"If the issues I pointed out are corrected, this dish could be perfected."
Sui concluded.
After all, he had been attending Totsuki Academy for quite some time and had a firm grasp of the fundamentals.
Moreover, he practiced cooking against Erina every night. Although the tsundere lost to him in each contest, Erina, having received elite culinary training from a young age, was an encyclopedic source of knowledge in all aspects of cuisine. Sui found himself learning something new from her every time.
"We've taken note of everything,"
Kujo Eisuke replied while jotting down the suggestions.
"Impressive! It really is Totsuki, a place brimming with talent!"
"He's truly a genius from Totsuki! Even though I've never met Miss Erina, I'd say this student is just as gifted!"
"He might even surpass her!"
The other chefs in the restaurant couldn't contain their excitement, looking at Sui with admiration.
"So, are you satisfied with this tasting?"
Sui asked with a smile.
"Very satisfied, absolutely!"
Kujo Eisuke nodded eagerly, his voice filled with relief. "I knew reaching out to Totsuki was the right call! Even if Miss Erina herself couldn't come, any Totsuki student is capable of solving our problem!"
The other chefs nodded in agreement, clearly pleased with the outcome of the tasting.
If they could make the adjustments Sui had suggested, their signature dish, French Lemon Chicken, would be even more delicious.
Sui glanced over at Sōma and the others. They were thoroughly enjoying the restaurant's desserts, much to his silent dismay.
"Sōma-kun, Yoshino, please show some restraint! It's rude to eat like that!"
Megumi scolded them, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"What's the big deal? They're giving it to us for free, aren't they?"
Sōma replied, his words muffled by the food in his mouth.
"Exactly!"
Yoshino chimed in, fully agreeing.
"By the way, earlier you mentioned something about a one-star review. What's that?"
Sui asked.
"It's the WGO's evaluation of our restaurant,"
Kujo Eisuke explained.
"WGO? What's that?"
Sui asked, puzzled.
"What? You don't know?"
Kujo Eisuke was shocked. It was hard to believe that a Totsuki student wouldn't know about the WGO.
"Yeah, what's this 'WCO' thing?"
Sōma asked between bites, still munching on his snack.
"It's WGO,"
Kujo Eisuke corrected, suppressing his disbelief. Was this student really from Totsuki?
In his eyes, Sui possessed a culinary talent comparable to or even greater than Erina, making him one of Totsuki's elite. Yet, he didn't know about the WGO?
"It stands for the World Gourmet Organization,"
Kujo explained. "It's a global body that rates restaurants, awarding up to three stars. The ratings are published annually."
"Securing even a one-star rating can make a restaurant famous, while losing it can doom a restaurant to obscurity,"
Yoshino added.
"Wait, you knew about this too?"
Sōma asked, surprised.
"Of course! It's the organization that every chef dreams of being recognized by,"
Megumi said, her voice filled with awe.
"Ah, now I remember—Shinomiya-senpai's goal was to earn a three-star rating from them,"
Sui recalled aloud.
"So, your restaurant received one star last year?"
Sui asked.
"Yes, but the standards have risen significantly this year,"
Kujo Eisuke responded nervously. "We're worried we won't retain our one-star rating, which is why we sought help..."
At that moment, a car pulled up outside the restaurant. A girl with long, jet-black hair stepped out.
She looked young, likely in her teens, and wore a white headband, a white blouse, and a red skirt. She was strikingly pretty.
She stumbled into the restaurant, carrying a large stack of thick, red-covered books with some difficulty.
"Phew, these are heavy."
She dropped the stack onto the dining table and exhaled deeply.
"Hey, miss, are you alright?"
Sōma asked, walking over.
"Thank you, I'm fine."
The girl let out a long breath, then smiled gently.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Sōma noticed Kujo Eisuke and the others, who were now staring at the girl in terror.
"Hey, are you afraid of her?"
Sōma asked, confused.
"The books... They have 'WGO' written on the cover! Could she be the auditor for this year?"
Kujo Eisuke stammered, his face pale.
The other chefs trembled, looking at the girl with a mix of fear and reverence.
"Yes, I'm this year's auditor, First-Class Archon, Ann,"
the girl said with a smile.
"What?! First-Class Archon?"
Kujo Eisuke exclaimed. "But in previous years, it was the Second-Class Consul who handled the one-star reviews. Why is it so much harder this year?"
"To control the number of awarded stars,"
Ann replied softly, her smile unwavering. "Only restaurants with truly exceptional food can be recognized by the WGO."
"That sounds pretty intense,"
Sōma remarked in awe.
"Your shirt says 'Sōma Restaurant'?"
An noticed the logo on Sōma's uniform.
"Haha, yes! It's my family's restaurant,"
Sōma replied, laughing.
"Sōma... Sōma..."
An began flipping through the thick stack of books, searching.
After a few moments, she found nothing.
Her red eyes filled with pity as she looked at Sōma and said, "Although some may think that restaurants not registered with the WGO aren't real restaurants, don't be discouraged. While your existence has no particular value, you're still alive, aren't you?"
"Why?"
Sōma was utterly confused.
"Doesn't that mean she doesn't take Sōma-kun seriously at all?"
Megumi asked, forcing a smile.
"Alright then,"
Ann sat down calmly. "Let's begin the official review."
Was this the 'challenge' they were supposed to overcome?
Watching the scene unfold, Sui couldn't help but reflect.