Chapter 54
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Risotto
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1.
"Che cavolo hai fatto? Il brodo puzza di bruciato!!!"
A sharp voice echoed through the cramped kitchen. I immediately translated what the man had said in my head.
'The stock smells burnt.'
Stock—broth made by simmering meat, bones, fish, or vegetables—was the foundation of most dishes. It was the backbone of flavor.
"S-Sorry!"
Chef Kang Taeyeon bowed his head repeatedly. His face looked somewhat youthful now, a far cry from the cool demeanor he'd shown just moments ago.
The head chef, with his neatly trimmed beard, silently picked up the pot. Without hesitation, he dumped the entire contents of the stock into the sink.
"This is discarded. Bring a new stock."
"Got it!"
One of the cooks headed to the fridge. The head chef glared at Kang Taeyeon.
"Stock management is the basics of the basics. If you can't even handle that, you have no place in this kitchen."
Kang Taeyeon bit his lip hard. With his head bowed and fists clenched, he looked utterly humiliated.
"What are you doing!? Are we not taking guests today? Move, all of you!!!"
"Sì, Chef!"
Kang Taeyeon began helping out in the kitchen as well.
I leaned against one wall, quietly watching the scene. The fine dining kitchen was a battlefield in every sense.
In the tight space, countless dishes were being prepared simultaneously, and not a single one was handled carelessly.
'They handle everything with such precision.'
Every ingredient bore the touch of human hands. From the smallest scraps to a single drop of sauce. It was unbelievable how such meticulous technique poured out amid the frenzy.
'The dishwashing is no joke either.'
Because they changed plates and utensils fresh for every course, the volume of dishes exploded despite the few tables.
"Move faster!"
"Sì, Chef!"
Every time the head chef barked, the entire kitchen responded in unison. Even Chef Kang Taeyeon, who was washing dishes, was no exception.
Only after all the guests had left could he finally step away from the sink.
"Good work today! See you tomorrow."
"I'm heading out first."
The cooks left one by one, but Kang Taeyeon's day was far from over. If anything, it was just beginning.
Knives, cutting boards, scales, mixing bowls. Worktables, induction burners, ovens—even the floor. Everything in sight had to be cleaned.
And that wasn't all. Leftover ingredients needed sorting, repackaging, labeling with initials and dates.
Lights went out one by one, leaving Kang Taeyeon alone in the kitchen.
"Not heading home?"
The head chef, now changed into street clothes, approached as he worked silently.
"I still have work to do!"
"Alright. Keep it up."
As he turned to leave, Kang Taeyeon cautiously spoke up.
"Um, Chef."
"What is it?"
"Could I... try making the stock myself?"
The head chef's gaze pierced straight at him. Under those sharp eyes, Kang Taeyeon instinctively straightened his back, swallowing hard in tension.
"...Give it a shot. Come in early tomorrow, and I'll check it."
"Th-Thank you!"
He bowed repeatedly. The head chef waved lightly and left the restaurant.
The kitchen stood empty. A single light remained on.
Kang Taeyeon finished the last cleanup and immediately started on the stock.
"Bay leaf, thyme, parsley, onion...."
As if every recipe was already pictured in his mind, his movements showed no hesitation.
'Making stock is no small task.'
He prepped the meat, placed it on a parchment-lined tray, and slid it into the oven.
Right away, he pulled out various vegetables and trimmed them one by one. Roughly chopped, coated evenly with oil, and loaded onto another tray into a second oven.
While both ovens ran, Chef Kang Taeyeon dove back into cleaning without pause.
'Doesn't he ever get tired?'
His focus and stamina were unbelievable for someone who'd worked all day.
Beep beep beep—
The oven timer chimed.
Kang Taeyeon swiftly retrieved the tray. He collected the oil dripping from the roasted meat into a separate jar, then carefully transferred the well-cooked meat and vegetables into a large pot.
'Even the parchment goes in.'
The parchment from the tray bottom, slightly browned, went straight into the pot. To preserve every bit of fond.
Finally, he added spices and poured in cold water, bringing it to a boil.
"Whew...."
Only now did Chef Kang Taeyeon sit on a chair for a break. Though not a full rest.
As the water boiled and foam rose, he had to skim it meticulously. Hours by the stove.
There were more steps after, but I skipped ahead, figuring no need to watch.
'I think I saw him crying midway....'
I considered rewinding, but shook my head. What good would seeing a man cry in the kitchen do?
The deep darkness gradually tinged orange. Dawn crept through the window.
A quiet morning dawn. The dark dining hall contrasted the still-bright kitchen. The bubbling stock. The soft scrape of skimming foam.
Clack—
The silence broke as the stock finished. Footsteps from the entrance. Kang Taeyeon rose from his chair.
"You're here already."
He bowed his head.
"Habit, you know. Even if I want to sleep more, my eyes pop open at dawn."
