Chapter 192 - A Delighful Sampling

Zenia began preparing the dishes that she planned to present to the head cook. She already felt that she was not welcome, and it did not surprise her anymore. It was a common occurrence in any place when there was a new worker, even in Ishelon. These workers would always feel threatened when somebody new was hired. The treatment was even worse for those who came from a distant land.

No matter how the head cook looked at Zenia's movement when preparing the ingredients for her dish, she was really amazed. Zenia seemed to be dancing and well-adept in handling her knives. The chopping and clashing sounds of the knives along with the splashing of water were in perfect rhythm. Even the sound when she was placing the prepared ingredients on the plates seemed like music to the head cook's ears.

'Humph, let's see if your dish is as good as mine.'

The head cook was confident that Zenia would not be able to even match the signature dish of L'Amour du Chateau that she had created. Madam Bisset was very fond of it. Although she got to admit that it was the only selling dish in the restaurant of their inn. When their regular customers got tired of the dish, they would go to the next restaurant and never return.

Zenia began cooking her dish and a delicious, aromatic fragrance filled the air. Even the head cook practically drooled when she smelled the enticing scent.

'Lots of dishes smell fragrant and delicious, but they are not tasty at all. Her dish is fragrant but may not be appetizing at all.'

The dish had simple ingredients but was not easy to make, although it looked like Zenia did not exert effort at all. The head cook thought that she could replicate it later without Zenia's help.

'Madam Bisset does not need to hire her once she presented all her recipes. I don't believe she has too many recipes to offer.'

Zenia did not speak a word while preparing and even when cooking. Her movements were seamless and precise. There were no unnecessary movements that could waste too much time. The head cook had never seen such a movement while cooking. Zenia was certain about the exact time to add the ingredient. She did not need to look at the timer or test the temperature of the food. She relied on her senses and sound judgment – something that the head cook lacked.

In a few minutes, the dish was cooked. Zenia put it on a plate and added decoration, and it looked even more appetizing. The enticing scent had reached Madam Bisset's room, and she went to the kitchen in a hurry. She knew that it was Zenia who cooked the dish. It was the first time for her to savor such an appetizing aroma.

Madam Bisset flung open the kitchen door and marched all the way to where Zenia and the head cook were currently standing. Madam Bisset saw the plate of delicious-looking, fragrant dish of vegetables and meat. She did not wait for the head cook to invite her to sample the dish. She ordered the maid to bring her a plate, a serving spoon, and a fork. Madam Bisset sat on a chair and used her hand to fan the smoke from the dish toward her nose. She smiled and seemed to be fully satisfied with the scent.

"This dish smells delicious and aromatic. I can't wait to have a taste of it." Madam Bisset's eyes sparkled as she smiled at Zenia.

The head cook witnessed the Madam's reaction with her own eyes. She couldn't believe that Madam Bisset would show that kind of gentle face in front of a stranger. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist.

"Thank you, Madam Bisset. I can guarantee that you will love the flavor of the dish," Zenia reassured the Madam.

'Let's see if you can still be that proud when the Madam sampled your dish. I'm sure that its taste is not as good as its aroma. I can tell that the dish tastes bland.'   

When the things she ordered to be brought had arrived, she scooped a generous portion of the dish and put it on her plate. She picked up her fork and began sampling the dish. Her eyes widened when she tasted it. The flavor exploded in her mouth and everything blended well. No ingredient overpowered the other. In fact, each ingredient seemed to complement each other. She had never tasted anything like it before. The flavor was a treat to her taste buds, and the Madam felt like she could eat it again and again.

"You are right! This dish is really something. I believe that this one can help boost the reputation of the inn's restaurant and the inn itself. Do you have other recipes to offer, Mina?"

"Yes, Madam Bisset. Allow me to prepare a few more for you."

