Hero Of Harmony

Chapter 122: Passion!

Folding my arms, I stood beside Michelle as the two of us watched how Chef Pou prepared his signature dish, Lean Pou Noodles; now, I've never taken a cooking class or anything like that, but as I watched him, I couldn't help but nod. All of his actions were smooth, fluid, and precise, just like an experienced chef as he diced the various vegetables; once he finished cutting the vegetables, he would then put each diced ingredient on a scale, and he'd either remove or add more until he got his desired weight, which caused me to furrow my brows, but I didn't see anything wrong with that.

After that, he placed all the diced vegetables inside a singular pot along with a unique thermometer that precisely gauged the pot temperature, something Chef Pou kept a close eye on, constantly turning the dial to either increase or lessen the fire's intensity. Once he got the desired temperature, precisely three-hundred twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit, he grabbed another pot while using a measuring cup to fill it with exactly three cups of water before placing it on the stove along with a second thermometer.

When the water reached its boiling point, Chef Pou added one-hundred-twenty-five noodles; how do I know it's exactly that much? Well, I watched as he counted the noddles. While the two pots were cooking, he then grabbed some greens meant to slightly spice and enhance the dish's flavor before adding them to the pot filled with diced vegetables, which he stirred in a specific pattern. After that, the three of us just stood still while patiently waiting several minutes before Chef Pou carefully dumped the pot of diced vegetables and greens into the pot full of boiling noodles.

Sitting the pot in a specific pattern, he added several different spices into the mix while continuing to stir slowly for a few minutes, glancing at the clock several times before grabbing a small bowl off on the side, only to pour the contents of the pot into a said bowl. Chef Pou added a final pink petal atop the noodles before handing the bowl to me, which I took without any hesitation, though I didn't immediately eat it; I first smelled it and closely inspected it before finally taking a bite.

"Your dish is great, Chef Pou, even slightly better than the one you previously made, but in the end, it's still missing its personality, and after watching you cook, I believe I've figured out why." Stated Alexander as he took a bite using a fork, causing him to nod while Pou furrowed his brows with an inquisitive gaze.

"What do you believe is the reason for that, Chef Vestalis?" Asked Pou curiously as he looked at Alexander, who attempted to feed Michelle, though she was too full despite the hungry look in her eyes.

"Your movements are too precise, too detailed, and you don't allow any room for freedom, which inhibits your ability to allow your passion to flow into your dish. A Chef who makes dishes because he has to will one day reach a ceiling, but a Chef who makes a dish because he wants to will have limitless growth, and while I can tell that you, Chef Pou, have a passion for cooking, your strict movements are not allowing it to flow properly." Stated Alexander seriously as he handed Michelle the bowl of noodles, while Pou's eyes slightly widened at this revelation.

"Passion? I understand what you're referring to, Chef Vestalis, but as a Chef, is it not our duty to make a perfect dish everyone will enjoy?" Questioned Pou with a curious look as he gazed at Alexander, who shook his head, which confused him.

"No, such a thing is impossible, Chef Pou; the way I see it, cooking is an art and is therefore subjective, which means it's impossible for everyone to enjoy your dish. Even if you make a dish that the gods themselves praise, it'll be impossible for everyone in existence to feel the same as everyone has different tastes." Declared Alexander lightly as he looked at Pou, who nodded in understanding, using this chance to learn and further refine his culinary knowledge.

"I see." Muttered Pou hesitantly with furrowed brows and a slightly confused expression, causing Alexander to roll up his sleeves and step forward.

"Here, I think it'll be easier to show you, Chef Pou." Said Alexander as he tied his hair back into a ponytail before beginning to cook while Pou and Michelle stood beside each other, wordlessly watching.