Chapter 102

Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 102

Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - Elimination Announcement

1.

【Grand Chef Korea Gallery】

[General] Individual score 50 points???

Huh?????

[General] Even if Kang Yerin's personality is whatever

Her cooking skill is just freaking insane;; It doesn't make sense. Isn't it that all three judges unanimously gave her an individual score of 50 points???

[General] Is your head spinning???

Saying Kang Yerin isn't that good at cooking lol Saying it's better for the program to make her leave, but she immediately proved it with '50 points'?????

Should we, the victorious Yerin squad, all press upvote? lolololol

Reading my sister's message, I smirked without realizing it. I couldn't enter the gallery after it exploded earlier, but my sister was fast as expected.

As soon as I sent that, I got a call from my sister.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Hayul. Did you see what I sent you?"

"Yeah, I saw it. Honestly, I thought public opinion about me would be bad, but surprisingly it's okay?"

Originally, I watched consistently because it was fun, but after the food truck mission, I was so busy I couldn't even touch it.

"Actually, it was bad for a while. After the abusive language controversy, there were many posts saying 'She should be removed for the sake of the program.' They probably wrote posts like that on the broadcasting station board too?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. But the atmosphere changed a lot after the 4th episode aired this time. Like, she's rude but her skill is recognized?"

"Just like the Sword Saint when I was in the otherworld. His personality was trash too, but because of his swordsmanship alone, no one could say anything."

Of course, in the Hero's party, he had to tone down his personality a lot. Because everyone except me was a big deal.

"Right now, your image feels exactly like that."

"...Is that a good thing?"

"Well, isn't it okay for now? You might feel a bit wronged, but what can you do when public opinion has solidified like that."

"That is true."

And actually, I didn't feel bad. At least it meant they acknowledged my cooking skills.

"Still, it is a bit unfair."

"Why does Unni feel unfair?"

I asked, dumbfounded.

"Our Hayul is absolutely not a bad kid! Rather, you're much kinder than others!"

"That's because Unni is family. Even a hedgehog thinks its own young are smooth. To others, it might look different."

Actually, there was a big temperature difference between the side I showed my sister and the face I showed to the world.

It seems it's because there were so many crappy events when I was young.

"That's also true. Anyway, don't cause accidents in the future. When your abusive language controversy broke out, I thought my heart was sinking."

"Sorry. I'm regretting it too."

Of course, I wasn't sorry to that person I cursed at one bit. It turned out later that they were a cyber-wrecker type VTuber.

'No wonder, I wondered why they suddenly shoved a mic in my face.'

But I was a bit sorry to the production team. Because of the controversy I caused, surely quite tiresome things must have happened.

Maybe the thought crossed my mind that they might be discussing my removal around now.

"But suddenly a thought occurs; you shouldn't be surprised at just this level right now."

"...What? Are you saying something more shocking happened than getting a personal score of 50?"

"Well?"

I deliberately trailed off.

"Hey, what is it! Tell me quickly! What happened!"

"That is..."

"Yeah!"

"Check it on the broadcast."

"Hey——!!!"

At my sister's shout bursting over the phone, I burst into laughter and hung up. The phone rang again immediately. I pressed the end button without hesitation this time too.

Smirking, I typed a message again.

"Oops~"

At the phone ringing again, I threw my phone onto the sofa. Since it was obvious she would keep contacting me for a while.

I stared blankly at the ceiling with both hands supporting the back of my head. After staying like that for a long time, a thought suddenly popped up.

'I wonder which team will get eliminated tomorrow...'

...Surely, Yurim and Seohwa's team won't fail, right?

In front of the parking lot where the food trucks were parked. We stood there side by side, looking up quietly at the judges.

"The sixth mission has ended."

Chef Han Seojin opened her mouth with an expressionless face. It was somewhat awkward at first, but now her voice was firm as if she had gotten used to it.

"Before announcing the eliminated candidates, I want to tell everyone first that you worked hard."

The participants, who were extremely tense, were all stunned by the unexpected consolation. Because no one expected to hear such warm words.

"It must have been hard for the past four days. You were given less than a day to organize the menu, and had to go out and do business right away."

Everyone nodded.

