Chapter 256 - 248: Another Bout: A Zhejiang Dish

Chapter 256: Chapter 248: Another Bout: A Zhejiang Dish

At the same time, Yu Hong thought to himself, ’This Mapo Tofu’s flavor is probably genuinely and significantly better than mine.’

’This was a frustrating but undeniable fact.’

’Still, I have to taste it to be certain.’

The appearance of a dish is very important—it’s the first impression—but ultimately, the flavor is what truly matters.

Appearance alone isn’t enough.

So, Yu Hong said, "Fellow masters, I’ll be the first to taste it then."

Chen Wen, He Xianfei, and Qu Feng said in unison, "Please, Master Yu!"

Yu Hong picked up a spoon, scooped up some tofu, and brought it to his mouth.

After savoring it for a moment, he first sighed heavily in his heart, his emotions a tangled mess.

’It’s confirmed. The flavor of this Mapo Tofu is truly and significantly better than mine.’

’The gap is actually quite large. It’s a gap I couldn’t cross even if I performed at my absolute best.’

’So, there’s really no need to hold a competition on the spot anymore.’

’It seems my only option is to concede.’

’Of course, I could refuse to concede. I could say that Boss Li You’s Mapo Tofu is indeed brilliant, but we wouldn’t know who truly wins or loses without a competition.’

But Yu Hong had no intention of doing so. His dignity as a master chef wouldn’t allow it.

A loss is a loss; there was no shame in admitting it.

In a culinary contest between two people, winning and losing are both perfectly normal.

Although Yu Hong was very confident in his culinary skills, he wasn’t arrogant. He deeply understood the principle that there is always a higher mountain and a greater master.

The only reason he hadn’t believed Chen Wen before was because Chen Wen’s claims had been too exaggerated to be believable.

In fact, even now, Yu Hong found it hard to believe that the Mapo Tofu before him was the work of a chef who was only twenty-five years old.

’He’s only twenty-five! Even with immense talent, it should be impossible to create a Mapo Tofu like this!’

’What kind of freak of nature is he?’

’It’s completely illogical!’

Faced with such an illogical chef, Yu Hong felt utterly helpless.

But there was nothing to be done. Logical or not, the result was that he truly couldn’t compare to the man’s Mapo Tofu.

He could only concede.

Yet, amidst his frustration and bitterness, Yu Hong also felt a stir of excitement.

Putting aside the circumstances of the whole affair, he was a top expert in Mapo Tofu, and he was excited simply by encountering a version of the dish that was so nearly perfect.

This was a stroke of luck, a kind of destiny.

To encounter such a Mapo Tofu... it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he could now live his life with no regrets.

But no matter what, he had still lost. And having to concede without even putting up a fight was hardly a reason to be cheerful.

Thus, Yu Hong’s emotions were a tangled mess. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "Boss Li You’s Mapo Tofu is far superior to mine. I concede."

Hearing Yu Hong say this, Chen Wen, He Xianfei, and Qu Feng were all overjoyed and quite pleased.

Especially Chen Wen.

’Now Master Yu finally knows that everything I said before was true, right?’

’Just because a Special Chef can’t do something doesn’t mean no one else can.’

’It might be unbelievable, but Boss Li You’s culinary skill is just that unfathomable.’

’When it comes to Mapo Tofu, in the end, it was a chef from our Chuansheng Province who won.’

All the other customers in the restaurant were also extremely happy.

However, no one cheered or jumped for joy.

After all, since Yu Hong had conceded so readily and honorably, there was no need for such a display.

But their happiness was very real. For even a top Mapo Tofu expert like Yu Hong to concede defeat meant that the boss was truly incredible.

’This should pretty much make him the number one expert on Mapo Tofu, right?’

’The only question is whether those two Special Chefs who specialize in Chuansheng cuisine could possibly be better than the boss?’

’Probably not.’

’Of course, in theory, we can’t rule out the possibility that there are other hidden masters like the boss out there.’

’But either way, the boss is absolutely amazing. And that was exactly what the customers loved to see.’

The customers murmured among themselves. The outcome was just as they had expected. The event itself, along with the lively atmosphere, filled them with excitement.

Chen Wen desperately wanted to laugh out loud, but since Yu Hong had conceded so willingly, he decided it was better to restrain himself.

So, he just chuckled and said, "Master Yu, don’t worry about it. After all, your specialty is the cuisine of your Zhejiang Province. To have mastered our Chuansheng Province’s Mapo Tofu to such a degree is already incredibly impressive. Lao He and I are both full of admiration."

He Xianfei nodded. "Old Chen is right. I also have the utmost admiration for Master Yu."

Yu Hong replied, "Be that as it may, a loss is a loss. What’s truly admirable is that Boss Li You has achieved such mastery in culinary arts at such a young age."

Chen Wen and He Xianfei both agreed that Boss Li You was indeed equally admirable.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ye Shengge and Ling Xiaoru were also very happy.

"See, Boss? I told you he would concede on his own," Ye Shengge said.

Li You smiled faintly and said, "Master Yu’s skills are also very formidable."

Ye Shengge said, "He’s definitely formidable, I’ll give you that. After all, even Chen Wen lost to him. But in the end, he’s still no match for you."

Li You said, "But Master Yu’s specialty is Zhejiang cuisine. To become a top expert in a dish like Mapo Tofu is already quite an achievement."

Ye Shengge nodded. "That’s true. I never thought a chef specializing in Zhejiang cuisine could beat Chen Wen, another top Mapo Tofu expert, at his own game. Boss, if you were to compete with Master Yu in a Zhejiang dish, who would win? You or him?"