Desserts!
In the entire culinary world, desserts have always held a very special status.
They are not just a kind of delicacy, but also a culture and an art, deeply loved by people for their unique taste, color, and form.
At this moment.
In another kitchen.
The freshly baked Souffle dessert looked incredibly airy, with a fluffy, cloud-like shape!
However, within a mere minute, it began to collapse. Thirty minutes of hard work ultimately resulted in only a brief period of enjoyability.
It was like blooming fireworks, fleeting and ephemeral, with beautiful moments lasting only an instant.
"Still no good!"
"As soon as it touches the air, it collapses due to cold contraction!"
Seeing the completely collapsed Souffle in front of her, Akikubo Momo could only say helplessly.
"Momo!"
"You're here?"
At this moment, Kobayashi Rindo, who suddenly appeared behind her, greeted her proactively.
Akikubo Momo turned her head and glanced at her, then frowned and asked, "Longdan, what are you doing here?"
"I missed you!"
"So I came to see you!"
Kobayashi Rindo blinked her bright eyes and smiled.
Totsuki Culinary Academy has always adopted a highly competitive "elimination system" education method.
This led to constant struggles and conflicts between students, as they desperately tried to climb to the top and secure their own interests!
To resolve these irreconcilable conflicts, the Academy officially established a rule called "Shokugeki"!
Therefore.
Don't view the Elite Ten as a single entity.
In reality, they also experience various contradictions and conflicts due to their differing philosophies.
For example, the current Sixth Seat Nene Kinokuni and the Seventh Seat Isshiki Satoshi. Their families are prestigious clans known as the 'Eastern Kinokuni' and 'Western Isshiki,' yet they have completely diverged due to their differing beliefs!
Then.
As the Fourth Seat of the Elite Ten.
Akikubo Momo could practically walk sideways within the Academy.
The reason she enjoyed giving people nicknames was her contempt for those whose culinary skills were inferior to her own, a reflection of her exceptional ability!
However, if judging by Elite Ten seats, there were still three individuals ranked above her, and Kobayashi Rindo happened to be one of them.
Although psychologically, she didn't feel much fear towards these three, she also had no way to deal with them!
Furthermore.
Regarding Kobayashi Rindo.
She still had some fondness for her in her heart and had always treated her as a good friend.
Perhaps it was because Kobayashi Rindo was very carefree in personality, and she herself was quite reserved, allowing the two of them to get along.
Of course, their relationship hadn't reached the intimacy of best friends, but it was much better than the constant brawling among the other Elite Ten members.
...
"Miss me?"
"During this time, who doesn't know you've been messing around outside every night?"
"Speaking of which."
"You really are something."
"You just successfully became the Second Seat of the Elite Ten, and you already dare to shirk your responsibilities, throwing all the affairs to Eishi Tsukasa to handle. It causes us to have to endure his helpless complaints at every Totsuki Ten Masters Council meeting!"
Listening to Kobayashi Rindo's words, Akikubo Momo rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Immediately after, she was about to throw all the Souffle desserts she had just made into the trash can.
However, Kobayashi Rindo, who was quick-eyed and quick-handed nearby, quickly snatched them away and began devouring them one by one.
"Ah!"
"Mmm mmm mmm!"
"Momo, I didn't realize it, but your cooking skills have improved quite a bit recently."
Because she ate too much and too fast, Kobayashi Rindo's cheeks instantly puffed out on both sides.
And her adorable appearance was as comical as a little hamster desperately stuffing food into its mouth!
"Longdan!"
"Can you please not be so gluttonous every time?"
Seeing this situation, Akikubo Momo felt very speechless.
"Huh?"
"Weren't you going to throw them away?"
"Why not let me satisfy my craving and fill my stomach? That way, it won't be wasted!"
Swallowing hard, Kobayashi Rindo, with a contented expression, said this to Akikubo Momo.
"Forget it."
"Do whatever you want."
"If there's nothing else, please leave!"
Akikubo Momo's voice always sounded adorably naive, like a little loli, which was very pleasant to listen to.
But from her last words, it seemed she really didn't want to bother with Kobayashi Rindo right now.
"Alright!"
"It was wrong of me to disturb you so suddenly!"
"I just wanted to invite you to an Izakaya tonight to eat there."
"No."
"Not in the mood."
Akikubo Momo refused without even thinking.
"Really not going?"
"The Shopkeeper there is very handsome!"
"I dare say that even many popular young male celebrities nowadays can't compare to him!"
"Don't you always think that this type of handsome guy is very cute? If you don't go and witness his charm for yourself, you might regret it for the rest of your life!"
Kobayashi Rindo's eyes darted around, and she deliberately whispered some words into Momo's ear that could stir her emotions.
As expected, after hearing this, Akikubo Momo was indeed a little tempted.
But in the end, she still shook her head: "Forget it, I still have things to do right now, so I won't go!"
"Could it be..."
"Do I have to say it?"
"He can help you solve a problem that has been bothering you for a long time, then you'd be willing to go?"
Looking at the still oblivious Akikubo Momo, Kobayashi Rindo finally stopped beating around the bush and spoke truthfully.
"What?"
Akikubo Momo was momentarily stunned.
Then, she quickly reacted: "Longdan, are you saying that the Shopkeeper of that Izakaya can help me solve the problem of delaying the collapse time of Souffle desserts without affecting their taste and texture?"
"Yes!"
"Although I've never seen him make desserts."
"But my intuition tells me that he can indeed create a Souffle dessert that will even astound you!"
Kobayashi Rindo said with firm eyes.
...
Actually.
From the perspective of physical chemistry.
Souffle, this French dessert, will definitely begin to collapse rapidly as soon as it comes out of the oven!
Hmm!
The principle.
It's like inflating a balloon.
When whipped egg whites are evenly mixed into the batter, the gases and water vapor within the egg whites will expand once they reach a certain temperature, lifting the entire Souffle.
And after leaving the oven, as the temperature drops, the gases contract, and the Souffle collapses!
It can even collapse faster if cooked at a higher temperature, as the pressure will increase more.
Then there's the compounding effect of texture; a thick Souffle mixture certainly won't rise as easily as a thin one.
Therefore, this is also why Souffle dessert is considered one of the most difficult among all dessert dishes!