Bab 16: Chapter 16: 'Mastery Level' Knife Skills
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
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Kitchen.
After washing his hands, Xia Yu didn't hurry to leave as he silently tallied his gains from cooking Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef.
He opened the system log,
"Completed the task 'Tales of the Shopping Street (1).'"
"Learned the green recipe for 'Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef.'"
The key was still the task; Xia Yu hadn't expected that just going out to eat and change his palate would lead to an unexpected task. This task was precisely why he decided to step forward and help the Western restaurant.
"System, what level is my culinary skill now?" he asked.
"lv5."
"Didn't level up?"
Xia Yu felt a bit of regret.
Actually, his culinary skill had been at lv5 for a few days.
Successfully creating a glowing magical Mapo Tofu had directly leveled him up by one and a half. Then, over the next two days, under the system's assistance, he studied the old man's cooking manual and practiced various recipes, cooking various Chinese cuisines. Bit by bit, his experience accumulated until he finally broke through to lv5.
And the 2 Talent Points he gained from leveling up had long been allocated equally to 'knife skills' and 'control of heat,' these two basic skills.
"The host has gained 10 points of reputation," the system suddenly said.
"Reputation?"
"You can view reputation as the system's currency to spread your influence and showcase your culinary skills. The more people enjoy your cuisine, the more your reputation will increase."
Right!
With the reminder from the system, Xia Yu almost forgot that there was also a God of Cooking Mall in the system.
"Reputation, huh...?" He opened his personal panel.
"Host: Xia Yu.
Gender: Male
Age: 16
Comprehensive Physical Fitness: lv9 (strength, agility, explosiveness, nerve reflexes, etc.)
Comprehensive Culinary Skill: lv5 [Novice Start]
Reputation: 10 (This item is related to the host's fame, exposure, and achievements. Reputation can be used to purchase items in the system mall.)"
This... only 10 points?
Damn!
Xia Yu couldn't even bother to check the mall list. What could 10 points of reputation buy?
"Why is this beef so tender?"
The Chef of Xiazhiqiu stood behind him, and his sudden voice startled Xia Yu.
"And, why only roast for 30 minutes? A dish like Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef usually takes two or three hours to absorb the flavors, but..." The restaurant's head chef looked perplexed. "Is it the knife skills?"
"You could say that."
Xia Yu patted his chest.
"Actually, when I was handling the beef, I performed cuts on its surface. This method of treating the meat is quite common, but well, I only mastered it a couple of days ago, and this time, I couldn't resist applying this technique to the Burgundy Red Wine Stewed Beef, not expecting it to turn out so well."
More than well!
The Chef of Xiazhiqiu listened, dumbfounded.
Could relying solely on knife cuts greatly enhance the beef's tenderness and flavor? Unheard of!
A small doubt arose in his heart, only to be crushed by the aroma emanating from the beef dish.
No matter the internal doubts, this young man had completed a dish under his very eyes that he found hard to match. Xiazhiqiu Yingshu thought about this, and his shoulders slumped with a gloomy face as he recalled the words spoken by a "Top Ten" when he was expelled from Far Moon,
"Culinary skill is art."
"Those without talent are trash and will tarnish art. So... get out of Far Moon, you don't have a chef's talent!"
But the wavering in his eyes quickly turned to a firm resolve.
Xiazhiqiu Yingshu clenched his fists, took two deep breaths to steady his emotions, and then earnestly requested Xia Yu, "Could you demonstrate those knife skills for me?"
"You want to see?"
"I cut very quickly; it's hard for me to slow down. To slow down, you need to reach the realm of 'effortless heaviness'... uh, fine, I'll show you."
Xia Yu, having just washed his hands, intended to refuse. However, seeing the determined look on this middle-aged chef's face, he couldn't help but change his mind.
"Thank you."
With a deep ninety-degree bow, Xiazhiqiu Yingshu brought out a large piece of beef and placed it on the cutting board.
"Watch closely!" Xia Yu grasped the kitchen knife, and yet Xiazhiqiu Yingshu dug out a phone from his pocket, seemingly activating recording mode and aiming the camera at him.
Full of black lines across his forehead.
Can you be a bit more reserved, Uncle? Getting me on camera isn't cheap!
Holding the kitchen knife, Xia Yu promptly discarded the unnecessary thoughts, his expression turning serious.
The knife moved without warning, thumping up and down, as it collided with the cutting board. The sound was not noisy; on the contrary, it was quite pleasant, forming an incredible rhythm.
Xiazhiqiu Yingshu couldn't discern the knife's path, seeing only the gleaming flashes of the blade each time, with the combination of motion and stillness making one unaware of its greatness.
Too smooth!
Soon, Xia Yu set down the knife, exhaled, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
This knife skill was one he comprehended from the old man's cooking manual; having only 'entered the hall' with it for two days, using it exerted considerable strain on his body's muscles.
In other words, he needed to exercise more.
Strong, robust arms are a must for a master chef.
"Chef of Xiazhiqiu, please, I'm off to have some beef stew." Xia Yu washed the kitchen knife clean, coincidentally washing his hands, and left the kitchen without looking back.
Xiazhiqiu Yingshu didn't even notice Xia Yu's departure as he continuously replayed the recorded video.
In the footage, the young chef, back facing the camera, wielded the kitchen knife like a world-famous chef.
Slowing the video down, analyzing each move, Xiazhiqiu Yingshu found himself stunned and muttering, "He's only fifteen or sixteen years old, about the same age as my daughter. Why does he possess such knife skills? This shouldn't be basic skills at a student level!"
Xiazhiqiu Yingshu felt inferior. Unable to resist, he approached the countertop and examined the beef that had its surface cut.
At first glance, the beef seemed fresh out of the freezer, but upon curling it with both hands, fine incisions, nearly forming a honeycomb pattern, covered the surface.
Each cut was short, yet quite deep, explaining why they were so hard to discern.
"No wonder it cooked so quickly and thoroughly."
"With such processing, it's only natural for the texture and flavor to be superior without damaging the meat quality," Xiazhiqiu Yingshu spoke to himself, showing an expression of admiration.
It seemed he had encountered an extraordinary young chef.
Western restaurant.
Two Chinese young women were dining when a youthful voice suddenly asked with a laugh, "So, how's the taste? Pretty good, right?"
The round-faced female tourist wiped her mouth with a napkin and gave a thumbs-up to the young man sitting opposite them, "This is definitely the best Western dish I've ever tried!"
"Really?"
Xia Yu couldn't help but grin.
Every chef hopes to hear genuine praise from diners, banishing the fatigue of toiling away in the kitchen.
"What do you think, Miss?" Xia Yu glanced at the other stylishly dressed female tourist.
"Delicious..."
The goddess-like woman, wearing a fashionable dress, responded more reservedly, quietly replying while swallowing the beef in her mouth. Her beautiful eyes immediately reflected a layer of enjoyment and aftertaste. Such an expression couldn't be faked.
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-- Hadiah diterima