aling )
¶¶
(Train horn and brakes)
Well, the train is right on time.
I guess I'll be goin'.
Megumi...
I can't believe you're leaving your mother and I.
It seems like you only now just turned 13.
(Sob)
Grandpa...
you don't need to worry about me.
Sure enough! Your food is, like,
the best we've ever had 'round here!
I just know you'll make it in the big city!
[MEGUMI] Yeah...
[MOTHER] I hope you'll be able to get settled.
Take this...
It'll bring you good luck at school darlin'.
(Gasp)
Ah... Thank you.
Oh my gosh we're gonna miss you so much, Megumi!
[GRANDMA] That Megumi, she is such a sweet girl.
(Train horn blows)
Thanks, everyone.
I just know I'll become a great chef some day,
then I'll come back home!
(Thud)
(Boom)
EEEEE!
(Birds chirping)
Uh...
Megumi Tadokoro...
at the very beginning of my first year
of high school...
is on the edge of a cliff!
(Opening Song)
(Orchestral music)
[URARA] We now present our academic insignia.
And our new freshman representative...
Erina Nakiri.
[ERINA] Thank you.
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Ah, Miss Erina, she's smokin' as always!
[SCHOOLBOY 2] She's beautiful and top of her class.
She's the perfect woman!
If I could just go out with her one time, I'd die happy.
You crazy?! She would either kill you
or you would end up getting thrown out of freakin' school!
Yeah! She's the granddaughter of the Don who's like
the mafia boss of the food world!
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Yeah, but still...
(Sigh)
[URARA] And now, we will have
our ceremonial address.
The Academy's director...
Ngh!
(Crowd gasps)
[URARA] Master Senzaemon Nakiri!
Hmm.
(Scared screams) OH-MY-GA-GA!
That man rules fine cuisine!
I mean, he has Japan's entire food industry under his thumb!
[SCHOOLBOY 2] He's more terrifying than a mafia don!
He's the Devil! The Devil of Cooking!
I welcome you...
You have reached the high school division.
Congratulations.
(Oohs and aahs)
For three years,
you have learned the basics of food preparation,
while attending our middle school division.
You have furthered your knowledge of ingredients.
[SENZAEMON] You have undertaken numerous drills in which you have had to prepare dishes...
You have heard a wide variety of lectures,
such as cooking theory,
nutrition,
public health,
cultivation,
and managing a restaurant business.
Now, as you stand at the precipice of the rest of your cooking lives...
you will be facing challenges
not just of technique or knowledge...
But your resolve to see if you can live as a professional chef!
And that means ninety-nine percent of you...
will sacrifice yourselves to the cooking gods...
to unveil those who move on!
(Cackle)
He said sacrifice!
That sounds like it's goin' to be pretty hardcore.
Uh-huh... Sure hope so.
(Nervous whimper)
Last year we started with 812 high school division freshmen.
And the number that was allowed to proceed on...
was just 76!
The mediocre and the inept are cast aside without mercy.
Out of a thousand freshmen only one hundred will remain to advance,
and you will be able to count on one hand those who reach graduation.
The odds are not in your favor...
But you...
You can make it happen!
(Excited gasps)
Study hard. Cook hard.
Mm-hm.
(Inspirational music)
Best of luck to you!
(Crowd murmurs)
[ERINA] The source of the Tohtsuki brand's strength
is that it educates a select few chosen through fierce competition.
If you can make it to graduation,
you'll attain a lifetime of stardom in the cooking world.
But be that as it may...
I feel sorry for everyone that is in the same class as I am...
because from the moment you were born,
you were fated to battle for merely second place.
Only one will reach the summit of the Academy
and reign supreme over the Japanese culinary world:
me, Erina Nakiri.
[URARA] And finally, I would like to introduce a new transfer student.
Hm.
Someone must've passed through a different reviewer.
[ERINA] Soma Yukihira...
(Erina screaming)
Go away! Get away from me!
(Angels laugh) Stay away, you little freaks!
(Grunt)
Burns me up just to even think about it.
[SOMA] Uh, well, [ERINA] Well, no matter.
sorry to be all up here I'll never set eyes
in the spotlight and everything. on that pig ever again.
[SOMA] (Nervous laugh)
[URARA] Never mind that, just hurry up and introduce yourself!
