The three dishes in the finals each had their unique characteristics.

The Gulao Meat exuded a rich sweet and sour aroma, accompanied by the distinctive fresh fragrance of pineapple.

The lightly fried meat chunks and the interspersed pineapple pieces looked very appetizing at first glance.

It could be said that this was a perfect dish.

Upon seeing this dish, I'd order two bowls of rice and devour it all! Lin Xu thought.

Anyone who liked sweet and sour dishes would find it completely irresistible.

The Fried Pork made by Wei Qian also had an excellent presentation.

The meat slices, stir-fried until slightly caramelized and delicately wrinkled, had taken on the standard "lantern" shape.

The Doubanjiang, used for flavor and fragrance, was so finely minced that one could only smell its aroma without seeing any trace of the paste itself, further enhancing the dish's visual appeal.

The meat slices, paired with garlic scapes, not only gained an added vibrancy in color but also a rich garlic aroma.

Just as they were admiring it, Wei Qian came over, smiling, and said, "Lin Xu, your skills are truly impeccable. I'm thoroughly convinced and impressed."

Guo Xinghai also expressed his agreement, "I really didn't expect you to have mastered the White Jade Lotus Root Strips from Building Two. If I'd known you were making this, I would have let loose and made Big Plate Chicken."

Lin Xu was speechless. A Cantonese cuisine chef known for delicate dishes making Big Plate Chicken? Isn't that a bit too incongruous?

He laughed and said, "Then you should have! I could have rolled out some wide noodles to go with it. Big Plate Chicken with belt noodles—a perfect match!"

For the others, the judges' scoring was the most crucial moment.

But for Lin Xu and the other two, the competition was already over.

The three of them stood to the side, sipping tea provided at the venue and chatting casually.

Shen Jiayue stood up from her seat in the audience, earnestly observing the White Jade Lotus Root Strips on display.

The last time Xie Baomin made it, it was just for them to eat, so there wasn't much emphasis on plating. It was casually served, finished off with some hot Seasoning Oil drizzled with green Sichuan peppercorns.

But today, being a competition, and with Lin Xu having redeemed an Excellent Level plating technique, the dish's presentation had reached a new level.

In the center of a high-end, gold-trimmed porcelain plate, the lotus root strips were neatly stacked into a mound approximately ten centimeters high.

The mound was square, and from afar, it resembled a neatly arranged pile of white jade.

Never mind eating it; just looking at it was like admiring a piece of art.

Compared to the last time Senior Brother made it in the restaurant, this could sell for several times the price. Shen Jiayue thought.

Shen Jiayue had never imagined a dish could be refined to such a degree.

No wonder that as soon as she saw Lin Xu choose lotus root, her senior brother's smile hadn't faltered, while the head chef from Building Ten looked as dejected as a frostbitten eggplant.

So that's how amazing this dish is!

Not far away, Guo Xinghai, looking at the White Jade Lotus Root Strips on the table, was also filled with emotion.

When he lived with his grandfather in Yangcheng, the two of them had also attempted to make the White Jade Lotus Root Strips.

But the knife skills required were exceptionally difficult.

He had nearly cut his hands several times while practicing the slicing.

To avoid losing his fingers prematurely, Guo Xinghai decisively gave up on the dish and diligently learned Cantonese cuisine from his grandfather.

This time, upon returning, he had hoped to clinch another championship for a perfect ending.

But then he ran into the unexpectedly formidable Lin Xu.

From the first round to the finals, all the contestants, including himself, had been consistently overshadowed by Lin Xu.

Facing such an opponent, even the most ambitious person could only resign themselves to fate.

"How about we find a place and grab a drink tonight?"

After this competition, Guo Xinghai truly understood the saying "there's always someone better out there." He planned to return to Yangcheng the next day to continue honing his culinary skills.

Before leaving, he wanted to have a drink with Lin Xu, partly to make a friend.

If he had the chance in the future, he would return to Beijing to spar with Lin Xu again.

As soon as Guo Xinghai finished speaking, Wei Qian chimed in, "Yes, yes, let's have a drink together tonight! I'm off today and don't have the night shift, so it's a perfect chance to relax."

Lin Xu responded to their suggestions with a wry smile, "I still have to work at my restaurant this afternoon. How about you two go to my place to eat first? I'll join you for drinks after I'm done."

Your restaurant? Wei Qian asked curiously, "You've opened a restaurant, Lin Xu? How big is it, and where is it? Is it far from the Fishing Platform?"

Lin Xu said, "It's Lin Ji's Food, at 34 Yingchun Street. It's not a big place, but business is decent. If you're ever bored, feel free to come by and hang out."

"That's great! I don't have many friends in Beijing. When I'm not busy, I'll come find you all the time."

Wei Qian was quite a homebody. During his days off, aside from playing on his phone in the dormitory and napping, he would just wander around the vicinity aimlessly.

His colleagues had initially been on good terms with him. This was especially true when Master He, the former head chef of Building One, had considered taking Wei Qian as his apprentice; everyone would flock around him daily back then.

Later, Master He dropped the idea, finding Wei Qian too obstinate and willing only to cook pork dishes. Thus, the apprenticeship never materialized.

His colleagues' attitudes cooled towards him after that.

Wei Qian didn't seem to mind and continued to go his own way.

Now that he had met Lin Xu, he felt he finally had a place to go after work.

「At the competition venue.」

The judges were tasting the dishes.

They gave high praise to the Gulao Meat and the Fried Pork.

However, when they tasted the White Jade Lotus Root Strips, the judges became somewhat silent.

The dish was delicious.

Its faint fragrance was apparent even before it entered the mouth.

Upon tasting it, the first sensation was a slight numbness, followed by sourness, sweetness, saltiness, and even the subtle spiciness of ginger juice.

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