Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Once all five judges had been introduced, Nakiri Senzaemon made the announcement without further delay.

”The Totsuki Autumn Elections final begins now!”

At his command, Haruto, Yukihira Soma, Hayama Akira, and Kurokiba Ryo turned toward their respective cooking stations.

Haruto opened a specially designed refrigerated container and removed his primary ingredient.

It was a Volcanic Hyacinth Bird several times larger than an ordinary turkey.

The unfamiliar creature immediately drew the students’ attention.

Many hurriedly checked the ingredient guides distributed before the match, which contained basic information about the bird.

The other three contestants began unpacking their ingredients as well.

Soma brought out several cuts of dark-red meat with beautifully defined grain.

The ribs, tenderloin, tail, and other sections had all been separated and trimmed with precision.

It looked like top-grade beef, but it was actually Minotaur meat from the Delicious in Dungeon world.

Hayama had chosen an enormous Flying Duck leg.

Its glossy skin and plump flesh immediately caught his attention. H

is nose twitched as he began constructing the perfect balance between the meat and his spices in his mind.

Kurokiba, meanwhile, had selected a cut of Great Sea Serpent meat.

The flesh was snow-white, resilient, and pleasantly springy. The moment it left its container, it released a uniquely fresh aroma unlike that of ordinary seafood.

Although the ingredient came from another world, Kurokiba was confident that he could master anything from the sea.

Four competitors, each using an extraordinary ingredient.

The audience’s expectations instantly soared.

At the judging table, WGO Second-Class Bookmaster Charme looked toward Soma and glanced down at the information beside him.

”The boy wearing the headband intends to make beef stew, correct?”

”According to his profile, he comes from a family restaurant in a shopping district and transferred into Totsuki only half a year ago.”

”It is difficult to imagine him producing anything truly remarkable in a final of this level.”

”Giving such a rare ingredient to him may prove wasteful.”

The WGO had sent Anne and Charme to judge the final under the orders of Special-Class Bookmaster Nakiri Mana.

Their true purpose was to assess the value of the unusual ingredients Totsuki had presented.

According to the information supplied by the academy, Soma’s ingredient was Minotaur meat, an exceptional variety of beef.

First-Class Bookmaster Anne nodded slightly.

”I agree. The WGO seeks cuisine capable of striking directly at the soul.”

”The culinary logic of a family restaurant may instead become a set of chains holding him back.”

Dojima Gin calmly watched Soma as he listened to their conversation.

”Perhaps you are judging him too soon.”

”There is certainly a considerable difference between the cuisine of a family restaurant and that of a luxury establishment.”

”A family restaurant aims for a flavor that reveals its true appeal by the third bite. It must remain enjoyable without becoming tiring—a gentle taste that gradually settles into the palate and invites customers to return day after day.”

”Fine dining, on the other hand, demands an overwhelming first bite. It seeks an extreme flavor that strikes the heart immediately and brands itself into the diner’s memory.”

”However, I believe he understands that distinction.”

Soma was the son of Yukihira Joichiro, after all.

Dojima had no intention of revealing that fact, however.

As though confirming his judgment, Soma rotated his wrist and drove his sharp knife through the Minotaur tail.

Perfectly even slices dropped into a heated frying pan with an enticing sizzle.

The high temperature instantly sealed in the juices, releasing the meat’s distinctive aroma alongside the fragrance of browning fat.

Soma’s eyes were completely focused.

Every movement flowed smoothly, without a single wasted motion.

A pleased smile gradually appeared on Dojima’s face.

”It seems Yukihira has already found his answer.”

His thoughts drifted back to the days when he and Joichiro had poured their youth and passion into Totsuki.

The Soma before him might not yet equal Joichiro at the same age, but his resilience was extraordinary, his fundamentals were nearly flawless, and his rate of growth was astonishing.

Dojima withdrew his gaze and naturally turned toward Haruto’s station.

Haruto was carefully preparing the Volcanic Hyacinth Bird. Beside him lay several pieces of wood carrying a delicate natural fragrance.

They were no ordinary fruitwood branches.

They had come from Dryads in the Delicious in Dungeon world, and both the heat and aroma they produced when burned far surpassed those of conventional wood.

Soma had received a smaller quantity of the same branches.

The materials arranged around Haruto immediately piqued the judges’ interest.

Charme studied him thoughtfully.

”Does he intend to roast the entire Volcanic Hyacinth Bird directly over an open flame?”

”Even if that is exceptional fruitwood and can infuse the flesh with fragrance, controlling the temperature of an open fire is extraordinarily difficult.”

”If the heat is slightly too high or the cooking time too long, the exterior will burn while the meat becomes dry.”

”If the heat is insufficient, the center will remain raw and unpleasantly gamey.”

”Does he truly have the confidence to attempt such a risky method?”

”He may end up presenting something that cannot even be considered acceptable.”

Roasting an ordinary chicken or duck over wood required at least one or two hours.

Haruto’s Volcanic Hyacinth Bird was several times larger than a turkey.

Even inside an oven, cooking it thoroughly would take three or four hours, let alone over an open flame.

Without a proper roasting kiln, he would need an extremely powerful fire to cook the center.

Maintaining control at such a temperature would be nearly impossible.

Dojima remained silent as he watched Haruto work.

He still remembered the student who had been the first to complete fifty steak sets during the training camp.

As a member of Totsuki’s Board of Directors, Dojima also knew that the entire format of the Autumn Elections had been changed because of the ingredients Haruto had supplied.

He believed Haruto would not choose this method unless he was certain it would work.

In the audience, Ryoko watched Haruto with concern.

”Roasting the entire bird over an open flame is far too risky!”

Yuki’s expression was equally grave as she stared at the enormous creature on Haruto’s station.

”To cook poultry that large, he’ll need incredibly high heat. The slightest mistake will burn the skin while leaving the inside raw. That’s much too aggressive.”

Unlike the two anxious girls, Ibusaki Shun remained calm.

”Don’t worry. Haruto won’t make a mistake.”

”His control over temperature is far beyond any of ours.”

When he and Haruto had prepared smoked cuisine together, Haruto had demonstrated astonishing control over heat and an almost perfect ability to judge the condition of an ingredient.

The memory remained vivid in Ibusaki’s mind.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Haruto finally made his next move.

He brought out a bag of volcanic ash from Wuu Volcano and poured it into a bowl of flour before adding the proper amount of water.

His wrist moved at a steady rhythm.

Before long, the ingredients formed a smooth, delicate dough with precisely balanced firmness.

Haruto took up a rolling pin and pressed down with both arms, spreading the dough across the work surface until it became a huge, perfectly even sheet of just the right thickness.

He placed the prepared Volcanic Hyacinth Bird in the center.

Then, as though wrapping an enormous steamed bun, he gradually gathered the edges of the dough and pinched them tightly together, sealing the entire bird inside.

The result resembled a gigantic bun.

The judges and students stared in confusion, unable to understand what Haruto intended to do.

They had assumed he would roast the bird directly over an open flame.

Why had he wrapped it completely in dough?

Clearly, his plan was not what they had imagined.

He certainly was not going to steam something that large either.

While everyone continued puzzling over his actions, Haruto lifted the enormous wrapped bird and lowered it into a massive pot of oil that had already been brought to temperature.

The scalding oil engulfed the dough, and a loud sizzling spread throughout the arena.

Within moments, the air trapped inside began expanding.

The previously soft and sagging ”bun” rapidly swelled until it became an enormous round ball of dough.

Its surface turned golden brown, releasing a gentle fragrance of toasted wheat.