Chapter 546: Unexpected Twist (26)
Chapter 546: Unexpected Twist (26)
“Do you think June and Dave are exactly the same in everything?”
“No. They’re not. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses.”
Minjoon didn’t bother mentioning any other names. Now that he had evaluated all the chefs’ dishes, the final outcome seemed obvious. Only their dishes were the best. Others had improved remarkably from before, but none came close to the two.
“To be honest, just looking at their dishes alone, I think Chef Dave is more combative. I know that’s vague, but it might be more accurate to say his dishes left a stronger impression.”
“So what?”
“If you view the course as a whole, not just individual dishes, you can’t compare Chef June with Dave. Dave deliberately made dishes with a more original appearance, probably by design. It’s quite a twist to find incredible taste in dishes that look typical. But do I believe that concept is the best? No.”
That was the key issue—the concept of the courses. Dave and June both demonstrated their top cooking skills. Yet much of Minjoon and Rachel’s evaluation depended on the concept, not only technique.
Rubbing his forehead, Minjoon said, “This is absurd. As you saw in Nathan’s cooking, none fully capture their skills and methods. Yet I must make a decision that will influence Rose Island’s future…”
Rachel smiled strangely and said, “You’re right. It’s unfair to judge based on a single factor. We must also consider their potential.”
“If so, why hold this contest?”
“Many misunderstand what we’re doing.” She stood and looked out the window. Slowly, she asked, “How often are the Olympic Games held?”
“Every four years, summer and winter.”
“The Olympics are worth holding regularly. If they happened every year or once only, they would not be a global festival.”
“Rachel, what do you mean?”
Minjoon stiffened, suspecting something odd.
She murmured, “They don’t really grasp what we do, even after hearing our explanation. They talk about Rose Island’s main restaurant, but this contest chooses who will lead Rose Island itself—the next chief, like the President of the United States.”
“I feel strange.”
“And American voters elect their president every four years.”
At that moment, Minjoon relaxed his clenched fists. Rachel was deceiving no one. Despite any motive, her decision stunned him.
“You know? Stagnant water rots. No change means death. But Rose Island never dies,” she said, eyes wide. “Rose Island will live.”
‘Rose Island will live?’
Romantic, beautiful words—but complicated too.
Minjoon closed his eyes. With them shut, he saw more than open. Many faces came to mind—especially June’s.
“No one is born a king.”
There is no King; only a President. One might wonder what’s the big difference. But it’s like comparing a kingdom with a republic.
Rachel sensed Minjoon’s discomfort.
With a bitter smile, she said, “There is no king in America—past, present, or future. Comparing a restaurant with a country isn’t mere metaphor. Everyone in a restaurant acts as citizens do in a country. We’ve learned the ideal system is a republic where leaders are elected by votes.”
“I know a capable dictator can sometimes be more efficient.”
“But a dictator is still a dictator. It’s too risky to trust one person with everything. I’ve said this before. Rose Island must change; it can’t be stagnant.”
“One person can win repeatedly.”
“Well, then that person is a verified dictator. Selecting such a dictator could be more justified than any general dictator, but such a leader only emerges from this system.”
Even a republic can have dictators—many exist worldwide.
“I wonder how June will feel when she realises the one she longs for does not exist.”
“Minjoon?” Rachel called softly. He raised his head.
“She’s one of my best students. But just because she’s the best doesn’t mean she’s my favourite. All my students are precious. Though I’m no robot, and can’t pretend perfect equality, I strive for it. Like a mother bird watching her chicks compete, the weakest might starve otherwise.”
“I’m not blaming you, but this situation…” He clenched his fists. “I feel bitter.”
He wasn’t sure he could tell June about this honestly. He feared her rigid expression.
How did Rachel feel making such a decision? Didn’t she sense anything? Maybe she thought this choice safer than one deciding everything at once.
Her reasons sounded reasonable.
His aversion was simple compassion for June. As a judge, he shouldn’t favour her. But he was a human first—a sous chef and a friend.
Suddenly he realised something. He was a judge. Rachel considered him fit to judge. Probably she wouldn’t change her view. Next contest, he’d judge again. He might do so until she relinquished control of Rose Island.
If so, he would effectively be a ‘dictator’ of sorts. The power to choose Rose Island’s president would rest permanently with him. Rachel knew this, too.
“How can you trust me so much?”
He finally dared to ask.
Rachel guessed immediately and answered calmly, “Because I’ve watched you closely.”
He didn’t overthink. He knew his palate wasn’t perfect. The idea he had a perfect palate was mistaken. He’d long stopped believing that. Still, detachment wasn’t easy.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“When people think it’s their last chance, they become desperate.”
He nodded. If she said the contest would recur every four years, chefs might slack off, thinking they could improve later.
In fact, this was their only chance—a single event to select Rose Island’s permanent leader.
Placing her hand on his shoulder, she said, “Beginnings matter, Minjoon.”
“I guess they do.”
“It’s more important than you think. Without this beginning, some chefs might have delayed forever, expecting the next contest.”
“Are you being too pessimistic?”
“No, it’s reality. Without pressure, habits form. It’s like a marathon: watching others far ahead, do you want to catch them? Or think running is meaningless?”
Her words hit home. He sighed and accepted her view. Practically, he couldn’t blame her.