Hm... [SOMA] Okay...
I'll make this short and sweet.
Hm?
I'm sure you all need to study.
HUHHH?!
So um, my name's Soma Yukihira.
And, well, to be honest it's an honor to attend this school...
as a stepping stone in my career.
(Murmurs) [SOMA] Now sure, my transfer was kinda unexpected...
but I still don't plan on losing to a bunch of wannabes
who've never even stood in front of a customer before.
(Angry whispers) I mean, c'mon, am I right?
Anyway, since I'm here and everything...
I might as well take the top spot.
Mm?!
Wuh! Ah!
[STUDENT] Is he serious?
Alrighty then...
See a few of you at graduation!
[SCHOOLBOY 7] Oh you think so, huh!
[SCHOOLBOY 8] Oh whatever! Eat it!
[SCHOOLBOY 9] Go to hell, you son of a bitch!
[SCHOOLBOY 10] You don't know
what you're talking about, you A-HOLE!
(Angry yelling)
(Sigh)
Glad I got through that...
Huh?
Oh!
It's you!
Uh, it was "Erina," right?
(Angry gasp)
I sure was nervous up there!
When I was a kid, getting awards always made me uncomfortable.
So how'd you think I did? It wasn't weird, right?
How the hell is this happening right now?!
What is this! What are you doing at this school?!
Well, I mean, uh...
I got a notice that I passed, I figured I might as well show up.
Ah!
That's absurd.
I thought I didn't make it in.
You said my food was disgusting.
If something's delicious,
you should just own up and say it.
S'cuse me?!
[ERINA] This is all wrong.
I failed him.
There's no way he can be here!
Is it delicious or not? Say it!
Disgusting!
WHA-?!
Ngh...
I'll make myself clear:
I do not approve of this decision.
Not of you, and not of your peasant cooking!
Uh!
This is obviously some sort of mistake
and you've been accepted by a clerical error.
Hm.
"Take the top spot," will you?
Don't make me laugh.
[ERINA] All the students who've advanced
from the middle school division
have learned cutting-edge gastro techniques!
You don't have the nearly enough training for this.
There's no way you can measure up to them.
Have fun trying to play catch-up!
Middle school training, huh?
Uh!
Yes, that's right.
I was three years old
the first time I held a chef's knife...
[SOMA] My dad taught me.
And I've spent the last 12 years in the kitchen!
Uh!
I won't let you call my food
"disgusting".
Slandering our restaurant's name is unacceptable!
Just you wait, Erina Nakiri.
I'm gonna make that mouth of yours...
say my food is delicious!
I'll show you what my cooking's all about!
Hm.
Hehehe.
Wow, that transfer student was something else, huh?
Mm-hmm. It might just take that kind of attitude to graduate.
And snag the top spot at the Academy.
That's a good point!
We'll just have to kill it, too, won't we?!
Right, Megumi?
Uh... Where'd she go?
Uhh...
It's hopeless.
I'm sure to be the first one on the chopping block!
[MEGUMI] I was dead last in the high school advancement exams,
and now I've gotten my final warning!
No, I cannot give up.
I can't disappoint everyone back home who got me here.
I have to focus, I'm on the verge of flunking out...
I have to keep to myself and not rile people up like that crazy transfer student!
Okay! I'll make sure not to go anywhere near that guy!
[AIDE] Students, as of today we'll be splitting into
separate classrooms for our lectures.
(Menacing growls)
[AIDE] You'll be cooking
(Soma whistles) in these assigned pairs.
Everyone understand?
(Whimper)
Hello! Eek!
Wah! Why?!
(Classroom chatter)
[SOMA] Oh man...
I don't think I've had someone try to teach me how to cook
since I was just a little kid.
Look at this frickin' jerk. Jackass.
That transfer student sure talked a lot of crap at the ceremony.
Sure did. Hope he falls on his dumb face.
Anyway... so you're name is Megumi, right?
(Nervous sounds) What are you doing?
Is that some sort of pre-cooking ritual or something?
Ah! Um... well, uh...
I thought that maybe it would help me not be so nervous.
You're nervous?
What for?
Uhh.
(Sigh)
Well because...
if I end up with one more failing grade,
then I'm gonna be expelled.
