Universe Infinite Canteen-Chapter 574: Impromptu Creation

Sun Mei was among the first chefs to start moving once the competition began. While many contestants were still using pen and paper to list the ingredients they needed, she had already begun selecting hers.

Sun Mei needed a total of thirty-two ingredients for her dish this time and moved without any hesitation. In less than ten minutes, she had chosen all the necessary ingredients and condiments.

She then requested eleven more fruit and vegetable grinders from the staff. The twelve grinders were lined up in a row on her cooking station, immediately drawing the attention of many.

With the advancement of technology, chefs have access to more cooking equipment. Since Jean Mantel invented the fruit and vegetable grinder in 1932, it had become an indispensable tool for chefs.

However, it was quite rare to see so many fruit and vegetable grinders being used at once.

Sun Mei paid no attention to the surrounding gazes and discussions, and began by methodically slaughtering and cleaning the Wenchang Chicken she had selected.

After stewing the prepared Wenchang Chicken in a pot, she quickly moved on to washing the other ingredients.

The female host took this opportunity to approach Sun Mei and introduce her background to the viewers watching on TV.

"Sun Mei, the Chef representing Songxiang Inn, was born into a culinary family and is the granddaughter of the national banquet Chef, Sun He. She started learning culinary arts at the age of 6 and acquired the qualifications to lead the kitchen in Songxiang Inn at the age of 8.

"At the age of 10, she won the runner-up in the World Youth Chef Competition, showing her astonishing talent, and gained the recognition of many renowned chefs.

"René Redzepi, the Chef of Noma, praised her as a once-in-thirty-years culinary talent.

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"But despite her rapidly rising star status, she did not participate in any major competitions afterwards and did not continue to be active in the culinary world. Instead, she chose to study abroad, surprisingly majoring in oil painting."

"This choice has caused many to feel regret," mentioned the hostess, who then interviewed a diner who had previously tasted dishes made by Sun Mei.

This was an elderly man, nearly seventy years old, who couldn't stop praising Sun Mei's skills while also expressing some concern about her performance in this competition.

After all, it had been a long time since Sun Mei had worked as a chef. It was uncertain how much of her former prowess she retained now that she was suddenly back competing.

Meanwhile, Sun Mei was fully immersed in her cooking, no longer hearing the noises from outside.

Even though she had been away from the kitchen for nearly a decade, her movements remained highly skilled, whether she was chopping vegetables, peeling, or filleting, everything was executed cleanly.

She poured the chopped ingredients into the fruit and vegetable grinders, quickly crushing them. Shortly after, the twelve grinders around her were bustling with vibrant colors.

Sun Mei then poured the pureed fruits and vegetables into pastry bags and continued grinding the remaining ingredients until everything was processed.

She then took out a twenty-inch blue and white moonlight plate and began her creation.

First, she used mango purée to depict a sandy beach and then outlined palm trees on the beach with papaya purée.

"Ah, I see; using ingredients as paint to create artwork on the plate? This way you integrate the culinary arts with the oil painting techniques you learned during your studies abroad," observes a familiar voice behind her.

Sun Mei turned around, startled.

"Why is it you?"

"Why can't it be me?" Ma Lu asked.

"Aren't we in the middle of a competition?"

"Yes, but I asked the staff. As long as I don't disturb the other contestants, I'm allowed to observe someone else's cooking process."

Sun Mei glanced at the timer on the table. It had been less than thirty minutes since the competition started.

Her face expressed disbelief, "You're finished with your dish already?"

"No."

"Why aren't you hurrying back to continue cooking instead of wandering around here?"

"Um, although I'm not done yet, I only have the final fermentation and baking left. I've already put it in the oven and set the timer, so there isn't much else to do. I'm planning to look around and see what everyone else is up to."

Sun Mei doubted her ears and instinctively looked at Yu Yitong and David behind Ma Lu, only to see Yu Yitong nodding slightly.

Although she didn't quite understand what Ma Lu was trying to do, he indeed put his dish in the oven thirty minutes after the competition started and then began wandering around the other cooking stations.

Like an enthusiastic spectator who had accidentally wandered into the competition area.

Moreover, the guy was able to chat with contestants from various countries in fluent Chinese, although, in Yu Yitong and David's eyes, it was like the chicken talking to the duck.

"What are you planning to draw?" Ma Lu asked, leaning in close to Sun Mei curiously.

"The end of the world." Sun Mei didn't hide it.

"Ah, sticking closely to the competition venue, smart!"

"You should focus more on your dish too, don't get eliminated in the first round," Sun Mei advised.

"Um, sure." Ma Lu said, but he then walked towards the other cooking stations.

He first went to Chuan Ye Zhengming, who stood in front of his cooking station with eyes closed, not moving at all.

The ingredients he had picked up were still untouched on the countertop.

"Eh, haven't you started yet? It's been half an hour already," Ma Lu said.

Chuan Ye Zhengming opened his eyes. "I haven't decided what to make yet."

"Didn't you say you wanted to make the restaurant's signature dish—Reef?"

"But I realized that the ingredients here are not suitable for that dish."

"Well, just switch to another dish from the menu then."

"But the problem I mentioned before will still exist," Chuan Ye Zhengming shrugged. "That's what I'm most worried about, because even the same ingredient, in different origins and seasons, tastes different."

"Ah, is that so? What do you plan to do then?"

"I plan to design a new dish based on the existing ingredients to maximize the features of these ingredients," Chuan Ye Zhengming said.

"Eh, improvising on the spot, going for it on the first day, huh."

Ma Lu suddenly remembered that he had seen people in the chat group saying that Chuan Ye Zhengming's improvisation skills were very strong. What dish his Isolated Island Restaurant serves each day depended on what he could catch.

"Then you keep up the good work, I won't disturb you anymore," Ma Lu said.

"Have you not decided what to make either?" Chuan Ye Zhengming asked as Ma Lu was about to leave.

"Nope, I'm almost done."

"......"

Ma Lu initially wanted to check on Qi Shanzhu as well, but thinking that she was already nervous, he decided not to disturb her and just looked from afar.

Qi Shanzhu seemed to be planning to make a dessert, currently kneading shortcrust pastry with a serious expression.

Just as Ma Lu was wondering where to go next, a pillar of fire suddenly burst in the center of the hall, triggering a series of exclamations.