[KOJIRO] I am the Master Chef here!
You do not have the authority to try to question my decisions.
I cannot allow some peon to butcher my dish.
[KOJIRO] Megumi Tadokoro...
You're out.
(Grunt)
I'm challenging you.
If I beat you in a Food War challenge,
will you take back your decision to expel Megumi?
A Food War?
Ha! That brings back memories.
What is that idiot transfer student thinking?
He's going up against a graduate, a former seat No. 1 at that!
Totally, and Chef Shinomiya is a beast who fights on the front lines of the culinary world!
A Food War against a graduate chef.
It's not unheard of,
but a Food War requires the consent of both parties.
Correct?
Sorry, I'm in no mood to take on a challenge.
You can carry on all you want,
but Megumi Tadokoro's expulsion is going to-
[GIN] Easy now, don't be so hasty.
It looks like things have gotten rather exciting, haven't they?
Oh!
Chef Dojima.
(Whimper)
(Opening Song)
[GIN] Hmm, I see.
Oh! Her dish is so well done. How can you not agree with that?
Something like this totally deserves a passing grade.
Kojiro, why are you so stubborn?!
You are a pig-headed fool! And a complete narcissist!
A show-off dum dum!
Shut your mouth, Hinako.
I-I-I-I'm sorry.
(Pained groans)
[HINAKO] He's a meanie... [KOJIRO] Chef Dojima,
this challenge was supposed to have been left only to me.
[GIN] Of course, Kojiro.
I have no qualms with the parameters of your test
or your criteria for judgment.
But at the very least, this girl tried to cope with the situation at hand.
Don't you believe that her grit leaves some room for consideration?
No, I do not. Not in the slightest.
Well I think it DOES leave some room!
Well, looks like there's no way of avoiding it, we have too many votes.
These guys...
It is decided.
I will manage this unofficial Food War.
Or, rather, this offsite match.
Huh?
[GIN] However, we cannot disrupt
the training camp's programming...
so you two will battle against Kojiro
once the afternoon's challenges have concluded.
[KOJIRO] Hold on... Now wait just a minute!
Why do I have to take part in this-
Because, Kojiro... I said so.
Uggh...
Aggh...
Very well then.
I will go along with this whimsical idea of yours.
Okay, Soma,
if you win, I'll take back her expulsion.
However...
If you lose, you and Megumi will both be sent home.
[GIN] Then, it's settled.
I invite you to the basement of the hotel annex this evening.
You two will show me what you've got.
Uh...
Well... we just might be able to turn this thing around, won't we?
But first things first, we need to take care of business at the afternoon challenge.
(Angry squeal) Gah!
Soma, you idiot!
Why would you go and confront him like that?!
I don't believe you!
You already passed the stupid test!
(Sobbing)
Come on, Soma, just let me fail on my own...
(Crying)
Megumi...
I can't let you fail on your own, you'll mess that up too! (Laugh)
Do you have to make fun of me right now?!
Come on, get up.
We don't want to be late for the afternoon challenge.
You're always helping me.
And now I've gotten you involved in THIS.
How can I...
How can I ever make it up to you?
There's no need.
I did this because I wanted to.
You don't owe me anything, okay?
Also, the reason I challenged him should be obvious.
[SOMA] Megumi, this journey was not meant to end for you here.
[RYOKO] Well?
[YUKI] Nothing. She wasn't in her room, either.
She's not answering her phone.
This is not like her. I wonder if something bad happened in class.
All teams should've finished their afternoon challenges by now.
Don't tell me...
Her name wasn't on the list of those who failed today.
Why don't we ask someone who was in the same challenge?
Oh, yeah! Soma would've been with her, right?
Where is he anyway?
Yeah, I haven't seen that dude either.
Huh...
Let's see here...
Those two started a Food War
when they were involved with Bowl-club.
Actually, Soma was responsible for that.
[ALL] I've got a bad feeling about this!
Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh...
[GIN] Tohtsuki Resort's hotel annex won't be used in this year's training camp.
So here, in the 1st-floor basement kitchen...
...there will be no distractions.
Huh?!
