Chapter 900: 900

“Can’t be too numb and spicy? Interesting,” Yuan Zhou muttered to himself .

When the door closed, a question and answer formed in Yuan Zhou’s mind .

“No wonder he got Zhao Xin to deliver the message,” Yuan Zhou’s heart felt warm .

In truth, this message from Cao Zhishu was his way of showing Yuan Zhou his good side . The preferred taste of the dish in the test was something not even Zhou Shijie was aware of .

After all, although Zhou Shijie was the chairman, he was not a chef in the competition . Small details like this would only be known to the chefs actually in the competition .

And telling Yuan Zhou this was most likely Cao Zhishu’s way of apologizing .

“These people sure are working hard to promote Sichuan Cuisine,” Yuan Zhou lamented .

That’s right . The reason they did not want the dishes in the competition to be too numb and spicy was naturally to make them easier to promote to the masses . After all, the intense spiciness of Sichuan Cuisine was a result that came from the preferences of the locals .

Outsiders might not like their food as spicy . And thus, to promote Sichuan Cuisine to the masses, they had to tone down the spiciness .

“But a Sichuan Cuisine that is not spicy won’t be a Sichuan Cuisine anymore,” Yuan Zhou muttered .

“Making a spicy dish that will suit the taste buds of outsiders . This will be quite a good theme to work with,” Yuan Zhou reached a conclusion .

The only reason he had participated in this competition was so he could make authentic Sichuan Cuisine . Of course, he still needed to win since he wanted the system reward .

One could not say that Yuan Zhou was being too conservative . The present him had the confidence he could accomplish this .

“The current mission is quite burdensome . I will sleep one hour less then,” Yuan Zhou decided to first go upstairs to do some reading and research on the Three Fragrance to the Ocean . There were 73 hours left to the appointed time and 73 hours weren’t much at all .

After going upstairs, Yuan Zhou washed his hands while thinking over his new daily schedule . He put on a surgical mask as well since he did not know if his breath would have any effect on the ancient text . It was better to be safe .

Song Za Zu wasn’t too thick a book . Even if he read each word and line carefully, he still spent only 15 minutes to reach the part introducing the Three Fragrance to the Ocean .

Some of the words were already blurred due to the passage of time . But from the words that he could see, it was obvious this was a dish that had been made before . It was sweet, sour, and salty at the same time . The combined flavor was unique yet harmonious .

It was similar to the ‘Goodness, three beans rich in fragrance, akin to the ocean’ Chairman Zhou said previously, descriptions of no substantive help . From the ancient text, Yuan Zhou’s previous guess had been proven right . The three flavors in this dish were sweet, salty, and sour .

“The book also mentions that this is a specialty dish of the Yang Clan . But it is impossible to find more details about this Yang Clan anymore . But the fact that it was a specialty dish said one thing . Not only could they make it, they were even good at it . ” Yuan Zhou sank into contemplation with a frown .

After reading the book, Yuan Zhou carefully closed the case again before taking his mask off .

“According to Chairman Zhou, many renowned chefs apart from him have also researched this dish . Since people had once made this dish in the past, I will definitely be able to do it as well,” Yuan Zhou muttered to himself .

“The exemplary restaurant selection in a week, and the Three Fragrance to the Ocean in two days . I’m pressed for time,” Yuan Zhou decided to visit his bathroom to get some inspiration when he thought of how pressed for time he was .

“I heard it will be easier to get a spark of inspiration from the bathroom,” Yuan Zhou said as he entered the bathroom with his laundry .

After a bath, Yuan Zhou already formed an initial plan for the Three Fragrance to the Ocean .

“I feel much more relaxed after a bath,” Yuan Zhou muttered . “I might as well submit the menu while I’m at it . ”

In his nightclothes, Yuan Zhou turned on the computer . The menu he was submitting was the menu for the exemplary restaurant selection .

According to the rules of the competition, the contestants needed to submit their menus in advance . It was understandable that for a competition this strict, the contestants would not be allowed to do whatever they wished . As such, a set of rules needed to be put in place .

