Megumi Tadokoro...
you will be the lead chef.
[GIN] Soma, you'll act as sous-chef and support her.
Gah!
[GIN] This Food War...
(Screaming) will now begin!
[GOTODA] A chou farci!
[GIN] The Legume Magician!
[GIN] Megumi. Soma. Your turn.
Yes, Sir!
Um, thank you.
Ooh...
Look at this...
[HINAKO] A terrine!
I have made you all a "rainbow terrine," using seven vegetables.
How nice. You made seven differently colored pate...
arranging them in stripes like a beautiful rainbow.
Now come to think of it,
the challenge in Kojiro's class was a terrine. How very interesting.
Well, looky here.
You copied my recette...
A nine-vegetable terrine...
Why have you done this to yourself?
Ah! Uh! No, I certainly didn't want to copy it.
I wanted everyone to experience my own personal approach to the recette.
That's it, I promise!
[GOTODA] Well now.
Let's see what this little flower has made for us.
[SEKIMORI] Hmm...
Megumi Tadokoro...
You have failed.
Why is she still here?
She'll bring down Tohtsuki's status.
I mean she's always at the very bottom.
Go home, country bumpkin.
You ain't got no talent.
[KOJIRO] Megumi Tadokoro...
You're out.
Monsieur Yukihira...
if you lose, you and Megumi will both be sent home.
(Whimper)
(Opening Song)
(Whimpering)
It's delish!
Yes it is!
Wonderful!
Mmmmm...
Huh?
[SEKIMORI] Potatoes, carrots, zucchini,
and other vegetables were worked into pate
to create the layers, treated to bring out each vegetable's individual profile.
You did well, accomplishing so much in the limited time allotted.
[GOTODA] There are two different sauces.
One is a sweet-and-sour, citrus-based gelee.
The other is a cool, refreshing green sauce
made of a shiso-based paste infused with various herbs.
Delightful!
Having us eat the terrine with citrus and shiso
is a most enticing impression.
MMM! The combination of the sauteed zucchini mingled with the herb sauce...
It's so refreshing.
Mph! The citrus also pairs nicely with the sweetness of the tomato.
This seven-layered pate combined with the two sauces
lets us enjoy 14 different exquisite flavors each expertly showcased!
Quite provocative, isn't it?
Mm-hmm, these vibrant colorful stripes are pleasing to the eye
as well as the palate.
A very well made dish, I must say.
Okay, Megumi,
you used sundried tomatoes, didn't you?
Um, yes, I did!
Y'see back in my hometown, we take all the summer vegetables
we've gathered and dry them in the sun,
preserving them so we can eat them during the winter.
[MEGUMI] I used to help my Mom in the kitchen every day.
And she showed me how to do it in the oven.
I loved cooking with her.
You cut cherry tomatoes in half,
sprinkle them with rock salt,
then slow roast them in the oven at 120 degrees.
That brings out their sweetness and gives them a different texture!
I thought it would be a fun change to enhance the terrine nicely.
Mmm. Tomatoes are known to contain the compound glutamine,
which is an umami component.
It is concentrated when the tomato is dried,
and the sweetness on the tongue is intensified greatly.
[GIN] Kojiro's nine-vegetable terrine
lets one taste the lively flavors of fresh vegetables...
But this recette has a special, splendid flavor that comes from using a preserved ingredient.
[GIN] While both are basically the same menu item, a vegetable terrine,
we have a fine, fresh flavor vs. a full-bodied umami.
Two completely different approaches.
A taste that truly warms the heart...
It's like it's brimming with Megumi's sweet tenderness.
Yes. If Kojiro is the Legume Magician, then young Megumi is...
someone that presents the bounty of nature in her own modest way:
a Legume Gnome!
(Squeaky voice) Hi there!
No, that's not it at all!
Sweet Megumi is a conjurer of happiness!
She is the Legume Spirit of Fortune!
Hellooo...
No. I disagree...
It's more like she's come from a land of snow,
blessing us with a bounty of vegetables...
A Legume Snow Queen!
Haha!