So, um, why are all these graduates in here with us?
They've come here to act as our judges.
(Groans) [GIN] Hinako's judgment would seem to be rather biased, however.
An unofficial Food War right in the middle of training camp.
On top of that, a graduate vs. a freshman student...
I wonder what Mr. Chapelle would think about this.
He'd tear us a new one. Not in the good way.
If he found out, I'd make a run for it.
And blame everything on Kojiro.
Uh, I can hear you, Mizuhara!
May I have everyone's attention.
We'll now begin our offsite match.
You'll use these leftover vegetables to make your dishes for the challenge.
You're free to make whatever you like,
but have vegetables be the main component.
Time limit is set at two hours.
[MEGUMI] I'm the one who caused this Food War...
There's no way I can let Soma get expelled because of me!
I have to at least make sure I don't hold him back!
Also, there will be one more condition...
Megumi Tadokoro...
you will be the lead chef.
Uhn!
Huh?!
You'll decide the recipe on your own.
Soma, you'll act as sous-chef and support her.
Gah!
This Food War...
will now begin!
AHHHHH!
Chef Dojima!
I am the one who wanted this Food War!
So why would I not be the one to-
I brought together a challenge that otherwise
would never have happened.
You will accept the conditions I've set.
Soma! I know but, sir-!
Let's say Megumi survives
thanks to YOUR cooking.
What merit is there in that?
It does nothing to show us what she's got.
(Gasp)
[GIN] Sooner or later,
she will just end up failing some other challenge.
She cannot continue to rely on you.
At Tohtsuki Academy, you must show your worth by your own hands.
You must prove if you should remain here.
And prove it yourself.
Tonight, right now, at this cooking station...
Megumi,
YOU are the chef.
[KOJIRO] Chef Dojima...
I've already decided what I'll make.
Would it be okay with you if I begin?
[GIN] Yes, feel free.
Heh.
Huh?
(Whimpering)
[KOJIRO] Hmph! I kinda feel bad for you, kid.
How so?
You have the world crashing down on you.
And your fate is resting solely in the hands of a petrified dimwit.
(Groan)
Can you believe what that wretched man just said about her?
Kojiro Shinomiya is a horrible person.
And that's precisely why he's never been able
to keep a girl for very long.
Shut up over there!
Hinako, when did you get out of your ropes?
Good luck, my tiny sweet Megumi!
Don't you listen to that arrogant horse's ass!
[KOJIRO] Shut up!
[MEGUMI] Chef Kojiro Shinomiya...
After graduating from Tohtsuki,
he went to France on his own
and opened up a restaurant in Paris,
the fiercest battleground for fine dining.
How am I to fight a man like that with MY recipe?
I have to calm down.
I have to be brave... But I...
I'm drawing a blank.
I can't stop shaking.
I can't think of anything.
Ah! Megumi!
Incidentally...
you will not be helping her with her recipe either.
You are nothing more than her sous-chef.
Got it? She's the one in charge.
[GIN] You thought Megumi was worthy of moving on, didn't you?
If you're saying you don't really believe that...
Then you should leave now... Withdraw from the challenge.
I'm not going to do that,
because I am a chef.
A proper chef would never run away from the kitchen.
Hmph!
(Heavy breathing)
It's happening, just like always.
I'm blanking. I can't do it!
I've only made it this far because of Soma.
[SOMA] Hey, Megumi... I'm just...
Put your hands together.
Your hands! Do it!
Ah!
Uh.
Huh?
That really hurt...
[SOMA] I learned that from back home.
It's how I was taught to get my mind right.
The only drawback is you can't do it by yourself.
Ah!
It stings, but...
I stopped shaking.
The first thing you need to do is just calm down.
Then focus only on what you want to make.
But...
But Chef Shinomiya's going to make French cuisine.
He's a master.
If I don't make something special to beat that...
you're going to get expelled, Soma!
[SOMA] It's like my dad said... Huh?
"Cooking is about taking everything that is in your heart and soul
and putting onto a plate."
[SOMA] So for now,
you need to forget about what the other guy's making.
Yes but... But my cooking is just-
That onigiri of yours I ate out in the fields...
