Free Web NovelChapter 662: Chapter 600: Needlepoint to Wheat Awl, Crisp Against Crisp
"Next, we invite contestant Wang Fan to decide which dessert the three judges will taste first in this round of the competition."
Wang Fan didn’t overthink it: "Let’s start with Mr. Aramis’s macarons."
This panda-themed dessert doesn’t rely on any complex flavors, so whether it’s tasted first or last doesn’t matter, but from what I know about macarons, it’s definitely advantageous to save them for last.
Not letting the opponent have an advantage is already a win, so there’s nothing more to consider, let the opponent’s dessert be tasted first.
This decision made the three judges breathe a sigh of relief.
After all... that big panda dessert is just too cute and exquisite; whether to eat it or not is a real dilemma!
If we eat it, how can we eat such a cute panda?
If we don’t eat it, can we really decide the winner of this dessert competition based solely on looks?
Perhaps wait until the other two judges have tasted it first?
If the other two judges agree, then I don’t have to eat it myself, but if there’s a difference of opinion, it’s not too late to eat it then, right?
This was the common thought among the three judges.
Wang Fan’s words temporarily saved the judges from making a choice, and a faint smile appeared on their faces.
However, the moment Allen picked up the macaron, the smile on his face completely froze.
This type of dessert is something no French chef would be unfamiliar with; to entice money from those pretty girls and ladies, macarons are absolutely one of the best weapons.
Almond flour, the most expensive ingredient, can make each piece sell for over a Euro.
Are they tasty?
They are certainly tasty, but not exceptionally so. Even from the best shop for macarons, this little treat still doesn’t shine flavor-wise.
Its true role is to "show its beauty."
The essence of a macaron lies in its color, by mixing cool and warm tones to create a stark temperature difference; commonly used pale yellow, light pink, mint green, and other fresh, soft colors provide a comfortable and pleasant visual experience, making them appear very high-end and photogenic.
This is the main reason why socialites and noblewomen can’t put them down.
The macaron in hand has no problem with color. With Aramis’s experience and skill, even with his eyes closed, colors would never be an issue... well, maybe not, but based on his experience, the colors would certainly not be problematic.
The color is fine, but the macaron’s texture feels off!
The moment the fingertips pinched the surface, a faint sinking feeling could be felt.
Hollow!
This is a rookie mistake even an apprentice wouldn’t make!
When over-whipping the cream, it becomes too fluffy, leading to hollows forming in the macarons.
This is undoubtedly a very failed work, and how could Allen be happy when his own contestant produced such a failure?
Chen Guomin lightly pinched the surface of the macaron, and surprisingly heard a subtle cracking sound. With a slight force, the entire surface collapsed and shattered, the crumbs falling onto the table, seemingly mocking Aramis’s incompetence.
Aramis couldn’t believe it as he held his head in his hands, his mind blank. He had never failed with this dessert before.
Seeing Aramis’s state, Chen Guomin chuckled inwardly.
Honestly, this outcome was not unexpected to him.
Sun Tzu said, "The best way to win is by strategy, next by diplomacy, followed by battle, and the last is attacking fortresses."
From Wang Fan’s series of actions from the beginning, it seemed like he was resting, but wasn’t he setting a trap for Aramis?
The main thing is, from his perspective, this Michelin Pastry Chef didn’t have the determination to win from the start.
Even as a Chinese Pastry Chef, he knew that macarons taste best when left for 10-12 hours. Eating them now, the cream hasn’t soaked into the cookies, and that soft texture hasn’t developed. Hoping to win Wang Fan with just regular sandwich cookies and high appearance value? fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
This seems like it’s just giving Wang Fan a free pass!
And this pastry chef probably already thought he couldn’t beat Wang Fan, relying only on the opponent’s condition rather than his own performance, what’s left to motivate him?
Lack of motivation leads to a lack of diligence in work, and combined with Wang Fan’s series of puzzling actions, his focus becomes more scattered.
Thus, making hollow macarons becomes understandable.
A box of these wouldn’t sell for 10 bucks at a supermarket. How could they win against Wang Fan?
Allen regretfully said, "Mr. Aramis, your macarons this time are somewhat of a failure. This clearly shouldn’t be your level. I’m sorry, but I cannot choose you as the winner this round."
Hearing Allen’s words, Chen Guomin smoothly added, "Mr. Aramis is after all a bit older, perhaps due to jet lag and lack of proper rest leading to an underperformance. Be sure to rest well when you return, I also select Wang Fan as the winner."
Upon hearing the translator relay Chen Guomin’s words, Aramis was deeply moved.
Look how tactful the Huaxia people are. At forty-three, recovering from jet lag and physical strength isn’t the same as those in their twenties and thirties. What the Huaxia judge said was spot on.
"Thank you, honorable judges, for your concern. I’ve indeed been feeling a bit unwell these days. If there’s a next competition, I’ll be sure to give it my best state."
