Objection!
Yukihira Soma
We should re-evaluate whether this student should be allowed in the Autumn Elections!
Nakiri Erina 1st-Year, High School 10th Seat, Totsuki Elite Ten
I doubt his actions merit
his participation in a gourmet festival with a time-honored tradition!
Nakiri-kun.
When it comes to food, your opinion has never been wrong.
However, when it comes to Soma-kun,
your views seem irrational.
Isshiki Satoshi 2nd-Year, High School 7th Seat, Totsuki Elite Ten
Did something happen between you and him?
Something personal?
N-Nothing.
I just believe this man to be unworthy.
Sparks
Isshiki-san,
perhaps it is you who is biased, because he's from your dorm.
Of course not.
Yukihira Soma...
Eizan Etsuya 2nd-Year, High School 9th Seat, Totsuki Elite Ten
He seems interesting. I support his participation.
Indeed, he has accomplished little in the academy thus far.
He has not been here long.
Nice to meet you!
But at the camp,
he made a last-minute comeback to serve 200 dishes.
It was delicious. Hinako
He has received commendations for the first day's task, as well.
A maverick like him
would be sure to make the festival more entertaining, don't you think?
I don't get why you're so against the idea.
No further objections, I suppose?
Then let this be the final decision.
Hey, hurry up!
The Chosen One
They finally put up the results!
Yeah!
I didn't make it...
So these are the Autumn Election contestants.
Huh.
Ibusaki Shun
Yukihira Soma
Sakaki Ryoko
Yoshino Yuki
Yeah!
Tadokoro Megumi
Wh-What should I do?
Hey!
So all three of you were selected, too?
Soma-kun!
Good job, guys.
It seems we'll get to face off
even before we'll ever have a Shokugeki, Yukihira!
Hey, Nikumi!
Guess you got in, too.
Y-Yeah.
You, too?
Yeah?
Takumi, good luck to you, too.
D-D-D-Don't treat me like a sidekick!
Isami, don't laugh!
Mito Ikumi
Isami Aldini Takumi Aldini
Nakiri Alice
Well, of course.
Oh, I'm on it, too.
Of course you'd be!
It'd be embarrassing if my close aide failed to be selected.
Failure is not an option during the preliminaries.
I'll be fine.
Even if I end up facing you,
I'm invested enough to try to win.
Sulk
Why're you upset?
Slap Slap Slap
What's with you?
I don't think you have enough respect for me!
I'm always showing my respect.
More!
You should show more respect!
Slap Slap Slap
You should emulate Erina's secretary!
Oh, hey! You're Nakiri's cousin!
Well, well, Yukihira Soma-kun.
How are you doing?
Hey, why're all these famous people flocking to Yukihira?
When'd he even meet them?
Oh, yeah!
I have to tell Fumio-san!
I bet she'll be all happy that the "golden age" has returned!
Hello, everyone!
Elections
I'm Kawashima Urara! I'll be your host at the Autumn Elections!
Smile!
Twinkle
Kawashima Urara 1st-Year, High School
Urara-chan!
Glower...
My heartfelt congratulations to those of you who have been selected!
As I'm sure you're already aware from the announcement,
the sixty contestants are split into Group A and Group B.
Group A Preliminaries 30 Contestants
Each group will undergo the preliminaries separately.
Group B Preliminaries 30 Contestants
Group A Group B Preliminaries Preliminaries 30 Contestants 30 Contestants
Preliminaries
Group A Group B High Ranking Contestants High Ranking Contestants
Only those who rank high within each group will advance to the actual tournament!
This Tournament
Let's see...
I have a message from Eizan-senpai, an executive committee member.
"Many VIPs and heavyweights of the food industry will attend the preliminaries.
This is an optimal opportunity for you to demonstrate your talents."
"However..."
"Should you have the misfortune of presenting an unworthy dish,
you may lose any hope of pursuing a career in the food industry at that point."
"Well, best of luck preparing for it..."
"...over your summer break."
That's all, everyone!
We have no choice!
I'll make it to the tournament!
Congratulations on being selected.
It was only to be expected, given your talent.
Thank you!
I will not disappoint you as your aide, Erina-sama.
And please rest assured that I will punish Yukihira Soma!
Oh, my apologies!
I should not have mentioned anything!
