Chapter 507: Confrontation (6)
Chapter 507: Confrontation (6)
When the junior chef informed him of the Jotus Guide chefs’ arrival, Yohei calmly wiped his face and hands with a towel. He lifted his damp bangs and looked back at the door.
“Okay, let’s go.”
He stepped out of the kitchen. It was too late to hesitate. He no longer saw his boss Yoshimoto as satisfied with a long-lost glory—even if that happy path would be easier for Yoshimoto.
Even if you’re unhappy, you must be a real chef.
Yohei thought his boss might be better off as a happy clown than an unhappy chef. He clung stubbornly to this belief. Maybe it was stubbornness, but that was how he protected his chef Yoshimoto. Whether his approach was right no longer mattered. He had decided, and he wouldn’t retreat.
I hear Kaya’s new recipe is fantastic!
The culinary world, not only in New York but beyond, had caught whispers about Kaya’s recipe. People’s reactions to the Jotus chefs were enthusiastic. If anything stood in their way, it was proving Kaya’s skills as Minjoon’s equal—they were still not fully convinced.
But if she could demonstrate her talents, far beyond what she’d shown so far, she and Minjoon could lead future culinary trends.
Can their dishes surpass their teacher’s?
Buttoning his chef’s suit tightly, though it felt constricting, Yohei didn’t want to appear slack before Minjoon and Kaya—even as he had boldly invited them to confront his boss.
“Good morning,” Yohei greeted awkwardly.
Minjoon smiled gently. “Good to see you again. Is Chef Yoshimoto in?”
“Yes. He’s warming up in the kitchen before serving you his dishes.”
Yohei meant no deception, but he could not truthfully say his boss wished to meet them.
Minjoon understood his meaning but remained silent, unwilling to diminish such a devoted chef’s pride while breaking his boss.
Without delay, Minjoon and Kaya entered the kitchen. The garden-like space impressed them still—bearing modern touches yet evoking a 17th-century Japanese restaurant.
Soon, they were served the most modern cuisine.
“You have sous-vide ready, right?”
“Yes, as instructed.”
“How about the jelly, chutney, jam?”
“Perfect. Check it out,” Yohei said confidently.
Kaya studied Yohei’s face—worn but determined. She understood: he initiated this out of desire, cooking alongside his sous-chef duties.
Yet he had strong reason to persevere. Kaya’s Six Meat showcased her remarkable palate. It wasn’t just the dish’s concept; she would have believed Minjoon’s version since he had a perfect grasp of subtle tastes.
Maybe Kaya does too...
When she glanced sharply at him, Yohei took all the requested ingredients forward. He placed boiled ox tongue, pork cheeks, ox head, brisket, oxtail, and cotechino before Kaya. She tasted every component—the meats, onion jam, apple chutney, red and yellow pepper jellies, parsley air.
Nodding, she said, “You’ve made them right. With these ingredients, you’ll bring out the taste as I intended.”
“Really?”
“Where’s Chef Yoshimoto? Still warming up?”
“I’m here!”
Yoshimoto answered from within the kitchen, his expression grumpy. Kaya folded her arms and turned toward him.
“You’re not kicking us out, right? I felt last time you didn’t like us.”
“I don’t think you’re my guests—you’re the guests Yohei called,” Yoshimoto replied bitterly. Stubborn and odd, then and now. She shook her head.
Meanwhile, Minjoon approached Yohei, who was perfecting the plating. His cooking score was zero—the dish replicated Kaya’s original Six Meat flawlessly.
Would Yoshimoto truly accept this dish?
This dish was opposite to what Yoshimoto desired. Firmly rooted in tradition and resisting modernity, Yoshimoto might find it repellent, blending as it did culinary innovations.
But he must accept change; a dish shouldn’t be rejected solely for being new or non-traditional if it’s positive.
Did June’s influence play a part? Minjoon pondered outcomes. Acceptance would be good—it meant Yoshimoto overcoming stubbornness, reconciling with them, and welcoming outside critique generously.
Yoshimoto’s change would weaken his supporters who opposed Minjoon and Kaya. Without him, their unjust criticism would falter.
But what if he refused?
At that moment, Yohei approached Yoshimoto with a plate.
“Chef Yoshimoto!”
Yoshimoto looked at him with complex feelings, aware Yohei hadn’t summoned Jotus merely to urge reconciliation.
“Many complaints, Yohei?”
“This dish is great. From recipe to making it to tasting, I’m impressed. I upheld all your basic culinary rules, but this reminded me of a vision I’d overlooked. I believe you’ll feel the same trying it.”
“You embarrass me, Yohei.”
Yoshimoto sighed. Yohei lowered his head. Yoshimoto felt guilt for making Yohei feel guilty. He wearily picked up chopsticks.
“Give me some. Let me taste.”
Knowing his teacher wouldn’t use knife or fork, Yohei cut the jellies into six equal parts, allowing Yoshimoto to pick up all flavors at once with chopsticks.
His face didn’t change. Each bite seemed met with resigned contemplation.
After tasting, he muttered plaintively, “Did you want to show me this so badly?”
He didn’t address Minjoon or Kaya.
Yohei replied, “Times change. You cannot cling to old glory, Chef Yoshimoto. It’s time to seek new glory actively.”
“I’ve found and won much glory already. Why keep chasing it?”
“Because you love glory,” Yohei said troubled.
Looking into Yoshimoto’s vacant eyes, Yohei continued, “You began cooking to achieve glory, and still pursue it. Remember what you said? There comes a time when chefs lie to themselves. You might want to tell yourself ‘this dish is enough,’ but it’s not.”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“No. I want to help you stop lying.”
He looked at the empty plate that held the six meats, then smiled sadly.
“Though tired, people aren’t. This is reality and our future. Cooking is an art we create. It’s time chefs become artists. And I want to walk this path with you—not alone—in this age.”
“Hahaha.”
Yoshimoto laughed—but without joy, his smile was empty. It was natural; his dear student Yohei was asking him to wake and face reality.
Deep inside, Yoshimoto remained stubborn, unwilling to accept change. He clung to the belief that his dishes and tastes of old were still the best.
Still gripped by stubbornness and pride, he turned to Kaya and Minjoon, eyes on the future Yohei spoke of.
“What was the name of this dish?”
“Six Meat.”
“Six Meat...”
He groaned briefly, then paused.
“This is fantastic...”
Finally, Yoshimoto accepted change.
Kaya exchanged a gentle smile with Minjoon.
There was no childishness left in arguing who had won or lost.
In any case, Minjoon and Kaya had won.