Chapter 180: Taking the Initiative (2)
Chapter 180: Taking the Initiative (2)
They set off in the food truck shortly after lunch. Their destination was Hollywood. Since the area drew crowds at every hour of the day, Rachel had decided it would be the best place to hold the tasting. Rose Island was already famous enough that it hardly needed publicity, but there was still a difference between being actively present in people’s minds and merely lingering in the corner of their memories.
With so many people travelling together, the food truck alone was not enough. Justin drove the truck, while the demi chefs and prep cooks rode in the van.
It was no surprise that the prep cooks were too nervous to say much. The demi chefs were tense for a different reason, so they were not particularly talkative either.
In the middle of the silence, Jo Minjoon simply stared at his smartphone.
#We are currently headed to Hollywood.
We plan to hold a simple molecular gastronomy tasting.
Anyone interested is welcome to come and try it. The location is……
Maya Patel: Molecular gastronomy? It seems rare to find a fine-dining restaurant these days that doesn’t use molecular gastronomy.
└Kylee Wilson: Molecular gastronomy is often treated as something completely separate from traditional cooking, but really, it just means approaching cooking scientifically. So if you want to be strict about it, technically all cooking is molecular gastronomy.
Ravin May: Congratulations, Minjoon. I was wondering when it would happen, but you finally made Kaya your woman. So when’s the wedding?
└Jo Minjoon: I’m only twenty-one years old. It’s still…… a bit early to think about marriage.
└Kaya Lotus: @Jo Minjoon So that’s how you feel?
└Jo Minjoon: @Kaya Lotus ······ Why are you looking at this right now?
The peaceful comment section instantly froze under a sudden chill.
Jo Minjoon stared nervously at the screen. Kaya did not reply. No matter how anxiously he refreshed the page, all he saw were comments from other people.
Ravin May: Did I just start a fire between those two?
└ Jasmyn Osburn: I think so.
└ Anderson Russo: Thank you. Thank you very much.
Jo Minjoon silently turned his head.
Anderson was staring at his smartphone without making eye contact with him.
Jo Minjoon asked in a low voice, “Anything you want to say?”
“No.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
Jo Minjoon slowly shook his head at Javier’s question.
Perhaps Javier did not want the earlier silence to return, because he quickly started another conversation.
“Anyway, I’m both nervous and excited. Since we’re going to Hollywood, maybe some celebrities will show up as customers.”
“Even if we weren’t going to Hollywood, once the restaurant opens, we’ll have plenty of reservations. I’m sure a good number of celebrities will come too.”
“Even Obama might come.”
At Minjoon’s response, both the demi chefs and the prep cooks burst out laughing.
Only Anderson nodded seriously.
“It’s probably just a matter of when he comes. I’m sure he would. Assuming he can get through and make a reservation.”
“Don’t restaurants usually give special treatment to VIPs like that?”
“Teacher Rachel is famous for not doing anything like that. Honestly, once you reach Teacher’s level, there aren’t really any consequences for refusing. Restaurants usually give special treatment to celebrities for the publicity, but Rose Island doesn’t need publicity. If it’s a personal relationship, I suppose she could entertain them privately outside the restaurant……”
A restaurant where even the President of the United States had to wait in line.
Just being a member of that kitchen seemed like it would inspire a certain sense of pride.
Perhaps that was one reason Rachel’s disciples continued operating under the ‘Rose Island’ name even though they had become giants of the industry themselves. Maybe that pride played a significant role.
“I want to open something like a Rose Island branch myself someday.”
Given the direction of the conversation, it was only natural for someone to say something like that.
The problem was who had said it.
Antonio looked towards the driver’s seat in surprise.
“Justin. You’re only an apprentice. Isn’t it a bit early to be talking about that?”
“Hey.”
Before Justin could respond, Janet turned a cold gaze towards Antonio.
Antonio stiffened.
“Yes, Chef?”
“Who are you to tell someone else not to dream? Can’t an apprentice think about what they want to do in the future? Are they not qualified even to do that?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant……”
“Of course that’s what you meant. Then what do you think about while you’re cooking? Don’t you imagine having your own kitchen someday? Owning your own restaurant? But because he’s only an apprentice, you’re telling him he shouldn’t have a dream like that yet. That it’s too early. That’s exactly what you just said.”
“Chef. I’m fine.”
Sensing the atmosphere growing tense, Justin spoke up to calm Janet down.
Janet slowly turned towards him.
Her gaze was still sharp and fierce.
“You’re fine?”
