Food Wars!: God's Tongue is no match for me.

Page 46

One bite, and life feels complete; the aroma of beef instantly fills your entire body.

"Hmm~"

"Judging from the quality of the cuisine."

"Your Kiriya Restaurant could definitely be rated a one-star Japanese restaurant!"

Upon hearing these words, Inui Hinatako was speechless.

Because from the very beginning, she didn't want to have anything to do with WGO, even though she had the opportunity to be awarded a star this year and become famous.

"Executive Officer".

"Let's not hide anything from each other."

"No matter what, this Kiriya Japanese restaurant will never be rated even one star by your WGO."

At this point, Hinako's gaze towards Lin Xu was no longer as friendly as before.

Lin Xu even had reason to believe that if he said a few more words on this issue later, he would only be kicked out.

……

"WGO's 'THE BLUE' Food Bible".

"The reason it has become so popular worldwide, with an annual circulation of hundreds of millions, is probably because its sheer size fills a gap in a relatively neutral evaluation system."

"Yes, that's all!"

"after all."

"Food is a very personal thing."

"Out of 1000 people, 500 will treat crabs like their lives depend on them and 500 will find eating crabs too troublesome."

"Therefore, any food guide written by anyone will inevitably contain too much personal stuff, while only the WGO appears to be more fair and scientific."

"Although there are still a lot of doubts from the outside world."

"But it cannot be denied."

"The status of WGO is just as described by Mr. Lu Xun of China."

"There were no roads in this world originally, but as more people walked on them, they became roads."

Hinako was deep in thought. Although her expression was very calm, her heart was actually in turmoil.

In fact, Lin Xu was absolutely right. Even if she didn't want to, WGO was still the strongest and most prestigious food review organization in the world!

……

"That's nice to say."

"WGO, although not for profit."

"As a supreme food review organization, it naturally has its commercial and influence considerations."

"You must not know."

"This evaluation system turns all restaurants into football teams."

“Every chef has to rely on the respect that you WGO executives give them to survive.”

"It would be a lie to say that there was no pressure or anger."

"The recent decline in WGO's influence in Japan is the best proof of this."

Lin Xu wasn't stupid; he naturally noticed the slight change in Inui Hinako's expression and saw the resentment she harbored towards WGO.

He could only manage a wry smile.

……

In fact.

Let alone in Japan.

WGO's journey into China was not as wonderful as imagined.

Previously, the results of the rankings in Shanghai were often criticized by locals: "The restaurants on the list are not as affordable and delicious as the breakfast shop downstairs!"

"WGO doesn't understand China, and Westerners are not qualified to comment on Chinese food."

Indeed, those seemingly fair selection criteria, such as the WGO executives, each travels an average of 3 kilometers per year and dines at different restaurants about 250 times.

WGO executives who enter the Chinese market will also seek out local food scouts and send them back to headquarters in France for standardized training.

At last.

Senior executives provide guidance on standards, etc.

Because of its overly mysterious and ambiguous stance, it has been criticized as "nobody really knows what the real standard is."

A knowledgeable chef once told the Los Angeles Times that although the restaurant ratings in THE BLUE are revised every year, the five executives have to inspect 10000 restaurants, and they cannot possibly visit all the restaurants that need to be reviewed.

Moreover, WGO is a ranking list that originated from reviewing French cuisine, reflecting the dining culture within the French-speaking system.

It does indeed have a mature standard system and places greater emphasis on "refinement".

however.

Evaluation of food from other countries.

That's really disappointing!

……

"If I say..."

"Since WGO is not the only judging criterion, shouldn't we take advantage of this controversial moment to return it to the essence of eating?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Xu said.

"eat?"

"Do you want to..."

Hinako paused for a moment, then widened her eyes and said incredulously.

Chapter 55 Graduation

"indeed."

"The current WGO judging criteria focus too much on creativity and ignore taste."

"Creativity is certainly important and can lead food trends, but if the foundation of taste is lost, even the most innovative ideas are just castles in the air and cannot last."

"But then again."

"Food is such a subjective thing."

"Judging solely by taste is inherently unscientific!"

"After all, everyone has different taste preferences, and their feelings about the same dish will vary greatly. Just like art, some people prefer the classical, while others are fond of the modern. It is difficult to measure it with a single standard."

Hinako pondered for a moment, then said calmly.

"not necessarily."

Lin Xu replied firmly, "Take the Tongue of God for example."

"That extraordinary talent for taste allows one to perceive the most subtle differences in food and to savor its essence."

"Therefore, there is a way to solve WGO's predicament."

After saying that, he paid the bill.

He was preparing to leave the warm and welcoming Kiriya restaurant, but before leaving, he respected Hinako Inui's wishes and did not rate the restaurant again.

"The so-called star rating."

"In my eyes, it's nothing more than a formality."

"Most importantly, it's about being able to face your inner feelings and experiences..."

"Just follow your heart, Hinako. Actually, there aren't many chefs like you in the entire Japanese culinary world!"

Watching the departing figure, Hinako stood there stunned, completely taken aback.

She originally thought that a WGO executive like Lin Xu, with his profound knowledge of gourmet food, would pay special attention to the star rating of any restaurant!

Never thought.

He, however, acted so nonchalantly.

"Combining scientific analysis methods with the taste preferences of the general public."

"Will we then use the Tongue of God as a benchmark to develop a more comprehensive and impartial set of evaluation standards?"

Hinako was lost in thought for a long time.

Finally, his eyes flickered, as if he had realized something!

……

A month is a short time, yet it feels long.

During this period, Lin Xu worked as a lecturer at Totsuki Academy during the day, responsible for the courses for third-year elementary students, and at night, as a WGO executive officer, he secretly visited various restaurants!

period.

Erina, like a little shadow, is always following Lin Xu around.

After each cooking class, she would become a curious child, her willingness to ask questions and her meticulousness even putting Lin Xu to shame.

Whether it's cooking knowledge from books or recipes for everyday dishes...

She kept pestering him, asking all sorts of questions.

of course.

When encountering areas where ideologies differ.

She would always try to argue her point and prove her "correctness", but unfortunately she could never win an argument with Lin Xu!

It must be admitted that during this period, Lin Xu opened a window for her in many aspects of cooking, allowing her to see a wider world.

thus.

Erina truly realized it.

The gap between her and Lin Xu is truly enormous.

As a result, deep down, her feelings for Lin Xu gradually became more complicated.

……

early morning.

As the first rays of sunlight gently pierce through the thin mist.

The light shines on the plaza of Totsuki Academy, and the prelude to graduation season quietly begins.

A faint sense of melancholy and reluctance permeated the Totsuki Campus, as some third-year students in the elementary school would be unable to advance to the high school due to failing grades.

but.

one way or another.

The students were all dressed in neat blue and white school uniforms.

On their chests, they wore school badges symbolizing honor and growth, and in their hands they held a "degree certificate" representing their graduation.

They either gathered in small groups to take photos under the cherry blossom trees, their laughter mingling with tears; or strolled alone along quiet tree-lined paths, reminiscing about the past.

at the same time.

A banner was hung high in front of a teaching building.

The graduation ceremony for the third-year students of the Totsuki Academy Elementary School is about to begin.

Erina Nakiri, dressed in an exquisite Totsuki Academy uniform, stood under a cherry blossom tree in front of the school building. A gentle breeze blew by, and petals fell like snowflakes, with a few playfully landing on her hair and shoulders.

At this moment, her face was slightly flushed, like a beautiful sunset on the horizon.

Her eyes revealed a hint of shyness and nervousness as she faced the small camera lens.