It's not winter, so I'd say that doesn't really
make any sense!
Then she should be known as the Legume Gnome!
She MUST be a spirit of fortune!
I think she's a snow queen.
Why does she have to be some sort of weird creature?
[GOTODA] A gnome! [HINAKO] A spirit of fortune!
[SEKIMORI] A snow queen!
[MEGUMI] It's like a dream.
I've failed over and over again,
lost all confidence,
and have been hopeless at school...
but these graduates who I've looked up to for so long...
they actually... They like my food!
(Chuckle)
(Laugh)
[GIN] Very well, let's proceed to the judgment.
Each judge will receive one of these coins.
With it, you will cast your vote.
For Kojiro...
or Megumi.
Cast your vote for whoever's dish was more successful.
Alright, I'll go first.
Up until now,
I've been so afraid of being expelled
that I've been running in circles.
But now, finally,
I feel like I really want to stay in school and succeed.
For the first time, I've truly embraced my own cooking.
Please, please...
I don't want this to be over yet!
Nice to meet ya!
Can't believe we ended up in the same dorm...
[SOMA] All right! Let's go, Megumi!
I want to... I want to stay at the academy!
Hey, Soma, why don't you try taking a little break?
(Sobbing) You're incredible, Soma!
Thank the friggin' cosmos!
I'm so glad to be paired with you again!
You're welcome, Ma'am!
There's so much more cooking I want to do with everyone,
with Soma!
So please, God!
Please let me stay!
(Gasp)
Heh! All that hard work for nothing.
The difference in skills is clear.
Kojiro was able to score a rather substantial victory.
I-I... couldn't do it.
Um, Megumi. I'm sorry...
I didn't really help much.
But don't give up! You're a really great chef.
Trust me, that was a fantastic dish you made.
No...
No, Soma, you didn't do anything wrong.
Nah, nah, it's fine.
We should work together again, Megumi.
Great! I'm countin' on you!
Here we go, Megumi!
Hey hey! Who do you think I am?
I am the number-two guy at the "Japanese Eatery Yukihira"!
Now, because of me, Soma is expelled, too.
I'm sorry!
There's no need. I did this because I wanted to.
You don't owe me anything.
(Gasp)
The only drawback is you can't do it by yourself.
I'm gonna support you with everything I know! Okay!
I'm sorry!
(Sobbing)
[KOJIRO] Well, there's no reason to feel down.
After all, this obviously was bound to happen to you.
Alright, I have an early day tomorrow,
so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to turn in.
Been a real treat.
(Clank)
Huh?
What do you think you're doing, Chef Dojima?
[KOJIRO] Um, the challenge is already over.
Well, not quite yet.
I believe that I would like to weigh in on this contest as well.
So I am going to cast a vote.
Huh?
Seriously? After all that,
NOW you're going to get involved with this?
Come on. What is there to weigh in on?
You're not a judge in this contest.
The votes were cast. It's over.
Do you really not get it?
[GIN] The answer to your questions...
is right there in the food Megumi has made.
Hmm...
Kojiro...
You've hit a plateau, haven't you?
(Gasp)
(Sobbing)
[GOTODA] Hinako,
I know you're sad, but there's reason for you to cry, my dear.
We have to see him off with a smile.
But, I...
I didn't know he was leaving us straight away,
and to France at that!
Yeah, you know... I'm surprised too.
But you're serious, aren't you?
I am. And if I don't learn in France,
my cooking will never be complete.
I will train there, open my own restaurant,
and win the Brousse-Poiret.
[GOTODA] The Brousse-Poiret?
If you do, you'll be the first Japanese to achieve that feat.
Still, I'm sure you can-
But Kojiro, you're so anti-social,
there's no way you'll make any friends!
You know you're going to just fight with the staff-
Whatever!
(Grunting) [MIZUHARA] For sure.
You are all worthless!
[OLDERKOJIRO] A Japanese person opening a restaurant in France...
That was an unbelievably difficult task.
While still in school, I saved up by earning prize money
from winning various cooking contests.
Then, I was eventually able to make it to France.