You'll do well to flounder at the very bottom of the barrel.
I doubt you'll be selected for the elections.
Elections?
Like I said, there's no way someone like you will be selected!
Don't get too ahead of yourself, Yukihira-kun.
Nakiri Erina is far above you.
Nakiri's not going to be in the elections?
Right.
The Autumn Elections are overseen by the Totsuki Elite Ten every year.
So Erina will be running things on the other side of the table.
Slap Slap Slap
Oh, well. I suppose it'll be a while before I can face off with Erina.
I was afraid of this.
Everyone's so top-notch that I feel out of place.
Why'd that dropout get picked when we didn't?
I have higher scores than her in classes and labs.
It doesn't make any sense.
What's going on?
Shut up!
You're all so pathetic!
Listen up!
The election lineup isn't based solely on grades.
Candidates are assessed based on a range of factors,
including their individuality and potential.
Anyone satisfied by mere grades wouldn't get selected in the first place!
Look at that deep footprint!
U-Um, thank you!
Er, who are—?
I'm Hojo Miyoko.
You're Tadokoro Megumi, right?
I'm interested in you.
Shinomiya Kojiro was one of the Elite Ten.
Shinomiya Kojiro Chef of French Restaurant SHINO'S
Former Elite Ten
First Seat
I heard you did a Shokugeki with him. Is that true?
And I heard it was a draw!
Oh, um!
But it wasn't really an official draw.
No way!
You mean, you won?
N-N-N-N-No, not at all! I mean...
What is it? Speak up!
Um!
S-Soma-kun, well...
It was all th-thanks to him.
I wasn't good at all by myself, so...
Yukihira Soma... the transfer student, huh.
Heh, so you just got helped along by a guy?
Sorry I bothered you.
I misread you.
Did you know, Yukihira-kun?
Most of the current Elite Ten have scored a victory during the main tournament.
In other words, the next Elite Ten
Nakiri Alice Group B
will emerge from among those who make it through the preliminaries.
Sakaki Ryoko Group A
Yoshino Yuki Group B
Ibusaki Shun Group A
Takumi Aldini Group B
Isami Aldini Group B
Mito Ikumi Group A
Hojo Miyoko Group B
Tadokoro Megumi Group B
Ah, Erina-sama...
She's beautiful today, like usual.
I want her noble eyes and words
to despise me!
That bitch!
How hateful!
I am more worthy of Erina-sama!
Sadatsuka Nao Group B
Arato Hisako Group B
The members should be getting announced right about now.
Yes.
Marui-kun.
Marui Zenji Group A
You have to win this if you're going to have any chance at all.
I hope a day will come when Erina, you,
and I can all compete over the Elite Ten seats!
Kurokiba Ryo Group A
In the middle of the room,
there's a scorch mark from when a pot fell on the floor.
It used to be my room.
Until you lose to me again,
don't lose to anyone else.
I'll crush you.
I'm getting hyped up.
Well! What a beautiful morning!
It's a perfect way to start the first day of summer break!
Hey!
Come take a look at this!
It arrived!
To Polar Star Dormitory Important Information Regarding the Autumn Elections
It's from the Autumn Elections office!
Okay, let's open it.
Topic: Curry
Curry...
Topic: Curry Dish
...dish?
So we just have to make curry rice?
It says "dish," so it doesn't have to be curry rice.
So basically, it's any dish that uses curry in some form.
Right, Isshiki-senpai?
Well, I wonder.
Aw, you're redirecting!
Curry....
It's such a broad theme that it's hard to grasp. Hm?
Sakaki-kun, you make good tea.
May I have seconds?
What was Polar Star Dormitory like back then?
It was fun.
Everyone worked on perfecting their craft however they could.
Oh, there was one student who always made curry.
Her name's Shiomi.
I think she became an instructor at Totsuki.
If you ever meet her, mention my name.
I looked after her a lot back then.
I think she'll look after you.
That's what Dad told me.
I guess that's the place.
Huh?
It's more run-down than I expected.
Maybe she's scary like Chappelle-sensei.
Hello!
Shiomi, Shiomi...
Shiomi Lab
Excuse us!
Huh?
No one's here?
Grind Grind Grind
Holy crap!
No way!
Hello?
A visitor?!
Um, um...
