The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

After completing the rehearsal of the cooking process, the next step is for the judges to taste and score the dishes.

Each contestant will then have a brief self-introduction and an opportunity to communicate with the judges.

The final part of the process is the highlight of the competition.

Apprenticeship.

However, the specific plan for the apprenticeship segment has not been finalized yet.

So there will be another formal rehearsal.

At that time, everyone will need to simulate the entire official competition process once.

This includes makeup and attire, going through the entire cooking operation of the simulated competition, to checking the required vegetables and kitchen utensils, ensuring everything is flawless on the competition day.

After today’s rehearsal, no dinner gathering was arranged, but a small gift was given to each contestant.

Fu Yu got into a taxi carrying the item and opened the box to take a look.

It was a gift box of specialty pastries from a local chain bakery, along with an envelope containing a 100-yuan shopping voucher that could be used at the bakery to get any pastries you like.

Fu Yu usually doesn’t like sweets much. Seeing this box of delicate pastries, the first person he thought of was his future mentor’s wife, Dai Li.

Dai Li’s daughter, Xiaobao’Er, really loves these, so he thought he could give them to Zhao Meng, letting him present them as his own gift.

So, after returning to Qianlima, Fu Yu went back to the dormitory first to put the items away.

Then he found a chance to tell Zhao Meng about it.

Zhao Meng didn’t hesitate, happily patting Fu Yu on the shoulder, ”Not bad, keep it up.”

Fu Yu chuckled.

Zhao Meng suddenly remembered something, looked around, and asked in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, ”By the way, did you give any commission to Chef Yao for the medicinal cuisine order you took on this time?”

Fu Yu was stunned, ”What commission?”

Zhao Meng looked speechless, ”You made the medicinal cuisine at their music restaurant using their ingredients and venue. What do you think the commission is for?”

Fu Yu suddenly realized, slapping his forehead, ”I didn’t think of this at all!”

Zhao Meng glared, ”Do I have to teach you this too?”

Fu Yu: ”...”

After scolding him, Zhao Meng went on with his tasks.

Only then did Fu Yu start to ponder, realizing he indeed needed to give Yao Shi some commission, no matter how much, as a gesture of goodwill.

But how much should he actually give?

He had never done this kind of thing before, so he really had no experience.

Fu Yu wanted to discuss it with Zhao Meng, but the kitchen suddenly got busy.

By the time the kitchen wasn’t busy anymore, Yao Shi had called Zhao Meng and Gu Yunwu to discuss the store’s plans for the October holiday.

Finally, when it was time to clock out, Zhao Meng hurriedly went off to deliver the pastries to Dai Li.

Fu Yu, having no other choice, headed to the front hall to find Yao Shi with this dilemma weighing on his mind.

He caught up with Yao Shi in the parking lot.

Yao Shi was just about to open the door and get into his car, and upon seeing Fu Yu, he seemed rather surprised, smiling as he asked, ”What’s up? You looking for me for something?”

Fu Yu chuckled nervously and asked, ”Chef Yao, are you in a rush to get home? I, uh, I want to treat you to a late-night snack.”

Yao Shi looked around and then at Fu Yu, ”Let me guess, you want...to give me money? For the commission on this medicinal cuisine order?”

Fu Yu was dumbfounded, ”Chef Yao, you...”

Yao Shi opened the car door, ”The clients weren’t introduced by me; what kind of commission would you give me? The clients for this order were brought in by you, and you left them at the music restaurant. Technically, if I don’t give you a commission, you’d actually be at a loss.”

He smiled slightly, the corners of his eyes wrinkling gently, ”You’re not taking advantage of me in this matter. After all, the clients think you’re the head chef at the music restaurant. If your reputation spreads, our music restaurant benefits too. It’s like free advertising for me.”

”Just make sure you complete this order well, and you won’t have let down my efforts in lending you a venue and allowing you to work during your hours, providing you with all kinds of conveniences and ideas.”

Fu Yu quickly assured, ”Chef Yao, don’t worry. If this order wasn’t so simple and without much difficulty, I would have guaranteed you a top reputation in medicinal cuisine.”

Yao Shi laughed, ”Alright, I’ll remember your words! Once you progress in the future, make sure to bring top-notch medicinal cuisine fame to this place.”

He got into the driver’s seat and rolled down the window, ”Xiaofu, who knows, you might really have to come find me to deliver a commission sometime soon!”

With that, without waiting for Fu Yu to respond, Yao Shi drove off.

Fu Yu watched the shiny, polished black SUV drive away, feeling excited.

Does this mean he’ll soon earn a substantial side income again?

...

Five days after the last rehearsal, Fu Yu received a notification to go to the Sanjiang Tourism Festival event site for a formal rehearsal.

Familiar with the process, Fu Yu took a taxi there.

This time, there was ample time, and Fu Yu arrived at the location in advance.

The staff in charge of reception took Fu Yu to the dressing room.

Fu Yu changed into the designated competition attire.

A white long-sleeved top, double-breasted slant-buttoned V-neck chef’s coat, paired with standard black trousers, with the competition logo printed on the left chest.

The simple and elegant style showcased a different kind of demeanor in Fu Yu, whose body proportions were already very good when he donned the brand-new chef’s coat.

When Fu Yu had finished changing and came out, the staff informed him that the publicity department’s planning team was currently in a meeting with the judges.

Following her gaze, Fu Yu saw a group of people seated around a table engaged in an intense discussion in a temporary booth opposite.

The booth was not soundproof, and Fu Yu could vaguely hear sounds coming from inside but couldn’t catch the specifics.

The meeting lasted for over ten minutes.

The event planners and several judges finally settled on the entire competition process, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The atmosphere turned calm and relaxed.

Gradually, other contestants arrived, changed their clothes, and stood next to Fu Yu.

Some acquaintances quietly discussed the competition but showed no intention of greeting Fu Yu, who stood nearby.

Today’s rehearsal was essentially a dry run of the competition process, with everyone’s focus on the apprenticeship ceremony and cooking requirements.

As for the other competitors, they had already met during the last rehearsal, so there wasn’t much to discuss.

After a while, the event planners accompanied the judges as they came out.

Everyone at the entrance quickly made way, standing in a line, enthusiastically greeting the judges.

Seeing that all the contestants had arrived, the planners smiled and asked, ”Perfect, everyone is here. Have you thought about which judge you want to choose as your mentor? Now’s a great chance to communicate!”

As he said this, he naturally turned to Fu Yu, ”Chef Fu, have you decided which judge you want to choose as your mentor?”

Directly addressed, Fu Yu didn’t think much and nodded, ”I’ve decided.”

Saying this, Fu Yu looked at Liu Yunong and politely introduced himself, ”Chef Liu, hello, my name is Fu Yu, from Qianlima Restaurant. I’d like to be your disciple.”

As soon as Fu Yu said this, the surroundings instantly fell silent.

Fu Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

What happened?

Why did the atmosphere suddenly become strange?