Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: The Legends’ Return (4)

By the time they finished tasting Rose Island’s food, everybody had a feeling. That they were going to win. It couldn’t be helped. Those watching could tell that the judges were not only touched by their food, but they were under full control.

The dishes that Rose Island offered were perfect. It was hard to believe they made it all in 30 minutes because every dish was well-made with detail. The most impressive part was the synergy between the four dishes. When it came to course meals, one didn’t eat everything at the same time. So one could say each dish had its own territory… But their course meal changed that idea.

The first salad wasn’t there just to give some variety. And the refreshing grassy flavor in it made everything taste clean. That wasn’t all. When They chewed on the carrot gnocchi and shrimp wontons, the scent of the grass remained, and it only faded once they got to the main, which was the eel.

And by the time the flavor of the eel remained on the palate, Cho Min Joon’s white chocolate pasta with strawberry sauce added sweetness to it… making it unnecessary to wash out their mouths with water. It was a refined combination. It was a course that would touch anyone who knew about flavor. Chloe closed her eyes and let the flavors take her away.

‘Min Joon… made this?’

The dessert was surprising, but what was more surprising was that Cho Min Joon managed to make everything without making a mistake. He made a molecular cooking meal without any flaws…

The combination as well as the innovative recipes were surprising. She finally got an idea of what Rachel Rose was really like. And Cho Min Joon was cooking underneath such a person. While Chloe stood in front of the camera, Cho Min Joon would become the best chef of their generation.

“This is impressive, Min Joon. No, all chefs of Rose Island. You made an incredible meal. It was smooth and impressive.”

“Thank you.”

Cho Min Joon gave a short answer. Chloe wasn’t sad. It would’ve been weird if he gave a long answer. Matthew slowly opened his mouth.

“I don’t deserve to be the host. Chloe, you don’t either. We haven’t said a word while we ate that four-course meal. Look at the audience. They look so frustrated.”

“Oh, I feel so bad for them. Too bad they can’t try this.”

“Ahem, Chloe. Let’s hold back our praises for now. We can’t show a biased attitude as hosts, now can we?”

“You’re right. We should be fair. But these dishes make it difficult. Wow… that was amazing. I can’t believe they made the dishes in such a tasteful way. I wish I could describe it to all of you so you could experience it, too. Don’t you agree, judges?”

Chloe looked back at the judges. But most of them were unable to answer. Some were sniffling from being touched while some were just staring blankly at their plates. The only one who could answer was Emily. She opened her mouth.

“Yes, I agree. This is the first time I had a hard time expressing the flavors. Rachel Rose making molecular cooking… creates a completely different vibe.”

“What’s so different?”

“The fact that it’s so well-organized. No, it’s not just that. It tells a story. If there was a problem with past molecular dishes, it was that they lacked a full understanding of molecular cooking in general. And that’s not surprising. It’s only been 10 years since molecular cooking became a thing. Even if you’re experienced in it, that only means you’ve done it for 10 years.

“So you’re saying… Rachel Rose made molecular cooking into her own thing.”

“It’s hard for me to say. But what I know for certain…”

Emily pointed at the plates. Her voice was full of emotions and excitement. Just a few minutes ago, her voice sounded cold as she criticized others.

“Rachel Rose has the best understanding of molecular cooking so far. And she uses it well. I’m sure everyone here has sensed that seeing how no one can relax.”

In response, Chloe looked around at the other judges. Emily was right. They all looked dazed. That was when Chloe realized it. That Rose Island wasn’t just a place that made great food. They had a completely different view in general. While other people just enjoyed the view of the mountain, Rose Island was in the sky helping the others see it better.

‘They help you enjoy food from a broader perspective.’

There was a limit to what one could do with one dish. And Rachel overcame that. She didn’t allow people to experience multiple dishes at once but rather used multiple dishes to create one experience. That was what remained in their mouths right now. The issue was that she did it with molecular cooking, not traditional cooking. With molecular cooking, that she wasn’t even experienced with.

And it was unfortunate that Rose Island wasn’t the last team to be evaluated. The judges weren’t touched by what followed. Their dishes weren’t bad. They were actually pretty decent. But after trying Rose Island’s course meal, they couldn’t even taste anything else. They saw it as a difference between adults and children.

‘Rose Island always went last at the competition up until 10 years ago.’

Since that became a ritual, when Rose Island went first, that elevated the tension in the competition. Did they forget that would happen because they didn’t experience Rose Island for 10 years?

