Gourmet Roast

Chapter 33: Foodie Roast Feast

"Steamed Fish is a Cantonese dish that best showcases lightness and original flavor. To make it, you must preserve the fish's pure taste to the fullest, achieving a light, tender texture without any fishy smell—so it really tests the chef's skill."

"Taste it yourself. Dare you say your Steamed Fish here is light in flavor and tender in texture?" Jiang Hao said, handing the chopsticks to the chef.

The fat chef's face shifted between colors. He wanted to take the chopsticks but didn't dare, looking torn. Suddenly, applause broke out from nearby diners.

"That's really eye-opening. Never knew there was so much to cooking."

"Interesting, interesting. Fat Chef met his match today. Take the loss."

"They say 'Bai Ji' has great skill, but turns out it's no good. Won't be eating here again."

Hearing the customers, the fat chef's face turned extremely sour. He shot Jiang Hao a hostile glare—whether this guy was here to cause trouble or not, he'd already done serious damage today.

"Who the hell are you?" the fat chef asked, tone unfriendly.

Jiang Hao said with a hint of pride, "My name is Stephen Chow."

The people around didn't know who Stephen Chow was, but the Fat Boss's face changed—he clearly recognized the name.

Suddenly, someone nearby said, "Stephen Chow? Oh, I remember—that God of Cookery?"

That reminder jogged everyone else's memory.

"God of Cookery, Stephen Chow—that's the bankrupt God of Cookery, right? The papers have been full of him the last couple days. His chain restaurants got shut down by the Health Department over food issues. He lost everything—hundreds of millions in assets—and now he's drowning in debt."

"A big shot like him eating at a little joint like this? He's really fallen. Still picky even now, though—true to the God of Cookery title."

"Heh heh, former God of Cookery."

"A billionaire, now reduced to showing off in street-side dives. Kinda pitiful."

"Down and out like this, and still so sharp-tongued. Not afraid Fat Boss will beat him up?"

The crowd's talk about Stephen Chow dripped with mockery and scorn. Before, he was a tycoon, untouchable, beyond their reach. Now that he'd fallen, sympathy was nowhere to be found—kicking a man when he's down was the norm.

The fat chef sized Jiang Hao up. The God of Cookery name was legendary in the culinary world—though now it was just notorious.

Never thought this guy would show up at his place. He waved his ladle, pointing at the door, and said, "God of Cookery my ass. I never bought that crap. My 'Bai Ji' doesn't welcome you. Get out."

Jiang Hao didn't get angry. He shrugged, a hint of helplessness on his face, and turned to walk out of the restaurant. Zhen Xiaoqiu saw this, grabbed her bag, and hurried after him. On the street, she said indignantly, "Hmph, kicking out a customer? I'll expose him tomorrow."

Jiang Hao suddenly smiled and said, "Why bother? We ate his food for free and you want to expose him? Be a decent person."

Zhen Xiaoqiu froze, realizing they hadn't paid. The fat chef had kicked them out before they could settle the bill—they really did eat for free.

She looked at Jiang Hao and said, "Hey, you said you'd make me famous. You weren't just messing with me, were you?"

Jiang Hao said, "Just now, when I critiqued his dish, what did you think?"

"Think? Nothing much, but it was pretty interesting," Zhen Xiaoqiu said.

"And the other diners—were they drawn in?" Jiang Hao asked.

Zhen Xiaoqiu thought for a moment and nodded. "Yeah."

"So I've got a great idea. A food show—it'll be a hit," Jiang Hao said.

Zhen Xiaoqiu looked disappointed and pouted. "A food show? The TV Station already has plenty—'Fang Tai's Kitchen,' 'Mother Chen Teaches You Cooking.' Only aunties and grandmas watch those. No way they'll be a hit. That's not your big idea, is it?"

"Heh, don't rush. Those old shows are just cooking lessons—bland and uninspired. I'm talking about a food roast show," Jiang Hao said with a smile.

"Food roast? What's that mean?" the female reporter asked, puzzled.

"Simple. I'm the lead—after all, I'm the former God of Cookery, still got some name recognition. The TV Station follows me as I eat my way through every major restaurant, roasting their dishes, finding flaws, going head-to-head with the head chefs. Think that'd be interesting?" Jiang Hao said.

"You... your name's only notorious now, isn't it?" Zhen Xiaoqiu said.

"Heh, notorious is still a name. That makes it even more topical—draws people in. It's got spectacle, entertainment, and buzz. I guarantee this show will explode. It just depends on whether your TV Station has the guts," Jiang Hao said with conviction.

Jiang Hao had his own agenda. He was flat broke. To complete his mission, he needed money, but he couldn't get it overnight. When the female reporter chased after him, this idea popped into his head.

Leverage!

With a show like this, he could taste all kinds of food and achieve his mission goal.

Zhen Xiaoqiu fell into thought. A sharp-tongued God of Cookery show, roasting dishes from major restaurants, clashing with head chefs—but that would definitely piss off the big hotels.

"Can it work?" she asked hesitantly.

"It'll work. You'll be the food host. Once the show takes off, you'll be famous too," Jiang Hao coaxed, like a little devil.

Zhen Xiaoqiu was tempted. Two years at the TV Station with no real progress, her dream slipping away—maybe this was her chance.

"Fine. I'll talk to my supervisor and see what the boss thinks," Zhen Xiaoqiu said, then turned to leave.

"Hey, beauty, where are you going?" Jiang Hao called out.

Zhen Xiaoqiu turned back. "Going home, of course. It's late, you know? Oh, right—give me your number. I'll contact you when I get results."

Jiang Hao spread his hands. "I don't have a phone right now."

"How can you not have a phone?" the female reporter asked, skeptical.

Jiang Hao put on a sad expression. "I'm homeless, not even a place to stay. Naturally, no phone to reach me."

It was 1996. Mobile phones existed, but they were luxury items. The former God of Cookery would've had one, but given Stephen Chow's current state, he definitely couldn't afford it.

"Where's your mansion?" the female reporter asked.

"Sealed off."

Jiang Hao held out his hand. "So, beautiful, how about we make a deal—lend me a few thousand to get by."

Zhen Xiaoqiu clutched her backpack, eyeing Jiang Hao warily. "What are you up to, a robbery?"

Extra chapter—begging for recommendation votes, and a 100-coin tip to boost the fan score. Thanks to everyone for your support of Da Yu.