Chapter 68
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - On the Way to the Preliminary Venue
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1.
"Not there yet?"
I shouted while leaning against the front door. My sister's voice called back from inside the house, telling me to wait just a bit longer.
Who exactly is going to watch the preliminaries?
I let out a long sigh and shook my head. Anyone watching would think it was my sister heading off to compete, not me.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
I was mentally organizing what dish I'd make today when Sis emerged from her room, an apologetic look on her face.
"Not really. More importantly, why'd it take so long?"
"I wasn't happy with my makeup or outfit when I was getting ready to head out... so I had to start over from scratch. Sorry."
I stared at Sis without a word. She turned her head away, as if avoiding my gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Sis. If going out feels like too much... I can go by myself, you know."
"No way. How could I skip out on a day this important? Besides, the more I go out, the more I'll get used to it, right?"
"...Got it. But if it gets tough, tell me right away. Don't force yourself."
"I know. I'm not a kid anymore. Don't worry so much."
Sis chuckled and lightly tapped my shoulder. Then her expression turned serious.
"And you—focus on what's ahead today. Normally, you'd have to submit an application, go through document and video screenings, and even private preliminaries, right?"
"Yeah."
"But thanks to the PD's consideration, you're jumping straight into the hat audition. So give it your all. Don't get complacent and get knocked out."
"I've helped out enough for that. And the PD and writers know I've got the qualifications."
If I were the only one getting this kind of special treatment, I'd have turned it down. But apparently, they often scout concept-fitting contestants early on for buzz in the early episodes.
"Really?"
"Yeah. They just give a head start to people who were likely to make it anyway."
But that consideration only applied at the starting line. After that, it was all on your own skills to survive.
"If you can't keep up with words... let's go."
I grabbed the icebox and headed into the hallway. We took the elevator straight to the parking lot.
"You sure you're okay driving, Sis?"
I asked as I settled into the passenger seat. Seeing her in the driver's seat made me uneasy for some reason.
"Hayul. Don't you trust your sis?"
"If I did, I wouldn't be asking, would I?"
"Just leave it to me. I've got confidence in my driving."
"Don't get careless and scratch the new car."
"Don't throw my words back at me!"
Sis buckled her seatbelt and started the engine. The car smoothly pulled out of the parking lot.
"So, what pseudonym are you using? You can't use your real name because of the viewers and Chef Kang Taeyeon, right?"
"Kang Yerim."
"Pretty name. Anyway, don't talk to me from now on. I need to focus on driving."
I shifted my gaze from the window to the driver's seat. Sis was leaning forward, gripping the wheel tightly with both hands.
"You said you were confident in your driving earlier!"
I yelled, grabbing the overhead handle for no reason. I wouldn't die even if we crashed head-on into a truck, but pain was still pain.
"……."
Sis didn't respond. The car filled with silence. It felt like an eternity before we finally arrived at the preliminary venue.
"...I'll drive on the way back."
"You, who got your license and then got dragged to another world right away? Wouldn't I be better?"
"You really think that?"
She avoided my eyes. If she had any conscience, she wouldn't answer.
"Let's head in."
I picked up the icebox and made my way to the venue.
The preliminary hall was a converted warehouse. Bright lights poured down from the high ceiling, illuminating rows of cooking stations below. Cameras were set up at every station.
"There are so many people. These are really the ones who made it through the prelim screenings?"
"Yeah. PD Jung In-sun said they selected about a hundred."
"Looks like more than a hundred at a glance."
"Probably friends and family. In Grand Chef USA, they show families and friends cheering them on, right?"
"Makes sense."
As Sis and I chatted, staff members came out to guide us.
"Contestants for Grand Chef Korea preliminaries, this way please!"
"Family and friends of contestants, over here!"
People split off in both directions at their calls.
"Guess it's time to split up."
"Yeah."
"Do your best. Don't get eliminated in the prelims."
"Got it."
I gave Sis a quick hug and parted ways. Wherever she went, it'd probably be the spectator waiting area or stands.
Now alone with the other contestants in the warehouse. Everyone eyed each other warily, but I felt an unusual number of gazes fixed on me.
Tsk.
This was why I didn't go out much. My overly sensitive senses made every single stare feel crystal clear.
Quite a few cameras turned my way. Whether on PD Jung In-sun's orders or just instinctually following the attention, I couldn't tell.
"Contestants, please come closer this way!"
A staff member at the front raised their arm high, leading us. A few steps ahead, a massive door came into view. Beyond it, the rhythmic sound of footsteps grew nearer.
The judges.
Moments later, the door emblazoned with the Grand Chef Korea logo slid open. Three people stepped out slowly.
"Wooooah—!"
The crowd around us erupted in applause and cheers.
"It's really Chef Kang Taeyeon!"
"Whoa, they said he'd be a judge this season. Guess it's true... this is insane."
None of the three judges looked familiar. I'd met Chef Kang Taeyeon in VR before, but back then he had the face of the Northern Duke.
Feels a bit awkward.
There was a gap from his real appearance. Still, seeing him now, I understood why Sis had recommended the Northern Duke in her own way.
He exuded the same cold, sharp aura as the Northern Duke I'd met in that other world.
"Lead judge, Kang Taeyeon."
The man in the center gave a curt greeting first. Even as he bowed, his posture remained flawless.
"I'm Han Seojin, joining as a judge. Nice to meet you all!"
The woman beside him smiled brightly as she introduced herself. She gave off positive energy.
"Hello. I'm judge Moon Taeo. It's an honor to meet you like this."
The last man bowed politely to the contestants with a gentle tone.
All three have distinct vibes.
Made sense—they'd have scouted them that way for the show.
"We sincerely welcome all of you to Grand Chef. The beloved Grand Chef from around the world finally raises its curtain in Korea."
Chef Kang Taeyeon stepped forward slightly and began speaking. It was the most I'd heard him talk like that.
"You stand at the center of Korea's first Grand Chef. It must not have been an easy journey to reach this point."
People near me nodded unconsciously.
"Over tens of thousands applied for Grand Chef Korea. You are the chosen ones from that fierce competition. Hold your heads high with pride."
"Once again, congratulations on taking the first step toward Grand Chef Korea!"
"Wooooah—!"
The crowd cheered and clapped at Chef Han Seojin's words.
"But you haven't fully entered Grand Chef Korea yet. One more test remains."
Kang Taeyeon pulled out a hat as he spoke. It was a chef's hat emblazoned with the Grand Chef logo.
"Today, only the one who makes the greatest dish of their life will receive this hat."
"We disregard age, gender, background—nothing matters but the dish on the plate."
Chef Moon Taeo's words were polite, but an inexplicable heat began to spread among the contestants.
"Create a dish that represents you. Don't forget that taste, technique, and plating are all judged."
"Of all you here today, only one will become the Grand Chef."
He paused, slowly scanning the contestants. Each gaze carried weight.
"I ask you: Are you prepared to stake everything on your cooking?"
"Yes!!!"
The response thundered. The air heated with fervor.
"Very well. We'll see you shortly."
He smiled faintly at the end.
"Put your life on the plate. Good luck."
"Wooooah—!"
The three judges bowed politely and exited.
Put my life on the plate... Make the dish I'm most confident in, the most delicious one of my life...
I mulled over Chef Kang Taeyeon's words. And decided what to cook.
Nothing else fits.