Page 1583

Checking the time, there was less than a quarter of an hour left. Lin Yuan instructed Gao Xuan and another person to serve the beef from the pot, while she herself took the reins to stir-fry the chicken wings.

As the aroma of the chicken wings wafted through the air again, Lin Yuan then poured the sauce she had prepared earlier into the pan.

The sizzling sound was made, making even Lin Yuan herself couldn’t help but salivate.

Although she did not have a particular favorite food, among the three dishes she made today, her favorite was still this dish of stuffed chicken wings with vegetables, and to make the wings taste even more delicious, she had added some homemade chili powder inside.

This fragrant and spicy chicken wing dish was then ready to be served.

After plating the three dishes, the gong that signaled the end of the competition also rang.

The timing was just right, Gao Xuan and Sun Qian both sighed with relief, only to realize now that their clothes had already become slightly cool, having been soaked with sweat who knows how many times.

However, Lin Yuan was not at all relaxed, if just now was competing, now was the crucial moment that affected the final outcome of the entire competition.

Although the competition took place together, the dishes were not served at the same time.

Dong Tian and Drunken Immortal Tower each had their own young servants specifically to serve the judges, and while serving, Dong Qing also carried two signs to the competition table with two young servants.

On these two signs, one bore the name Dong Tian and the other Drunken Immortal Tower.

There were also three nails nailed at the top of each sign, and Dong Qing held three very exaggerated brushes in her hand, waiting to let everyone vote later, and the side that won, she would hang the brush symbolizing victory on that sign.

Dong Qing looked eagerly at the young servants hustling below the stage, truly wishing she could hang all the brushes on the Dong Tian side!

Now it was time for the first dish, on Dong Tian’s side it was red wine braised beef, and on Drunken Immortal Tower’s side, it was braised chicken with chestnuts.

Perhaps intentionally, just before serving, Lin Yuan gave Xia Zheng a meaningful look, making him serve the dish a bit later.

Although Xia Zheng didn’t understand Lin Yuan’s intention, he had absolute trust in her.

Those who tasted the braised chicken with chestnuts couldn’t help but sing praises, about how smoothly tender the meat was, and how sweet and sticky the chestnuts were, indeed sparing no words of admiration.

Jin Can, known as Golden Tongue, although not adept in cooking, his forte was in tasting.

After taking a bite of the chicken and tasting the chestnuts, he paused in reflection for a moment, then nodded and commented, "The meat is firm, the chestnuts are crisp and smooth."

Zhuang Kangping and Lu Chong couldn’t help but nod in agreement, very much approving of his assessment.

Just when everyone thought the dish was flawless, Jin Can slightly shook his head and said, "It’s just a pity, this chicken was too old, the meat is a bit too firm."

Zhuang Kangping and Lu Chong were slightly startled, and then heard Lao Fan suddenly pick his teeth with his finger and chimingly added, "Indeed, it even got stuck in my teeth!"

Zhuang Kangping and Lu Chong’s expressions slightly changed, but to be honest, Jin Can’s point was valid, although saying it got stuck in the teeth was a bit of an exaggeration.

After tasting the chicken from Drunken Immortal Tower, they drank some water to rinse their mouths, and then received Dong Tian’s red wine braised beef.

Before even picking up their chopsticks, they were already attracted by the faint aroma of red wine.

Looking at the red and yellow meat and soup in the bowl, Lao Fan’s saliva was almost dripping. He couldn’t wait to take a bite of the beef, only to find himself overwhelmed by the fragrance of grapes and the sweet taste of wine, and he couldn’t help but take a few more bites.

Zhuang Kangping and Lu Chong were trying Lin Yuan’s cooking for the first time, hence they had an extra sense of expectation and curiosity towards this beef stewed in red wine.

Moreover, previously due to Jin Can and Lao Fan’s pickiness over Master Niu’s chicken, both were somewhat defensive, and carried a bit of prejudice towards Lin Yuan’s beef.

However, that prejudice vanished instantly the moment the beef touched their tongues.

This beef was really delicious!

The beef had been stewed so well that it was incredibly tender and soft, not causing any trouble getting stuck in the teeth. Moreover, the soup was filled with plenty of vegetables like onions and potatoes, adding a delightful mushiness when eaten together.

Lao Fan couldn’t even bother to comment, quickly finishing the beef and the soup in the bowl in just a few bites.

Still not fully satisfied after finishing, he extended his bowl towards Xiao He, asking for another serving.

Xiao He covered her lips and smiled; the eldest sister truly understood Old Mr. Zhen, otherwise, she wouldn’t have personally served their beef dishes.

"Sir, the elder sister said, if you eat too much now, you won’t have room for the next two dishes."

Hearing this, Lao Fan’s eyes swiftly rolled, and he immediately put down his bowl, urging everyone to quickly taste and give their scores.

Although Zhuang Kangping and Lu Chong were reluctant to admit it, they had to concede that Lin Yuan’s beef stewed in red wine was indeed much more delicious than Master Niu’s chestnut roast chicken.

It was not only the four of them who thought this way, but the public judges felt the same.

After only one bite of the chestnut roast chicken, Su Tianrui was already full, but this beef stewed in red wine was finished in no time.

He Lienuo was still savoring it carefully when he suddenly realized that the annoying guy had snatched the bowl right out of his hands.

"My beef!"

He Lienuo opened his mouth in shock, watching his beef being devoured by Su Tianrui, nearly twisting his nose in annoyance!

With a chuckle, Su Tianrui very "generously" handed back the bowl to He Lienuo, burping and laughing, "No worries, bro, I don’t mind sharing with you!"

I mind you!

He Lienuo glared at him and threw the empty bowl onto the table, ignoring him thereafter.

Each public judge had a placard, one side labeled with ’Dong Tian’ and the other with ’Drunken Immortal Tower’; they would raise the side they supported.

Unsurprisingly, the beef stewed in red wine with its distinctive wine fragrance won over the chestnut roast chicken; not only were the public judges unanimous, but the four main judges also supported Dong Tian.

Seeing this result, Master Niu glared at Lin Yuan in discontent.

Lin Yuan smiled indifferently and let Xia Zheng continue with the second dish.