Chapter 2441: This Aroma Is Fantastic!
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The food critic David spoke first. He heaped praises on Iman’s steamed yellow dragon fish. “The fish’s meat is tender and light yet fresh, with a rich umami taste. The Tucker Restaurant’s unique sauce gives the fish’s taste even more layers. This steamed yellow dragon fish is fantastic!”
“The fish meat’s texture is excellent. The control of heat is perfect. The choice of sauce and the grasp of condiments were equally well-done. It emphasizes the yellow dragon fish’s umami and enhances the taste.” Another judge praised.
“I think this turtle soup is an exquisite item. This is the first time I have tasted a black jade turtle that is over 3000 years old. This steaming method has done justice to it as well. The choice of not adding too much side ingredients and seasonings is a smart one. The crystal melon that was added last didn’t affect the soup’s taste. Instead, it added a hint of fragrance.” Old Hunter put down the soup’s bowl and nodded with satisfaction.
***
The judges voiced out their individual opinions and commented on the two dishes.
!!
Mag leisurely brushed oil over the ribs and flipped them as he listened in intently.
Listening to the judges’ comments, Iman’s steamed yellow dragon fish was obviously better than Alfonso’s boiled black jade turtle in clear soup. Although the boiled black jade turtle in clear soup was also well-received, the overly simple cooking method had concealed the contestant’s culinary skills.
After the commenting, the judges gave the marks for the two dishes on the spot.
The total marks for the competition was 100 points. Each judge had 10 points and so the total was 100.
The points were soon tallied.
Iman received 90 points and was ranked 1st temporarily.
Alfonso received 82 points and was ranked 2nd temporarily.
90 points was considered a good score in this season’s competition. Together with Iman’s PK value that was at the third place, he was basically confirmed to be in the top four.
And, Alfonso, whose PK value was at the bottom, was confirmed to be eliminated.
Mag nodded inwardly. Given Iman’s steady performance and relationship with the judges, he only got 90 points. It was obvious that this judging panel was very stringent.
This was a good thing for Mag. At least, it gave him the chance to be in the top four.
With the announcement of Iman and Alfonso’s results, the atmosphere became tense.
The other contestants completed their dishes one by one and the dishes were sent to the judges’ table to be commented on and judged by the staff members.
Just as Mag expected, the difference between the contestants wasn’t great. Among the six contestants who had completed, the lowest point was 78 while the highest was 92.
Currently, the highest points came from a contestant called Angelina. Her dish called the “Rainbow Phoenix” was unanimously acclaimed by the judges.
That was a delicacy that used the best Wild Pheasant as the main ingredient. By using all kinds of ingredients as decoration, she completed the amazing transformation from the pheasant to the phoenix.
Mag had read Angelina’s info before too. She was the only contestant without an agency, but she was a food blogger who was rather famous on WeTwit.
Compared to the other contestants, her specialty was bestowing beauty on the food.
She was like an artist who could turn the foul and rotten into the rare and ethereal. She made the common food into something beautiful and artistic.
This before-and-after contrast was very attractive and shocking, so Angelina was also considered as a strong contender for the champion of this year’s Top Chef Competition.
The other seven contestants had finished their dishes and the judges were already half-full.
Everyone’s gaze and the camera focused on the last contestant who was still cooking—Mag.
All the food’s aroma in the air hadn’t dissipated yet. Together with the judges’ exciting comments, even the air seemed extra tasty.
“The time will be up soon. He’s not done yet?”
“Will Contestant Hades be the first contestant to run out of time on the Top Chef Competition?”
“His technique at dissecting the goat is great, but his cooking efficiency can be improved. Otherwise, he can only be a butcher.”
Mag’s fans were anxious while the other contestants’ fans began to jeer at him.
The other contestants were looking at Mag, waiting for him to make a fool of himself.
Although the contestants who were eliminated were sad, they felt much better looking at Mag.
Meanwhile, those contestants who thought that they had advanced, felt even more relaxed.
The judges were not in a hurry. Anyway, they couldn’t get off work before the show was over. Rather than them trying to make things up to talk about, it was more interesting to have a contestant present who they could comment on.
“There is a reason why the ancient method of grilling over charcoal was eliminated. Not many customers could spend so much time waiting for it,” Julian said smilingly. He was in a great mood right now. His disciple had advanced into the top four in the second place.
“Other than the ancient tribes that preserved their traditions, such a cooking method is rarely seen now. Not being hygienic enough was also an important reason why it was eliminated.” David nodded too.
“What do you know about grilling over charcoal? Grilling the meat over a small fire is the essence. I think that this young man is patient, steady and experienced. He has great potential,” Old Hunter said honestly.
David looked unhappy and his voice became a little more sinister. “I think he just wants to drag it out and get eliminated for not presenting it in time. It will save him and his pride from the judges’ comments.”
Right then, a rich grilled meat’s aroma pierced through the messy aromas in the air and surged towards the judges like an arrow.
“Smells great!”
All the judges’ eyes lit up at the same time. They stopped arguing and turned to look at Mag.
The grilled mutton ribs’ aroma was so rich and unique that it suppressed all the aromas’ remnants in the air after it appeared. No one could ignore it.
A hint of a smile flashed across Nancy’s eyes. She curved her lips and looked at Mag’s calm face. He didn’t look smug because of the judges’ attention.
“Is that the original aroma of grilled mutton? It’s so rich and invasive. Just smelling the aroma makes one hungry for it.” A judge marveled.
Another judge continued on speaking, “The grilled mutton ribs is one of my favorite dishes, but this is indeed the first time I have seen mutton ribs that are grilled over charcoal. This rich aroma is unprecedented. It should have a lot to do with the marinating method and seasoning. It may be related to the grilling method as well.”
“This aroma is awesome! It suppressed the remnants of all the other aromas as soon as it appeared. This aroma is more enticing than all the grilled mutton ribs that I have had before. It makes one look forward to it.” Old Hunter looked rather agitated and he cast a smug glance at David and Julian, as though the goat’s ribs were grilled by him.
Julian snorted lightly and kept quiet.
David’s expression was slightly unnatural but he still said, “The aroma of these grilled mutton ribs is indeed enticing, but the aroma alone isn’t enough. We have to taste it to know.”