"You had to wake up from dawn to trim ingredients, and force a smile with exhausted faces while doing business. You wouldn't have been able to let go of the tension while cooking either."

Chef Moon Taeo continued quietly.

"On days when you met difficult customers occasionally, you must have felt skepticism, wondering 'Why do I have to suffer like this'."

At those words, some participants smiled bitterly and shook their heads. The corners of Seojin's mouth went up. Our reaction must be funny.

"Does peace come after business ends so painfully? No. You have to drag your tired body back to the accommodation and prepare for the next day again. Because we always have 'tomorrow'."

She slowly looked at the faces of the participants.

"You must have felt it now too. That the job of a chef is a hard profession. There isn't a day where your body doesn't ache, and you have to face knives, fire, and hot oil every day."

Chef Han Seojin winked and continued.

"Sometimes, there might even be an angry chef next to you."

Laughter burst out here and there at those words. It seemed the tension had eased a little.

"Please remember today's experience. Because the life as a chef you will live in the future might be harder and more intense than now."

"Yes!"

Chef Han Seojin, who was smiling faintly, put on a serious face. Then the atmosphere of the parking lot became heavy again instantly.

"Then without delay, we will announce the eliminated candidates immediately."

Chef Han Seojin's voice rang out quietly. As if everyone's breathing stopped, the air froze in an instant.

"First, I will announce the team that recorded 2nd place based on net profit."

Her gaze slowly scanned the participants. And at some moment, it stopped at one side.

Silence.

Everyone's gaze headed that way.

"Congratulations. The 2nd place team in net profit is... none other than, Ji Seungwoo and Han Sorin team!"

"Kyaaaak―! Oppa!!!"

"Sorin-ah!"

The two rushed at each other simultaneously as if promised, hugged, and jumped up and down in place.

It looked like joy had exploded.

Other participants swallowed their regret but sent sincere applause. Whoever it was, the hardship of the past four days was the same for everyone.

That much, the congratulations were also sincere.

"The two gained great popularity among office workers with the menu called Cube Steak Rice Bowl. Both the menu and strategy were quite decent."

Chef Han Seojin said smiling. She waited until the two calmed down a bit before opening her mouth again.

"Now, then I will announce the 3rd place team. The team that recorded 3rd place is..."

Her gaze moved slowly, then stopped looking at us.

"It is, Kang Yerin and Han Chaeyoon team! Congratulations!"

"...Huh?"

"Really?"

At that moment, silence settled. All other participants paused and looked at us. They had faces that said they couldn't believe it.

"Unni!"

On the other hand, Chaeyoon smiled broadly and hugged me. I also smiled and hugged her tightly, patting her head.

Because we had already expected this result. We knew right away after seeing the first day's sales.

"Actually, if we look only at sales, Kang Yerin-ssi's team is by far overwhelming. You sold an amount incomparable to other teams."

Chef Han Seojin continued in a tone mixed with praise and admiration.

"However, the evaluation index for this mission was not sales, but net profit."

At those words, Chaeyoon and I nodded.

"The Cuban sandwich and Jambon Beurre were truly excellent. You reproduced the taste from the movie and the taste you can find ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in the alley corners of France exactly."

Her expression hardened carefully.

"But... the problem was exactly the ingredient cost. Good bread, good meat, good cheese, and even spices to match. The taste was beautiful, but from the perspective of sales, it was a regrettable choice."

This time Chef Kang Taeyeon stepped forward and continued.

"As chefs, you were excellent. But as merchants... well. I don't think I can give a good evaluation. Ultimately, cooking is also a business."

He paused for a moment and made eye contact with me.

"Kang Yerin-ssi."

"Yes."

"If you had compromised just a little, your team could have made a much higher net profit. The taste wouldn't have been damaged that much either. Can I ask the reason why you made such a choice nevertheless?"

I looked at him for a moment and opened my mouth.

"Because I am a chef. That is all."

At my answer, Chef Kang Taeyeon smirked.

"As expected, Kang Yerin-ssi is a talent suited for fine dining."

At the unexpected praise, a stir spread among the people. I scratched my cheek and bowed my head.

"Thank you?"

"Good. Then let's continue the announcement now."

Chef Han Seojin clapped her hands and gathered attention again.