The head cook shot daggers at Zenia, who paid her no mind. Zenia gathered the ingredients for the three dishes that she wanted Madam Bisset to sample. The dishes were a meat sandwich, salad, and soup. She was saving the dessert for last in case Madam Bisset had requested for it.

The head cook felt jealous and envious as madam Bisset showed a satisfied expression on her face. The Madam did not show that kind of face to the head cook – not even once. She had been the head cook for five years. She had decided that should do something to Zenia before she could snatch the position of the head cook.

Madam Bisset saw how Zenia worked in the kitchen, and it was delightful to see her movements. The Madam suddenly thought of making Zenia's kitchen preparation into a form of entertainment for those customers who wanted to see how their food was prepared. But then again, someone from the audience might discover how the dish was prepared and copy it. Madam Bisset dropped the idea immediately and decided that she would be the only one to see Zenia's preparation.

When all the dishes were cooked, Madam Bisset sampled them, and she liked them all. She instructed the head cook and the other workers to come and sample the new dishes. The head cook could do nothing but follow.

Once the head cook sampled Zenia's dish, her hatred was replaced with sheer delight. There was no doubt that Zenia's ability had surpassed hers. She looked at Zenia with admiration. She never imagined that she would meet someone who could whip up divine dishes within a short time. She always believed that only complicated dishes and those that must be cooked for a long time could give out the heavenly flavor that she had always wanted to achieve.

The workers of the inn felt like they were given an early bonus by just sampling the dishes. They wondered about the cost of the dish they just ate and to think that they were among the first ones who tasted the marvelous dishes.

"Mina, let me thank you now for bringing these dishes to our restaurant. I'm sure that many food lovers and guests would love to order these dishes time and again. Please don't be afraid to try new and exciting flavor to the dinner table."

"I can assure you Madam that I will try my best to make your inn flourish. It's the least I can do for giving us a place to stay and jobs to support ourselves. I and my husband will never forget your kindness for as long as we live."

"It is us who will be indebted to you once our inn becomes famous."

They talked a bit more before Madam Bisset left them to do their work. Zenia made ten dishes to be introduced the next day. The head cook no longer treated Zenia as an eyesore, especially when Zenia taught her how to prepare each dish and yield the same taste like the ones she prepared. Zenia even taught the head cook some of the ways to clean and cook meat without losing its tenderness and flavor. Overcooked meat was usually hard to eat, and it tasted like wood.

After teaching the recipe to the head cook, she excused herself to check on Vaughn. She knew that he rarely experienced some hardsh.i.p.s and may have just become the target of ridicule and jealousy from the other workers. She just hoped that Vaughn was patient enough to endure it to the end and not cause any trouble. She knew that he could easily cut everyone with his swords, but they did not want to attract attention.

When she reached the stable, she could hear the sound of laughter. She walked quickly to the direction of the laughing men and found Vaughn in the middle of the circle of men. He was not hurt or being bullied. He seemed to be telling a story.

Vaughn caught sight of Zenia from a distance, "Ah, my wife is here. She must've been worried to death when I still did not return. We are in an unfamiliar place after all. Gentlemen, allow me to introduce my wife Mina Pernen."

"Good day, Madam Pernen. We hope that you will be able to enjoy your stay here in Prazia."

"Good day, Madam."

"Hello, Madam."

All the men who were working in the stable greeted Zenia, and they looked friendly. Zenia let out a sigh of relief. It looked like she was worried for nothing. Vaughn smiled at her and gave her a wink.

They stayed for a bit more before Zenia and Vaughn bid goodbye to the workers of the stable. It was their first day in Prazia, and they should be getting themselves familiar with the inn first before their real work would begin. But, Zenia already taught that head cook about the dishes that she had presented, and Vaughn taught the workers of the stable regarding the proper way to groom the horse.

"How is it?"

"They kept making me do miscellaneous things at first, but I soon found their weakness and attacked them there," Vaughn sneered at Zenia.

"What is their weakness?"

"A good story."