Luo Mu looked around. He was currently seated at the judges' table, and besides A Feng, Miss Joy from the Bottle Gourd City Pokémon Center was also there. They had all been invited by Haidai to sample the new dishes.
Upon hearing that Haidai was going to compete in a cooking contest with other regional chefs traveling to the Paldea region, many diners chose to remain in the restaurant after their meals, hoping to witness the outcome.
Luo Mu’s gaze fell on Zhi Mi, who was preparing with a serious and focused expression at the cooking station. He was using a clean cloth to wipe down kitchen utensils that were so spotless they easily reflected the light.
Compared to Zhi Mi the chef, Luo Mu’s impression of Zhi Mi was more of him Role Playing another character—Zhi Mi, the Water-type Elite of the Kalos region’s Elite Four.
And the Elite Zhi Mi’s most impressive achievement in Luo Mu’s mind was commanding his Mega Evolved Blastoise to defeat Alain’s Mega Charizard X, which had not yet developed its “Water Absorb” ability.
It was simply a great… *cough cough*, it showcased the power of the Elite Four.
Seemingly ready, under the announcement of one of Haidai’s apprentices, the two master chefs began to handle the ingredients as if showing off their skills.
No, it was more accurate to say that their swift cutting and dissecting of ingredients was their normal state when preparing dishes.
After a dazzling process and inexplicable exclamations rising and falling around them, two delightful aromas gradually spread through the restaurant, and the two master chefs completed their dishes.
Luo Mu, feeling as if he was in prison, only felt that he had wandered onto the set of Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, completely out of place with the fervent atmosphere around him.
The Poliwag on Luo Mu’s leg, however, was very happy watching, and it even wondered who was better between Ceruledge’s grilling skills and these two chefs.
Then, the two chefs, both very confident in their dishes, brought them out one after another.
To Luo Mu’s left was the plate Zhi Mi served, covered with a small silver lid. The “fleeting glimpse” of aroma earlier seemed to be locked inside.
To his right was a small stew pot served by Haidai, from whose lid a refreshing aroma continuously seeped out, making one anticipate the deliciousness inside the pot even before the meal began.
Based on the ingredients the two had handled earlier, Luo Mu could roughly guess the type of dishes they had made.
Haidai must have made some kind of soup using that ethereal Mew seaweed and sea bass, while Zhi Mi had processed several kinds of vegetables, making it impossible to tell what he had made.
After the two master chefs exchanged glances, Haidai was the first to remove the lid, revealing a clear, translucent fish soup with a sweet and fresh aroma.
Haidai smiled and said, “Wakame sea bass soup made with the freshest ingredients, please enjoy.”
Luo Mu picked up his spoon, first scooped a spoonful of clear soup, blew away the heat, and drank it in one gulp, his eyes slightly dazed.
The multitude of flavors bursting on his taste buds intertwined in a wonderfully harmonious way, ultimately forming one large character that consumed Luo Mu’s mind.
Umami!
The umami of the ingredients themselves, and the ultimate umami brought by Haidai’s handling of the ingredients and his superb technique!
Luo Mu turned his head to look at the other two judges; A Feng and Miss Joy both covered their cheeks, swallowing slightly, as if captivated by this ultimate sweetness and freshness.
Zhi Mi also picked up his portion of soup and savored it for a moment, his eyes slightly bright, and a word of praise escaped his lips: “Bravo!”
Then, Zhi Mi removed his silver lid and bowed gracefully, saying, “Nine-Treasure Vegetable Aspic with Special Sauce, please enjoy.”
Luo Mu blinked, feeling as if he had seen this dish somewhere before.
However, this was a taste from another culinary track.
Nine different vegetables were neatly arranged in the vegetable aspic, and just from what Luo Mu recognized, there were cabbage, cucumber, corn, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, okra, asparagus, and so on.
It looked very exquisite, and the plating also had an expensive feel, like something from a high-end restaurant.
However, Luo Mu was somewhat curious about the sauce next to the vegetable aspic; this pure black sauce looked more like ink than a sauce.
Zhi Mi had prepared utensils for French cuisine. Just as Luo Mu cut a piece of vegetable aspic and was about to put it into his mouth, Zhi Mi suddenly said, “The taste will be even more delicious if you dip it in the sauce.”
Luo Mu’s movement paused. His hand, holding the exquisite knife and fork, followed Zhi Mi’s advice, dipped it in the somewhat dark-looking sauce, and then put it into his mouth.
The first bite was the fresh aroma and crispness of the vegetables. Then, the taste of the mysterious sauce, mixed with the flavors of the nine vegetables, exploded.
The taste was complex and profound, not simply describable as sweet or spicy. However, one feeling was accurate—after the first bite, he wanted to eat a second.
While Luo Mu was eating, Haidai also took the portion Zhi Mi had prepared for him and began to taste it.
Likewise, he, like Zhi Mi, exclaimed in admiration: “What a complex and rich texture and flavor, yet it can be so harmoniously blended!”
The two exchanged glances, both seeing in the other’s eyes the mutual appreciation between chefs.
“Well, now it’s time for the evaluation.”
Although Zhi Mi and Haidai had already acknowledged each other’s abilities, since judges had been invited, it was still necessary to determine a winner.
First was Miss Joy on the far right. After a moment of contemplation, she solemnly declared, “I swear by the reputation of the Joy Family, that what I am about to say contains not a single falsehood.”
No, you’re just evaluating food, and you’re swearing by the Family’s reputation?
Luo Mu’s facial muscles twitched wildly.
Joy said, “Although the Nine-Treasure Vegetable Aspic with the mysterious sauce has a very rich flavor, I still feel that the simple freshness brought by the Wakame Sea Bass Soup is more impactful to the heart.”
Haidai’s smile widened. Zhi Mi was not at all annoyed, merely bowing slightly to thank Joy for her evaluation.
Their gazes then turned to A Feng.
A Feng was a little nervous. After a guilty glance at Haidai, she stammered, “I think the Vegetable Aspic surprised me more. Although the vegetable aspic itself has a light taste, adding that sauce makes it feel like it has transformed… That’s my judgment.”
Whispers broke out among the audience: “Miss A Feng didn’t stand up for her master?”
Upon hearing this, A Feng’s expression became even more nervous.
Haidai smiled and patted her shoulder, saying, “It’s nothing, you simply spoke your honest feelings.”
Zhi Mi bowed gracefully: “It is an honor to receive such high praise from you, beautiful lady.”
The center of attention quickly shifted to Luo Mu. He exchanged glances with the Poliwag, who had also enjoyed the food, and stated his opinion: “I think it’s a draw.”
Haidai raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”
“Could you elaborate?” Zhi Mi asked calmly.
