Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Calorie Bomb Toast
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"Chef Song, hello! It's great to finally meet you."
I flashed a big smile at the person greeting me.
Gaunt frame, round thick glasses. No makeup on her bare face. Eyes heavy with exhaustion that made it impossible to tell when she'd last slept, and hair pulled back into a tight ponytail.
Anyone could spot her a mile away and think, *Ah, she must be a TV writer.*
"The pleasure's mine. I never imagined I'd end up on [Yuhan Challenge] like this."
"Haha. We're all about keeping it real. You were right there when Jeong Jun-hwa called, so that's how fate brought us together."
True enough.
After a short call with Jeong Jun-hwa, I'd used "recipe handover" as an excuse to jump straight into filming the next day.
You could call it a connection passed on from Bong Kang-min. It was originally Bong Kang-min's spot, but somehow it rolled over to me.
"I loved watching you on [Fridge Raid]."
Ah, that explained the "Chef" part.
I didn't have any credentials to earn that title. She must've seen me on Fridge Raid and naturally pegged me as "Chef Song."
"You were amazing there, so I'm not worried at all, but let me just run through a few things anyway..."
The writer pushed up her glasses and explained the dos and don'ts. Meanwhile, a few staffers approached to mic me up.
"...so that's the gist. Just keep those in mind."
"Got it."
"We'll cover your intro and background in subtitles. And due to airtime limits, the recipe handover won't drag on. So dive right into explaining the recipe when we start."
"Sure thing."
"Alright, let's roll!"
Busy, busy. Right—they're filming the recipe today and the actual business ops tomorrow. No wonder everyone's hustling.
Watching the staff dart around drove home how much manpower it takes to make a TV show happen.
With filming about to start, Jeong Jun-hwa, who'd been waiting off in the distance, was now heading our way.
"Please take good care of me!"
"You too."
We exchanged quick greetings, and filming kicked off.
"Jeong Jun-hwa."
"Yes?"
He looked a bit surprised that I'd taken the lead. With all his experience, he probably figured he'd steer the ship.
Fat chance.
"Do you know what the key to business really is?"
I've got a knack for sprinkling in that MSG myself.
Whether it's cooking or TV.
Jeong Jun-hwa, a notorious foodie, decides to leverage his image and strengths by selling food!
He enlists the help of culinary superstar and [Fridge Raid] sensation Song Woo-yeon, a specialist in the food biz...
That was the storyline Kang Ga-young, the [Yuhan Challenge] writer, had mapped out.
Depending on what recipe Song Woo-yeon shared, the rest of the episode outline might need a total overhaul.
No big deal. Kang Ga-young was a pro with plenty of experience under her belt.
But when something way off-script unfolded, she couldn't help but gape.
At the end of her gaze were Song Woo-yeon and Jeong Jun-hwa.
"Got a menu in mind?"
"Uh... well, I can't cook to save my life, so I was thinking something super simple. And since I'll be using a food truck, I figured toast or something."
"Toast works. But selling the same old street toast everyone knows won't stand out. You need to boost sales in just one day, right?"
"Yeah."
"So it has to grab passersby—even if they're just strolling by—make them go, 'Huh? What's that?' and turn around. You can't build regulars over months here. Buzz is key for that."
Watching Song Woo-yeon rattle off business wisdom like it was nothing, Kang Ga-young saw a side different from the "Chef Song" on [Fridge Raid].
*He talks in such a fun way. I got sucked right in without realizing it.*
Magnetic, almost. Even Kang Ga-young, who had zero interest in food service, found herself hooked.
"Toast, huh... Oh, I've got this recipe I thought of ages ago. Using that could be fun."
Song Woo-yeon grinned.
"It's called the 'Calorie Bomb Toast.'"
With that, he rummaged in the kitchen and pulled out ingredients.
Sliced bread—normal so far.
But the parade of what came next was anything but.
White chocolate, bananas, mozzarella cheese, and even peanut butter.
Jeong Jun-hwa's eyes went wide.
"Th-this is for toast?"
"Yep. You know what they say? Calories are flavor's battle power. This Calorie Bomb Toast is insanely good. Sure, it packs on the pounds too."
Then Song Woo-yeon winked playfully at the camera filming him.
"Only recommending this to folks bulking up in a hurry~."