Okay...
Isn't this like an elite school?
How were you even able to get in?
UGH!
AHH!
Just when I was trying to keep my head down,
I had to get paired up with him of all people.
This is so not fair.
Well, my name's Soma Yukihira.
But you can just call me "Soma."
Nice to meet ya!
Ohh...
Okay... I'm Megumi.
(Ominous growl)
[MEGUMI] Th-the other people's eyes feel like daggers.
Does he not even notice?
[TEACHER] Pay attention.
[STUDENTS] Huh?
Good morning...
Time to learn, my young apprentis.
[OTHER STUDENTS] Good morning, Master Chef!
A-apple... "Apple n' tea"?
That is Chef Laurent Chapelle!
Ze moment you step foot in ze kitchen,
you are responsible for producing extraordinary food.
Regardless of your gastronomic experience
nor your pedigree in life.
My class rules are very strict.
Any dish zat is not an A will be viewed as an E.
And zat, my friends, is a failure.
(Megumi squeaks)
Uhuhuh...
Are you kidding me?
I cannot believe my bad luck!
Why is my first class with Chapelle?!
[SOMA] That guy's kinda scary, huh?
He's famous the world over
for being incredibly strict even for Tohtsuki's!
[MEGUMI] Last year, he failed his entire class of 50 students,
and 18 of those flunked out just because of his lectures!
He's been given the nickname "The Chef Who Never Smiles."
Oh yeah? (Nervous mumbling)
[CHAPELLE] Apprentis, today's menu item is
boeuf bourguignon.
It is a staple of the traditional French cuisine.
I've put ze recipe on ze whiteboard for you to follow.
You have two hours to prepare it.
Present your dishes once they're complete.
[CHAPELLE] Now then: Let's begin.
Everyone, commence à cuire!
Whoa, what'd he just say, that's not appropriate.
(Sigh)
I guess we'll just have to try.
Calm down, take it step by step...
Soma seems so confident.
He's gotta be a good cook, right?
"Boofa... buffa..." What the?
EEK! Soma, have you ever made this dish before?
Never. Not once.
(Gasp) (Whimper)
Sounds like it's basically stewed beef with bacon,
am I right?
I'm sure we'll be just fine.
I'll go take a look-see.
I am so freakin' dead.
(Soma whistles)
(Growling)
(Sizzling)
Sauté the mushrooms in butter and add them to the pot...
Then, just let it simmer over low heat.
Take the meat out in 40 minutes.
Take the meat out in 39 minutes!
TAKE THE MEAT OUT IN 38 MINUTES!
Megumi, check it out. Ah!
There must be like a thousand seasonings in here!
Ah...
Ah... Kinda feeling like an idiot
being the only one who's freaking out.
Oh, I guess I really need to start plating, don't I?
(Maniacal laughs)
(Casual whistling)
Huh?
Uh...
Hey, Megumi. Did you open the lid?
Uh? No, I didn't.
I mean, it still has to simmer for 20 more minutes, right?
Hm?
Hehehe.
Uh!
(Boiling)
[BOTH] Huh?
[MEGUMI] Uh! What the heck is that in there?
It's salt.
Ah! Omigod!
[MEGUMI] Wh-what do we do?
There's no way we can use this meat anymore!
It'll take over an hour,
the meat needs more time to get tender,
and for it to soak up all the flavors.
Then it's gonna need to simmer for another 30 minutes
for the flavors to blend within the sauce!
(Heavy ticking)
[MEGUMI] And we've only got 30 minutes left!
But if we presented this over-salted mess to Master Chapelle,
he'll fail us out of school for sure!
Ahh!
(Dramatic piano music)
[MEGUMI] No...
Everyone, I'm sorry.
I guess I'm coming back home!
(Sobbing)
[SOMA] I brought the backup ingredients.
Huh?
Well, wanna get started?
Huh? What? But, Soma...
There's no way we'll be able to get this done in time.
That teacher said some pretty smart things today, huh?
[SOMA] We may be students, but above all, we're CHEFS!
Ah?
So!
No matter what, the food must go out!
[SOMA] Help me.
Ah! O-okay!
(Sheen)
Here ya go! Salt, pepper, and Bouquet Garni!
I'm on it!