Sorry!
I'll make tea right now!
She's so short.
Oh, sorry for being so inconsiderate!
Is she in junior high?
Bow Bow
infinite loop
I'm sorry, please don't mind us.
Sorry, I'm always spaced out.
I'm sorry for coming over without notice.
Oh, it's fine!
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
They're apologizing to each other for making the other apologize...
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
I'm really sorry.
Sorry.
Uh, so who is the instructor of the lab here?
If you could inform her that Saiba Joichiro's son came—
Camera 1
Camera 2
Camera 3
Saiba Joichiro's... son?
Please leave, right now!
What?
Um... He just fainted, so I think that would be hard...
I don't even want to think about Saiba-senpai!
Shiomi Jun Totsuki Academy Instructor and Polar Star Dormitory Alumna
Hey, Jun. I got you what you wanted—
Oh, sorry for the intrusion.
Bow
Making of Photo
Hey, c'mon!
Are you even trying?
Find the best angle!
You're beautiful from any angle, anyway.
I know that already!
Okay.
Nice to meet you.
Shiomi Jun First-Year, Junior High
I... I'm Shiomi Jun.
Welcome to Polar Star Dormitory.
I heard you passed Fumio-san's entrance test in one try.
Dojima Gin Second-Year, High School
You sound quite promising.
Th-Thank you!
Mornin'!
Joichiro, wear your uniform.
Saiba Joichiro Second-Year, High School
Huh? We have new blood?
Okay, it's time for a welcome!
Want to try my new recipe?
S-Sure, I'd love to!
And in that way,
as the most junior member of Polar Star Dormitory,
I was subjected to Saiba-senpai's experiments at every turn,
and tortured like you won't believe.
No!
And I was scarred for life.
Shiomi Jun Currently Age 34
Hey, you haven't changed one bit!
I'm told I look young for my age a lot
Well, that's perhaps because I've always been partial to spices.
Many spices are good for your looks.
How does that explain it?
Man, my dad really treated his kouhais poorly,
Stare...
didn't he, Tadokoro?
Um, so, we're from Polar Star,
and we wanted to learn more about curry.
Right.
It's the topic of the Autumn Elections.
Sulk
I can teach the girl.
Sulk Sulk
I'll never speak with Saiba-senpai, or any of his family members.
I'm sorry we're being so rude to our guests.
I'm Hayama, a first-year in high school like you.
Hayama Akira First-Year, High School
I'm an assistant here.
Oh.
I thought you only join a lab once you're a second-year.
Well, it's because this woman needs me.
She's incapable of anything other than fiddling around with spices.
Right, Jun?
Don't call me Jun!
Call me Professor Shiomi!
Hayama-kun, you're my assistant.
You should show me some respect!
Jun, you were supposed to water the plants today.
You forgot.
Oops
I did it for you.
Yes, sorry.
You forgot last week, too,
and the spice plants almost died.
Yes. That was my fault.
And who helped host the guests that you ignored entirely last month?
Hayama-kun, it was you...
She's getting even tinier.
Look, Soma-kun.
Yeah, there are a ton of spices.
Oh, this smells a lot like curry!
It's a spice called kari patta.
It also goes by the name "curry leaf."
Huh?
Is this fresh?
You know this, Tadokoro?
Yeah.
The tree is very susceptible to cold weather,
and will die in winter.
So in Japan, you usually only see dried curry leaf.
It's very difficult to get fresh leaves.
It's one of Jun's research projects.
She's devised a way to reliably cultivate tropical spices in Japan.
She's also been successful in finding long-term
storage methods with freezing technology,
and in extracting new flavor compounds.
Huh. You're more amazing than you look, Sensei.
Blush
B-Being flattered by you gives me no joy.
But, yes.
I'll say that spices are full of potential.
To start with, spices speak to these three factors:
Fragrance
fragrance, spiciness, and color.
Spiciness
Color
Fragrance Spiciness Color
Blending spices creates synergy.
The more varieties you blend together,
the less pronounced their individual characteristics become.
But if you are not mindful in selecting your spices,
blending may result in off-flavors.
At most, you can blend twenty different spices.
20 Varieties
In addition, fat is indispensable for taking advantage of spices!
By heating spices in oil, you can amplify their fragrance.
