I'm currently on my way to the event hall of a high-class restaurant where the cooking contest battle is taking place. Lily and her friends have been spoiling me. It seems that the incident just now is the reason.

The reason for this is because of what happened just now. The tactics just now were very cool.

'Yes. It was very nice.

That's Mr. Tact, sir.

The three of them hug me while saying this, so it's hard to walk. Afterwards, I feel like the eyes around me are painful.

''But Tact, are you okay?''

I'll be fine.

I feel like the cooks who have been teaching me to cook on a part-time basis in my life are telling me. Beat the crap out of them.

"I believe in your cooking skills, Tact-san.

What are the odds?

No? But you're already convinced you're going to win.

The three of them raise a question mark when I say that.

'Are you sure you're going to win when you have no chance of winning?

Oh. Well, don't worry, you'll see.

I said that and we got to the venue.

We went into the restaurant and headed to the event home. When I entered the venue, there were ten chefs acting as judges. I greeted each of them, asked their permission, and looked at the ingredients in the hall. We had vegetables, meat, fish, and seasonings from real life. There was no curry roux, powdered dashi, dipping sauce, dressing or consommé. If you want to use these ingredients, you'll have to make your own. It seems that this cooking battle is like a tough battle using real ingredients. With so many ingredients, it's worth showing off your skills.

And even the cooking utensils are all provided. There's a rice cooker... a real gas griddle, a crepe baking machine, and a takoyaki (octopus dumpling) maker. They've got everything you could ever want. I've never seen anything like this on TV.

After I finished checking everything, a handsome blond guy came into the hall. Then the first man, the judge, introduced himself.

Once again, I'm Glass, a five-star chef from Donos, the city of gastronomy. On behalf of the judges, I would like to explain the rules of this cooking contest battle.

Donos, the city of gastronomy... probably taken from San Sebastian in real life, Spain. My Italian brother, who was a part-time worker at an Italian restaurant, told me that the locals call it Donostia.

Still, I've never heard of a town named after anything other than Fast's town before. As a chef, I'm a bit curious about this town. While I was thinking about this, Chef Brass continued his explanation.

The first thing we'll be judging is the ten points each of the judges has to give. The criteria for judging are appearance, taste, and originality of the dish. I expect both of you to make dishes that you will not be ashamed of as chefs.

Yes, sir.

I'm on it.

We reply and the rules continue to be explained.

'There are five types of dishes to make: salad, soup, meat, fish and dessert. You will be served one dish each in turn. Since this is Takuto-san's first time, is it okay if we serve it later?

Thank you.

Hmm. I'll show you the difference.

Well, I guess we're both in the clear, so Tact-san will take over.

Now there was a slight pause... and the chefs around me changed the mood for a moment. It's just as I thought, they check what they need to check.

You can use any of these ingredients that you like. There is no time limit. This time we have prepared items that can be used to make time pass at will. Please feel free to use them as you wish.

Heh, this is an interesting item. I mean, I want it. That means I can make fish sauce right away with it, right? It's too convenient.

That's all I have to say. Do you have any questions?

I raise my hand.

"Do you have a point?

Come in.

Can you give us some clear criteria for the type of food?

For example, curry rice. If you're going to define this as a soup dish, I'd like to know the criteria for it.

'I see. Basically, the main dish has to match the dish. For example, in a salad, you can add a small amount of fish fillets and if the main dish is a salad, it is a salad. On the other hand, if the main dish is fish and you use vegetables for garnish, it's a fish dish.

What about vegetable soup?

It's true that you use a lot of vegetables, but it's only a soup, so in that case it's a soup dish. If you ask me what category the dish is for, I will make a decision each time. So please don't worry, you can be at ease and show off your skills.

I see. Good to know.

Do you have any other questions?

I'm fine.

No.

We now have a cooking contest battle.

Thus began the cooking contest battle.