I studied there for six years,
finally opening my own restaurant, "SHINO'S," in the mecca of fine dining.
[CUSTOMER] I'm quite shocked.
For you to be a chef owner at such a young age...
The food was impeccable.
Thank you very much, Sir.
I loved it. I was on cloud nine,
having opened my own restaurant.
What is he doing here?
[KOJIRO] But I overlooked one small point of contention...
Hey! Who was it?!
Who changed the sauce's recette?!
This is the preferred method here in Paris.
I'd say your flavors are a bit too oriental for our clients' tastes, Monsieur Shinomiya.
Grr...
A Japanese wouldn't understand.
You're a long way from home, garcon.
Backlash for being an outsider...
Other chefs were jealous of my youth...
Wanna eat at Shino's?
Oh, I dunno.
I haven't heard very good things about it.
Let's try somewhere else.
Oh, o-okay.
There was one problem after another,
and the clientele slowly began to dwindle.
If you keep coming in late on your payments,
I won't be able to deal with you anymore, alright?
All of my ambitions...
were falling away!
There's no place for slackers in my kitchen. Get out!
The one person I could trust was myself.
The staff became my enemy.
[KOJIRO] Atrocious!
Finish this miroir off per my instructions.
Do not stray from my recette.
Um, if I may, Chef,
I find it quiet appetizing when done this way.
And in terms of efficiency and cost percentage-
I told you what I want.
If you don't like it, get out.
Ah! Yes of course, Chef!
[KOJIRO] I pushed myself...
MM!
Oh wow!
Delicious!
And I pushed myself...
The treatment of the vegetables
has an essence of Japanese cuisine.
And yet, it doesn't stray from the methods of French cooking.
Dear Lord, this is the work of a magician!
A magician indeed!
He's the Legume Magician!
And having pushed myself to my limits...
I made it to the top.
[GIN] I have a feeling...
you're already aware of it, aren't you?
Now that you've finally won that award,
you're clueless as to which direction to take.
[GIN] Having reached that apex,
you've become unable to take even a single step forward.
For a chef, a plateau is the same as going backwards.
The reason you didn't make one of your specialties for this challenge
is that you didn't want us to know
your cooking has stagnated!
Shut up!
What the hell do you think you know?!
You're nothing but a glorified resort chef
employed by your old school!
How dare you question me?!
Then try a bite.
Huh!
[GIN] Try Megumi's cooking.
Mm... Why should I bother?
Do it.
Ha! It isn't cooked right.
The plating is off, and the pate hasn't set properly.
Christ, are you getting senile?
Mph...
Hm!
And yet...
Why?! Why is it tugging at my heart like this?
There's something else to it.
[KOJIRO] The dish is crude,
but the way each ingredient was treated
shows careful consideration for the diner.
It's enough to relax a soul that has been strained and troubled.
This flavor...
it... reminds me...
[MOTHER] Kojiro!
Boy, you were fightin' again, weren't ya?
You went sayin' some bullheaded nonsense to your friends again, I bet!
Hm?!
Well, yeah!
I can't stand 'em.
I'm fine being on my own.
I don't care if nobody gets me here!
Uh!
Oh sweetheart...
You're always flyin' off the handle like this.
Makes it hard to keep friends.
The truth is, you're a kind boy.
Your momma knows that.
Uh... Um, Mom!
Now let's hurry back and eat.
I'm makin' your favorite for dinner tonight.
That okay with you?
Yeah...
[MOTHER](Laugh) Look over there, there's a rainbow!
It's pretty, huh, Kojiro?
Yeah.
Hehehe! Thank goodness!
Right?
[KOJIRO] This...
This tastes like...
like a mother's love.
(Clank)
(Sniff)
Uh!
Okay, dimwit.
Ah! Yes?!
That spice you added to the pate...
It was allspice, wasn't it?
Ah! Um, it was!
Well, I would say it was used to offset the smell of the chicken liver.
It's a blend of cinnamon, and cloves, and nutmeg,
and it's used throughout the world in a wide variety of cuisines.
Maybe... But that's not the only reason, is it?
