Chapter 29: I Truly Have Real Skills!

Led by General Manager Zhang, Chen Yun arrived at the kitchen. The kitchen was vast, completely unobstructed, with every wall made of transparent floor-to-ceiling glass. Outside the kitchen stretched a long corridor for visitors to observe; from there, everything inside was visible, dozens of chefs busily at work.

The kitchen was not particularly busy at the moment. Some idle chefs noticed Master Chen and General Manager Zhang approaching and hurriedly called out to the head chef, “Chef, Master Chen and General Manager Zhang are here.”

Head Chef Yu Zheng set aside his work, wiped his hands, and came out to greet them.

“General Manager Zhang, Master Chen, what brings you here?”

“I’m accompanying Master Chen for a look around. Gather everyone and introduce them to Master Chen,” instructed General Manager Zhang.

“Of course, everyone, come over!” Once the chefs had gathered, Yu Zheng smiled and began, “Master Chen, allow me to introduce them. This is Deputy Chef Liu Yan, responsible for the hot dishes.” Yu Zheng pointed to a middle-aged man wearing a yellow chef’s hat.

“Hello, Master Chen, I’m Liu Yan. Please guide me in the future,” Liu Yan quickly extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you. Guidance is too much; let’s improve together,” Chen Yun replied courteously.

“This is Deputy Chef Li Xin, in charge of the cold dishes,” Yu Zheng gestured to another middle-aged man in a yellow chef’s hat.

“Hello, Master Chen, I’m Li Xin. I’m responsible for all cold dishes in the hotel. If you need any ingredients for cold dishes in the future, just let me know,” Li Xin said obsequiously.

“Thank you in advance, Deputy Chef Li,” Chen Yun nodded.

“This is a kitchen worker…”

As the introductions continued, Chen Yun gradually understood the intricacies of a five-star hotel kitchen.

Within the kitchen, the head chef was the undisputed leader, overseeing all matters large and small. Possessing the highest culinary skill, the head chef specialized in the hotel’s signature and specialty dishes. Normally, the head chef didn’t cook unless guests specifically requested a signature dish. The head chef’s main responsibilities included roll call, meetings, relaying questions from the front hall and guests, inventing new dishes, assigning tasks, inspecting hygiene, distributing wages, and issuing fines.

Below the head chef, the chefs handled the regular hot and cold dishes, with hot dish chefs focused solely on hot dishes and cold dish chefs on cold, both managed by the two deputy chefs.

As for kitchen workers, they were essentially the laborers of the kitchen. These fell into two categories: young apprentices, either new or lacking ambition, and older kitchen workers who no longer sought advancement.

Kitchen workers included pastry workers and hot dish workers. Pastry workers handled staple foods, while hot dish workers managed the steamers and steamed dishes.

Beyond these roles, the kitchen had junior assistants, responsible for carrying dishes to the serving window, wiping plates, and assisting chefs. They were closest to the chefs and learned to cook fastest. There were also senior assistants, whose job was to beautify the dishes—arranging flowers, carving, decorating, flavor-tasting, and ensuring the dish met standards, their skills approaching those of a chef. Additionally, there was the prep board, responsible for ingredient preparation, and finally, cleaners, who washed the dishes.

These were the basic positions in a star-rated hotel kitchen.

“Chen, your own kitchen isn’t ready yet, so cook here for now. Let these chefs broaden their horizons,” General Manager Zhang said after Yu Zheng’s introductions. “Everyone, gather around and watch carefully—see how Master Chen prepares a dish.”

The chefs had assumed Master Chen was only here to observe, but now, learning he would cook, they grew excited. None had ever tasted a dish made by the master, let alone watched him cook in person. Such a rare opportunity had to be seized, especially by Head Chef Yu Zheng and the two deputy chefs. Both had lingered at the level of senior chef for years, finding it nearly impossible to advance further. Now, with such a chance before them, they were the most thrilled of all.

“Will Master cook hot or cold dishes? Whatever ingredients you need, just say the word—I’ll prepare them,” Yu Zheng eagerly offered.

“I’ll just make two simple dishes. Summer isn’t a time for heavy foods… Let’s see, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and cold noodles. You all know these ingredients, don’t you?” Chen Yun mused.

“Of course, I’ll wash the tomatoes for you.”

“I’ll get the eggs.”

“I’ll fetch the noodles.”

The three leaders each took up a task. Though the dishes Chen Yun chose were as simple as could be, they all knew that making complex dishes taste good wasn’t difficult, but making simple dishes delicious was no easy feat. As the saying goes, all roads lead to the same destination—the simplest approach is often the truest.

With dozens working together, their efficiency was astonishing. In less than two minutes, all the ingredients were ready. Chen Yun washed his hands, donned a chef’s uniform, and stood before the prep board. Beginner chef skill—activate!

The instant Chen Yun activated his skill, everyone felt a peculiar aura emanating from him—a sense of unity between man and nature, as if all things followed his will. Five whole tomatoes were tossed into the air, and in half a second, they were sliced into 123 equal-sized pieces, which landed neatly into a large bowl on the board, without a single drop of juice spilled.

Before the awestruck crowd could recover, Chen Yun picked up another knife, laid the soaked noodles flat on the board, and wielded both blades. In another half second, 321 pieces of noodles, thin as cicada wings, were cut.

Then, with his left hand, Chen Yun stir-fried the tomatoes; with his right, he mixed the cold noodles. One minute later, the dishes were plated—done!

“Player Chen Yun’s dish, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, triggers the novice chef title effect. Quality +1, upgraded to blue consumable.”

Scrambled eggs with tomatoes: Blue consumable. When used by players or cultivator-type NPCs, restores 100 health, 100 mana, and grants +3 constitution. When used by monsters, there’s a chance to trigger evolution. Usable once.

Gazing at the two exquisite, breathtaking, aromatic dishes, everyone but Chen Yun was deeply shaken. What level of mastery was needed to produce such perfection? Master Chen’s culinary prowess was astounding. In just two minutes, they had witnessed uncanny knife skills and the ability to multitask with unparalleled precision. No, calling it a skill was an insult to his abilities—it was an attainment, a state of mind, the vast gulf separating a senior chef from a master chef!

“I made a bit extra—everyone, have a taste.” Chen Yun had intentionally used large plates so everyone could try a bite. Today’s display wasn’t just for show, but to win hearts. Though the chefs treated him with respect, it was not for the man himself, but for the title of master chef. Now, with a glimpse of his true skill, he could solidify his standing and let them know he had real ability.

“A master is indeed a master—the speed at which you cooked just now was so fast I couldn’t even follow with my eyes,” Li Xin exclaimed.

“I had hoped to pick up a few tricks, but it seems the gap between us is so vast that even learning by imitation is impossible,” Yu Zheng said regretfully. “I always thought that, even if I couldn’t reach the level of a master chef, I wasn’t far off. Today’s display was a rude awakening—a world of difference.”

As everyone was sighing in admiration, a sudden thud echoed. Turning, they saw a giant catfish, weighing over ten pounds, leap out of the tank and wriggle across the floor toward them at surprising speed.

“Ha, even the catfish can’t resist the master’s cooking,” Yu Zheng joked, and laughter broke out.

Chen Yun didn’t speak; he merely stared at the catfish, his expression growing increasingly odd.

“Ferocious giant catfish, level 5 elite monster. Health: 400; Mana: 0; Attack: 5-10; Defense: 3-5… Combat skills: Slippery, Tail Whip, Bite.”…