What, we're being subjected to a full-on lecture now?
In such cases, the flavor of fat is best enhanced when it's been emulsified!
Pant Pant Pant
Man, when she gets this way, it'll be a while.
Well, maybe the fastest way for you to learn is to actually experience it.
Come have a taste.
I'll show you how deep the spice world goes.
Kitchen
Here's the first dish:
Kolivartha curry.
It's a traditional southern Indian dish.
I used the curry leaf you saw earlier to flavor it.
Wow, it looks really good!
Wha?
What's this?
First, the strong fragrance of the curry leaf pierces your nose,
then the spicy umami of chili peppers and onions follow, filling your mouth.
That's the power of fresh curry leaf.
It's ten times more potent than the dried version.
All right!
Here's the next dish:
Goan fish curry, which uses whitefish such as marlin and salmon!
Huh?
Two servings of the same curry?
They both use the same ingredients and spices.
Compare how they taste.
The second one I ate... tastes much better?
That's right.
For that dish,
I toasted red peppers and coriander in the frying pan.
I used dry-roasted spices.
What?
That's enough to create this much difference?
The fragrance in this one is worlds above the other!
I understand what she was talking about now.
All the ingredients' flavors are grounded and unified by the dry-roasted spices!
Balance Harmony
Here's the last one.
It looks just like the kolivartha curry we first tried.
Right, but it's totally different!
The curry leaf flavor is stronger in this one, several times over!
The burst of spiciness in your mouth is much stronger in this one, too!
The flavor is much more distinct!
I haven't added any new ingredients for this one, either.
I just used water instead of stock to simmer the ingredients.
Water?!
I applied what Jun said earlier.
The more flavors you blend together, the less pronounced each flavor becomes.
This is it in reverse: by removing the flavor from the stock,
I magnified the flavor of the spices in this curry.
But that usually means the taste will lack depth.
And yet, this fragrance is really insistent.
It's piercing me!
To think a dish could undergo such a dramatic change
just by handling the spices a little differently...
He didn't even look into the pot once while cooking.
The fennel's fragrance is starting to come through.
Five seconds until the fennel's been heated through.
Forty seconds until the coconut paste's flavors are melded with the rest.
He monitored what he was cooking just through the fragrance
of the ingredients and spices wafting up from the pot!
I told you,
she needs me.
I transform her principles into actual cooking.
Huh?
Everyone's gone!
That's the role I play here.
A scientist who generates theory,
and a chef who puts it into practice!
I must admit, I laughed when I saw what the preliminaries' topic was.
Who knew it'd be a curry dish?
You're in the Autumn Elections, too?
I'm in the same Group A as you, Yukihira Soma.
Huh?
Did I say my name to you?
Come on, everyone knows your name.
Any first-year who attended the opening ceremony, at least.
Your cooking's interesting.
Even with all kinds of restrictions, you use inspiration to overcome them.
But that's not good enough to climb to the top of Totsuki.
There's something that reaches the diner before flavor and appearance.
It remains after the diner chews and swallows.
That's fragrance.
The one who dominates the field of cooking is the one who dominates its fragrance.
In other words, the one who'll take the top at Totsuki
is me, Hayama Akira!
Well, thanks for the food.
Your curry was seriously good.
I'll repay you for that next time.
Next time?
I'll let you taste curry that's even better than yours
at the prelims.
You think you can defeat me at curry?
You didn't figure anything out from eating my curry?
I did.
It was scary.
Huh?
Here's a guy who can make something I can't.
Of course I'm super jealous.
Thanks for teaching me a lot!
I'll see you again at the prelims—
Hey!
I was still in the middle of my lecture!
The doorknob... stabbed me in the gut.
I'm sorry...
Yukihira Soma.
Facing curry means you have to face the spice.
You have to face the fragrance.
My nose is very special.
You don't have a snowball's chance in hell of beating me.
Hayama Akira Group A
Yukihira Soma Group A
To Be Continued
Preview
Oh, sorry, I spaced out!
Next time on Food Wars, the twentieth dish:
Menu The Dragon Lies Down and Ascends the Skies
"The Dragon Lies Down and Ascends the Skies."
Oh, I'm sorry. What am I supposed to say?
Um, um, um...
Full Power
Summer break!
S-Summer break!
Summer break...