Chapter 76
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - [Secret Box] Egg Edition
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"...This is what came out?"
The secret box revealed a brown, oval object carefully placed on a gray plate. Smaller than a palm, it looked utterly ordinary.
"The theme for the third mission's secret box is eggs."
I couldn't see the other contestants' faces, but they were probably making expressions like Yoorim, who was standing next to me.
"Ah..."
Her eyes wavered. Her brows furrowed slightly, creases forming between them. She brought her fingertips to her mouth and let out a quiet breath.
"You're probably taken aback because it's a much easier ingredient than expected."
Yoorim nodded at Chef Kang Taeyeon's words. The red-haired woman in front of me shook her head up and down too.
...When did Lee Seohwa get here?
I'd seen her struggling to claim a spot in the front row, but now she was right in front of me. Had she yielded? Been pushed? No way she'd followed me, right?
"We chose eggs as the theme to see how diversely you can utilize them."
"Since it's a familiar ingredient, you'll need to think even deeper. If you serve something ordinary, our evaluation standards will be that much higher."
Yoorim's face paled at the judges' words. The pressure must have hit her all at once.
"Then, we hope you'll create a dish worthy of the Grand Chef title."
"You'll have 60 minutes. Begin now!"
Chef Han Seojin shouted, but no one moved right away. The theme was so simple it only added to the confusion.
"Unnie, what are you going to make?"
"Yeah."
I nodded at Yoorim's question and headed straight to the pantry. People's gazes followed behind me.
From the ingredients area, I grabbed only olive oil and butter. Salt and pepper were already on the counter, so no need to fetch them.
"...Just taking those?"
"No way?"
Whispers from the contestants reached my ears. As fellow cooks, they instantly guessed what dish I had in mind.
Omelet.
It looked simple on the surface, but it was a finicky dish that truly tested a chef's skill.
"Whoa, Unnie, you're doing an omelet?"
"Yeah."
I nodded emphatically in response to Yoorim's question.
"They said ordinary dishes raise the bar, but she seems confident."
I turned toward the voice from ahead. Lee Seohwa was watching me with interest, arms crossed.
"It won't be ordinary. I'm planning a little twist on the omelet."
"Looking forward to it!"
"But you two, is it okay to keep staring at me like this? An hour isn't that long."
"I was just about to move!"
"M-Me too!"
At my point, they both dashed to the pantry. I was curious what they'd make, but set my curiosity aside for now.
I cracked three eggs into a bowl and started whisking vigorously with a whisk.
Tak-tak-tak—
The key here was not stirring in circles, but in a figure-eight pattern. That way, air would incorporate properly into the eggs.
After three minutes of that, the eggs turned light and fluffy like mousse. A sprinkle of salt and pepper, and prep was done.
I placed a pan on the gas stove, added a touch of olive oil, and lit the flame.
Carefully poured the whisked eggs into the pan, scraping every last bit from the sides with a silicone spatula.
Now, wait. The crucial part: do not stir.
Cook like this for about five minutes. With some time to spare, I decided to glance around at the others.
First, I turned to Yoorim. She had a square pan out, so probably aiming for rolled omelet.
Not easy to pass with that.
Not that I could talk, prepping my own omelet, but rolled omelets had strict judging criteria too.
She must have her reasons for choosing it.
Setting aside my worry for her, I turned my head. Just as I looked toward Lee Seohwa's station, two chefs entered my view.
Chef Kang Taeyeon stared at me with cold eyes. Meanwhile, Chef Han Seojin stood beside him with an awkward smile.
"Kang Yerim."
"Yes."
"Got time to sightsee? You should focus on your own dish right now."
His voice was sharp as a blade. Like the Northern Duke.
"I have some time at the moment."
I replied calmly. Chef Kang Taeyeon's gaze turned icy, but I didn't look away.
"...Making an omelet?"
"Yes."
"Omelet. A simple dish. Of course, the result can vary wildly depending on who's making it."
His lips curved ever so slightly.
"Correct."
