Chapter 89
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - Fifth Mission
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1.
The kitchen was eerily quiet with only twenty contestants left. The air itself felt completely different now that half the original group had been eliminated.
'They're glaring at me.'
Every single one of the contestants had sharp looks in their eyes. They must still be hung up on what I'd said at the end of the last episode.
"...Yeah, it does feel a lot emptier, doesn't it?"
Yurim from the station next to mine said cautiously. Hearing that, Seohwa turned around from the front and spoke up.
"If you don't plan on dropping out here, you'd better get used to it. The fewer people there are, the more it'll keep shrinking."
"Exactly. This is a competition show. To survive, I have no choice but to knock others down."
Chaeyun from the station beside hers chimed in agreement. Yurim swallowed hard and clenched her fists.
"I'll toughen up...!"
"Good. That's the spirit. Go in thinking you'll beat everyone like Ye-rin here. It'll be good for you."
"Th-that might be tough... B-but I'll give it my best shot...!"
The door emblazoned with the Grand Chef logo swung open. As the judges ascended the platform, the chattering contestants fell silent.
"We sincerely welcome everyone to the fifth mission of Grand Chef Korea."
As always, Chef Kang Taeyeon spoke first.
"We will now reveal the fifth mission. All contestants, please come forward."
At his request, everyone moved to the cooking stations in front of the platform. Soon, a staff member wheeled in a cart loaded with something.
"...What's that?"
The contestants buzzed at the sight of the boxes on the cart. It was the all-too-familiar secret box.
"Chef Moon Taeoh."
"Yes."
Chef Moon Taeoh stepped down from the platform to the front of the cooking station. The contestants all looked baffled.
"Chef. On the count of three, please open the secret box."
"Understood."
"One, two, three."
At his cue, the box opened. Inside was none other than a single dish.
"The theme of this mission is to perfectly recreate the agnolotti served at Chef Moon Taeoh's restaurant."
"Pardon?"
The contestants jumped in unison. No one had expected a mission this difficult.
"...If it's from Chef Moon Taeoh's restaurant, that's a Michelin-starred dish. And they want us to recreate it?"
"They say there's a mountain beyond every mountain. How does it just keep getting harder?"
Most let out sighs of frustration. Even to me, this mission looked tough.
"Agnolotti is a type of ravioli from Italy's Piedmont region. It's characterized by fillings of various meats, vegetables, cheese, and herbs."
"And it's served with sauce poured over the top once more. That's agnolotti."
"You must deduce the ingredients in the filling and sauce, then recreate it exactly."
The more the chefs explained, the darker the contestants' faces grew.
"We'll give you a chance to observe and taste the dish."
"First, Kang Ye-rin, who got the highest score in the last mission, stay here. Everyone else, return to your stations."
The others returned to their stations, leaving me alone up front.
"Kang Ye-rin."
Chef Moon Taeoh looked at me.
"Yes."
"Observe the agnolotti and taste it. You have exactly three minutes. And only one chance to taste."
"Understood."
"You may only use the plate and spoon we provide. Begin."
I picked up the spoon in front of me. I carefully scooped some agnolotti and sauce onto the plate. Not even a drop of sauce could be wasted right now.
"Mm."
I first examined the pasta's color and shape, along with the sauce on top.
'Start with the easiest parts.'
The pasta was shaped into serrated squares. A faint red tint suggested something mixed into the dough.
The sauce poured on top was basically white but layered with a brown sauce. That meant two sauces.
The arugula leaves and petals beside it were likely for plating, but they might affect the flavor too. That depended on the chef's philosophy.
'Next, the smell.'
If I'd used my eyes for observation, now it was time for my nose.
The pasta had a complex aroma, but one thing was clear: no cream.
'One's butter, and the other's like barbecue sauce.'
I cut the agnolotti in half. The orange-tinted filling inside was pureed, making it impossible to identify ingredients visually.
'Guess I'll have to use my tongue.'
I lifted a bit of filling close to my nose. A subtle smoky aroma from meat, mingled with a soft tartness.
I had a vague idea, but no certainty yet. I had to taste it to see the full picture.
I tasted the sauce first. The white sauce brought a nutty butter flavor, subtly infused with smokiness.
'No other additives.'
Its slightly thin consistency suggested just a bit of water stirred in.
'Then, the filling's flavor...'
