The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Chapter 311: Chapter 310: A Rarely-Seen Dish

With the experience from the previous two rehearsals, the official competition process went very smoothly.

When the contestants entered, the crowd watching immediately became excited.

On one hand, it was because they had been waiting for half the day and finally saw the guest performers take the stage.

On the other hand, it was because the host mentioned there would be activities to give away small gifts during the competition.

The audience below the stage, initially focused on the contestants, quickly shifted their attention to the two large piles of commemorative gifts on the side.

This was understandable; the organizers did everything they could to enhance the on-site atmosphere.

Fu Yu stood in the front row, instantly causing a clamor.

Mainly because it so happened that the camera’s lens was either coincidentally or intentionally aimed right at his kitchen counter.

Thus, on the big screen at the back of the stage, was his handsome and charming appearance, dressed in a proper chef’s uniform.

He was already good-looking, and now wearing a well-tailored chef’s uniform.

Standing in front of the carefully constructed kitchen counter.

If it weren’t for him occasionally looking around on the screen, it looked just like a promotional poster for the event.

Clean and handsome, overshadowing everything around him.

The host began to recite a script to liven up the atmosphere inside, then announced the competition rules.

Unlike previous years’ simple preparation plans.

In the past, everything was kept simple, with just a few ingredients prepared and competitors had to impress with their creativity using limited ingredients.

This year, due to strong support from the publicity department, the entire competition followed a luxurious and high-end route.

The variety of ingredients available was astounding; nothing you could think of was missing.

The organizers decided to let each contestant showcase their specialty, cooking a signature dish as they wished.

The more complex and exquisite the cooking method, the better.

Fu Yu saw that the adjacent ingredient shelves were indeed full of a dazzling array of items.

As soon as the host gave the signal, the competition officially started.

All the contestants went to the shelves to select their ingredients.

Fu Yu looked at the crowd hurriedly grabbing ingredients, frowning slightly, torn inside.

The host had just announced the cooking rules, requiring contestants to use their strengths to cook a dish with a complex and exquisite method.

Speaking of complex and exquisite cooking methods.

If ”Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” was rated three stars, then the difficulty of cooking ”Three-Set Duck” would definitely be five stars.

Fu Yu was somewhat tempted.

He was almost certain that if he could make this ”Three-Set Duck,” winning the first prize in this chef competition would be in the bag.

But the skill required for deboning this dish was way too high.

With his current level, he certainly couldn’t manage it.

At this moment, someone suddenly whispered a reminder: ”Hurry and choose your ingredients, or all the good stuff will be gone!”

Fu Yu turned his head and realized it was the contestant with whom he had previously switched kitchen station positions, apparently named Liu Yunpeng.

Fu Yu quickly smiled and said, ”Thanks.”

Liu Yunpeng had already selected a fine piece of pork belly and was eyeing other ingredients on the shelf while whispering, ”Good luck! Hope you succeed in your apprenticeship!”

Fu Yu nodded, and suddenly a light bulb went off in his head.

Right!

He still had a chance to learn one of Liu Yunong’s personal skills.

Fu Yu pretended to choose ingredients while quickly browsing Liu Yunong’s attribute list.

When he saw [Deboning: Advanced 230/500], Fu Yu couldn’t help but smile.

This was exactly what one would call getting a pillow when you’re about to doze off.

He finally experienced it.

Fu Yu swiftly picked out ingredients, calculating and feeling excited throughout the whole process.

He intended to follow the classic recipe instructions and carefully complete this ”Three-Set Duck.”

He was determined to strive for first place in the competition, successfully fulfilling the task requirements, and earning the reward.

Even the young Liu Yunong possessed such grand attributes and skills; if he had a chance to learn a personal skill from Dai Jinghe, it would be incredibly exhilarating!

Fu Yu took three trips back and forth to complete preparations for the ”Three-Set Duck” ingredients.

It was indeed good luck; this year the sponsors were wealthy, providing a wide variety of ingredients and complete categories.

Otherwise, with his choice of domestic duck, wild duck, and pigeon, he wouldn’t have been able to prepare them anywhere else.

Once all contestants had prepared their ingredients, the host began recording the name of each contestant’s dish one by one.

Everyone was preparing their signature dish, and a diverse range of dishes emerged momentarily.

Contestant number one was making ”Arhat Prawns.”

This dish is very distinctive.

Considered one of the three classic prawn dishes, it’s a famous dish in ”Tan’s Cuisine.”

After plating, it’s red on top and yellow at the bottom, named ”Arhat Prawns” because its shape resembles a protruding pot-bellied arhat.

Qianlima Restaurant also offers this dish, and its cooking requires great control of the heat from the chef.

Fu Yu was contestant number two.

The host routinely asked, ”Chef Fu, what classic specialty dish do you plan to cook for this competition?”

Fu Yu smiled slightly and replied, ”Three-Set Duck.”

The host looked bewildered, what was Three-Set Duck?

It wasn’t the host’s fault for being uninformed, mainly because this ”Three-Set Duck” wasn’t a commonly seen dish on the market.

Because the method is cumbersome and labor-intensive, and the ingredients are not exactly precious, this dish doesn’t fetch a high price.

Two ducks and a pigeon, the most they could sell for was 200 yuan.

But a 200-yuan price couldn’t possibly compensate for the chef’s exquisite skills and the time and effort spent.

Since it’s not profitable, restaurants are unwilling to offer this dish.

Gradually, ”Three-Set Duck” became a rare dish that’s hard to come by.

The host paid no real attention to this dish, simply announcing its name and moved on to check the third contestant’s dish.

Instead, the name of the dish ”Three-Set Duck” caused a small stir among the judges.

Zhang Zhiyuan was a well-known culinary master with a great reputation in the circle, but due to his low-key personality, he rarely participated in events, focusing only on working in his own establishment, thus not being very familiar with the other judges.

However, upon hearing that the second contestant was to make ”Three-Set Duck,” Zhang Zhiyuan couldn’t sit still anymore.

He couldn’t help but turn to Dai Jinghe sitting next to him and asked in surprise, ”Elder Dai, is the ’Three-Set Duck’ that Huaiyang dish?”

Dai Jinghe nodded, ”It should be. I just saw the ingredients on his kitchen counter are wild duck and pigeon.”

Zhang Zhiyuan was immediately intrigued, ”This young man is quite something! Daring to take on this dish!”

Dai Jinghe chuckled, ”Indeed, I haven’t heard anyone mention ’Three-Set Duck’ for years, didn’t expect someone to cook it today here.”