The Last Contestant

The world is always changing.

Every ingredient is familiar.

But when combined with uniquely styled utensils, they can create beautiful culinary masterpieces!

"Any taste, perception, and experience."

"Cannot be described with any words or beautiful language."

"This is a dish beyond our understanding, even if we try our best, we can't grasp its essence and core."

As the Curry Queen, it is sad and painful to be unable to make the most accurate judgment about this curry dish.

Natsume could only say lightly, "Let me share my current feelings. This dish certainly uses spices. However, the way they are used is unknown."

"But regardless, in my eyes, this is undoubtedly a revolutionary dish heralding a new era in cuisine."

Wow!

This statement caused an even greater commotion in the audience.

After all, the phrase "revolutionary dish" is not something the Curry Queen says lightly.

...

"I will explain."

"The green sauce on the side is actually a spice, cilantro seeds."

Alice felt very happy hearing such high praise.

"You mean these tiny green dots are cilantro seeds?"

Natsume looked amazed.

"Yes, and the bottom block is a mousse made from frozen foie gras powder and turmeric."

"The white substance covering the chicken is mashed potatoes made with eight types of cheese and potatoes, crushed to a nano-scale for a smooth texture!"

"What?"

"Na...nano-scale particles?"

Natsume gasped in surprise.

This was just the preliminary round, and there were still the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals to go. Did she need to go this far?

"Do you mean you used temperature differences and molecular structure disruption to reassemble the ingredients into a new dish?"

Natsume asked curiously.

"Yes, that's what molecular cuisine is about."

"It's not about precisely describing the taste of food but capturing the feeling at a specific moment."

"In short, it emphasizes presentation and creativity over taste."

"During my time at the tavern, I learned a lot."

"This low-temperature molecular curry chicken uses many unique ideas but also contains traditional culinary elements."

Experts see the essence, while laypeople see the spectacle. After hearing this, the judges nodded in agreement.

"Indeed."

"This is a very delicious dish."

"Using spices as the core, transforming textures and temperatures makes it shine."

"This dish truly revolutionizes the culinary world!"

With this final assessment, Alice's score was announced:

94 points!

...

Even though everyone expected a high score for this dish, the final number shocked everyone, especially the audience, who erupted with excitement.

Of the 30 contestants in Block B, none had scored over 90 points so far.

But Alice scored an astonishing 94 points in one go!

"Gasp!"

"Am I seeing this right?"

"A score of 94?"

"Alice is truly remarkable. I think she is the best freshman after Erina."

"Amazing, last year's highest score in the preliminaries was 92 points."

"Did Alice just set a new record with 94 points?"

"No, the highest preliminary score is 96 points, held by former Elite Ten member Gin Dojima."

"96 points?"

"That's incredible!"

The audience buzzed with discussion.

With a stunning 94 points, Alice took first place in Block B, surpassing Takumi.

...

Every step in molecular cuisine requires extreme caution.

A minor mistake can affect the entire dish's quality or even involve "safety."

After being amazed by the final product, the judges understood why molecular chefs must be so meticulous.

Sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty...

No matter the flavor, with skilled hands, these ingredients transform into unimaginable forms!

What you see is not what you eat, bringing surprise from both sight and taste.

How could anyone not love such cuisine?

...

"Where is the next contestant?"

"If your dish is ready, bring it up quickly so the judges aren't kept waiting."

Kawashima finally recovered from her shock and called out.

"Huh~"

"The preliminaries aren't over yet?"

"There's one more contestant, the bottom-ranked Megumi, right?"

Amidst the murmurs, Megumi slowly approached the judges with a bubbling pot.

"Judges, this is my dish, monkfish curry hotpot. Please enjoy."

Megumi set the pot down and stepped back politely.

"Oh?"

"Just now, we had an extremely cold dish."

"And now, we have an extremely hot dish?"

Feeling the heat from the bubbling pot, Orie sighed.

...

Unconsciously, the preliminaries were nearing their end.

Initially, Orie had little respect for these Totsuki students and their dishes.

But as the judging progressed, she grew increasingly impressed.

Perhaps she underestimated these Totsuki students.

Their passion and understanding of cooking far exceeded her expectations.

"Alright, let me see what this last curry dish is like."

With that, Orie opened the pot.

As the lid lifted, Megumi's dish was finally revealed to everyone.

