The next morning, at the Shiomi Research Society.
Akira was smelling the salt-grilled pacific saury he had just remade.
Using his God Tongue ability, he had an epiphany and sighed, "Indeed, it doesn't compare to Alice's sous-vide pacific saury. The reason lies in the choice of salt!"
"I shouldn't have used baking salt but fleur de sel."
Fleur de sel.
Produced in the Guérande salt fields on the southern coast of Brittany, France.
It is said that 50 grams costs around 1,000 yen.
The reason it is expensive is that this salt contains more trace elements than ordinary sea salt.
The crystal shape is a hollow inverted pyramid and has a unique violet fragrance.
The small granules have strong penetration.
And it can quickly penetrate into the food.
It can only be harvested from June to October each year.
Mr. Lin Yusen introduced nine top ingredients from Europe in his book "Legendary European Ingredients":
Modena balsamic vinegar, Belon oysters, Bresse chicken, Iberian ham, Parmesan cheese, Roquefort blue cheese, Alba white truffles, Périgord black truffles, and Guérande fleur de sel!
It seems that compared to truffles and oysters, which are branded as "top-notch" ingredients, a type of salt can also be called "legendary," which is surprising.
But fleur de sel is indeed the most precious salt!
Although it is not a dish you can present, that small pinch, like the best supporting role, highlights the charm of the main ingredient and creates numerous culinary legends.
…
"Akira, you're wrong."
"The problem with your dish last night wasn't the salt."
"Even ordinary salt would have satisfied the Director and the others."
"But the theme of this competition was pacific saury, and the quality of fresh seafood itself is hard to maintain; it spoils easily. So the key to winning was how to fully bring out the flavor of the pacific saury!"
"You are skilled with spices, so this problem shouldn't be difficult for you."
"And the fact is, your salt-grilled pacific saury tasted and felt good."
"However, if we consider factors like steaming loss rate, thawing loss rate, TVB-N value, salt-soluble protein content, active sulfhydryl content, combined with muscle tissue structure..."
"In essence, from the quality of the pacific saury itself, the sous-vide method is actually the best."
"Because low-temperature air thawing can effectively slow down fat oxidation."
"It makes the texture chewier."
Jun Shiomi, who was watering some plants, spoke calmly to Akira.
"Hmm? The quality of the pacific saury?"
Akira stared at the plate of salt-grilled pacific saury in front of him, still not understanding.
His performance in the Autumn Selection was impressive.
Whether it was the puff pastry soup, hawthorn black chocolate cinnamon rolls, or salt-grilled pacific saury, every dish he made in each round was stunning and left a deep impression on people.
He thought he had a good chance of winning the championship, but last night he lost to Alice by just one point and had to settle for second place!
…
"Jun, how is your research on irises progressing?"
Akira turned slightly to Jun Shiomi, who was nearby.
"It's the same as before, no progress at all."
Jun sighed.
"Actually, there's something that's been bothering me lately."
"In the recent competitions, I've noticed a common scent on some contestants."
Hearing that her research had made no progress, Akira was silent for a long time. Finally, his gaze deepened, and he spoke.
"The same scent?"
Jun Shiomi looked at him, puzzled.
"Yes, normally, everyone has a different scent. For example, as a chef who often uses spices, I would naturally carry a strong spice scent."
"But strangely, on Alice, Megumi, Yuuki, and Ryoko, I've smelled a..."
"Hmm, how should I describe it?"
"Alcohol?"
"Dish?"
As he spoke, Akira stroked his chin, pondering.
"Alcohol? They smell like alcohol?"
Jun Shiomi was even more confused, but then she suddenly realized and quickly said, "Could it be that they've been frequenting bars or taverns recently?"
"And if it's the same scent, they might be going to the same place!"
"A tavern?"
Akira was taken aback and nodded, "That's possible."
But then another question arose: why have these contestants been going to this place recently?
…
Maple Viewing Event.
This is another traditional event with historical roots at Totsuki Academy, following the Autumn Selection.
The purpose of this event is for the first-year students to have a "friendly" exchange with the current Totsuki Elite Ten.
Of course.
Not everyone can meet the Elite Ten.
Only the eight contestants who passed the preliminary rounds of the Autumn Selection are eligible to attend the Maple Viewing Event, namely:
Alice.
Hisako.
Subaru.
Megumi.
Akira.
Soma.
Ryo.
Takumi.
These contestants, who made it into the top four of the A and B blocks at the time, are the only ones eligible!
However, since Hisako lost to Ryo in the first round of the quarterfinals, she had temporarily taken leave from Totsuki Academy and left.
So, only seven contestants were present at the Maple Viewing Event.
…
The autumn wind gently blew.
Leaves, like dancers with life, floated down from the tree branches.
They fluttered and twirled in the air, like red butterflies dancing or flames flickering, adding a vibrant color to autumn!
These leaves were fiery red, warm orange, and bright yellow.
Under the sunlight, they appeared exceptionally vivid!
On the second day after the Autumn Selection ended, at 10 AM.
The Maple Viewing Event followed immediately.
First-year high school students Alice, Megumi, Soma, Ryo, Akira, Subaru, and Takumi arrived early.
Previously, they were opponents on the stage of the Autumn Selection.
Thus, at this exchange meeting, their relationships naturally seemed tense.
As a result, sitting together, the atmosphere was awkward.
