Chapter 524: Role Reversal (4)
Chapter 524: Role Reversal (4)
Minjoon and Kaya Lotus would become judges for the new season of the Grand Chef competition. That news shocked many chefs and people in various ways. Their reaction exceeded even the enthusiasm shown over Kaya’s Six Meat and Minjoon’s victory at the Paris International Culinary Competition. This was natural, as the Grand Chef competition held far greater significance compared to those achievements, which involved only the two chefs themselves.
Naturally, the public’s opinions were mixed. Many responded favourably. For many, it didn’t matter if Minjoon and Kaya were qualified judges—their memories of Season 3, when the two had participated and made the competition highly entertaining, left them eagerly anticipating the new season featuring them as judges. However, some questioned the duo’s cooking skills, arguing that since they had been participants only two years prior, it was unlikely they had made great improvements since. Yet, these assumptions quickly collapsed as people discovered the many achievements Minjoon and Kaya had accomplished.
For one, Minjoon and Kaya were not ordinary participants. Season 3 had seen incredibly talented contestants and was considered the best season. Participants in Grand Chef contests after Season 3 often faced disappointment from viewers when compared to Minjoon and Kaya.
Extensive debate surrounded their qualifications as judges. Ultimately, the discussion ended only after famed chefs made firm statements: Minjoon and Kaya were not just ordinary chefs; they possessed tremendous potential unmatched by others—which they were proving rapidly—and would be much greater by the time they returned as Grand Chef judges. These chefs also explained the significance of each achievement to the general public, many of whom were not amateur chefs and might not grasp the importance of the Paris International Culinary Competition.
Once people understood the competition’s significance, they could no longer dispute Minjoon and Kaya’s qualifications, since Minjoon’s victory at Paris made him stand tall before even the most respected head chefs, despite still being a sous chef.
Time passed swiftly. Autumn gave way to winter. December arrived, a time to close the year positively. The selection of Rose Island’s new executive general, replacing Rachel, loomed near.
“Oh, thank you very much for those files you sent last time. See you next time.”
The call ended. June, who had been quietly contemplating with a pen between her lips, spat it out and looked at Minjoon.
“Was that Lisa?”
“Yes.”
“When I first heard she had lung cancer, I feared the worst. But she seems to be enduring it well.”
“Well, she has a reason to endure.”
“If I had a reason, I wouldn’t even have a headache like this,” she sighed.
Minjoon understood. It had taken her a year to devote herself to making the perfect full course at Rachel’s request.
If she had shown such dedication, her restaurant should have returned to its rightful place. But it hadn’t. The failure to craft a full course attractive enough to win the competition wasn’t due to lack of work; she failed to meet Rachel’s expectations and lagged behind Dave.
Can she win?
Minjoon agonised briefly. He told Dave June would easily lose if he participated. Yet as time passed, doubt crept in. She hadn’t surpassed her limit with her final dish. Perhaps that was natural, as she hadn’t heard from Rachel since Jotus last rated her restaurant. Maybe the atmosphere there had shifted, but as June’s sous chef, it was inappropriate for Minjoon to be absent too often. Indeed, June was generous in letting him visit Rachel’s and other restaurants for Jotus Guide.
“Can I do it?”
June’s question revealed the same doubts as Minjoon’s own. It was uncharacteristic, showing her rarely exposed vulnerability.
Realising this, she shook her head bitterly.
“No, don’t answer me. It’s a pointless question.”
“You can’t, as things stand.”
“I appreciate your honesty more than lies,” she sighed deeply.
But Minjoon was telling the truth. Without improving, she couldn’t beat Dave.
“Should I compete with him in plating and service instead?”
“Well, Chef Rachel won’t approve either. She made the same choice long ago and regrets it more than anyone now.”
“So, you’re saying I must beat Dave purely with my cooking… Damn!”
She cursed, out of character but understandable given her nerves. She knew the judges’ evaluation of her dishes was imminent, and her cooking wasn’t yet perfect.
“I wish I had more talent.”
“I think you do. You’ve worked hard, and without talent, you wouldn’t be here.”
“Stop it. When you speak of talent, I just get upset for no reason.”
Minjoon made a bitter face. He wanted to say he wasn’t the type to rely on talent—at least he believed so—a clumsy genius who owed more to effort.
But June would think he was mocking her—they all knew his name was synonymous with talent.
“Have I been distracted by other things too much?”
“You have been active outside the restaurant, but that doesn’t mean you’ve neglected cooking.”
“But looking back, I’m sorry for the time I spent on social connections. Chef Rachel wouldn’t care about that.”
Rachel focused solely on cooking; political skill meant little to her. June invested massive effort meeting influential figures solely to become Rachel’s successor at Rose Island’s main restaurant. Was all that time wasted?
“It’s funny. Everyone in the world recognises me, but Rachel doesn’t as much.”
“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t recognise you, Chef June. But in cooking, she rates Dave higher.”
“Which means she doesn’t see me as her successor, right?”
Minjoon scratched his head awkwardly. Though he wanted to comfort her, the truth was clear. She had little chance to beat Dave.
“Maybe your direction is the problem.”
“My direction?”
“You’ve been focused only on dishes that help you win competitions. That’s been your pattern—you aimed to subdue and beat chefs, gourmets, and customers. That may feel rewarding, but while watching you closely, I often wondered: are you truly enjoying cooking or just the achievement it brings?”
“Honestly, I can’t deny I enjoy achievements through cooking. And I admit I’m greedy for it.”
“How about just enjoying cooking this time?”