...

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

White steam burst out, spreading rapidly.

The bubbling white broth, with pieces of monkfish floating on the surface, was revealed.

Fresh mushrooms and unique vegetables added to the beautiful scene.

The aroma filled the entire venue, making Orie almost drool.

"Generally, monkfish is used for sashimi without much processing."

"But you made it into a curry hotpot."

Orie remarked.

...

With her extensive experience in the culinary world, Orie quickly saw the dish's qualities.

But she was amazed that this delicate Totsuki student had prepared such a dish.

Among various hotpots, this monkfish curry hotpot was unique and delicious.

The broth continuously bubbled, and the rich curry aroma and sweet monkfish flavor spread throughout the venue.

Unlike regular curry or other fish hotpots, Megumi's dish seemed to have a mysterious power that penetrated the senses.

As time passed, the complex flavors in the pot didn't fade but grew stronger, making the judges' mouths water.

...

As the hotpot's star, the tender monkfish was essential.

When swirled in the boiling curry broth, the fish's delicate texture and rich flavor emerged immediately.

After blowing on it a few times to cool, the fish was sent into the mouth for a gentle bite.

Delicate!

Bouncy!

The rich curry broth added depth.

This interplay of flavors made each bite layered and surprising.

Besides monkfish, the hotpot contained:

- Chrysanthemum pumpkin

- Tachikawa burdock

- Red-skinned radish

- Soft tofu

- Fragrant sausage...

Each ingredient, steeped in the curry broth, released its unique flavor.

The seasonal vegetables from Megumi's hometown, combined with the monkfish, provided a multi-dimensional taste.

Sometimes, the vegetables' crunch complemented the fish's delicacy.

Other times, the tofu's freshness clashed with the curry's spiciness.

Every ingredient showcased its value!

Like the chef Megumi herself, they might not seem impressive but held immense potential.

...

"Impressive, the key is the fish liver."

"The freshly extracted fish liver is mashed and dissolved until it becomes an orange paste."

"Add enough monkfish slices and vegetables, then simmer with hotpot ingredients."

"The liver gradually melts."

"During this process, add miso and sake for the broth."

"This elevates the hotpot's flavor, making it rich and delicious."

"Ugh ugh ugh..."

"What's happening?"

"I feel hot, warmth spreading through me!"

"So warm!"

"I... I can't take it."

Initially skeptical, the three judges were now captivated.

Finally, under everyone's gaze, Megumi's score appeared on the screen:

89 points.

...

This score surpassed Yuuki and Ryoko by 1 point, tying with Subaru at 89 points!

Thus, Block B's top four were decided:

- Alice Nakiri

- Takumi Aldini

- Subaru Mimasaka

- Megumi Tadokoro

"Yay, I'm first!"

Seeing the top four, Alice jumped for joy.

On stage, Megumi stood in a daze. When her score was announced, her head buzzed.

Huh?

Did I really make it to the top four?

Out of 30 contestants, I beat 26?

Megumi pinched her cheek.

Feeling the pain, she smiled in delight.

...

"Megumi."

"You did great, making it to the top four by a narrow margin."

Miyoko approached and patted Megumi's shoulder, encouraging her.

Miyoko was the first to score 88 points, thinking she had secured a top-four spot. But she ended up seventh!

However, considering Alice, Takumi, Subaru, and Megumi's performances, she didn't mind losing to them.

Megumi: ???

What's going on?

Why is she talking to me? Do I know her?

Staring at Miyoko, who seemed familiar with her, Megumi was confused.

"Keep it up, and represent us girls in the next rounds."

With that, Miyoko quietly left.

...

To succeed, one needs three elements: effort, talent, and support.

Effort is something everyone has, especially in the competitive Totsuki Academy.

In such a fierce environment, "effort" alone is almost meaningless.

Megumi was always a struggling student, not for lack of effort but for lack of:

Support!

With limited talent, growth requires guidance from a mentor, like Soma Yukihira.

Though Soma had exceptional adaptability, his father shaped his character and skills!

Hayama's potential was fully realized by Jun, an expert in spices.

Erina's God Tongue was innate, but it was honed by her strict father.

For ordinary Megumi to catch up with these people, it's nearly impossible without support.

Thus, her growth depended on one person:

The tavern owner.

Zane!

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