"Any reason you chose omelet? Honestly, it's not that familiar to Koreans."
"It's the one I'm most confident in."
Chef Kang Taeyeon nodded at my words.
"Plenty fail trying to be flashy. Much wiser than attempting something you've never done."
He took a breath, then spoke again.
"But do you remember what I said earlier?"
"That ordinary dishes raise the evaluation bar."
"Exactly."
Chef Kang Taeyeon's tone was firm.
"Omelet is 'classic.' Looks simple, but it's honest. One tiny mistake, and it falls apart. Being ordinary means we judge stricter."
Suddenly, Chef Han Seojin, who had been observing, called my name.
"Kang Yerim."
"Yes."
"All us judges graduated from the world's top three culinary schools. Know what the first practical lesson is there?"
"No."
"Omelet. Simple reason: one egg reveals your skill completely."
"I see."
"Then let me ask."
Chef Han Seojin stepped closer. Her voice was soft, but edged.
"We've made countless omelets and eaten countless more. Confident you can satisfy judges like us?"
Her intense gaze made me smirk. Chef Han Seojin's steady eyes wavered slightly.
"Taste it and judge for yourself."
A brief silence.
She let out a small laugh and nodded.
"...Fine. We'll watch. Curious just how delicious it'll be."
"Yes. Look forward to it."
The two bowed slightly and headed to the next station.
Focus.
As the mental timer ticked down, I lifted the omelet slightly with chopsticks and slipped a pre-cut pat of butter underneath.
Reason for no butter at first: dry the bottom slightly, so the later butter adds extra crispness.
"Heave-ho."
Once the butter melted, I pulled the pan off the heat. To prevent overcooking from residual heat.
About five minutes.
Residual heat would gently cook the inside. The golden window where the center sets soft while the outside firms.
Sizzle—
Finally, back on high heat for 30 seconds. Intense sear on the bottom, then tilt the pan to slide onto the plate.
The egg folded in half, tracing a smooth, gentle curve.
Complete.
Evenly golden-brown omelet. Surface puffed like soft cotton, the folded curve cozy as a quilt.
Ding!
I rang the bell in front. The sound drew everyone's eyes naturally.
"Kang Yerim, bring it up front once finished."
At Chef Kang Taeyeon's request, I picked up the plate and walked forward. With each station passed, stares and murmurs followed.
"She's done for."
"What even is that omelet? Never seen one like it."
"Overconfident."
I chuckled at their words. Soon enough, who'd be right would show.
"Kang Yerim, brief dish explanation please."
"I made an omelet my way."
"Endless dishes from eggs. Why omelet specifically?"
Chef Moon Taeo asked curiously. He hadn't visited my station earlier, so the same question.
"Most confident. And best expresses egg flavor."
Chef Han Seojin fixed me with a sharp gaze.
"Just now, I asked if you could satisfy us with omelet. You said taste and judge."
"Yes."
"Is this on the plate your answer?"
"Yes. My answer."
"Good. Let's see if it matches that confidence."
All three judges rose and approached.
"How to eat?"
"Cut like steak. Egg inside the fold is like sauce."
"Dipping egg in egg. Unique."
"Looks like soufflé omelet."
"Close enough."
They each commented as they cut and tasted.
Chef Kang Taeyeon was expressionless. Chef Moon Taeo furrowed his brow slightly. Chef Han Seojin widened her eyes.
They took another bite, then returned to their seats. Exchanging glances, Chef Moon Taeo spoke first.
"Kang Yerim. Astonishing omelet. Top fingers on one hand among those I've tasted."
"Thank you."
I bowed. Then Chef Kang Taeyeon followed.
"Egg's softness blends with butter for amazing flavor. Delicious. Texture perfect."
"Thank you."
Last was Chef Han Seojin. What would her verdict be?
"Eggs seem common, easy, but delicate ingredient.
Especially omelet—fire control is everything. Overcook, bitter; undercook, fishy. In that sense, your omelet..."
She bit her lip, rubbed her face dry, sighed deeply.
"Was delicious."
My lips curved slowly upward.