Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - Number Ticket and Girl
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
As the three judges exited, the warehouse atmosphere heated up in an instant. The participants' faces were filled with a mix of excitement and tension.
At that moment, a staff member stepped onto the stage and began guiding everyone.
"We're now distributing the number tickets! When your number is called, head to your cooking station in order and prepare your dish! You have one hour!"
His shout made the air even hotter.
I took a moment to catch my breath, then quickly pushed through the crowd to the front. I received my number ticket in sequence.
'Number 32.'
It wasn't too early or too late. I'd rushed forward hoping for a low number, but it seemed they were doing it randomly rather than first-come, first-served.
Well, in a world where even cooking order could spark fairness debates, random assignment was cleaner and safer.
'Order can actually affect the judging.'
The judges would try their best to be fair, but taste is inherently subjective, influenced by mood and state of mind.
As the saying goes, "The market is the best side dish"—food tastes different when you're hungry versus full.
"Numbers 1 through 5, please start preparing your ingredients and begin cooking now! Anything else you need is over here—help yourselves!"
With the staff's guidance complete, participants 1 through 5 headed to their stations.
"Everyone whose number hasn't been called, we've set up a waiting room—head there!"
In the chaotic atmosphere, I approached a nearby staff member.
"We're short on time, so please move quickly! We can't afford delays in filming!"
He looked irritated that people weren't following instructions. Problems would mean heat on the staff.
"Excuse me... where can I meet up with my family who came with me?"
I asked cautiously. The staff whipped his head around with a annoyed expression, but froze when our eyes met.
"...Excuse me?"
His face flushed slightly, and he cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding my gaze.
"There's a separate area for audience members. They're probably waiting there. It's that way."
"Can I go into the waiting room with them?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Ah, thank you."
"No... thank you."
I tilted my head at his words. No idea why he was thanking me all of a sudden, but I bowed politely and headed off.
Following his directions, I spotted Sis sitting in a chair, earbuds in, focused on her phone.
'She looks like a perfectly normal person from here...'
A few people nearby were stealing glances at her. Based on looks alone, it made sense.
Did they know she was browsing the community forums right now?
"Sis."
I approached and tapped her shoulder. A sharp voice came out.
"I'm not giving out my number. So please, just leave me alone. You're the fifth one."
"I already have mine."
Her shoulder twitched at my words. She yanked out her earbuds and turned, her face a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
"H-Hayul..."
I grinned mischievously and sat next to her.
"Didn't know my sis was so popular. Already the fifth guy?"
Instead of answering, she hung her head. Her ears were bright red—she was embarrassed.
"Get up. There's a separate lounge for participants. Let's go."
"...Okay."
I led Sis into the corridor with the waiting rooms. Now I understood why they'd repurposed a warehouse—all for facilities like this.
"This is nicer than I expected."
Entering the room for my number, I saw a sofa with snacks and bottled water. Thankfully, no cameras.
Sis dove onto the sofa like she'd been waiting for it. I grabbed a water, took a sip, and sat quietly.
"Ugh... I'm already drained... I wanna go home..."
"Told you not to come if it was too much. You'll be on camera soon—what then?"
"I dunno... It'll work out somehow..."
Guess the guys asking for her number had stressed her out that much.
But they were probably family or friends of participants... Who tries to hit on someone there? Bold moves all around.
"Have a snack and cheer up."
I opened a snack and popped one into her mouth. She chomped it down.
"Mmm..."
For a while, the only sound in the lounge was the quiet munching.
"Can't check the prelim progress? Just sit here waiting?"
"Seems like it. Wouldn't want leaks if others saw. Probably why it's blocked off."
"Someone famous enough to worry about leaks?"
"Who knows... Neither of us cares about that stuff."
"Then let's rest for now."
I flopped onto the sofa. Sis found her spot and lay down too.
"Decided on your dish?"
"Yeah."
"What is it?"
"Watch the broadcast later. Can't spoil it."
"Come on! Tell me!"
I closed my eyes instead of answering.
But I was genuinely a bit worried—not joking. She might blab on the forums.
"See it on the broadcast later."
*
"Numbers 31 through 35, please come to the corridor! Have your tickets ready!"
The voice from the hall made me grab my cooler and stand.
"Sis, Sis!"
The wait wasn't long, but she'd already dozed off. Probably worn out from the outing and drive.
"Nng...?"
I shook her gently, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her dazed look made me chuckle.
"My turn now. Come watch, or sleep more?"
"No... I'll come..."
Rubbing her eyes, she got up and shuffled to the door. In the corridor, the other participants were already there.
"Checking tickets."
The staff verified each one and nodded.
"Follow me."
I walked the corridor, scanning the other participants' faces. Ages, vibes, expressions—all different. But one girl particularly caught my eye.
'She looks anxious.'
The girl kept glancing around, unable to hide her unease. Sweat beaded on her forehead, fine lines creased her eyes, and her fingers fidgeted nonstop.
It seemed excessive for just prelim nerves. Probably personal circumstances.
'Should I bless her?'
If she were my age, I might not bother. But seeing such a young girl trembling like that tugged at me.
I used holy power to bless her with courage and calm. Her expression softened a bit.
That was all I could do. The rest was up to her.
'Hope she does well.'
I offered a prayer—something I hadn't done much since the other world.
"Use the stations in order from here."
The staff announced. Participants were assigned sequentially, and the girl I'd blessed ended up right next to me.
"Begin your prepared dish now! One hour limit! Start!"
With the shout, the timer started on the distant screen.
'Let's get to it.'
First, I preheated the oven to 160°C. Then pulled out colorful whole peppercorns. Black alone would suffice, but as they say, "What looks good tastes good."
Bam—!
I put the peppercorns in a ziplock and smashed them with a pot. Heads turned at the noise.
'Good enough.'
Once coarsely cracked, I took the beef tenderloin from the cooler. Filet mignon cut.
I patted the surface dry with a paper towel, salted generously, then pressed it into the peppercorns like stamping.
The other side got just salt—to keep the pepper aroma from overpowering.
Ding—
Steak prep done. I'd brought homemade beef stock; sauce would come after searing.
'Need a side for balance.'
Heading to the communal ingredients, I marveled at the array.
'Knew it was stocked, but I didn't need to bring my own?'
But no—key proteins like meat and seafood were nowhere, even if you searched.
Likely to test preparation. Grand Chef-level thoroughness.
I browsed the shelves, pondering, then stopped at the potatoes.
'Perfect.'
A particularly large, long one stood out. Russet potato—low moisture, high starch, ideal for frying.
'Fries as a side?'
Korean potatoes are too watery for crisp fries. Russets fry up crunchier.
'This is it.'
I picked the best ones and returned to my station.
Washed them under running water, placed on the board, and sliced carefully for uniform size and thickness, focusing on my fingertips.
"Um, excuse me..."
"Yes?"
A voice from beside me while prepping. Looking up, the young girl was staring.
Our eyes met, and hers wavered.
What could this girl possibly want from me?