It was incredible.
[SOMA] Don't overthink this.
Just make the kind of food YOU would want to eat.
That'll be enough.
The kind of food that I'D eat?
[KOJIRO] Well, this is... interesting.
She hasn't even bothered to start cooking anything yet.
Your little friend isn't really all there, is she?
Why don't you wait till AFTER you've tasted her food before talking trash about her?
Hmph!
Soma!
Yeah?
I'm ready... I've decided!
I know what I'm making.
[YUKI] He challenged a graduate to a Food War?!
Uh-huh. That's totally what a guy in their class said.
But why?! How did things come to that?
It looks like Megumi was going to be chopped, so Soma stepped in.
They were gonna expel her?!
Oh, no!
[YUKI] I can't deal with this!
(Sobbing) [RYOKO] Yuki, calm down.
[MEGUMI] So, that's the dish I thought I'd make.
Hmph!
Interesting!
Uh? Really? You like it?
That's great!
Oh, um, but the ingredients...
There will need to be a lot of prep work
and it will have to be done very quickly.
I don't know if we can pull it off...
Hey hey! Who do you think I am?
(Swish)
I am the number-two guy at the "Japanese Eatery Yukihira"!
Well it's really just the two of us, y'know, me and my dad.
(Laughs)
I'm gonna support you with everything I know! Okay!
For one day only, "Eatery Megumi Tadokoro", is open!
Woo! Yeah!
[SOMA] All right, Chef Megumi!
You ready to do this?
I am!
[MEGUMI] I'll do the tomatoes.
Soma, you prep the rest of the ingredients.
[SOMA] Got it!
[HINAKO] Oh, Chef Kojiro!
What do you want, Hinako?
A Japanese eatery is a dokoro,
and her name is Tadokoro,
It kinda has a nice restaraunty ring to it, doesn't it?
Erk! Somebody get her out of here!
(Screaming) Oh, come on!
If I think about trying to beat Chef Kojiro Shinomiya,
I'll get all worked up and even more nervous.
I just have to concentrate on my own cooking.
Because right now, I'm the chef!
WAAHH!
I should've cut the shoulder first thing!
Now the whole cooking order is going to be off!
Here are the cuts.
I've removed all the connective tissue.
So, should I get on the chicken liver or the backfat next?
U-um, the liver, if you don't mind. That would be great.
[SOMA] Comin' up!
Hey, Soma! How's the bake mold coming along over there?
All done. I just need to add in the paté.
I'll be finished with the sautéed vegetables in about 12 seconds.
Uh! Thanks so much!
Incredible!
He keeps turning out the pre-prepped ingredients exactly when I need them.
This the consistency you're looking for?
Mm-hmm!
Even though he's the only one person supporting me...
my cooking speed is so much faster!
I can't believe how quick we're moving.
Are you seeing this?
He's supporting her by anticipating what she'll be doing next,
thus making sure that the two of them are working on the same page.
What's more, he only focuses on what's needed.
He's not in Megumi's way, he's showing a great deal of sensitivity.
[SEKIMORI] Who is he again?
Soma Yukihira?
Ah yes, this year's sole transfer student.
He works at a local diner.
It seems he's built his body of knowledge on the job.
Still, he wouldn't have moves like that just by helping at the family restaurant.
No matter how you look at it, his skills are far beyond those of most Tohtsuki's students.
All right, everyone, prepare your dishes!
We need to begin plating, Soma!
Gotcha!
(Tick)
[GIN] Now then, we'll start the judging.
We'll start with Kojiro. Present your dish!
[MEGUIMI] The cooking of a top graduate from Tohtsuki Academy...
I'm sure we're going to see something pretty special.
Man, I've been looking forward to this.
Yes.
Hmm...
Huh?
[GOTODA] A chou farci!
This is quite an unexpected surprise from you.
It's a local dish of the Auvergne region.
[SEKIMORI] Meat and vegetables are minced and stuffed into cabbage leaves
which are rolled and steamed.
Similar to the cabbage rolls of many other cuisines.
It's a staple of local cooking, most often prepared in French households.
