Chapter 562: Cogwheels (9)
Chapter 562: Cogwheels (9)
The dish was delicious. At first glance, it didn’t differ much from usual tandoori mackerel, but it was different—this was an exceptionally good one. Kaya turned away quietly, her thoughts in turmoil. Soon Joseph tasted it, followed by Minjoon.
Minjoon voiced his thoughts plainly, unlike Kaya, who kept her feelings bottled up.
“It sounds like you made the masala yourself, but you increased the cinnamon and cloves. The sweet and refreshing notes stand out, masking the mackerel’s fishy smell while complementing its chewy flavour.”
Peter shook his head, incredulous. “Man, you’re still incredibly good at guessing ingredients.”
Peter had often witnessed Minjoon’s astounding ability during Grand Chef Season 3, where Minjoon seemed to read every participant’s recipe and cooking steps as if watching over their shoulder.
Peter hadn’t fully grasped it then, but perhaps began destroying his own confidence once he noticed. He kept up appearances but was deeply inferiority-ridden.
He envied Minjoon.
How couldn’t he? Minjoon had it all—innate talent, a position at America’s best restaurant, Rose Island, and public admiration. Peter felt excluded, but had no choice but to admire this shining star, despite his outsider status.
Even when Minjoon lashed out at him, Peter felt sorrow at the rejection rather than bitterness at injustice. Minjoon’s cold glare hurt more than the world’s scorn.
Please give me good feedback, Minjoon, Peter silently wished.
He felt Minjoon’s recognition could ease his frustrations and anger.
Then Minjoon said, “Good job, Peter.”
The moment stretched. Peter wasn’t sure if the words were praise or criticism.
“Do you mean my dish is good?”
Minjoon smiled, then spoke slowly.
“You were bold to use tandoori sauce on mackerel again. Making that tricky masala yourself surprised me. Your grilling and trimming were excellent. You’ve changed a lot. Change, as you know, is the hardest thing.”
Joseph added, “I agree. Time is scary. Peter, you’ve grown into a great chef. You’re incomparable to your former self. Cooking tandoori so well in a short time is tough, but you’ve made it.”
Kaya chimed in, “Good job. You’ve really grown. I agree with them.”
They all acknowledged his skill.
One was a peer; the others were his idols.
Peter recalled Gwen’s tearful face earlier, overwhelmed by praise. She tried not to show it.
Peter was different. He didn’t care how others viewed him. Even if he cried, he wouldn’t think it ugly. Though he might look small and shabby, his tears showed his struggle.
They saw his battle against harsh criticism and ridicule. Knowing he once faltered, they now treated him differently. He wasn’t foolish anymore. He had changed and climbed this far.
Hugo muttered, “Everyone’s changed for the better.”
Nervous, he wanted to show his progress on the podium but also feared judgment.
What if they think I haven’t improved? What if my growth is just in my mind?
Expectation and fear battled within.
He watched others approach Minjoon for feedback, their vague convictions strengthened or shattered by his judgment.
Did he believe in his own conviction? Hugo couldn’t answer easily.
The judges had nearly finished evaluations before calling him.
When Minjoon slowly said, “Hugo,” Hugo’s heart pounded.
He took his dish, smiled coldly, and stepped forward.
Minjoon was polite only when pleased with a dish. He was unexpectedly harsh when least expected. Kaya sometimes tossed dishes away in disgust.
Hugo admitted he was extremely nervous. What would their verdict be? Would they praise him like Peter, or condemn his flaws?
Man, I have no idea...
He had tried his best and now awaited judgment.
“I hear you’ve faced many troubles. Is that true?” Minjoon asked quietly.
Hugo had shared with press the ups and downs with various restaurants, mainly due to clashing with kitchen owners. But he hadn’t confided in Minjoon or Kaya due to limited closeness and pride.
Before, Hugo, Minjoon, and Kaya ranked similarly in Grand Chef, but now the gap was vast. Hugo couldn’t imagine catching them. All his past peers had firmly established careers.
Kaya, former winner, led Irregular Lab. Anderson rose to Gluto’s sous-chef. Chloe was a renowned cooking celebrity and co-head chef. Minjoon was Rose Island’s mascot.
Compared to Hugo, often fired from family restaurants, they’d soared.
He didn’t complain in front of them; he refused to look pathetic.
I can’t help but feel miserable.
He straightened with a long sigh, striving to feel confident.
“Well, they seem to earn money while I just want to focus on cooking.”
Hugo had a problem. Shortly after Grand Chef, he was hired head chef at a small Utah restaurant—tiny, with only two junior cooks barely qualified.
He wasn’t unhappy—big restaurants rarely hired relative novices as heads.
Though a top contender at Grand Chef with some recognition, Hugo was still an amateur. He was truly nothing compared to top chefs of famous eateries.