When Yuan Zhou first heard of this rule, he planned to submit his menu on the last day . After all, he knew too many dishes and it would be hard for him to decide on what to use during the competition .

But after receiving Cao Zhishu’s reminder today, he made up his mind .

“I will make a simple set of one meat, one vegetable, and one cold dish . I don’t have to bother thinking of tactics,” Yuan Zhou decided .

That’s right . For this competition, only three dishes were required . Thus, the combination of dishes would be something the chefs could plan on .

For example, they could prepare a set of one meat, one vegetable, and one soup . Or they could prepare one meat, one vegetable, and one cold dish, or replace the third with some refreshments or desserts . In any case, they would present their optimal combination .

Yuan Zhou entered the website and replied with Saliva Chicken, Mapo Tofu, and Boiled Meat Slices .

All three of these dishes were known for being spicy, with Saliva Chicken and Boiled Meat Slices being the representative dishes of Chongqing School’s Sichuan Cuisine .

In Chongqing School’s Sichuan Cuisine, they aimed to reach the peak of flavor, and their dishes were all extremely spicy . They even had a saying that a dish should be wearing chilies like clothes .

Moreover, the Saliva Chicken derived its name from the fact that this dish was so spicy it would cause one to start salivating without control . One could imagine how spicy this dish was .

Yuan Zhou insisted on using the spiciest dish to conquer the judges . He also wanted to teach them that if one discarded the unique characteristics of something for the sake of appeasing the masses, it would not be long before they reach mediocrity .

After filling up the dishes, Yuan Zhou submitted it . Then, he spent 10 minutes reading before going to bed .

Yuan Zhou had a good night’s sleep . Although he slept one hour later than usual, he still woke up at the usual time . As usual, he started exercising and preparing for his daily business .

And with the arrival of a new day, Zhao Xin went to Shu Restaurant to work as usual .

When Cao Zhishu arrived, Zhao Xin went to Cao Zhishu’s office to report on what happened last night .

Thud . Thud . Zhao Xin knocked on the door .

“Come in . ” Cao Zhishu was sitting in his chair while browsing the list of some ingredients .

“Head chef,” Zhao Xin was still scared of calling him master . After all, he had received a terrible scolding recently .

“How is it?” Cao Zhishu asked as he lifted his head .

Zhao Xin had his head lowered . He did not dare to look straight at Cao Zhishu . After all, he could see a deep disappointment on his master’s face as of late . Therefore, he did not dare to gaze upon his master .

“Talk with your head raised,” Cao Zhishu’s strict voice sounded .

“Yes, master,” Zhao Xin raised his head by reflex .

“Say it,” Cao Zhishu asked after nodding in satisfaction when he saw that Zhao Xin no longer appear as distressed .

“Master, I apologized to Head Chef Yuan and passed him your message last night,” Zhao Xin reported .

“Um . What did he say?” Cao Zhishu asked .

“Head Chef Yuan did not have a change in expression . He did not say anything as well,” Zhao Xin gave it a thought and answered .

“So he sent you away directly?” Cao Zhishu asked .

“Yes,” Zhao Xin nodded .

“Interesting . Looks like he understands the meaning of my gesture and he does not even need this message in the first place,” Cao Zhishu said as he rubbed his bald head .

“Master?” Zhao Xin was confused .

“This Head Chef Yuan will probably still make spicy dishes,” Cao Zhishu said confidently .

“Why?” Zhao Xin was completely confused .

Even he understood what the judges wanted . It was impossible for Yuan Zhou to not understand . Since he knew, why did he insist on doing that? Was he truly that confident in himself? Zhao Xin questioned himself .

“Let me check if he has already submitted his menu,” Cao Zhishu did not answer . Rather, he visited the competition website .

“So it’s Saliva Chicken, Boiled Meat Slices, and Mapo Tofu,” Cao Zhishu was finally sure that Yuan Zhou was going to make something spicy .

That wasn’t a hard guess . But in the past, when people tried cooking something spicy, they all ended up in defeat .

It wasn’t because their dishes weren’t good . But it was because their dishes weren’t suitable .

In short, it was similar to: You are very good, but I don’t love you . These dishes were able to touch the judges, but were still rejected eventually .