This must be kind of a let down for him, don't you think?
Kojiro usually only makes pretentious food, but this- OH!
Wait a minute...
Don't I get a serving as well?
You don't get one.
You can share with Mizuhara.
[GOTODA] Well then...
Oh my goodness!
The aroma of the herbs simply whets the appetite!
Ah!
(Squealing)
Ahhhh!
This... is... magnifique!!
Um... this filling...
It isn't the pork roast and onions used in a normal chou farci.
It's a farci made from local duck!
He sliced the breast meat open
and stuffed with morel mushrooms, asparagus, and foie gras,
all sautéed in beef fat to give them depth of flavor.
What's more, the breast meat, butter, and cream were blended into a mousse,
inserted and then steamed! AhHhH!
This mousse lingers on the tongue.
And then everything dissolves,
and the rich flavors spread throughout the mouth.
It's so delicate.
What I find most impressive about this,
is the type of cabbage that surrounds it.
Savoy cabbage:
This ingredient, called chirimen cabbage in Japan,
has a strong grassy scent when raw,
but when cooked, it takes on a sublime sweetness.
Blanchir...
Blanching.
Vapeur...
Steaming.
This was cooked using various processes,
each the perfect complement to the highlights of the dish.
The result is a delicate sweetness that elevates the flavors of everything else.
It's as if a spell has been cast on it.
[GIN] As soon as he graduated from Tohtsuki, Kojiro went to France, alone...
And after a few years honing his skills, he opened a restaurant in Paris,
becoming a chef owner.
While French cuisine tends to emphasize meat dishes,
Kojiro's cooking cast a new light on legumes.
He paved new ground...
and created a shockwave to gourmands throughout the country.
In time, the Parisian connoisseurs of haute cuisine
came to respect the chef who had come from Japan.
And they began to call him...
The Legume Magician!
He is the worst! I hate him...
But it IS delicious!
His heightened creativity has transformed what is a simple regional dish.
He's elevated it to where it could be served in a fine dining establishment.
The duck mousse dissolves in the mouth,
and the sweetness of the cabbage that surrounds it...
Uhh! it embraces the palate,
and then the entire body!
It's as if a kind of flavor sorcery has possessed the tongue and freed the soul!
This is...
...magic!
Yes...
Indeed!
[GIN] It is the work of the Magician that Came From the East...
[ALL] Legume Magic!
Cabbage Red! Ahahah!
Cabbage Blue! Uh!
CABBAGE PINK!
Yes!
[ALL] Magical Cabbage!
[SEKIMORI] Magic, magic, magic, MAGIC!
(Ending Song)
Ahh... I feel so satisfied!
That's our little Kojiro!
[SEKIMORI] Indeed. The work of the Legume Magician.
Well, what about you, Mizuhara? Did it meet your approval?
Oh dear God.
If I could just make myself forget it was you who made it
then it would be perfect.
Aw... well I do apologize for that.
That was rather unexpected, Kojiro. I must say.
I thought for sure we would be getting one of the specialties from your restaurant in Paris.
Hm! Oh, come on, Chef Dojima, that would be just cruel.
I mean, I'm going up against mere students.
Don't you think that being in my presence is already humiliating enough
for these poor dumb bastards?
How modest of him.
I might just have to beat him so hard
he will never be able to cook again.
This up-and-coming chef opened his own restaurant
in the best district of Paris, the battleground of fine dining,
and has continued to wage culinary war.
He has an overwhelming sense of pride,
that will never let him lose to a student.
But if anyone were up for the challenge...
[GIN] Megumi. Soma. Your turn.
Yes, Sir!
Um, thank you.
This is it...
It's time for our food to be judged.
You ready to go, Megumi? Unh?
[SOMA] Megumi?
I made this food using everything I had.
To offer it up for someone to judge...
It's just... It's just so daunting!
What will they say?
What if they don't like it?
What if they say it's awful?!
Even WITH Soma's help!
Ah! Uh! Waaahhh!
It'll be okay.
Go on.
Hm?
Ohh... Look at this...
(Gasp)
[HINAKO] A terrine!