A complex burst filled my mouth. The strongest was unmistakably meat, followed by rich cheese and layered smokiness.
'Multiple types of smoke flavor, stacked in layers. Such precise control.'
As expected of a Michelin restaurant's pasta. It went beyond mere tastiness to become an experience.
"Ten seconds left."
At Chef Moon Taeoh's words, I popped the last bite of agnolotti with sauce into my mouth.
The intense barbecue sauce was overlaid with buttery smoothness. The filling centered on rich meat and fat, wrapped in subtle smoke from the outside.
Layers of flavor built synergy—it was truly phenomenal.
'This is Michelin flavor.'
Most impressive was how the faint tartness from the flower perfectly cut through the meat's greasiness, finishing clean without a hint of heaviness.
I let out a small sigh of admiration mixed with a chuckle.
Talent, effort, and professional training combined. The perfection was astounding.
"Time's up. Set down the plate and spoon."
Chef Moon Taeoh's cool voice pulled me back to reality.
"Did you figure out how it's made? The ingredients used?"
"Yes."
I nodded. He looked at me with intrigued eyes.
"Good. We'll give you a sheet of paper. Write down the ingredients as accurately as possible."
"Can we only use ingredients not listed here?"
"Yes. We'll only provide what's on there. No trading with others."
He drew a firm line.
"Imitation is the mother of creation, but this is for fairness. We'll also award bonus points based on how many you get right."
Chef Moon Taeoh grinned as he continued.
"A sharp tongue and nose are senses every Grand Chef needs. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Then move aside and write it down. Including thinking time, you have ten minutes."
I took the paper and pen and went to the side table.
"Next, Seol Yurim. Come forward."
'Brisket. Pancetta. Salt and brown sugar. Smoked paprika. Salt and pepper...'
I scribbled down every ingredient popping into my head. The flavors and aromas were already fading bit by bit. I had to record them before my memory blurred.
'A lot went into this.'
I reviewed the list, then dug deeper into my memory.
The taste and smell. The texture.
I added necessities and crossed out uncertainties. It was imagination, but each adjustment brought the flavor back to my tongue.
"Done."
Before the ten minutes were up, I finished the list.
"Here."
I handed the paper and pen back to Chef Moon Taeoh. He scanned it quietly, then flinched slightly.
"Are you certain everything here is correct?"
"I can't say it's all right. But this is my best shot."
"Good. Well done. Now rest until the others finish tasting and listing. No talking to other contestants. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Return to your station."
I bowed slightly and went back.
'Not easy.'
Even with the senses from the gods, I wasn't fully sure. That spoke to Chef Moon Taeoh's skill level.
'Or maybe my experience is still lacking.'
A smile tugged at my lips.
'Fun.'
Feeling my own shortcomings was honestly enjoyable.
Until now, I'd thought I was the best cook in the world. But the world is wide, and there are many talented people, right?
Just as there's a heaven beyond heaven, unknown worlds were unfolding here.
'I can still grow more.'
After returning from that other world, everything had felt stale. Like someone who'd sprinted full-tilt across the finish line, I'd lost my goal and my drive.
But now, here, I finally felt alive. Cooking, streaming, competing—everything was fun.
I quietly placed a hand on my chest. The heart that hadn't stirred since my return was now pounding fiercer than ever.
How far could I go? Could I win? The curiosity was driving me crazy.
I didn't know what lay at the end. But one thing was certain: this time, it wouldn't end in emptiness.
"All tastings and ingredient lists are complete."
As Chef Moon Taeoh addressed the contestants from above, several staff members entered with carts.
The carts held ingredients, but one in particular was piled extraordinarily high.
"...What's that?"
Naturally, all eyes turned there. The cart followed the gazes and stopped right in front of me.
"...Her again?"
"Show-off. Can she even use all that?"
The others' mockery reached my ears. I kept a straight face, looking only at Chef Moon Taeoh.
"The boxes contain the ingredients you just listed yourselves. Using only those, recreate the agnolotti I made. And one more thing."
He paused, drawing all attention. Silence brought tension spiking.
"Every ingredient must be used meaningfully. If the intent isn't clear during the process, points will be deducted."
The screen behind him lit up with a one-hour timer.
"You have one hour. I hope you can perfectly recreate my agnolotti. Good luck!"
With his words, the timer started. The fifth mission had begun.