Chapter 94. All three players from the preliminary round advanced to the finals
Because it is a provincial preliminary round, most people will be eliminated, which is similar to the auditions in a talent show. The content of the competition is relatively simple and there are not many special requirements.
Each participating chef has 20 minutes to prepare a dish within the allotted timeframe. The process of chopping vegetables is a test of knife skills, while preparing the cut vegetables into a dish is a test of cooking technique. The judges then comprehensively evaluate the dish based on seven key aspects: appearance, aroma, flavor, form, texture, nutrition, and presentation.
Although everyone is used to calling it a chef competition, the official name of the competition is actually the National Cooking Skills Competition. If you can finally get into the top three in the national competition, you can get the title of National Special Chef and no longer need to take the chef grade examination.
Ye Tian looked at the vegetables, fish, meat and other ingredients provided on site. They were not particularly rich, but there were enough for the contestants to choose from.
She thought that it was only the preliminary round and there was no need to make too complicated dishes. She looked at the contestants next to her and saw that they had already picked up the ingredients of their choice. They chose all kinds of things, including meat, fish, potatoes and cucumbers.
Ye Tian looked at the tofu on site and thought the quality was okay, so she decided to make a simple Wensi tofu soup. This would not only show off her knife skills, but also make the soup taste refreshing and delicious.
She didn't need to look at the chopping board at all. She cut the tofu very quickly. The tofu looked like tofu paste on the chopping board, but when she put it into a large bowl of clean water, she could see that the tofu was cut into very thin strips.
Afterwards, she shredded the wood ear mushrooms and ham, just a little bit of each, and then shredded some green onions, which made the color combination look good and also served as a seasoning.
Inside the competition venue, 20 people were busy cooking. After Ye Tian finished, she still had time to see what the others were doing.
The five judges on the stage also looked at the contestants and whispered to each other from time to time.
The chef on Ye Tian’s left chose to prepare the main course, which was a simple bowl of Yangchun noodles. The handmade noodles were thin and evenly distributed, and the soup base was also very refreshing. Paired with green vegetables, it looked very appetizing.
The person on the right made a West Lake vinegar fish, but his technique was obviously average, the fish didn't seem to cooperate, and the shape was not very beautiful.
When the competition time is over, the 20 chefs bring their dishes in front of the judges, who score them one by one.
The judges had tried too many strange dishes today and were feeling a little nauseous. However, a refreshing tofu soup made them want a second spoonful after taking a spoonful.
"It's amazing that there are such talented people this year. I think the skills are those of a veteran chef with 30 years of experience. I didn't expect it to be made by a young girl."
"Yes, this Wensi tofu is made very light and refreshing, but the taste is not bland, not bad!"
The scores are: 9.8 points, 9.9 points, 9.9 points, 10 points, and 9.8 points.
All five judges gave scores above 9.8, and one older male judge gave it a 10. Ye Tian's score undoubtedly put her in first place.
When she came out, Li Bing came in. She waved her hand, and Li Bing quickly moved to her side. She took the opportunity to say, "Make spicy and sour potato shreds."
This was also her conclusion based on her own experience. By the end of the meal, the judges were about to vomit. At this time, some refreshing and appetizing side dishes might be more popular. If they were served with heavy fish and meat, they would definitely not be able to finish it.
Ye Tian didn't expect that when she continued to walk out, she actually ran into an acquaintance who was rushing over. It was Da Xiong, the kitchen helper in Chen Chi's restaurant. The two of them had worked together for a period of time to prepare employee meals.
He saw Ye Tian also smiling and greeting, but time was tight, so he hurried in to participate in the competition.
Ye Tian found a corner in the waiting area, sat down and checked her phone while waiting for Li Bing.
Li Bing believed what Ye Tian said and took two potatoes to make hot and sour potato shreds. He had made this dish countless times in the cafeteria and was very familiar with it. The potato shreds were so fine.
In the end, the judges gave him scores of 8.5 or above, so he should be able to pass the preliminary exam.
Daxiong unexpectedly cooked a very complex squirrel fish, which is also his specialty. Due to the complexity of the dish, he ended up being over a minute over the time limit. But he did a really good job, so his score was not low, higher than Li Bing's, and he should be able to advance with Li Bing.
