Foody Wars

Life is full of touching stories.

Sometimes, even the most ordinary ingredients can move us to tears.

This kind of emotional resonance often surpasses anything a food variety show could capture.

That's why the tavern had become so beloved.

People came not only for the enticing food, but because it offered a warm, healing space—a place where those on the edges of society could rest, eat, and share their stories.

A refuge wrapped in flavor and kindness.

Zane rarely prepared French cuisine.

Not because he couldn't cook it—far from it.

But because the elegance and intricacy of French food didn't quite fit the humble, cozy soul of the tavern.

Still, that didn't mean Zane was incapable of making it.

Tonight's special?

Braised Beef with Tomatoes.

A dish classic in both flavor and memory.

Main ingredients:

Beef 🥩

Tomatoes 🍅

Other components included green onions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, and cooking wine. A Chinese-French hybrid twist.

The tomatoes were peeled and finely chopped, stewed into a deep red sauce.

Then came the beef—simmered patiently until it fully absorbed the tomato's brightness.

Simple. Warm. Familiar.

Right now, Zane stood at the stove, sleeves rolled up.

He sliced the ginger, smashed garlic cloves with the side of his cleaver, and quartered three tomatoes—sixteen precise wedges from each. He julienned a red onion into thin strips, then sliced the beef brisket into thick, meaty cubes.

He parboiled the beef to remove the blood, then rinsed it gently in warm water.

In a frying pan, he heated oil and tossed in the ginger, garlic, star anise, and a bay leaf, drawing out a rich aroma 🌿.

Next went the tomatoes and onion—cooked until soft. Then, potatoes and carrots, stir-fried together with the beef.

A splash of soy sauce.

A dash of cooking wine.

A hint of white vinegar.

A spoon of sugar.

After mixing it all evenly, he poured in boiling water and transferred everything into a clay pot 🏺.

It would simmer for 30 minutes before being returned to the frying pan to reduce the sauce and concentrate the flavor.

And just like that, the Braised Beef with Tomatoes was complete.

"Huh?"

"That fast?"

Leonora, the tavern's first guest that evening, blinked in disbelief as the dish arrived before her.

To her mind, this kind of beef dish required two hours minimum.

After all, water boils at 100°C. Cooking beef to tenderness at that temperature was slow. A steak could grill in five minutes, sure—but stewing brisket?

That was a battle of time and patience.

Unconvinced, Leonora quickly lifted the clay pot's lid—

And was greeted by a thick wave of aromatic steam.

It rose like a cloud, curling lazily into the air.

The moment the fragrance hit her nose, she clamped a hand over her mouth, wide-eyed.

(๑°ㅁ°๑)!!

It was cooked.

Actually cooked.

"A dish that usually takes two hours… done in under forty minutes?" she muttered.

More shocking than the speed was the aroma.

The deep, slow-simmered smell of tomatoes mingled with the savory richness of tender beef.

The colors were vibrant. The broth was thick.

Leonora grabbed a spoon.

She didn't even hesitate.

"Incredible…!" she whispered. "How could the beef become this soft?"

The meat practically melted on her tongue—tender yet full of integrity, not stringy or chewy at all.

Was she dreaming?

No—it was real. This was reality.

There was only one word for it:

Genius.

"How did you do it?" she asked, blinking at Zane.

He smiled. "Black tea."

"Black tea? Really?"

Leonora's brows furrowed—then her eyes lit up.

"Right!"

"I've read about this!"

(⊙ᗜ⊙)

"Black tea breaks down the protein fibers in meat and shortens cooking time. Plus, it gives beef a deeper color and adds a faint tea aroma. It also balances out greasiness!"

"But…" she paused, squinting at the pot. "That alone wouldn't be enough."

Zane nodded.

"The cooking utensil matters too."

Leonora leaned in, inspecting the pot again.

And then—

"Wait a second… this is a clay pot!"

She gasped.

"You're cooking refined French food… in a Chinese clay pot?!"

That revelation hit her like a truck.

To seasoned regulars like Rindō or Mana, such fusion was normal.

But to Leonora, a long-time Northern European gourmand who wasn't familiar with Zane's style, this method was mind-blowing.

She took another bite.

🔥 The heat burst forth.

Proof the stew was fully cooked.

The texture was tender.

The colors vibrant.

The taste—outstanding.

She closed her eyes and focused.

A rich broth.

Tangy but not greasy.

A sauce thick and savory, balanced by tomato acidity and tea's subtle fragrance.

Every bite released warmth and softness and flavor.

"Mmm…"

Leonora was utterly enchanted.

Elsewhere, in a high-end dormitory at Totsuki Academy—

Erina Nakiri sat in a pristine, modern kitchen, enjoying a bowl of Ginseng and Poria Porridge. 🌿🍚

Its fragrance was delicate—like sunlight filtering through green leaves.

The porridge was thick, lightly sweet, and smoothly textured.

Made with ginseng, poria, a touch of ginger, and premium rice, it was a traditional medicinal porridge.

Warmth filled the room.

"This is truly excellent medicinal cooking," Erina commented.

Then, lifting her spoon for a second taste, she added:

"But… you rushed the heat."

"Bring it to a full boil first. Then let it simmer for thirty minutes. That's how you coax out the best aroma."

"Y-Yes! I'll remember that!"

Hisako bowed earnestly.

"Still—don't get discouraged," Erina added with a rare, soft smile.

"Your ingredient ratio is perfect. The flavor is warm, the texture soft. The grain's aroma rises with the heat. It's incredibly refreshing—like standing in a quiet forest clearing."

Hisako's eyes sparkled with pride.

Medicinal porridge came in two types: one made with pure grains, the other with added herbs.

The latter offered health benefits and was used historically for both nourishment and healing.

Ginseng and Poria Porridge, Hisako's specialty, boosted energy and aided digestion. It was subtle yet powerful—like Hisako herself.

Erina finished the bowl in silence.

"Hisako," she said at last, "the Moon Banquet Festival is coming."

"I plan to set up a stall in the Mountain Area. I'll need your help with the venue setup, decorations, budgeting, and customer flow."

"Understood, Erina-sama!" Hisako replied, practically sparkling with motivation.

"As your secretary, I'll make sure your stall is a great success!"

"Good."

Erina's gaze softened.

The Moon Banquet Festival was one of Totsuki's grandest events.

Students scrambled to pick stall locations, finalize menus, and design layouts.

There were three zones—but the Mountain Area was where the wealthiest, pickiest patrons gathered.

It had fewer visitors, but more refined expectations.

And Erina, thanks to Zane's influence, no longer dismissed simple dishes.

Still, setting up a cheap stall with fast food wasn't her style.

As a proud member of the Elite Ten, she would shine on the mountaintop.

That night, the sky was a velvet curtain, pinned with glimmering stars 🌌.

Streetlamps lit the paths softly.

Buildings in the distance shimmered like watercolor strokes.

Cars passed with brief growls before quiet returned.

In one corner of Totsuki's upper dorms, Rindō Kobayashi stood by her window.

The moonlight outlined her figure as she stared at the beautiful nightscape.

"Ahh, I'm so excited~!"

(≧◡≦)

"The Moon Banquet Festival is finally here!"

For a food lover like Rindō, this festival was pure joy.

So much so, she had zero plans to run a stall. Instead, she'd just roam the grounds as a guest.

Probably the only Elite Ten member not participating.

She didn't mind.

After all, this way, she could freely wander and enjoy every single bite.

Let the feast begin.