Central Continent Agastra.
The great annual culinary competition held there.
Eight masters of taste selected from eight countries around the world will gather there.

Their skills as chefs, as well as their skill in selecting ingredients, are invaluable. And the skill to hunt the monsters that will become the ingredients. The cuisine of this world is the sum of all these skills.
Therefore, simple cooking skills are not enough to win the championship in the grand cooking competition; rather, the existence of a brave man who can defeat demons with high-ranking ingredients is what is required.

However, the theme of this grand cooking competition is not only that, but also the new theme of 'food development' is the first priority.
I didn't know exactly what that meant.

Now, the grand culinary competition to determine the top of the food world was about to begin.

Wow, it's really lively!

The place of the tournament was a huge dome reminiscent of a coliseum, with an arena-like stage in the center, surrounded by excited and cheering spectators.

Yes!　After all, it's a competition for the best food in the world!　If you win, your name will be etched in history, and if you own a store, you'll be instantly certified as the world's top seven-star!　It's a tournament where even mere mortals can be given the title of heroes if they want to!

Oh, wow. Mina next to her is unusually talkative.
I've never seen her this talkative before.

Oh, there you are, boy. Is this your cook?

I looked and saw Kasarina, the teacher of Fitis, whom I met in the hot springs last month.

"Well, well, I'm more of an ingredient supplier for her.

Oh, really. Well, that's all right, but what about Phytis? Isn't she with you today?

She's currently on her way to get the ingredients. She should be ready for your game.

Kasarina smiled with amusement at my answer.
Soon, as I am talking to Kasarina, a person who appears to be the presenter comes on stage and activates a magic spell that vibrates the air, making his voice echo throughout the hall.

'Ladies and gentlemen!　This world's culinary history rewriting competition!　"Food Pioneer"!　The big cook-off will be held!

The crowd erupted at the presenter's declaration.
The MC responds to their excitement by continuing on.

First of all, I would like to introduce the contestants of this grand cooking competition!　First, the winner of the prestigious last big cook-off!

The moderator's declaration is followed by an even louder cheer than before.
Casarina, standing next to me, keeps a calm tone and whispers a warning to me.

"Here she comes, boy. Watch and learn. I believe he is the favorite to win this tournament.

Kasarina prompts me with her eyes, and there is a boy younger than me .
Brown skin and golden hair. A beautiful boy with a smile on his face, more of a woman's face than a child's, stands there with a fearless smile.

"Contestants from the Kingdom of Hot Sand, Arabial!　A genius who appeared like a comet in the last tournament and defeated the sage hero, just like his two names.　Singh-de-Bard players!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!　And the cheers of tremendous enthusiasm.
If you listen carefully, there are also quite a lot of women's voices.
It's true that he looks popular with the ladies, but he seems to have a bad character.

"He still looks so cocky that he deserved to win. Although I may have let my guard down last time, that's true. But this time, I was ready to go. And so, boy. I'm sorry, but I've come to avenge last year's defeat. I'll let you know my luck ended when I got the better of you in the first round.

We may not be able to give you the opportunity to humiliate yourself, but we hope you won't hold it against us.

Kasarina laughs with amusement at my retort.
Then her name is called and she goes on stage.
Then it's just me and one other contestant.

Next, a little diner from the eastern kingdom of Elks will be the representative.　It's unusual to see such an unknown contestant in a past big cook-off!　Chef Mina and her resident magician Kyou from Mina's Restaurant!

As for our name recognition, I guess these are the first people to hear it here. There were more suspicions than cheers.
Well, it's still the time. Now is the time to show off all the demon cultivation skills I've cultivated since I came to this other world!
The moment I stood on the stage with a smug look on my face, I heard a voice that I couldn't believe my ears.

"Ooh, look who it is, you're Kyoji!

Hmm?

Hmmm?

I think I just heard something.

No, wait. Wait, wait, wait. It's impossible. That can't be.

Calm down, calm down.

I definitely heard something.



And then there was a voice that sounded really familiar, a voice that you should never hear here.

And finally, the dark horse of the tournament!　The unnamed chef who completely defeated the third place winner of the last grand culinary competition, Kamase Nanasi, in the preliminary round of the continental competition, is the second demon cultivator in this year's competition.　Himlo-Keiji!

Hey, good to see you. What are you doing here?

I shouted at a very familiar-looking man with stubble coming up on stage.

That's my line!　Why are you here, Dad?