CHAPTER 342: CHAPTER 116 MANDARIN FISH WITH SQUIRREL STYLE_3

"Squirrel Mandarin Fish? The name is quite fitting," Lin You thought. She didn’t know much about culinary arts, but if it weren’t for Blue Star University opening a Food Department, and her being the head of the Administrative Office responsible for it, she might not have paid attention to culinary arts until they became widely popular.

As she smelled the tempting aroma of Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Lin You unconsciously swallowed and quietly moved her head away, afraid she’d lose control and take a bite.

Lin You felt that food was truly a magical existence. Previously, she hurriedly crammed culinary knowledge, watched all of Du Xixi’s livestream replays in a few days, and searched for food-related videos around Star Network. She even went specifically to the Cultural Relics Bureau to browse their culinary documents while choosing personnel.

But neither the livestream videos nor the texts were as enticing as the real Squirrel Mandarin Fish in front of her.

"Yes," Du Xixi smiled with her eyes squinted and responded while preparing other relatively simple dishes. "It’s called Squirrel Mandarin Fish not just because it looks like a squirrel, but because the sound it makes during frying is similar to a squirrel’s call."

Lin You nodded thoughtfully, remembering Du Xixi’s explanation during her livestream and comparing it to the Cultural Relics Bureau documents. She felt there was some inexplicable difference between what Du Xixi knew and what was documented.

Specific differences... Lin You couldn’t pinpoint them. It was as if Du Xixi knew much more than what was recorded in the documents. At least the Cultural Relics Bureau did not record anything about Squirrel Mandarin Fish.

Yet, in her role, the head of the Administrative Office only wanted to manage the affairs within Blue Star University. Even though Lin You was curious about Du Xixi’s secrets, she had no right nor the desire to delve deeply.

Why wouldn’t the Empress be allowed to check out the Imperial Palace’s internal collection? Maybe it holds culinary knowledge unknown to the Cultural Relics Bureau.

Although Zhang Ye and the others were slightly slower in cooking compared to Du Xixi, Du Xixi thought their signature dishes on the dining table were quite good.

No wonder they’re talents selected by the Cultural Relics Bureau. These dishes seem to be learned from Du Xixi’s livestream, slightly flawed in details, but Du Xixi could see their cooking skills were quite good just by looking. At least competent enough for professors teaching in the Food Department to impart culinary knowledge to students.

Du Xixi quietly scored the dishes with her eyes, while Zhang Ye and the others held their breath, afraid Du Xixi’s feedback might be hard to bear.

The one most nervous was Zhang Ye.

Though Zhang Ye appeared calm, like he’d been through storms and could face anything, in truth, he joined the Cultural Relics Bureau only three years ago. Calculating his age, he’s merely ninety-five, just twenty years older than Du Xixi.

His age made him young in the Cultural Relics Bureau, so he feared being underestimated and worked hard daily, slowly developing a strong competitive streak.

The master from the Cultural Relics Bureau didn’t see Zhang Ye’s competitiveness as wrong. People need ambition, and some competitiveness is normal. However, due to Du Xixi, Zhang Ye’s competitive streak was slowly subdued.

As Du Xixi imagined, Zhang Ye previously expressed some competitiveness towards her, indicating he wanted to compete. When Du Xixi accepted the challenge, Zhang Ye envisioned the dishes and ultimately chose the braised lion’s head now laid on the dining table.

But halfway through making his braised lion’s head, Du Xixi had already finished the Squirrel Mandarin Fish, which deeply shocked Zhang Ye. After all, he thought his speed was fast enough, yet Du Xixi outpaced the four of them.

Moreover, judging by the Squirrel Mandarin Fish’s appearance, its quality clearly surpassed theirs.

If they had a fighting chance, Zhang Ye would certainly beg Du Xixi for feedback, but since Du Xixi crushed him and them, he became nervous.

Both looking forward to and fearing Du Xixi’s evaluation.

"I believe you all are very talented chefs; the dishes made are quite good." Du Xixi nodded, uttering those words, and Zhang Ye and the others collectively breathed a sigh of relief, feeling their tense hearts were revived.

But would Du Xixi truly be that gentle? The answer was no. When it comes to culinary arts, Du Xixi could instantly turn into a sharp-tongued critic!

"However, there are many areas you need to improve." Du Xixi’s previously gentle demeanor turned cold the next second, making all five, including Lin You, shiver.

Du Xixi evaluated, "First, your braised lion’s head - you did well slicing the mince, it’s fine, adding water chestnuts was a good method, but your sauce is excessive, and those who favor heavy flavors might love them."