Chef Hua-Chapter 670 - 355: The Outcome is Decided

Everyone heard the shout and turned around curiously. For some reason, they instinctively stepped aside, creating a clear path. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Hua Xiaomai and Wang Zhanrui walked in front, followed by Zhou Yunyun and Xiu Miao. Each was holding a large tray that carried a clay pot, white porcelain bowls, and plates carefully covered to keep any hint of warmth from escaping.

People in the pavilion had various expressions: some stared intensely at the trays, others held their tea cups and looked down quietly, but only Han Fengzhi was smiling relaxedly and winked at Hua Xiaomai.

The old man Xue glanced up at the sun and stroked his beard with a smile, "Well, everyone has prepared two dishes within the allotted time. In order to be fair, let’s all stay inside Chixing Pavilion and do the tastings in the order of arrival."

Before he could finish, someone reluctantly grumbled, "So, Daoxiang Garden will then be the last to present? Sigh, I knew she was being sly by delaying until the end!"

Hua Xiaomai had no interest in arguing, Wang Zhanrui certainly had no regard for it either, but Han Fengzhi came forward to defend, glaring at the person, "If that’s the case, let Daoxiang Garden be the first to be judged. Otherwise, you will worry that it steals the show right from the start and still be unsatisfied!"

The person mumbled something, turned away, and kept silent. Old man Xue, hands behind his back, lost his smile and in slight displeasure said, "We are all in the food industry, colleagues in the same field. Why must it come to such bitterness and tension? Although I am not exceptional, I still hold the place of chief judge at the Eight Treasures Conference. I assure you that the rules are very fair, so no more objections are necessary."

He then slightly eased his expression looking at the others, "Those restaurants lined up later need not worry about their dishes getting cold and losing flavor; we have prepared numerous stoves. Should you need one, simply inform the servants to keep your dishes warm."

Hua Xiaomai was pleased with this and promptly signaled a young man to bring a stove, carefully adjusted it to low heat, placed the clay pot on it, and had Xiu Miao watch over it attentively.

At the sound of a gong, the tasting officially began. Wenmei Pavilion, the first to arrive at Chixing Pavilion, presented their dishes to old man Xue: Crispy Flying Dragon Fish Maw and Net Oil Bag Treasured Liver.

Old man Xue and the other four judges each sampled the dishes without any expression, only courteously smiled at the owner of Wenmei Pavilion, sipped some tea, and then immediately asked Han Fengzhi to step forward.

Hua Xiaomai found a spot with an unrestricted view to sit, and calmly observed the dishes from all the other restaurants.

Although the final round of the Eight Treasures Conference featured two dishes, everyone acknowledged that the flying dragon and yellow lip jelly were of paramount importance. Each chef had focused all their efforts there. As for the other dish, it was typically something within their best skillset that was easy to make and hard to spoil.

Due to the limited time, for the yellow lip jelly, most restaurants opted to fry it in oil at a low temperature after washing and draining it until it could easily snap upon bending, showcasing a sponge-like interior, then it was ready to be used.

This method was fast but more suitable for thinner fish maw. For the thicker and larger top-quality yellow lip jelly, it still required care—improper handling could result in it being burnt on the outside and raw inside, significantly reducing its taste.

"Just now in the kitchen, I was quite worried thinking you were being too bold, but now I am much more confident," Wang Zhanrui, standing beside Hua Xiaomai with a tense expression, barely moved his lips as he spoke softly.

Hua Xiaomai did not reply but looked up and gave him a slight smile.

...

It had taken all morning to prepare the two dishes, but when it came time for the evaluation, it seemed to pass in a moment.

Following Biyue Pavilion were Taoyuan House and the next two restaurants, and then it was Daoxiang Garden’s turn.

Hua Xiaomai stood up leisurely and had Zhou Yunyun present the plate with the flying dragon meat first. As she was about to have Xiu Miao bring the pot from the stove, a sharp scream suddenly pierced the air from that direction.

It was a woman’s shrill voice, filled with a harrowing agony as if she was enduring unbearable pain.

Immediately after, there came Xiu Miao’s stern reprimand.