The head chef walked silently to the counter. He peered into the pot, parting the steam to sniff the aroma.
"Spoon."
A short, firm request.
Kang Taeyeon moved reflexively, fetching a spoon and handing it over carefully.
The head chef ladled some stock and sipped slowly. A moment of silence.
"......Hm."
Kang Taeyeon watched rigidly, like a defendant awaiting verdict.
"Not bad. Good enough for lunch today."
Then, the middle-aged man's lips curved faintly upward.
"...Really?"
"Yes. Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. Too hectic...."
"Sit and rest a bit. I'll make you breakfast."
The head chef patted his shoulder once and headed to the changing room.
The moment he vanished from sight, Kang Taeyeon's knees buckled. He sank down, exhaling deeply. His fingertips trembled faintly.
"Haa...."
No explicit praise, yet a smile formed on his lips. Chef Kang Taeyeon slowly rose and headed to the break room. Rest time, at last.
"Can't sleep...."
He fought to keep his eyes open, but his eyelids grew heavier. His head drooped, and soon he was nodding off.
In the end, he leaned against the break room sofa and fell fast asleep.
'No wonder he's exhausted.'
I watched the deeply sleeping Kang Taeyeon for a moment, then quietly slipped out of the break room.
'Time to see the skills of Chef Kang Taeyeon's mentor.'
The head chef pulled out shallots. With deft hands, he minced them finely and added to a pan with a pat of butter and a bay leaf. He set a low flame and began sautéing slowly.
The butter melted, enveloping the shallots as a subtle aroma spread. When they turned translucent, he poured in white wine.
Sizzle—
Steam rose lightly with a hiss from the pan. He reduced the wine to about a third, then strained the thickened sauce through a sieve.
Layer by layer, he added cold butter, whisking vigorously.
With each bit of butter melting, the sauce grew silkier, turning the color and sheen of whipped cream.
"Done."
He stowed the finished beurre blanc in the fridge and returned, grating Parmigiano cheese meticulously.
'Just getting started.'
He grabbed a pan, added rice, and sprinkled a pinch of salt. Shaking the pan, he toasted each grain.
Nuttiness bloomed without a drop of oil. His fingers handled it like a musical instrument, precise and elegant.
After feeling the rice's texture a few times, he ladled in stock—the one Kang Taeyeon had made overnight.
Sizzle—
A savory aroma and warm steam rose from the pan.
He added stock gradually, adjusting the risotto's creaminess with delicate control. No hesitation in his ladling hand.
As the rice softened, the kitchen filled with an intensifying fragrance.
"Good."
When the rice was nearly done, he killed the heat and let the pan cool slightly.
After about a minute, he stirred in the reserved butter. It melted smoothly, coating the risotto evenly.
Another splash of stock, then small amounts of Parmigiano, stirring slowly. As the cheese melted, the risotto gleamed like cream.
Finally, a drizzle of olive oil and a touch of salt to season.
"Hm."
He tasted a spoonful and nodded in satisfaction.
'Not as simple as I thought.'
I'd assumed breakfast meant something basic, but it was surprisingly intricate.
'Doesn't look that appetizing....'
Pure white like cream, slightly viscous—almost like porridge. Though the taste was surely worlds apart.
"Wake up."
The low voice thickened the break room air. The head chef stood at the door, gazing down at the sleeping Kang Taeyeon.
"Y-Yes...?"
He woke with a dazed face, blinking at the chef before jolting upright in alarm.
"Ch-Chef!"
"Breakfast is ready. Come out."
With that single line, the head chef turned and left. Kang Taeyeon snapped to attention, glancing around hurriedly.
"Yes, sir!"
In front of the mirror, he smoothed his messy hair with his palm, checking his face repeatedly. He slapped his cheeks twice and took a deep breath, lips pursed.
"Can't be helped...."
Sighing, he shuffled to the kitchen. Upon arrival, the head chef handed him a bowl and spoon.
"Eat."
"Th-Thank you."
Kang Taeyeon gazed at the dish with moved eyes. With trembling fingers, he stirred the risotto slowly.
At its moist, velvety texture, he swallowed softly. He scooped a careful spoonful to his mouth.
His lips quivered faintly. His eyes widened.
"This is really delicious...."
"Made with the stock you prepared."
"Pardon?"
Kang Taeyeon looked up blankly, speechless. The head chef chuckled softly at him.
"Good work."
A short phrase.
With that, he patted his shoulder quietly and left the kitchen.
Left alone, Kang Taeyeon stared at the risotto, then took another spoonful. As the flavor spread in his mouth, his eyes reddened subtly.
"Sniff, sob...."
He sniffled but kept eating bit by bit.
*
"...Do you have to add tears when making risotto? Or make Kang Taeyeon cry?"
I fell into very deep contemplation.