…
"Really."
"Why do we have to attend such meaningless exchange meetings again?"
"In my opinion, our group of Elite Ten should collectively review and abolish these particularly boring academy activities and systems!"
The Elite Ten appeared one after another.
At the forefront was Terunori, habitually resting his hands behind his head and complaining.
Following him were the other members of the Totsuki Elite Ten, in order:
Second seat Rindo, fourth seat Momo, first seat Eishi, fifth seat Saito, third seat Togo, sixth seat Nene... all the way to the tenth seat Erina!
With this, all the top representatives of Totsuki's strongest force were present.
Most Totsuki students, upon leaving school or being forced to withdraw, might not have ever known all the members of the Elite Ten or their names.
Thus, this Maple Viewing Event.
The main attraction was the collective appearance of the Elite Ten.
But even Soma and the others didn't expect that when the Elite Ten appeared, each of them acted superior and didn't bother to acknowledge these "rising stars."
Of course, in fact, given Soma, Alice, and Akira's personalities, they didn't come to the Maple Viewing Event to engage with their seniors.
They were all eager, thinking about how to seize this opportunity to challenge the Elite Ten's positions!
…
"The senior with the golden hair."
"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Soma, the third place winner of this Autumn Selection. Are you interested in a food war with me?"
Soma, the troublemaker, immediately stood up and challenged Terunori.
"A food war?"
"What a joke!"
"A bunch of brats who don't even have all their hair grown dare to challenge my position?"
Terunori's face showed disdain.
"Terunori, you call him a brat, but who was the one who challenged us seniors to a food war at last year's Maple Viewing Event?"
Rindo, who was beside him, asked while eating snacks.
"Uh!"
"Can they compare to me?"
Hearing his dark history being exposed by Rindo, Terunori felt instantly embarrassed.
"Oh? And who was instantly defeated 5-0 by Eishi?"
Rindo chuckled.
"Senior, it's been a year since that happened, can we not bring it up?"
Terunori finally lost his composure!
"Sigh!"
"This is annoying!"
"Why do these new students always resolve things with food wars?"
"Now, as the current first seat, I'm almost overwhelmed handling these disputes daily."
Eishi, seeing the chaotic scene, weakly smiled.
Indeed, he seemed more exhausted and weary than the other Elite Ten members!
"Recently, the conflicts and issues within the academy have been increasing. Even now, these new students don't show any fear in their eyes when looking at us."
Rindo continued eating snacks, her gaze becoming sharp as she spoke coldly.
At this moment, everyone understood clearly.
The internal conflicts among the students of Totsuki Academy had reached an irreconcilable point.
On the surface, everything seemed calm, but this was just the calm before the storm.
Moreover, none of them expected that the problems exposed at the Maple Viewing Event would erupt soon with the arrival of a fearsome individual!
From the beginning, Rindo, Terunori, and the other Elite Ten members hadn't taken this exchange meeting seriously.
In the end, the meeting ended without any joy.
This supposedly significant Maple Viewing Event ended abruptly in a strange manner!
However, during this brief exchange, some issues were subtly exposed.
Firstly, the Elite Ten themselves were not all united and couldn't sit down to discuss things calmly.
Instead, due to constant competition for their interests, there were heavy internal conflicts.
Then.
For Soma and the others.
They were the elites who survived the rigorous selection process of the Autumn Selection, meaning:
They all had the potential to become the next Elite Ten.
This made them more confident and hopeful about replacing the Elite Ten.
Thus, the end of the Maple Viewing Event indicated that not only were the conflicts among the Elite Ten unresolved, but the tension between the rising stars and their senior predecessors was also escalating!
…
"Erina."
"Our showdown is coming soon, right?"
Seeing Erina about to leave, Alice hurriedly stopped her.
First, her gaze tightened, her nerves taut, then she looked serious and spoke to her.
"Don't think that just because you won the Autumn Selection, you're closer to becoming an Elite Ten."
After a pause, Erina turned and said.
"Hmph!"
"You're jealous!"
Alice crossed her arms, her tone mocking.
Her smug attitude naturally made Erina not want to deal with her, so she walked past her.
Then, as if thinking of something, Erina stopped and continued, "Soon it will be the practical training. I've talked with grandpa; this is the best collaboration opportunity between Totsuki and the tavern."
"Instead of showing off in front of me, you should prepare."
"Think about how to handle the upcoming practical training!"
With that, Erina left.
"Collaboration?"
"Is the tavern really going to become..."
Alice was stunned by this statement.
…
Practical training takes place after the Autumn Selection.
Compared to the residential training and the Autumn Selection, it has stricter rules and assessments.
During this period, all first-year students are assigned to various restaurants outside the school for internships, and the level of these restaurants varies.
From high-end restaurants.
To food manufacturers and various public institutions.
In short, they are either partners of Totsuki Academy or renowned restaurants, hotels, etc., in the culinary industry.
Since the dispatched students represent Totsuki Academy, if they do anything to damage Totsuki's reputation, the consequence is:
Expulsion!
Of course, even if there are no mistakes or delays in work during the internship, there is still a risk of expulsion.
Because the practical training has a rule that interns must leave "tangible results."
What are tangible results?
For example:
Turning around the restaurant's unfavorable business situation.
Having a dish you created appear on the restaurant's menu.
Changing the restaurant's business method.
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