Chapter 256 - Quarters Part 2 (1/2)
(5 Minutes before the time runs out)
”Mmm, so judges, who else do you think are the ones we should watch? Wang Ming has impressed us by his unique cooking methods but who else has impressed you?” Angela asked.
Natasha tried to hog the microphone, but the staff wanted for each judge to name one contestant each, so everyone would get screening time.
”Great question, Angela. Then please let me follow up with another question. For the ones you pick could you please give us an explanation as well? This would make it easier for the ones at home to follow.”
Natasha, being the one who loves the limelight, answered first after a few seconds of deliberation. ”There are many impressive candidates but if I had to choose one it has to be Tan Ai. She has shown us multiple times already how creative she is. This round's no different. From what I've observed, she's making a fried rice risotto together with a raw fish salad. I love how she incorporates cooking techniques from different countries into her own style. She has clearly taken inspiration from Italian cuisine for her fried rice, and salad Japanese cuisine. Though I wonder if she will have enough time to finish up her dish, as it seems like she's running low on time.”
”Mmm, thank you Natasha for the great insight! Mr Gao, what about you?”
”I think it's a bit cliche of me to say this, but Mr. Cheng is the one that has impressed me the most this competition, even though he has had a few bad incidents, this is a tough and nerve-wracking competition so I understand his actions. I think he's just taking the competition seriously and didn't have any malicious intent. But anyway, what's impressed me about him, is how he keeps innovating and keeping his cooking techniques fresh, many older chef's hold themselves back by clinging on to the past, yet he's the oldest contestant this year and he knows how to keep it fresh.”
”What about you Mr. Jiang?”
”Me and Miss Xiu has the same person in mind I assume, so I'll let her do the talking, that's fine with you, right? Little Xiu?” Smiling at each other Xiu Xie said.
”That's fine. I know you asked someone other than Wang Ming, but I still have to talk about him. He's the youngest contestant we've ever had on this show, I was previously the youngest winner ever at 36 years, but it seems like that record's in danger tomorrow. What's impressed me the most with Wang Ming is how he's worked under pressure these past 2 days, he's shown his ability to adapt in stressful situations, excellent knowledge and creativity. If you just think about when we were his age, none of us even had the qualifications to enter the competition, when we were at his age.”
”I totally agree with you, Miss Xiu!” Meng Zhong said, beaming. His happiness made it look like they were talking about Meng Hao, his own son. Some even wondered if Wang Ming is Meng Zhong's bastard child. His genuine happiness radiated to everyone who was watching at home. They couldn't help but smile seeing such a dignified business man show raw, unfiltered emotion live on television.
”Mmm, everyone please gather your attention back to the contestants, it's time for judging as the times out. Everyone watching the show please give everyone a loud applause for their effort the moment they exit their booths.” Angela's sweet voice entranced the men watching on their televisions. They couldn't help but start clapping even before anyone had left their booth. Many regretted the clapping after feeling a stinging pain at their sides and the daggers being directed directly at them from their significant other.
After this year's competition, the production stopped inviting Angela or any other woman who what the housewives categorized as a s.u.c.c.u.b.u.s. As they had gotten over 20 thousand calls from angry housewives, who all demanded that they ban Angela from the show and to never have a woman on the show again to seduce their husbands. Though funnily enough many years later to spicy up the show they instead had a very charming and seductive male MC on the show instead, which triggered thousands of angry husbands to call. After that they decided to just have qualified MC's someone everyone respects like Meng Zhong.
Hearing the loud applause when they left their booths, all the contestants felt proud. They had done their best already, now they just had to wait for the results. Taking the word, Meng Zhong congratulated everyone. ”You all should be proud of yourself! We've observed you all and we're overwhelmed by the skills you have all shown. But only 8 of you will qualify for the next round, but don't be sad, for you to get to this round is the dream of so many chefs already, be proud and have your head high, this round has been the hardest on the judges, as it's that close between you all.”