The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 30

Dominica wasn’t mistaken about the time. Her passion for cooking ran deep within her, as if rich, hearty soup flowed through her veins.

She also had hands that seemed magical, able to create countless delicious dishes from just a few simple ingredients. This was the passion that fueled her life, a joy she could never get enough of.

Upon learning that such a cooking venue existed nearby, she was excited to visit. She wandered around the space, carefully inspecting every corner, looking for inspiration that might lead her to a new path for her career.

As she looked around, she rested her elbow on her waist, gently touched her lips with one hand, and slightly turned her body. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and her gaze sparkled with excitement, as if she had just discovered an invaluable treasure. Her expression was full of enthusiasm.

Song Baili approached her with quick steps, gracefully bent down, leaned slightly forward, drew her arm back, lowered her head, and softly greeted, “Good morning, teacher.”

Her voice was light and pleasant, like the sound of flowing water in the distance, carrying a soft power that easily touched the heart.

Dominica raised her eyebrow slightly. No one in her country had ever addressed her like that, and she couldn’t help but smile with amusement, letting out a light laugh.

Dominica was half a head taller than Song Baili, her skin as white as snow porcelain.

The morning light cast a soft shadow on her, and every line on her body seemed like a perfect natural stroke, as if carved by an artist into a ceramic sculpture.

She narrowed her bright green eyes slightly, focusing on Song Baili’s clear, beautiful face, captivated by every detail.

After a moment, she returned to the present, and her lips curled into a charming smile, like a streak of sunlight in the sky, filled with a bit of freedom and energy.

“Are you nervous?”

Song Baili hesitated for a moment, as if time had paused for a second in her eyes, then replied, “A little.”

“Have you had breakfast?”

“I’m about to.”

“I’m not familiar with this place, so I think…”

Here, Dominica paused for a moment, her gaze thoughtful as she searched for the right words to say.

She gently raised her face, brushed her golden hair back behind her ear, and, with a soft voice, said, “I’d like to have a meal with you next time.”

Song Baili’s expression froze for a second, and it took her a moment to realize what had been said. She then nodded softly.

“I’ll contact you.”

After Dominica finished speaking, her rose-colored lips curved upward, and her long eyes narrowed into a smile, like a mischievous curve, radiating an enigmatic and alluring charm.

Just as Song Baili swallowed the last bite of her breakfast, she noticed Qian Qian’s name flashing on her phone screen, and a wave of joy surged in her heart.

She quickly answered the phone, and Qian Qian’s voice came through, light and cheerful, carrying a bright smile.

“Big Sister Baili, the competition hasn’t started yet. We still have some time. Do you want to go shopping together?”

The two quickly made arrangements to meet. By the time they met at an alleyway, the sunlight had already begun warming the street, casting a golden-orange glow over everything, bringing the busy surroundings to life.

They walked side by side, weaving through the crowds.

They sometimes pointed out things to each other, sometimes whispered to each other. When an eye-catching new store caught their attention, they would stop in front of the window to admire the exquisite goods on display.

Song Qinyao, having finished her morning meeting, hurried to her next destination.

The car stopped at a busy intersection, waiting for the light to turn green. The pedestrians, in a steady flow like running water, crossed the zebra crossing one after another, weaving between the vehicles.

Song Qinyao quietly watched the scene.

In this complex world, everyone was the protagonist of their own story. But some people had a unique charm that was hard to ignore, like the most dazzling flower in a garden, drawing everyone’s attention in an instant.

From afar, Song Qinyao immediately recognized Song Baili. Her movements were graceful, exuding an inner confidence and elegance. She walked with light steps, gliding through the crowded street.

Next to her was Qian Qian. The two walked close together, arms linked, like two intimate flowers swaying gently in the breeze. Every movement and expression seemed to display a deep emotional bond.

The sight in front of Song Qinyao slowly distorted and twisted. Rage erupted in her heart like a volcano, boiling over. Her usually bright and clear eyes were now bloodshot, and she gritted her teeth, as if she wanted to crush them, her hands trembling slightly.

The sleepless night had drained her physically and mentally, her stomach still churning uneasily, as if filled with air. She had lost her appetite entirely. Under the shadow of anger, her emotions raged like a storm, ravaging every corner of her mind.

All of this was because of Qian Qian’s intrusion, which had caused the once strong bond between her and Song Baili to start unraveling.

This person was like a thorn in her heart, a pain and anger she could not shake, no matter how hard she tried.

At 1:45 PM, the judges and the five contestants had gathered at the cooking venue.

On the workstations, there were various doughs or batters, all perfectly risen and ready.