Uh, um! No, uh, right.
Huh?
Well I know you've all been judging
since yesterday, right?
And I know you've had to eat a lot
of different foods.
So, I thought that you might be...
Well, allspice aids in digestion and might do you some good.
Oh!
I-I wanted to give you something
that would be gentle on your stomachs
and might help settle your tummies.
You really are so thoughtful and sweet!
You sure are...
I'm overcome knowing your beauty extends to the kitchen.
Meaning that she's just your type, right?
Do not say things like that, Chef Mizuhara!
Though clumsy, it resonates.
That's the kind of food she's made.
[GIN] Even while taking on this challenge,
Megumi kept the interests of the diner close to heart.
I would say that that's an important aspect to consider...
if you want to move beyond the summit.
Uh!
Chef Dojima had me from the start, didn't he?
I get it. For a long time now,
I haven't considered the faces of my customers,
nor the voices of my staff...
I've cooked all alone.
Hyaa!
There! Now the votes are even.
In other words, the battle is a draw.
Allow me to settle this Food War challenge once and for all.
Alright, if you do really think it's a draw,
Then I believe Megumi should return to her same status as before this Food War.
(Sigh)
This whole fiasco has been preposterous.
It's just ridiculous.
Ahh!
Fine, I'll cooperate with your wishes.
She survives for one more day,
in her own unfortunate way.
Ugh...
[KOJIRO] Soma Yukihira, huh?
Hm.
Someone isn't being a very nice person, now is he?
AH! You see! This is what I'm talking about!
Um, uh... Oh, no... But I...
[GIN] Megumi... Huh?
Your food is like a warm embrace for those honored enough to try it.
It's hospitality...
And it is the essence of your cooking.
That is a powerful weapon.
Hone it well while you're at Tohtsuki Academy!
Consider these three coins as an investment in both your futures.
Looks like we were able to make it through, huh?
(Gasp)
Not too bad! We did it!
(Whimper)
(Sobbing)
So Kojiro's plateau was the result of his own resourcefulness?
That what you're saying?
Yes...
Kojiro has always been able to move forward
by removing everything he has considered unnecessary.
Then, he reached the summit,
before he'd fully matured as an chef owner.
For a chef to continue to reach new heights,
it takes an insatiable desire
to absorb knowledge from all sources.
[GIN] Perhaps he will get that back tonight.
So this Food War saved two of our promising chefs at once.
You are quite the educator, my friend.
Ha! You flatter me.
Man, it sure has gotten pretty late, hasn't it?
(Phone vibrates)
Ah! I have, like, a million missed calls from Yuki and everybody!
Well, there wasn't any reception underground.
You should probably go and talk to them.
I'll be right behind you.
Okay!
Uh, hey, Soma...
Thank you so much back there!
I mean it. I'll never forget what you've sacrificed for me!
Everyone's worried about you.
Get going.
Mm-hmm!
He beat me...
And I...
I lost...
Dammit.
Soma Yukihira truly intended to win,
all by himself.
That's another trait a chef needs.
Much like Kojiro when he was younger,
pledging to win that award and setting out on his journey.
(Ending Song)
I'm ba-
WAAGH! Jerk face!
[YUKI] Just how reckless can you be, you idiot?!
I was so worried about you two!
When I'd heard you'd challenged an alum to a battle, I thought you'd both be expelled!
Yuki, you need to calm down!
If it wasn't for Soma, I would've been expelled for sure!
Oh, that right?
So I guess that means...
AHHH! Ryoko!
Um, could you please not cry all over me?
But I am really glad you both made it.
I really am, you guys.
How are you even standing up, Soma?
I feel like I got run over by a truck.
Hey Soma, what happened to your right hand?
You all right?
AGGHH!
(Laughing)
[YUKI] Please never, never, never freak me out again!
Don't worry about it.
Yo, Soma!
You made it, bro!
Sweet, dude! All right!
Tonight, we're gonna have the hanafuda cards championship!
Huh? Right now?
Why do you have to use my room?! I hate you guys!
Because it's so clean! Hm!
(Sobbing)