Chapter 256 - Quarters Part 2

(5 Minutes before the time runs out)

"Mmm, so judges, who else do you think are the ones we should watch? Wang Ming has impressed us by his unique cooking methods but who else has impressed you?" Angela asked.

Natasha tried to hog the microphone, but the staff wanted for each judge to name one contestant each, so everyone would get screening time. 

"Great question, Angela. Then please let me follow up with another question. For the ones you pick could you please give us an explanation as well? This would make it easier for the ones at home to follow."

Natasha, being the one who loves the limelight, answered first after a few seconds of deliberation. "There are many impressive candidates but if I had to choose one it has to be Tan Ai. She has shown us multiple times already how creative she is. This round's no different. From what I've observed, she's making a fried rice risotto together with a raw fish salad. I love how she incorporates cooking techniques from different countries into her own style. She has clearly taken inspiration from Italian cuisine for her fried rice, and salad Japanese cuisine. Though I wonder if she will have enough time to finish up her dish, as it seems like she's running low on time."

"Mmm, thank you Natasha for the great insight! Mr Gao, what about you?"

"I think it's a bit cliche of me to say this, but Mr. Cheng is the one that has impressed me the most this competition, even though he has had a few bad incidents, this is a tough and nerve-wracking competition so I understand his actions. I think he's just taking the competition seriously and didn't have any malicious intent. But anyway, what's impressed me about him, is how he keeps innovating and keeping his cooking techniques fresh, many older chef's hold themselves back by clinging on to the past, yet he's the oldest contestant this year and he knows how to keep it fresh."

"What about you Mr. Jiang?" 

"Me and Miss Xiu has the same person in mind I assume, so I'll let her do the talking, that's fine with you, right? Little Xiu?" Smiling at each other Xiu Xie said. 

"That's fine. I know you asked someone other than Wang Ming, but I still have to talk about him. He's the youngest contestant we've ever had on this show, I was previously the youngest winner ever at 36 years, but it seems like that record's in danger tomorrow. What's impressed me the most with Wang Ming is how he's worked under pressure these past 2 days, he's shown his ability to adapt in stressful situations, excellent knowledge and creativity. If you just think about when we were his age, none of us even had the qualifications to enter the competition, when we were at his age."

"I totally agree with you, Miss Xiu!" Meng Zhong said, beaming. His happiness made it look like they were talking about Meng Hao, his own son. Some even wondered if Wang Ming is Meng Zhong's bastard child. His genuine happiness radiated to everyone who was watching at home. They couldn't help but smile seeing such a dignified business man show raw, unfiltered emotion live on television. 

"Mmm, everyone please gather your attention back to the contestants, it's time for judging as the times out. Everyone watching the show please give everyone a loud applause for their effort the moment they exit their booths." Angela's sweet voice entranced the men watching on their televisions. They couldn't help but start clapping even before anyone had left their booth. Many regretted the clapping after feeling a stinging pain at their sides and the daggers being directed directly at them from their significant other.

After this year's competition, the production stopped inviting Angela or any other woman who what the housewives categorized as a s.u.c.c.u.b.u.s. As they had gotten over 20 thousand calls from angry housewives, who all demanded that they ban Angela from the show and to never have a woman on the show again to seduce their husbands. Though funnily enough many years later to spicy up the show they instead had a very charming and seductive male MC on the show instead, which triggered thousands of angry husbands to call. After that they decided to just have qualified MC's someone everyone respects like Meng Zhong.

Hearing the loud applause when they left their booths, all the contestants felt proud. They had done their best already, now they just had to wait for the results. Taking the word, Meng Zhong congratulated everyone. "You all should be proud of yourself! We've observed you all and we're overwhelmed by the skills you have all shown. But only 8 of you will qualify for the next round, but don't be sad, for you to get to this round is the dream of so many chefs already, be proud and have your head high, this round has been the hardest on the judges, as it's that close between you all."

Even though Cheng Kecheng and the other are older than Meng Zhong they all still brimmed with pride after hearing his speech, they didn't care that Meng Zhong's younger than them, his background and what he's accomplished made them regard him like their elder.

"Eh, If you hear your name then please present your dish to the judges, meanwhile use the heat box we've given you to keep your dish hot."

The production had placed a TV behind the judges between Natasha and Gao Ying. There were 2 different lists on the screen, one list with a star, the other with a circle. Xie Xiu stood up from her seat and said. "I'll keep this short. Most of you should already know about this, you'll present the dish to us we'll taste test it and together with what we've observed, we'll put your name on either list. If you're on the list with the star, you're through to the next round as for the other list you should know. Now Tan Ai, please step up. Miss Natasha has observed you like a bird to her egg."

Being the first one up, everyone could see the nervousness in her movement, but still Tan Ai puffed her c.h.e.s.t up and presented her dish to the judges. Her dish impressed the judges with not only her creativity, but the dish also tasted amazing. Even though she has incorporated so many cooking techniques, it still tasted like authentic Chinese fried rice, which amazed them.

After seeing Tan Ai's name appear on the star list, Jiang Zhu clapped his hands and said. "Everyone, please congratulate Tan Ai for being the first person to qualify for the next round! Now Shin Wen please step up."

Hearing Shin Wen's name, Wang Ming perked his ears up and gave his full attention to what's happening. He still remembers Uncle Hou's warning about Shin Wen being one of his contenders. When Shin Wen revealed his dish, the reaction of the people at home was tame, his dish didn't look as flashy and delicious like Tan Ai's dish, but Wang Ming knew that for someone at this level, they all have a few tricks in their back pocket. 

"Shin Wen do you want to give us a presentation for your dish?" 

"It would be my honor, dear judges. I've created a unique dish for you guys today. This is my 'Egg' fried rice. Inside this egg-shaped fried rice is a salted egg yolk. I've fried the rice till it's crispy on the outside but it should be soft on the inside."

Gao Ying was the first one to examine the dish, the dish impressed him. He hadn't observed what Shin Wen had done and couldn't help but wonder how he had controlled the temperature and timed it for the yolk to still be runny. "This is an amazing and technical dish, yet what's lacking is taste. Your technique in handling the rice, cooking the yolk is perfect, but you failed to taste your own product after you finished cooking it. Even a pinch of salt would have elevated the dish to the next level."

Shin Wen's face looked ashen, as he knew what Gao Ying said was true. He hadn't tasted the dish after he cooked it. He had spiced everything before he cooked it, but he had probably not put enough for it to still keep the taste of spices after cooking. Sighing, Shin Wen walked back in shame. After taking two steps, Gao Ying called his name and said. 

"Why are you so rushed? Even though it tasted little, this is still a brilliant concept and I love it, we've agreed to put you on the star list. Congratulations!"

Shin Wen couldn't believe his ears. In just a moment he had gone from hell straight to heaven. Hugging Gao Ying, Shin Wen almost flew back to his kitchen counter. Even though they're all competitors, it made Wang Ming feel good that another chef succeeded. It increased the pressure he feels though, since it means that there's 2 fewer spots.

"Next up, Wang Ming."