Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe-Chapter 53: Even Celebrities Came to Eat

The authentic numbing spiciness of Mapo Tofu certainly doesn’t suit most foreigners’ tastes.

Learning from the previous cold dish lesson, he had long decided to create tasting sessions to quickly screen which dish suits which diner demographic.

Besides tasting, he also prepared a whiteboard listing all the ingredients of the day’s dishes, so diners could easily check for allergens themselves.

As for whether listing ingredients and live demonstrations might lead to copycats, Lin Chen seemed indifferent, saying that if just watching could enable someone to make authentic Great Xia Cuisine, they would be extraordinary.

Just as he had imagined, seventy percent of the diners turned red-faced and coughed non-stop after tasting the Mapo Tofu, quickly turning to Lucas for ice jelly.

The remaining thirty percent seemed to discover a new world; their eyes lit up like searchlights, and without a word, they took out cash to buy.

"Cough cough, this tofu is spicy, but tasty—it’s just too spicy. If the heat were halved, I think I’d buy it."

"This numbing sensation on the lips is magical; I’ve never experienced this before!"

"Is this authentic Great Xia Cuisine? No wonder dishes in Chinese restaurants are modified; it really doesn’t suit most people’s tastes."

"Who cares? I find it thrilling, boss, give me a portion!"

Marian and George originally wanted to pack some Mapo Tofu to take home, but after Lin Chen’s persuasion, they gave up the idea.

Mapo Tofu is best fresh out of the pot within the first five minutes. If packed and left for ten to twenty hours, refrigerated and reheated, the taste changes, and even the tofu might sour.

"Hey! Lucas, haven’t seen you in a few days, and you’re a working guy now?"

Jade suddenly appeared out of nowhere and slapped his shoulder, nearly causing him to scream.

He rolled his eyes: "Go on, go on, I’m working now. If you want to eat, get in line!"

Next to him was a phone capturing the table, occasionally recording clips of making ice jelly.

Jade curiously leaned over to check the phone’s gallery, exclaiming in surprise: "Are you going to be a food influencer? Already filming videos, when you’re famous, remember to give me an autograph~"

Seeing Lucas busy and ignoring her, Jade wasn’t upset; she leisurely walked over to Lin Chen’s side.

"Hey, long time no see, Lin. Your business seems to be better than before?"

"Good evening, indeed it’s been a few days. Would you like to try some? Authentic Mapo Tofu, very spicy."

Lin Chen casually scooped a tasting portion and handed it to her.

Jade thanked him and took it without hesitation, tilting her head back.

"Hmm? This taste, the lips numb, delicious, give me a portion. Well, it’s not very spicy, given I’m a quarter Mexican, this level isn’t spicy enough for me."

"Alright, I promised to treat you today, no need to pay!"

A portion of tofu doesn’t cost much; Lin Chen didn’t mind using it to build rapport.

Having treated her, he wasn’t worried that Jade wouldn’t promote him.

"Oh my god, it’s really here!"

"Great!!"

Jade had just received her free Mapo Tofu when she heard shouts behind her. Instinctively turning around, she saw two tall, curvy, and stunning beauties rushing towards her with delighted expressions.

Even with masks, their exquisite faces and distinctive aura were unmistaken.

Especially the woman with slightly tanned skin and wavy mid-length hair, her blue eyes shone brightly under long lashes.

Even as a woman, Jade was entranced by the beauty and aura of these two girls, staring for a few extra moments.

"Hiss... so beautiful, but these eyes, I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere?"

Dreya and Anna approached the food cart, their gaze instantly drawn to the fiery red tofu block in Jade’s hand, with the air filled with a unique fragrance.

"A new dish? Looks spicy, beautiful lady, does this tofu taste good?"

Being complimented by beauties, Jade blushed inexplicably and nodded swiftly: "Delicious, delicious, but very spicy, those who enjoy spice shouldn’t miss it. It’s a famous Great Xia dish, Mapo Tofu; you can ask the boss for a tasting first."

"What! This is Mapo Tofu?"

Dreya turned to Lin Chen in surprise, "Please give me two tastings, thank you!"

Being a somewhat famous model, continuously flying to different cities, eating standardized meals.

Fast food in the West is mostly pizza, while Brazilian cuisine, Great Xia cuisine, and sushi dominate half the market.

Often having Great Xia cuisine in work meals, her palate had adapted to it, and tasting the Mapo Tofu, she was immediately captivated by its savory, numbing, spicy taste, ordering a portion on the spot.

Despite the spice causing sweat to pour from her forehead, the heat seemed magical, making her unable to stop, wanting more and more.

Anna, not to be outdone, also ordered Mapo Tofu, braving the heat to eat. After all, Dreya was her role model; she couldn’t compete in work, but when it comes to eating, who’s afraid!

"Hiss... so spicy... so spicy!"

"So exhilarating, this sauce on rice is absolutely divine; I feel I could have another one!"

While eating her rice, Jade sneaked glances at the pair, especially the curly-haired beauty.

Watching, her gaze inadvertently swept past a trademark on the mall’s first floor nearby, and she froze, inspiration striking.

"Victoria’s Secret! Oh my god, yep, she’s the lingerie poster model Dreya at Victoria’s Secret entrance!"

Too surprised, she instinctively exclaimed.

It was a living celebrity, almost impossible to encounter in reality.

Although not a major star, for ordinary folks, it was also unattainable.

"What! Model Dreya?"

"Where, where, oh, I see!"

"So beautiful, her figure is so good in real life, no wonder she can be a model."

Luckily, there weren’t many diners around; most bought their food and left, not lingering.

Facing the curious gazes of over ten pairs of eyes, Dreya appeared calm, unaffected, continuing to eat as usual.

"Even Dreya came to eat, no way, I must buy a portion to try."

"It’s the same as what the celebrities eat; I could brag about this for months."

Lin Chen, of course, wasn’t bothered with which model or not; such things weren’t in his everyday interests. He only knew these two beauties might be celebrities, but that’s it.

He wouldn’t leverage celebrity fame for promotion; regardless of whether it attracts the diners he needs, he wouldn’t be able to make enough for the demand.

Instead, he’d rather focus on perfecting his dishes, using word-of-mouth to accumulate regular patrons more effectively.