“Yes. Chef Antonio was only joking……”
“So it’s fine to turn your dream into a joke?”
Justin could not answer immediately.
Janet looked at the two of them with clear displeasure.
Jo Minjoon placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke calmly.
“Janet. I understand where you’re coming from, but don’t put them on the spot like that. I’m sure Antonio didn’t mean anything malicious by it.”
“……I understand, so move your hand. I’m calm.”
Jo Minjoon raised both hands and shot Antonio a meaningful look.
Thankfully, Antonio understood and quickly spoke.
“I’m sorry. I won’t treat someone else’s dream like that again.”
“Why are you apologising to me?”
“Ah. Right. Sorry, Justin.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’m glad that ended nicely.”
Javier grinned tactlessly as he said it.
Jo Minjoon nodded.
“Janet really is nice. Looking after our youngest like that.”
Janet gave Minjoon a look that clearly asked what the hell he was talking about, then remained silent. If she answered, she would only make herself look ridiculous.
The prep cooks in the back began whispering.
“Nice?”
“Is he serious?”
“I never thought I’d hear someone call Chef Janet nice. Especially after something like that.”
“Try to understand. Chef Minjoon is Kaya’s boyfriend, after all.”
At those words, all of them nodded as though the explanation made perfect sense.
They soon arrived at their destination.
It was in front of a theatre in Hollywood.
The moment Jo Minjoon and Anderson got out of the vehicle, a group of people crowded around them as though they had been waiting.
Their voices burst out all at once.
“Anderson! Can you take one picture with me?”
“Minjoon, congratulations on working things out with Kaya!”
“Can you sign this for me?”
Jo Minjoon and Anderson had no choice but to be swept along by the momentum.
With nervous expressions, they took photographs, shook hands, and signed autographs.
They were grateful there were not too many people.
The others simply watched the two of them dealing with the fans.
Javier muttered enviously, “I should’ve gone on Grand Chef too. Then I’d have fans like that.”
“I’m sure people crowd around them all the time, not just once or twice. I wouldn’t like it. I prefer things quiet.”
“Yes. That sounds exactly like you.”
Javier laughed at Janet’s words, then looked towards the prep cooks.
Gerrick murmured as though the reality had only just sunk in.
“The two of them are basically celebrities.”
“It’s probably only a matter of time before they become star chefs. They already have the recognition.”
“So cool.”
“The four of you over there. Stop staring and come here. Let’s set up the kitchen.”
“Ah, yes, Chef!”
At Javier’s order, the prep cooks hurried over.
Thanks to that, by the time Jo Minjoon and Anderson managed to escape their unexpected baptism by fans, the food truck had already been prepared.
Jo Minjoon immediately checked the jelly pastas in the truck’s refrigerator.
Their condition looked good.
He turned to Gerrick, who was standing beside him.
“Just do it the way we practised. I’m trusting you.”
“Yes, Chef!”
There was a simple reason Minjoon said that to Gerrick.
For this tasting, the demi chefs would not actually cook. Instead, they would serve the food themselves and explain their dishes.
However, because Minjoon’s dish required some finishing touches, he had chosen Gerrick as his assistant. Gerrick had performed the best during the audition, and since none of the other demi chefs had any particular preference among the prep cooks, no one objected to Minjoon taking him.
“Let’s go over it one last time. The ravioli can be served as it is. For the spaghetti with crushed peanuts, don’t crush the peanuts until just before serving. Once the meatball is slightly warm, chop it and place it on top of the lasagne. And don’t over-season it. The lasagne jelly is already seasoned inside. Got it?”
“Yes, Chef. Don’t worry. I practised all night.”
“For someone who practised all night, you don’t have any dark circles. You look fine.”
“I have pretty good stamina.”
Jo Minjoon smiled and patted Gerrick on the shoulder.
“All right. I’m leaving it to you.”
Whether it was coincidence or inevitability, each of the demi chefs had ended up using a different molecular gastronomy technique.
Javier had made a coffee foam sauce with a saffron crème anglaise. Janet had refined the film ravioli she had made before into her final dish. Anderson, meanwhile, had mixed egg whites with water and microwaved them, serving them with lemon cream made using a broccolini powder sauce.
(Translator’s Note: Crème anglaise — A light pouring custard made principally from milk or cream, egg yolks, sugar, and often vanilla. Unlike pastry cream, it is normally not thickened with flour or starch. It became established within French professional pastry and dessert preparation during the nineteenth century and is commonly used as a dessert sauce or as a base for preparations such as ice cream.)
Considering they had only had ten days to prepare, the results were fairly impressive.