When the final list was announced, everyone learned that a total of 30 chefs were selected to enter the finals today, and the finals will be held in 3 days.
Ye Tian discovered that the young chef next to him, who made Yangchun noodles, had also made it to the finals and was just ranked 30th. Daxiong and Li Bing were ranked 15th and 26th respectively.
As for Ye Tian, of course she is number one.
Ye Tian introduced Daxiong to Li Bing, and after a brief chat, they all went back. After all, there was a rematch in three days, so they had to go back early to prepare.
Ye Tian didn't need to prepare anything, but Li Bing and Da Xiong seemed a little nervous. Li Bing, in particular, hadn't expected to make it to the finals, but he made it through without a hitch, and suddenly he was feeling the pressure.
On the taxi back, he frowned and didn't say anything. He no longer had the excitement and excitement he had just heard the list.
Ye Tian hadn't expected that as a half-master, she would have to comfort her apprentice: "Don't be nervous, just treat it normally. You hadn't thought about making it to the finals, but now that you've made it, it's a recognition of your culinary skills!"
Li Bing nodded.
"I've studied previous competitions. The finals should be a competition for all chefs. They'll first make a required dish, then a dish of their choice. Since we're competing at Lakeside, the dish of their choice will probably be a local dish. Let's go back and eliminate the dishes from previous competitions, especially those that are particularly time-consuming. We'll practice some other representative dishes. Maybe we'll find the right one. As for the dish of our choice, think about which one you're best at, or maybe make the hot and sour potato shreds again."
After Ye Tian's analysis, Li Bing seemed to feel that the finals were not that difficult. Besides, his main concern was participation. As long as he ranked no lower than the current 26th, it would be considered an improvement.
He had already shared the good news of his entry into the finals with Xiaojuan. After returning to school, Ye Tian went straight back to the dormitory and did not celebrate with the couple.
Lu Xinyi was the only one in the dormitory who hadn't returned home yet. She had a flight the next day, so the two of them went out for dinner together.
Lu Xinyi wanted to celebrate for her by going out for a big meal, but Ye Tian had just returned and didn't want to go into the city again, so she took Lu Xinyi to eat the pig intestine noodles that they both liked, which was the small noodle shop that sold braised pig intestines separately.
Because most of the students have gone home for the winter vacation, there are obviously fewer people in the store. There is no need to queue up for a seat, you can order food directly when you arrive.
Of course the boss knew Ye Tian and her roommate, and every time they came, he would give them an extra half spoonful of pig intestines.
"Here it comes! Is it still the big bowl of pig intestine noodles?"
The two nodded, not at all embarrassed about ordering a large bowl, and then found a seat to sit down.
"It's a shame I have to go home and miss your finals. The provincial competition probably won't be broadcast live," Lu Xinyi said. "But I can be sure you'll make it to the finals. I'll be waiting to see you at home."
"You have so much confidence in me!" Ye Tian smiled. In fact, she also had confidence in herself.
She didn't know about the other groups. Of the contestants she had seen, Daxiong and the Yangchun noodle chef were decent, but still a level below Ye Tian. It all depended on how the other contestants performed in the finals.
The next day, after seeing Lu Xinyi off, Ye Tian moved into the rented house.
The third canteen was also closed for the holiday, so the kitchens were empty. It was also their own place, so it was very convenient for practice.
Ye Tian sorted out the local specialties, eliminated some, and made a list. She and Li Bing practiced two or three dishes every day. For her, it was just a review, but the main purpose was to teach Li Bing, as he really didn't know how to cook some dishes.
Ye Tian only makes each dish once, but Li Bing might try it two or three times, or even more. This was also his first time making so many new dishes, but he was very motivated and seemed to absorb them faster. After making them a few times, he was basically able to make them well.
Cooking wasn't particularly difficult, but eating was. To avoid waste, they had to eat everything they cooked, and Li Bing didn't always cook well, which was really painful. Xiaojuan had already raised her fist at Li Bing, asking him to cook less.
While they were practicing cooking and eating, they faced the official competition.
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