He looked so effortlessly like a seasoned TV pro that Kang Ga-young found herself wondering about his background.
*Did he do kid modeling or something? How's he so natural on camera? Regular folks usually freeze up stiff.*
He'd been smooth on Fridge Raid too, but not *this* smooth.
"Alright, first slather that bread thick with peanut butter—no gaps."
Song Woo-yeon showed the camera a side profile of the bread and peanut butter, giving a sense of the generous amount.
"Slice the bananas as thin as possible, grate the chocolate on top, and add the cheese now too."
White banana blanket and chocolate piled onto the peanut butter.
"Top with another slice of bread, then grill low and slow on a buttered pan. Just until the cheese and chocolate melt. High heat burns the bread first~."
In no time, Song Woo-yeon plated a finished toast.
"There! Give it a try."
He sliced the calorie toast, and strings of cheese stretched out.
*Whoa. Wonder what it tastes like.*
Kang Ga-young couldn't picture it. Her eyes followed the toast involuntarily.
"Here."
Jeong Jun-hwa took a piece and shoved it in his mouth.
"Oh...!"
His eyes lit up. He stared at Song Woo-yeon in shock.
"This is seriously good!"
"Right? But don't overdo it~. The calories are no joke."
"Oof, I can tell. Wow, I thought it'd just be super sweet, but the cheese and banana balance it perfectly."
"You really know your food. Folks who've eaten a ton always do. Spot on, Jeong Jun-hwa."
As they bantered back and forth, that wasn't what mattered to Kang Ga-young right now. The remaining toast!
*Will the staff eat the rest? Can I snag a bite?*
After grueling all-nighters, that high-calorie toast was exactly the energy boost she needed.
Or at least, that's what her body seemed to crave.
As she stared openly, Song Woo-yeon glanced her way, like he'd read her mind.
"Anyone else want a taste? Jeong Jun-hwa inhales food so well, viewers might doubt it otherwise."
"I'll try it."
Kang Ga-young jumped up without missing a beat.
"Here."
Song Woo-yeon popped a perfectly bite-sized piece right into her mouth.
*Crunch.*
The moment she chewed, flavors exploded. The riot of sensations filled her dry mouth, making her head spin.
"......!"
Unable to speak, eyes wide, Song Woo-yeon grinned and asked,
"Tasty, right?"
Kang Ga-young nodded furiously. Her mouth was full, so she answered with her whole body instead.
She could feel her body welcoming the Calorie Bomb Toast. Sugar surged through her, revitalizing every inch.
She wanted one every all-nighter from now on. Kang Ga-young vowed to order bread and peanut butter tonight.
Grilled with cheese would be tricky, but bananas and chocolate should get close enough.
As she returned to her seat, jealous glances poured in. Jeong Jun-hwa, still buzzing, grabbed another piece and said,
"Man, this is insane. Sell this and you're rich for sure."
"Haha. Here's hoping."
"It's too good!"
Jeong Jun-hwa gave a thumbs-up and dove into the recipe with gusto.
Stacking ingredients and a quick grill—nothing too tough.
"Win first place, okay?"
"Yes, sir!"
Song Woo-yeon wrapped up the handover with a small pep talk and a bow.
"...Cut!"
"Great work, everyone!"
The set erupted as the director called cut. Filming was done.
Song Woo-yeon was briskly greeting everyone around. Kang Ga-young slipped in to say thanks.
"You were great out there, Chef Song."
"Ah, Writer Kang. You had the real marathon today. I just did my usual cooking thing."
"Thanks to you, we've got some fun footage. You're a natural on air."
"Haha, you think?"
As Song Woo-yeon beamed, Kang Ga-young fished a crumpled business card from her pocket.
"All I've got right now is this. Take it anyway."
Song Woo-yeon took it and handed her his in return.
Song Woo-yeon. CEO of The Song.
Kang Ga-young committed those three words to memory.
I figured that wrapped my [Yuhan Challenge] stint.
Until the day he started selling,
When Jeong Jun-hwa called my phone.
"Hello?"
-Song Chef...!
His voice cracked with sobs, and I gripped the phone tighter in alarm.
"What's wrong?"
-Big trouble. The toast...
"?
-The toast isn't selling!
What?