Perhaps because of that, Rachel and Rafael, standing in front of the gathered crowd, looked even more confident and energetic than usual.
Rachel raised her voice.
“Thank you for joining us for today’s Rose Island tasting. The first dishes you’ll be trying are the creations my demi chefs have spent the last ten days preparing. Afterwards, you’ll also have the chance to try Rafael’s molecular ice cream.”
“If you remain in your seats, the demi chefs themselves will come to you and explain their dishes. Please wait patiently.”
While Rachel and Rafael explained how the tasting would proceed, Anderson looked around at the crowd.
He spotted several familiar faces and quietly whispered to Jo Minjoon.
“You see that white-haired old man over there?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“He runs a one-star restaurant downtown. And that Asian woman with the Chinese-style makeup? She owns a two-star restaurant.”
“……Did they come to spy on us?”
“Honestly, even if we do well, it won’t really hurt their sales. But I’m sure Rose Island is still on their minds. This is a legendary return. Even after it closed, Rose Island was still chosen as the restaurant that represented LA, and all of them have been trying to take that position. Sales aside, fame matters too.”
Jo Minjoon nodded.
Being called the best was fascinating no matter what world you were in.
The serving began.
Thankfully, Gerrick performed exactly as Minjoon had hoped.
Every time one of the rectangular plates carrying the three varieties of pasta passed by, people stared at it in amazement.
“It’s incredible. Didn’t you say you only started molecular gastronomy recently?”
“I only started molecular gastronomy recently, but I’ve been cooking for quite a while. I’d like to be modest and say I still have a long way to go, but it feels strange saying that to a customer. Please enjoy.”
“What order should I eat them in?”
“Start with the green spaghetti. The smooth broth and the oiliness of the peanuts should feel pleasant in your mouth. After that, try the lasagne. Chilli sauce and tomato paste are mixed directly into the jelly, so even without any additional sauce, eating it with the meatball should provide plenty of flavour. Finish with the fruit ravioli. It’s been fermented for a day, so the sweetness should be even stronger.”
Ironically, out of the four demi chefs, Jo Minjoon—the foreigner—was the best at dealing with customers.
It was not a matter of pronunciation or accent.
Jo Minjoon’s expression combined Javier’s gentle smile, Anderson’s sincerity, and Janet’s quiet air of mystery.
He knew what he needed to say.
His brief experience working as an English teacher might also have contributed to how skilfully he handled customers.
One thing was certain: his manner genuinely made the people receiving the food feel as though they were being properly served.
After listening to his calm, gentle explanations, they felt they could simply relax and enjoy the complicated flavours of molecular gastronomy.
How many customers had he served like that?
Jo Minjoon picked up another plate and approached the next person.
It was a woman with dark brown hair, wearing a refreshing floral-patterned dress. Large sunglasses covered half her face, but regardless of what kind of eyes were hidden behind them, she gave the impression that she must be beautiful.
Jo Minjoon smiled.
“Hollywood really does have a lot of beautiful women.”
“Thank you. Could you explain the dish?”
Her voice was husky and slightly nasal, as though her nose were blocked.
Jo Minjoon searched his memory for a moment.
He felt as though he had heard that voice before.
He carefully set the plate down and began explaining.
“This green spaghetti is jelly made with basil and chicken broth. I added crushed peanuts on the outside for some oiliness. The lasagne is jelly made with chilli sauce and tomato paste, and this ravioli is jelly made from a mixture of blue curaçao and fruit juice. Inside are pears and lime juice.”
“You seem happy.”
“I don’t know about other times, but whenever I serve a dish I made to a customer, I feel like I should be excited. Like my heart should be fluttering. That way, the customer can enjoy my cooking too.”
At Jo Minjoon’s answer, the woman smiled beneath her sunglasses.
If that smile seemed somehow lonely, perhaps that was only his imagination.
Without being able to see her eyes, how could he possibly read loneliness from nothing more than the corners of her lips?
The woman spoke.
“You’re still the same.”
“……What?”
She answered as though she knew Jo Minjoon personally.
Of course, it would not have been strange for her to know him. He had appeared on television often enough.
But the way she said it did not feel like something spoken by a person who had merely seen him on TV.
Then, suddenly, Jo Minjoon realised whose voice hers resembled.
The woman removed her sunglasses.
Her playful voice slipped softly into Minjoon’s ears.
“I didn’t expect you to recognise me right away…… but this is too much. You really couldn’t figure it out until the very end?”
Jo Minjoon’s voice trembled.
“……Chloe?”