang covered his face, emitting a strange laugh before finally stopping and saying coldly, "You know, Aldini, I really did believe in you. I believed that you could tame and utilize the ’lemon peach’ supplied by Instructor Xia, and you’ve not disappointed me..."

"Do you really think you can win with lemon? You’ve used your special lemon curd to enhance the lemon’s refreshing and mellow flavors, but what a pity, what a pitiful attempt..."

As Mizuo Ang said this, he burst into laughter again.

Gulp!

Takeomi’s confident expression froze as he broke into a cold sweat, his fists clenched, "Why... are you laughing?!"

"Aldini, you have your way of dealing with ’lemon peach,’ and I have my way of dealing with an imaginary fruit!" Mizuo Ang’s face darkened as he said, "Preserved lemon!"

"I preserved slices of fruit with salt for two days and two nights, then crushed them into powder, mixed it into the cake as a seasoning, and thus, the ’lemon peach’ was further infused into my cooking!"

At that moment, Mizuo Ang, nicknamed ’Complete Hunter,’ finally revealed his sharp fangs!

"I saw through everything you did!"

"How naive and adorable it is for you to wriggle in the palm of my hand. I do enjoy watching you struggle to survive! But in the end, the victor will undoubtedly be me," Mizuo Ang said with a sinister tone.

Silence fell over the venue.

Far Moon students covered their mouths, their faces filled with fear.

The five judges fell silent, seemingly acknowledging Mizuo Ang’s excellence.

Sweat still trickled down foreheads.

However, Takeomi slightly lowered his face, his expression suddenly blank, and said, "Heh, as expected, someone warned me that everything I have would be within your grasp!"

"Hmm?!"

Mizuo Ang’s smile faded as he sensed something ominous.

"That’s right, you perfectly understood my character."

"But you... got too carried away in your triumph!"

Takeomi returned with the sixth plate of cake and handed it to Mizuo Ang, his lips curling into a cold, intelligent arc, "Try this, and then you’ll understand! There is something you cannot control and cannot replicate!"

Gulp.

Swallowing hard, Mizuo Ang’s hands trembled as he scooped a small spoonful of the frozen cake.

He ate it—

and his ugly face was covered in disbelief.

"Welcome to my hometown, Florence."

On the terrace of a small building by the banks of the Arno River, Mizuo Ang found himself there at dusk. The city, imbued with a literary air, was enveloped by the sunset glow; further away, the city’s lights began to shine, staining the sky red.

The golden-haired young man stood on the terrace with a painting frame, his back to Mizuo Ang. He was focused on painting a realistic oil depiction of the city while saying in a floating voice, "In the 15th to 16th century, Florence was the most famous capital of art in all of Europe, the birthplace of the Renaissance..."

"Do you see across the river?"

Uncontrollably, Mizuo Ang cast his gaze toward the brightly lit opposite bank.

"My family’s restaurant, Alldini, is right there—"

His eyes suddenly sharp like an eagle’s, the scenery across the river came into focus. Mizuo Ang saw the ’Alldini’ restaurant sign and the patrons enjoying their meals inside.

The faces, smiling and exuding satisfaction, for some reason, sent a shudder through Mizuo Ang’s entire body.

Melodious guitar strains arose along the riverbank.

Not far from the terrace, a street artist played, drawing a crowd.

"I want to portray my hometown more realistically—"

"I want more people to know about the beauty of Italian cuisine!"

The young man with the golden hair finally put down his paintbrush. He turned around, and Mizuo Ang clearly saw the completed oil painting.

The classical city bathed in the sunset’s red glow!

As the melody gradually faded away, when Mizuo Ang came back to his senses, he stood petrified, motionless.

"We can announce the results now."

Xia Yu withdrew her gaze as the staff handed out brushes and blank scrolls to the five judges.

And so, all five simultaneously wrote down the name of the winner—

Takeomi Alldini!

With a score of five to zero, he won by a landslide!

Nobody expected this outcome.

The female host, Kawashima Reika, shook her head and hurriedly handed the microphone to the Chief Judge, "Instructor Xia, can you talk about the key to Takeomi’s victory?"

"There’s not much to say. In terms of culinary skill, there’s no significant difference between them; it’s negligible," Xia Yu said with composure, pointing to her heart, "But this, this is what differentiates a chef’s signature."

"The same dish, when made with heart, can taste a thousand different variations."

"Sentiment, imprint!" Xia Yu slowly said.

"Let me add a few words," offered Yuchuan Ayaka, "I have nothing to criticize about Mizuo Ang’s frozen cake, a perfectly executed examination piece."

"But Takeomi’s cake is like a travel essay of Florence, or rather, a casual piece about his hometown, full of rich and moving content. The superior and inferior are clear."

"Actually, they both masterfully managed the ’Lemon Peach’, competing evenly. Some five- or six-star chefs may not be able to use ’Lemon Peach’ to create such desserts!" said Indira.

"The personal imprint, the chef’s flair, instantly imbues the dish with a surging life!"

Shinohara Shigetaro laughed, sighed, and said with emotion, "If not for my busy schedule, I’d book a flight to Italy on the spot, to the birthplace of the Renaissance, to that city of art, and take a good tour around!"