Chapter 233: Pink Cylindrical Object
"Time's up, both sides stop."
As Dojima's voice fell, both sides of the Shokugeki finished plating.
"Now it's time for the review, Kojiro, you go first."
Upon hearing that, Shinomiya nodded and walked over with three dishes.
"Ah, I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder what Shinomiya will present." Donato said with a smile, and the other graduates nodded as well.
However, when the dishes were placed in front of them, they all showed a surprised expression.
"This is... French-style stuffed cabbage rolls. It's quite a surprising dish." Donato rubbed his chin.
"It's a traditional dish from the Auvergne region, made with finely chopped meat and vegetables, wrapped in cabbage leaves and steamed." Hitoshi added.
"It's a common home-cooked dish in ordinary French households." Mizuhara looked at Shinomiya with surprise.
"This dish wouldn't appear in your restaurant's recipe book, right?"
Unfortunately, Shinomiya didn't offer any explanation.
Hinako, who loves to provoke, couldn't let this opportunity pass. "I didn't expect Shinomiya-senpai to present such an ordinary dish. I thought someone who has been focused on appearances for a hundred years like Shinomiya-senpai would make something more exquisite..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Shinomiya swiftly chopped down with his hand.
After the commotion, the judging officially began.
As the cabbage rolls were cut open, the enticing aroma wrapped in them wafted out, arousing everyone's appetite.
They picked up a small piece of the roll with a fork and put it in their mouths, and all the graduates exclaimed in admiration.
"It's so delicious!"
"The filling isn't made with pork, but with more delicate chicken breast."
"That's right. The chicken breast is stuffed with sautéed king oyster mushrooms and asparagus, as well as foie gras."
"Then add a mousse-like filling made from chicken breast, butter, eggs, and cream."
"This layer of mousse tightly wraps around the tongue and instantly melts softly, spreading a rich and delicious flavor throughout the mouth."
"Most importantly, this cabbage, after being heated, emits a subtle sweetness. Paired with the delicate filling, the sensation is incredible. Truly, the magician of vegetable cuisine."
Listening to the praise from the graduates for Shinomiya's dish, Megumi became even more nervous.
After tasting Shinomiya's dish, it was now the turn of the young girl and Soma.
However, when they saw the dishes they prepared, everyone showed a surprised expression.
"This is..."
"It's actually French aspic."
At this moment, Megumi nodded, "That's right, it's a rainbow-colored French aspic made from seven different vegetables."
"Using seven differently colored vegetables as the filling, and then making them into thin strips resembling a rainbow gradient?"
"But I heard that what caused the dispute was Shinomiya's French aspic."
Shinomiya also saw this dish and couldn't help but sneer.
"How interesting. Is this a challenge to my Nine-Colored French Aspic?"
Upon hearing this, the timid young girl quickly waved her hands.
"No, no, no, I didn't mean that. I just wanted to show you the recipe I came up with."
Seeing that both sides were about to argue again, Donato stepped in to defuse the situation.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this for now. Let's taste it first."
Using a knife, they cut a piece of the French aspic with all its colors and put it in their mouths.
"It's delicious! From a student's perspective, it's really good." Donato praised.
Not only him, but the other graduates also agreed one after another.
"The filling includes potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and other vegetables, creating seven layers."
"And each layer of vegetables has undergone certain processing, bringing out their respective flavors."
"That's right. With two different sauces and seven fillings, it's like having 14 different combinations. It's a truly interesting creation."
Even Dojima couldn't help but comment, "Especially the sun-dried tomatoes in the middle, it's the finishing touch. Tomatoes are rich in glutamate, and when baked, they elevate the sweetness to another level."
"Although both are 'vegetable aspic dishes,' your dishes have completely different focuses. If Shinomiya's French aspic emphasizes the deliciousness of fresh vegetables, then your French aspic emphasizes the deliciousness of preserved vegetable ingredients."
"Ah, this is the gentleness reflected in your cooking, Megumi. It's truly amazing." Hinako gently caressed her face, with a blissful expression.
Everyone has finished tasting, and Dojima spoke up.
"Alright, now it's time for the judging phase."
However, at this moment, Hachiman's voice chimed in.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Dojima-senpai. My dish hasn't been tasted yet."
Hearing this, Shinomiya raised an eyebrow.
"You're not a participant in this Shokugeki. Why would anyone taste your dish?"
"Well, well, since I've already made it, it would be a waste not to taste it. As a chef, we can't afford to waste, right?" Hachiman smiled lightly.
With that, he placed a plate in the center.
Opening the lid, they saw pink cylindrical objects arranged in the dish.
"Is this... sausage?"
Looking at the pink cylindrical objects on the plate, Dojima's expression turned somewhat strange.
"That's right, it's sausage. Senpais, go ahead and try it." Hachiman nodded.
The graduated students were a bit curious. After all, Hachiman's culinary skills were widely acknowledged.
As they were about to use their knives and forks to cut a piece of sausage, Hachiman spoke again.
"Wait a moment, senpais. This dish needs to be enjoyed by eating the entire sausage to appreciate its fullness."
Hearing his recommended eating method, the graduates hesitated for a moment but decided to follow his advice and picked up the whole sausage with their forks.
As they bit into the sausage, their eyes widened.
"Oh! It's like a delicious tornado in my mouth! I feel like I'm flying. This is amazing!" Donato exclaimed, covering his forehead with an exaggerated gesture.
"The bamboo shoot threads shoot out like a tornado, flipping and turning. Meanwhile, the deliciousness of the shark fins, soaked in the high broth, spreads with this tornado. The smooth texture of the shark fins, absorbed in the broth, also spreads in the mouth with this tornado. It's fantastic!" Hitoshi also expressed his praise generously.
"How did you achieve this?" Mizuhara was puzzled, then she cut the sausage vertically with a knife, looked at the structure inside, and suddenly realized.
"I see, you turned the shark fin threads, Jinhua ham, and bamboo shoot threads into a twisted braid."
"Exactly. Because it's turned into a twisted braid, more shark fin threads can be stuffed into the sausage. So, the moment you bite through the casing, these braids spread out like untangling a bound rubber band, enhancing the tactile sensation in the mouth." Hachiman explained on the side.