Chapter 598: Two Sides of the Same Coin (1)
Chapter 598: Two Sides of the Same Coin (1)
Minjoon once told Kaya he envisioned two types of restaurants. One where he could make whatever customers wanted to eat, and another where he could craft luxurious dishes using the best ingredients, chefs, and care—offering experiences unavailable anywhere else in the world. Kaya was already realising that latter dream to some extent with Irregular Lab. Because of this, she felt no urgent desire to realise it again through Lotus Bridge. Even though Kaya and Chloe had left Irregular Lab, others continued running it. Of course, Kaya and Chloe retained ownership, and their original recipes still bore their names.
Irregular Lab was also set to franchise nationwide. That was when Kaya’s dream of popularising high-end cuisine at affordable prices truly began to take shape. Naturally, challenges lay ahead: low prices would strain the limited chefs, hiring only high-level chefs was tough, and those hired might quit due to heavy workloads. Success was uncertain, and Kaya worried more about failure than success. Still, the key was that she no longer had to pursue this contradictory task at Lotus Bridge.
“We must succeed,” Kaya said firmly.
Brand value mattered more than they realised. The stronger Kaya’s association with Irregular Lab, the greater its perceived worth.
“I don’t think we should focus too much on the nationality of our cuisine. Considering we dabble across many cuisines, nationality wouldn’t help us run the restaurant.”
“It’s natural to base ourselves on molecular and fusion cuisine, but that means more cooking sections and kitchen staff.”
“Four or five demi-chefs should suffice. But first, I need to decide something.”
He looked at her, reluctant but obliged to speak.
“We must decide our roles in the restaurant.”
“I don’t mind being sous chef,” she said immediately.
He understood perfectly. She lacked leadership to be head chef—experienced painfully while leading her team recently at Grand Chef. Her pride didn’t allow her to claim head chef.
But Minjoon shook his head. “You have to be head chef.”
“Are you serious?”
She looked at him, surprised by the response.
He often became shy before her, known to many. Yet that didn’t excuse him from pointing out hard truths. If she lacked qualification, he had to say so.
Softly, she said, “You know I’m not qualified.”
A secret she held from all but Minjoon.
He replied firmly, “What do you think people expect from Lotus Bridge?”
“Delicious food.”
“It’s more than food. We’re chefs, and we’re stars. Some guests want to see our faces more than our dishes. They expect us to be a chef couple standing equal. If you’re sous chef and I’m head chef—”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“If you’re sous chef, customers’ll wonder if you’re not competent enough to lead. They’re reasonable doubts, wanting to understand. But we can’t show them the truth. Truth isn’t fact. The facts we show must match what they want.”
If they doubted Kaya, they would doubt Minjoon soon enough. If she lacked skills, why wouldn’t he? The suspicion wouldn’t last, but their perfect image would be tarnished.
Watching him, she found his manner unfamiliar, suspecting June’s influence.
“So you want me head chef?”
“It doesn’t matter if you do sous chef’s work, but your title must be equal to mine. Over time, you’ll grow into the role.”
She sighed. Running a restaurant was harder than she thought. At Irregular Lab, she started with little concern for strategy, which attracted criticism.
She wasn’t in a position to reject his suggestion.
“Okay. I’ll try,” she said quietly, seeming to concede. He wanted to reassure her but held her hand instead.
Much had changed since Minjoon and Kaya announced Lotus Bridge.
Most obvious was the change in Grand Chef participants’ attitudes. More precisely, some like Ken, Jacqueline, Alvin, and Tom eagerly hoped to join the new restaurant.
“Well, seems like some are eyeing job interviews with you,” Joseph remarked teasingly.
When Minjoon and Kaya arrived at the Grand Chef House, the participants greeted them enthusiastically, like eager puppies greeting their owner. Their expectant eyes seemed to say, Hire me if you can.
Honestly, Minjoon didn’t intend to meet their hopes. Those who survived demonstrated great skill, comparable to demi-chefs at high-end restaurants.
But that didn’t guarantee they’d adapt easily. Minjoon himself only became a demi-chef at Rose Island partly because Rachel favoured him.
He had no reason to start pandering or favouring them at his new place. Rachel, a giant chef, didn’t need skill improvement. He was still busy honing his own.
Of course, he wouldn’t confess that.
He glanced at Hugo. Hugo had experience and skill fit for sous or demi-chef—but would pride prevent him from accepting?
Focus on your work first.
He steadied himself and climbed the podium. Now it felt natural.
“Today, two of you will be eliminated.”
The participants grew anxious. Two out of eight would leave.
“I’ve told you all along: don’t hate yourselves for not winning. I didn’t win or reach finals either, yet here I am. I didn’t ruin my career over it.”
They smiled gently. His presence comforted them. Winning wasn’t all; countless challenges awaited after.
But one did not agree.
Well, he didn’t need to win Grand Chef anyway.
Gwen thought so. Minjoon had achieved worldwide attention with his perfect palate. Rachel Rose noticed him. Would she have noticed Gwen had she merely watched this season?
Gwen felt she’d have better lottery odds than Rachel making such an unwise investment.
That’s why I must win.