"What's left is only one spot, 1st place. Only the team ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that takes that spot can survive here."

The teams that hadn't passed yet swallowed their breath with extremely tense expressions.

"Among three teams, only one team survives."

Chaeyoon, who was next to me, carefully poked my side.

"...Unni. Surely Yurim and Seohwa-ssi's team won't be eliminated here, right?"

"Well? There is a possibility. It is true that the two are good at cooking, but business isn't done simply by cooking well."

You could tell just by looking at our team. Didn't we suffer all the hardships possible, only to end up in 3rd place?

'Still, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I have no regrets. Since it's the direction we agreed on and decided from the first day.'

And above all, I had confidence. Selling this much, I thought there was no way they would be eliminated.

"Then I will announce it immediately."

Chef Han Seojin took a moment. The more she did, the more the other participants burned with anxiety.

"In this mission, the team that has taken the glory of 1st place is...!"

"Please..."

Lee Seohwa prayed desperately with her hands clasped. Next to her, Yurim had completely frozen stiff with a face turned pale.

"Congratulations! 1st place is Lee Seohwa and Seol Yurim team!"

"Kyaaaaaaack―!!!"

As soon as the words ended, Lee Seohwa screamed. She immediately hugged Yurim tight and shouted while jumping up and down.

"Yurim-ah! We did it! We really did it!!!"

But it was strange. There was no reaction from Yurim in her arms.

"...Yurim-ah? Yurim-ah!?"

Lee Seohwa hurriedly pulled away and looked into her face. Her eyes were closed, and her body was limp.

"...I think she fainted!?"

"Medical team!"

Soon, a few production staff members rushed over urgently. The set quickly became chaotic at the sudden situation.

The atmosphere was urgent, but Yurim's expression was actually extremely peaceful. It was a face as if she had burned white.

It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about an hour later that filming resumed.

"Seol Yurim-ssi. I was really surprised thinking something happened."

Yurim was bowing her head low with her face dyed red. It was so red I wondered if she might explode.

"Yurim-ssi. Are you okay now?"

"...Yes. I'm sorry for causing trouble... I think I fainted as the tension released all at once..."

"Not at all. That can happen."

Chef Han Seojin smirked and said. The other judges also smiled and nodded. Since she was young, they seemed to view everything cutely.

"The flow was cut off briefly because Yurim-ssi fainted, but let's try proceeding again."

"Ughhh..."

Yurim buried her face in both hands.

"First of all, I sincerely congratulate you on passing the sixth mission!"

"Waaaaaaa―!"

Now only six people remained. Cheers rang out in the parking lot, but because the number of people was small, the sound scattered quickly.

"Everyone, it is rare to find a profession with as frequent job changes as the culinary industry."

"Dissatisfaction with salary, not liking colleagues, hating the menu, not matching the chef's philosophy... there are countless reasons."

"As that happens, a colleague who was in the same kitchen until yesterday might be standing in a competitor's restaurant before you know it."

Chef Kang Taeyeon continued with a serious face.

"There are no eternal colleagues, nor eternal enemies."

"A colleague you laughed and cooked with today could destroy your restaurant tomorrow."

"Competition takes place fiercely inside the kitchen as well. Because with a single word from the head chef, the hierarchy is overturned and opportunities disappear."

"The culinary industry is a lonely and cruel place. The moment a customer eats someone's dish, your dish ends up not being chosen."

At the brutal words suddenly pouring from the judges, all participants gulped. Just what was the next mission that they were saying things like this?

"In that sense, we prepared this. In this mission, you will be able to feel the loneliness and cruelty of the culinary industry."

"Then, I will announce the seventh mission now. The theme of this mission is a 1-on-1 battle!"

"...1-on-1 battle?"

The participants stirred. At the mission that was simpler and more common than expected, the tension actually loosened.

'Surely not...'

On the other hand, I actually became anxious. An ominous premonition brushing through my mind. I bit my lip tight. Even in that moment, the judges' words continued.

"There is just one condition."

"You cannot choose your opponent. Because they are already decided."

"Already decided...?"

Chef Han Seojin grinned and said.

"Your opponent is none other than your colleague who was with you in the food truck until just a moment ago."