[STUDENT 1] Hehe. That big-mouth transfer student
seems to be having himself a little trouble, doesn't he?
Sure is. Those two are bound to get flunked now.
Uh-huh.
Mmm...
You get an A.
[BOTH] Yes!
[CHAPELLE] Next team.
Shouldn't be too long till another team is finished.
All we have left is the sauce. Let's get to it.
[SOMA] Chef Chapelle... We're ready for tasting.
Huh?
(Shocked gasps)
Order up!
How in the...?
Hm?!
Huh?
It's perfectly tender...
dare I say, fork-tender, even.
How is this happening?!
That's impossible!
There's no way they had time to simmer!
It seems that the two of you had
somewhat of an accident earlier.
How were you able to finish on time?
Hehe. By incorporating some honey...
I rubbed it on the meat before simmering,
adding some to the seasoning, as well.
Did you?
Honey contains protease...
an enzyme zat breaks down ze proteins at a faster rate.
[CHAPELLE] You used it on the tough, rib-cut roast
to make it tender in a short amount of time.
But, Soma, how in the world did you know you could use honey
to make that happen?
A while back,
I read in a cookbook
that pineapple juice can work as a tenderizer.
But I was pretty young at the time.
And I wasn't going to be able to just go out and buy a pineapple.
So I tried out a bunch of things to see if they would have the same effect.
And guess what I found...
Honey! It keeps well, and is super easy to use.
(Gasp)
[SOMA] You'll understand if you try a bite.
Here.
Uh!
(Gasp)
Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz.
Ahhhh!
AHHHHH!
I'm gonna melt!
HAAHHH!
So syrupy!
Aah! C'est merveilleux!
Ahh...
[STUDENTS] Professor Chapelle...
He's smiling!
[CHAPELLE] Chefs Soma and Megumi...
you get an A!
Ah...
However...
Uh?
It is a shame I do not have ze auzority to give you two
a higher grade than an A.
For the dish was perfection.
Whaa!
Ha! You are welcome!
Uh...
So that transfer student's food is...
...better than ours was?! What the-?!
[BOTH] Guh!
Uh? Ah! Geh!
Hey!
Our sauce is burnt!
Wha-?! Oh, no! Ah!
GAH!
(Both scream) Ah, nuts!
Hmm...
You have failed.
(Groan)
(Thud)
(Classroom chatter)
(Laughing)
That was a cinch, wasn't it, my brother?
Of course. Just like always.
If only we'd been in the same class...
I wanted to crush that transfer student.
Soma...
Megumi, good work today.
Um...
No, thank you for all your help.
It is all thanks to you that I... that I...
Nah, nah, it's fine.
We should work together again, Megumi.
Okay!
I think I may have been paired up
with someone really talented.
Someone special.
Ehehehe.
By the way,
now that the two of us have gotten acquainted,
you wanna try one of my new dishes?
Oh! Are you sure?... I would love to try it!
(Glop glop) [SOMA] Here...
Huh? I don't...
(Distant cackle) It's honey-coated dried squid.
MM!
BLEEGGHH!
Ah!
AH!
AHHHH!
The squid and honey combination is so offensive in so many ways,
it's as if my entire body is being violated!
[MEGUMI] NOOOO!
(Ending Song)
(Oohs and aahs) [SCHOOLGIRL 1] Ah! That's Miss Erina!
[SCHOOLGIRL 2] Omigosh, is she trying a new dish again?
[SCHOOLGIRL 3] Ahhh?! I would love to taste it!
I don't care what it is!
[HISAKO] Miss Erina!
Please, Miss Erina!
[ERINA] What are you going on about?
Chef Chapelle's class has just posted
his highest grade of the day so far.
[HISAKO] It was that transfer student: Soma Yukihira!
ERRGH!
UH!
I'll tell you just once...
(Demonic voice) Do not mention that name in front of me ever again!
I-I'm sorry, it won't happen again!
Grr!
(Cheeky laugh)
[ERINA] The one blot on my otherwise pristine record...
I will not stand for this...
I'll make sure I get rid of him as quickly as possible!
That I will!
[SOMA] Oh! And there's peanut butter-flavored squid.
(Cowering) Plus I have all sorts of other experiments for you to try...
(Evil laugh) Somebody help me! Get me away from this guy!