Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Surprise
Guo Wenbo said to everyone with a serious expression: "In all today’s rounds, I have said the same thing. Being conventional and only reaching the level of ordinary restaurants or even street food is useless."
"What we are looking for are outstanding chefs with their own creativity, who show their passion for cooking rather than treating it as a tool. If you think this is just a preliminary selection and merely avoiding mistakes will get you through, you are gravely mistaken. Even if you can pass now, you will be eliminated in the later stages."
This was obviously said toward Lou Kangtai’s dish of Idea Dumplings.
Lou Kangtai returned with a grim face.
The judges barely made any comments after tasting the next few dishes, merely nodding and recording something next to their names on the form, which they couldn’t see.
Ding Ruyun and Tang Bingxia, the two girls, both made Chinese pastries.
But Tang Bingxia did not receive any feedback.
Like the few before her, Tang Bingxia was clearly somewhat disappointed.
As she stepped down, she glanced at Ding Ruyun, who she passed on the stage.
Tang Bingxia sincerely hoped Ding Ruyun wouldn’t receive any feedback either.
She had realized that not receiving feedback meant that in the judges’ eyes, her dish didn’t stand out and wasn’t worth commenting on.
"Hello, judges. I’ve made Imperial Consort Cake." Ding Ruyun presented the cakes in front of them.
Ye Huasong sliced the Imperial Consort Cake and slightly smiled: "The puff pastry is well done, with clear layers, and it hasn’t fallen apart; the pastry is maintained intact."
Ye Huasong picked up a piece of pastry and examined it against the light: "Semi-transparent, almost as thin as paper."
He then tasted it with the filling: "The filling is soft and solid, not too sweet. Your basic skills in making Chinese pastries are quite solid."
Ding Ruyun said joyfully: "Thank you, Teacher."
"However, it still lacks some spark. Keep working hard." Ye Huasong said.
But anyway, she got some commentary, which was far better than others.
Ding Ruyun wasn’t disappointed.
Fu Jiaxu also received a few comments.
But so far, none of the works have amazed the judges.
However, the five judges were not surprised.
After all, it’s just the preliminary selection, the quality is mixed.
Being conventional is already decent enough.
Finally, it was the last contestant, Ye Fei.
Ye Fei directly carried a small basket to the judges.
"Hello, judges. I’ve prepared Xiao Long Bao." Ye Fei said.
Because Ye Fei was personally introduced by Zhao Gushen, the five judges naturally paid extra attention to her.
"Others have prepared very exquisite dishes, from Idea Dumplings to beautifully crafted Chinese and Western desserts. But no one else made this." Ye Huasong clearly appreciated Ye Fei’s choice to make Xiao Long Bao, "It looks quite humble."
But Ye Fei blocked it, so the others didn’t see Ye Huasong’s expression.
They assumed Ye Huasong was mocking Ye Fei for making Xiao Long Bao, a dish that is hard to show sophistication.
Initially feeling embarrassed, people suddenly lowered their heads with a sneering laugh.
But immediately, they heard Guo Wenbo say: "Xiao Long Bao may seem unremarkable, but it’s not easy to make them well."
"Teacher Ye, would you like to taste it first?" Lowell, the master of dough, said with a smile.
Ye Huasong then picked a Xiao Long Bao with his chopsticks.
"This..."
Everyone was surprised.
Ye Huasong picked it up by the sealed top end of the Xiao Long Bao.