The tense atmosphere spread across the space, like the opening scene of a play, each person’s heart filled with uncertainty and anticipation.

The 45-minute countdown began.

In this suffocating competitive environment, some people rushed to grab ingredients, others skillfully adjusted the heat, some nervously watched the dishes in the oven, and others skillfully mixed the ingredients.

Time seemed to shrink into a mere moment, with the ticking of the timer echoing through the venue. As each second passed, their nerves tightened, like a string pulled taut, filled with the pressure of an impending burst.

They furrowed their brows, their faces serious, sweat beads steadily forming on their foreheads, and one by one, they slid down their cheeks.

Some people hurriedly began plating, and by the final moments, everyone had completed their creations with impressive speed.

Each contestant displayed their own distinct style, and the judges began tasting the first dish: Chicken Caesar Salad.

After taking a bite, Li Shaowei tilted his head slightly, his expression complicated. Boss Qian shook his head, while Dominica couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

The sauce pairing for this dish lacked innovation, and the flavor was too heavy, overpowering the natural taste of the ingredients.

Next, the judges tried the Mushroom Cream Soup. Dominica delicately took a spoonful, and after tasting it, she wiped her lips with a napkin, clearly not wanting to take another bite.

The soup lacked the deep flavor of the ingredients, with too much cream making it taste bland and shallow.

Li Shao picked up the freshly presented Focaccia, bringing it to his nose to smell. It looked crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

He took a bite, chewed and swallowed, then tilted his head slightly, his arms crossed as if in conversation with his inner self.

The bread was a bit hard in texture, though the overall flavor was good. However, it looked a bit plain and lacked visual appeal.

When the fourth dish, the Baked Bacon Chicken Br3ast, was presented, the judges’ expressions were quite neutral, merely making sure their glasses of water were full.

They all took a small bite in unison, then quickly set down their utensils.

Boss Qian closed his eyes slightly, the suppressed emotion on his face slowly fading like ripples on a calm lake. He nodded while chewing, then smiled with satisfaction.

The chicken was tender and juicy, with the bacon adding a unique smoky flavor.

It would be even better with some asparagus or carrots to provide a fresh, crisp contrast, or else the dish might feel too greasy after too many bites.

Finally, the last dish, Eggs Benedict, was served.

Everyone’s gaze almost simultaneously shifted to the extra serving, their expressions a mix of curiosity and intrigue. Li Shaowei swallowed slightly and asked:

“Why are there four portions?”

“Aren’t there four judges?”

When Song Baili mentioned this, her eyes briefly glanced at Qian Qian, who was sitting next to Boss Qian.

Li Shaowei frowned slightly. Dominica’s eyes darted between the two women, her eyebrows raising slightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips, as if she was watching an amusing scene unfold.

Boss Qian rubbed his chin, paused thoughtfully, then shrugged and turned to Qian Qian, saying:

“Then you should eat too.”

She gently cut into the golden crispy muffin, revealing a soft and fluffy interior, with blueberries scattered inside, giving off a subtle fruity aroma.

The poached egg’s surface was smooth and silky like satin. As it was cut, the orange-yellow liquid flowed out, exuding an enticing egg fragrance. The sauce was silky and smooth, showcasing high-level culinary skills.

The judges’ eyes sparkled with anticipation, and they couldn’t help but lick their lips before eagerly taking a bite.

The muffin was soft with just the right amount of elasticity. Each bite seemed to dance lightly on the tongue, with the smooth texture and rich flavor blending together, gradually blossoming with a deep, satisfying taste.

The fresh, green avocado sauce replaced the typical hollandaise sauce.

A crispy, tender golden fried piece of food nestled between the bread, with a chewy, slightly firm texture, almost like chicken br3ast, but with a subtle milky taste, adding a light and creamy feel to the dish.

“Is this an egg?”

Dominica’s sharp eyes scanned every detail of the dish. Her fork delicately lifted a piece of the fried food, inspecting it carefully.

“Eggs steamed with almond milk, then chilled and cut into thin slices, soaked in almond milk, and coated with flour twice, making the coating thicker and crispier, with a texture similar to meat.”

Song Baili paused for a moment, raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with imagination, and smiled slightly, saying:

“As more people choose healthy vegetarian options, if restaurants could add some vegetarian dishes, it would be a big highlight.”

Boss Qian and Dominica whispered quietly in the corner, their voices soft as if murmuring.

Song Baili, with her keen ears, could catch bits of their conversation. She straightened her back, her fingers brushing against her clothes, her gaze lowering slightly as a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered at the corner of her lips.