Cheers and applause filled the air, instantly elevating the atmosphere.
That's a whopping 250,000 yuan prize!
Everyone present was envious, each craning their necks to get a glimpse of what Qiaoni looked like.
Xu Batie, with a stern face, slowly walked up to the award stage.
"Get on stage, Qiaoni! Go receive your award!"
Daodun, Hongbei, Shengyu Pian, Tangtou, and others clapped enthusiastically, urging Xu Bo to go up and accept his prize.
"Haizi, my legs are a bit weak," Xu Bo whispered for help, seeing Xu Batie's murderous look on stage.
"Not just you, my legs are weak too..." Chen Jianhai said miserably, "It's not just weak legs, looks like the hotel's free swimming ring is out of the question too."
Xu Bo was confused, "Haizi, what did you say? I didn't catch the last part!"
Chen Jianhai patted Xu Bo on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Go, Dabo. Even if you get beaten up, you still need to receive the award. Right now, you're not Xu Bo; you're Chef Qiaoni!"
"Yes, I am Chef Qiaoni now! I'm not Xu Bo... I must go get the award!"
Xu Bo gritted his teeth and stepped forward, slowly walking to the award stage amidst the warm applause.
"Isn't receiving an award a good thing? Why does Qiaoni look like he's going to the execution ground?" Shengyu Pian asked in confusion.
"Maybe he's just excited?" Chaoshao tried to analyze.
"I don't think so..." said the strongest order-taker in history, "Qiaoni looks like he's seeing his father, with those shaking legs!"
Chen Jianhai and Xiaolang glanced silently at the strongest order-taker.
The strongest order-taker was startled and whispered, "Boss, did I say something wrong?"
Chen Jianhai shook his head and sighed, "You're quite a talent!"
...
On the award stage.
"Congratulations, Chef Qiaoni."
Xu Batie, with a stern face, shoved the board with "250,000 yuan prize" into Xu Bo's hands.
250,000 yuan isn't a small amount, so it won't be awarded on the spot.
A formal ceremony is required in front of everyone, and the actual process to claim the prize will follow.
"What the heck is old Xu doing?"
The middle-aged man thought to himself while clapping, "This isn't awarding a prize... it's just a father giving his son pocket money!"
As Xu Bo was about to leave the stage after receiving the award, the host's sweet voice sounded, "Chef Qiaoni, aren't you going to shake hands with our judges?"
Shake hands with your ***!!!!
Damn!
Xu Bo really wanted to curse out loud and throw the board at them.
But with so many people watching, it wouldn't be right to leave without shaking hands.
"Thank you," Xu Bo forced a smile and extended his trembling right hand.
"You're welcome, congratulations," Xu Batie said.
The next moment, a strong force came from Xu Batie's hand, making Xu Bo's face turn red from pain, almost shouting out.
"Chef Qiaoni, your noodles are delicious. Congratulations on winning the title of top chef at Nanjiang Hotel."
Xu Batie said with a fake smile, making it impossible to tell if he was happy or not.
The host's sweet voice sounded again, "Chef Qiaoni, do you have anything to say to everyone?"
Xu Bo looked at Xu Batie and said awkwardly, "Honestly, I'm speechless right now."
"I'm very happy that at this most important moment of my life, my family, my brothers, and my companions are all by my side. This feeling is really indescribable,"
"I can't believe I achieved my dream and won the Nanjiang City's five-star hotel chef competition."
"This award not only belongs to me but to all the staff at Long'ai Hotel. We are a team!"
"Thank you all!"
Taking advantage of the moment, Xu Bo withdrew his hand from Xu Batie's grip and waved the prize board towards Chen Jianhai, Daodun, and the others.
The host smiled, "May I ask, do you have any plans on how to spend this prize money?"
Xu Bo decisively said, "First, I'll buy my dad a good bottle of wine, then a good box of tea, and a massage chair."
Chen Jianhai silently gave Xu Bo a thumbs up in his heart.
Good son!
What a filial son!!
This is truly a dutiful son!
Xu Batie rolled his eyes on the spot, lowered his head, seemingly muttering a curse.
Xu Bo gave Xu Batie a sheepish smile and quickly ran down the steps.
The rest of the stage was left to the host, other leaders, and their speeches. The kitchen competition was successfully concluded!
"Boss, what do we do next?"
Back in the tent, the strongest order-taker curiously asked.
After working hard for over ten days, everyone in the kitchen was exhausted, driven by faith and responsibility.
Today was the last day of the beer festival, and they had won the award. It felt like reaching the end but not knowing the next step.
"Next, eat and drink whatever you want and play all the games you haven't played in the past few days!"
Chen Jianhai took out a dozen acrylic cards from his pocket and handed them to each kitchen staff member.
"I bought all these tickets in advance. Go to any tent you want to play, keep track of your expenses, and I'll reimburse you."
"Don't forget to use this card to collect the hidden gift cups at the beer festival by 4 PM!"
"Other hotel staff only get one complimentary cup, but you all get two~"
Chen Jianhai mischievously pinched the hair hidden under Chocolate's hat.
Chocolate had always had two ponytails in his impression,
Now, she suddenly tied her hair under her hat, and he found it a bit hard to get used to.
But this little girl with a round face and a white chef's hat looked quite cute, like a big steamed bun.
Chocolate's eyes lit up with surprise as she looked at the card in her hand.
"Really, two cups?" She asked Chen Jianhai in disbelief.
As a cup collector, the hidden gift cups from the Nanjiang Beer Festival were what she wanted the most.
Unfortunately, she hadn't finished visiting all the beer tents and had started working at Long'ai Hotel, getting up early and working late every day with everyone, leaving no time for other tents.
She thought she couldn't get the cups, but Chen Jianhai said there were two!
"Really, the boss doesn't lie! Go have fun." Chen Jianhai smiled at Chocolate.
"But the beer festival ends today. If we all go play, who will clean up?" Xu Bo asked worriedly.
Chen Jianhai was exasperated, "My dear ancestor... you don't need to clean up."
"Forget about the kitchen, and while your dad is busy speaking upfront, seize the chance to eat, drink, and enjoy life!"