‘They’ll all remember now.’

The island that everyone thought sank came back up. And now everyone could see it. Everyone would dream of getting on it. Jeremy smirked as he had such thoughts.

“The boatmen will be busy.”

***

“The winner is… Rose Island!”

When Matthew announced the results, no one looked surprised… because everyone saw it coming. Of course, some were hopeful, but the result was more like legends being acknowledged once more than a surprise. Almost everyone looked happy.

The sound of thousands of people clapping filled the hall. The same went for the chefs. They all turned toward Rose Island and gave them a sincere round of applause.

Cho Min Joon didn’t move right away. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the honor for just a little longer. He felt the sound of the applause that rang through his body as well as the eyes that all laid on him.

Cho Min Joon slowly opened his eyes. He turned around to look at his team.

“Let’s go.”

“… Us too?”

Janet sounded surprised. Cho Min Joon answered in a calm voice, “We cooked together. So we should receive the award together, too.”

Cho Min Joon began walking. There was no red carpet. But the clapping they heard was even better than a red carpet. At that moment, Chloe and Matthew watched them from the podium. Matthew slowly opened his mouth.

“Everyone missed the legends and were curious. Thank you, Rose Island. You proved to be legends. And those legends are with us now in the flesh!”

“Congratulations. You’re the winners of the 53rd LA Cooking Competition. I wish I could give you all a trophy… But we only have one. Would someone like to do the honors?”

In response to Chloe’s question, the demi chefs glanced at Cho Min Joon. Anderson pushed Cho Min Joon’s back. Cho Min Joon was taken aback, but he smiled softly and accepted the trophy from Chloe. The camera flashes went off. And he saw ‘Grand Prize’ written on the crystal trophy. Chloe put on a friendly smile and asked in a formal tone, “How do you feel?”

“… This is the first trophy I’ve received in my life. My first win. Of course, we all won it together, but I think that’s what makes it more meaningful.”

“Is there anything you’d like to say?”

Cho Min Joon gulped. He slowly looked back at the demi chefs, the audience, and the judges.

He then opened his mouth.

***

“Long time no see, Emily and Jeremy.”

“I was going to be strict if it didn’t taste good. But you didn’t even give us a chance. I’m impressed.”

“Yeah right. We just did what Rachel taught us.”

“It’s common for demi chefs to not do what they’re taught. So you have the right to be arrogant.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Cho Min Joon smirked. The competition ended and those who finished were gathered in front of the building. Rachel was there too. As soon as she appeared, the food critics looked like they wanted to talk to her. It wasn’t just the food critics. The same went for the contestants of the competition. Rachel smiled at the demi chefs.

“Godo work. I was worried you’d be nervous. But you did it.”

“It’s harder handling your gaze compared to the thousands of people in the audience. So we weren’t that nervous.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“That’s how important you are to us.”

Cho Min Joon answered playfully. At that moment, someone hugged Cho Min Joon from the back and whispered in his ear in a husky voice, “Then what about me?”

“… Kaya, we’re in public.”

“Hey, stop saying that. You’re always scolding me in public.”

Kaya puffed up her cheeks. Emily looked at them with an unfamiliar gaze.

“I heard you were dating… But it feels weird to actually see it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll feel just as weird seeing you and Allan.”

Kaya answered calmly. She sounded chill since she had no reason to be nervous around her anymore now that she wasn’t her judge. Emily looked back at Rachel in embarrassment.

“Anyway, congratulations, Rachel. I mean, thank you. You touched us once again .”

“Allan would be sad to hear that.”

“Let him be. That fool needs to learn a lesson.”

Seeing how she was grumbling, they must’ve fought recently. Jeremy smiled and asked, “Anyway, what do we do with the prize money? 30,000 dollars.”

“Cho Min Joon said something wise earlier.”

Rachel looked back at Cho Min Joon. Cho Min Joon traced his memory. He couldn’t remember what he said. Rachel slowly continued, “‘This is all thanks to Rachel. Thank you, and we love you for always teaching us.’ Thank you for saying that, Min Joon.”

“… I heard it’s good to be honest when talking about feelings.”

Cho Min Joon answered with an awkward face. Rachel smiled and opened her mouth.

“That was when I realized that the reason why we could win this competition was because you carried out your role perfectly. So…”

Rachel continued in a soft voice, “The prize money should be yours.”