God of Cooking

“Really? I don’t believe it. You know what? Kids who say that get married ahead of others who don’t say that.”

“I’m serious, uncle. I am not going to get married…” Said Ella, pouting her lips with a sullen expression. Min-joon stood up with a smile when he made eye contact with her mother, Lisa.

Lisa also smiled at him gently because she had no reason to hate the person who took care of her daughter so dearly like him.

What bothered Min-joon was that she looked tired a lot when she smiled. Of course, she got better after Rose Island eliminated the lunch menu for customers, but her daily working hours not only at Rose Island but also at her own bakery were enormous.

‘If Marco could come here and join us…’ Min-joon thought to himself at the moment.

“Lisa, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You said you’re looking for a more competent patissier. Are you still interested in hiring one?”

“Well. Honestly, it’s too burdensome for me to hold an audition like Chef Rachel, and I’d like to interview possible candidates that my acquaintances introduce. Why? Do you know anybody?”

“As a matter of fact, I know…”

Right at the moment, Min-joon was about to mention Marco, Rachel walked into the kitchen and clapped her hands. He looked back at Rachel without saying further.

With a broad smile, Rachel looked at everyone and said, “Thanks guys for your hard work. In fact, I’ve got some news for you today. It’s quite interesting. I’m not sure if you guys will like it or not.”

“What’s the news, Master Rachel?”

“I guess you might have heard it already. Of course, I was sure this day would come some day. But you will feel different when you meet them in person. I would like to share with you some news that I heard secretly from my acquaintances. I don’t know exactly who or when they are coming, but our friends are coming to this place soon.”

Rachel paused for a moment and enjoyed looking at the curious expressions of the nervous kitchen staff. Then she said in a cheerful voice as if she was waiting for a great party.

“I mean the Michelin Guide Inspectors. They’re coming to Rose Island!”

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Kaya was so upset, and Marco was in a difficult situation. Plus, the Michelin Guide Inspectors are coming to Rose Island soon. Min-joon felt he had too much homework at once. What would a chef feel when he was asked to make 7 courses in only 15 minutes? That was how Min-joon felt at the moment. As a result, it was difficult for him to maintain his relaxed attitude like he used to.

Min-joon seemed to have a lot on his mind while waiting for Marco at the airport.

‘It looks like there are some more episodes I have to film,’ Thinking to himself, the cameraman murmured.

In the past, he heard from Martin that the members of the Season 3 of the Grand Chef competition, including Min-joon, had a nickname like the ‘fairy of the broadcasting station.’ What he meant was that when the three met, they seemed to produce good episodes on the air in one way or another. The cameraman was suspicious at first, but he was convinced that Martin’s words were right. He was amazed at Martin’s prediction.

‘I’ve heard several times that Asians are polite, but Min-joon is a little different. I think he has a good personality, apart from his politeness. Oh my gosh! I wish I had a friend who could send me a plane ticket for a meal when I am depressed.’

Perhaps, everyone watching this TV show would feel the same way. And anyone who felt it would probably want to make friends with Min-joon.

Suddenly, the cameraman wondered if Min-joon, conscious of how he would appear on TV, might be trying to make a good impression on TV viewers on purpose. But he soon gave up thinking like that because Min-joon’s personality was too cool and good to make him harbor such suspicion.

Min-joon and Anderson waited about 30 minutes until Marco got out of the departure door at the airport. Marco, who brought a small travel suitcase, looked at Min-joon and made a complicated expression, showing mixed feelings of gladness, regret, gratitude, and embarrassment. Marco could not help but feel that way because Min-joon looked gloomy rather than happy when he invited him to comfort him.

“Hi, Min-joon. Hi, Anderson. It’s great to see you guys again. How are you?”

“I’m doing well. I’m just fine. How about you? I was a bit heartbroken when I heard about you,” said Anderson, “By the way, Min-joon must have a lot on his mind right now. Kaya is upset now, and you’re in trouble, Marco. To make matters worse, the Michelin Guide Inspectors will be coming to Rose Island quite soon.”

“You don’t have to care about me… By the way, did you just mention Michelin?!”

“Yeah, that’s right. I don’t know when, but they seem to be coming soon. As you know, they are notorious for visiting the target restaurant secretly. It’s great to know they’re coming anyway.”

“Wow, now I see you guys certainly belong to Rose Island.”

For typical restaurants, it was even difficult to get visited by the Michelin Guide Inspectors, let alone receiving a star from them. Marco looked at Min-joon and Anderson freshly as if they were great, but at the same time, he felt he was just scruffy, compared with them.

The moment Marco was lowering his head diffidently, Min-joon opened his mouth.

“You don’t want to stay idle all the time, right? Have you found a job at a new restaurant?”

“Well, a couple of places want to hire me, but their compensation is not good enough.”

“I guess so. As you know, our premium as the popular participants in the Grand Chef has worn away by now.”

“So, I have a lot of headaches these days. But I don’t want to make a hasty decision for now. I want to take time before I make the decision. I don’t want to repeat the same mistake,” said Marco bitterly.

The moment Marco confessed like that, Min-joon couldn’t help but care about this kind and innocent chef that he befriended at the Grand Chef competition. In the end, Min-joon said what he wanted to say but hesitated over and over again until a moment ago, “Can I suggest something?”

“What suggestion?”

“Yeah, come this way. New York is a place where the cost of living is too expensive. Here, of course, it’s not that good, compared to New York, but there are people you can learn quite a lot from.”

“You mean Rose Island?”

“Not there. I know a patissier I want to introduce you to. If you hit it off with her, both of you can become a great partner.”

“Well, I can’t make a quick decision if you want me to leave New York right now.”

“Of course. I understand. Oh, by the way, l would like to let you know one thing,” said Min-joon gleefully. He then continued mischievously, “As for your plane ticket, you purchased a one-way ticket, not a return ticket, right?”

Marco looked at him blankly at his question. He thought Min-joon was kidding, but he was serious.

Min-joon calmly turned and walked ahead. Marco hurriedly caught up with him and said, “Hey, do you want me to settle down in Los Angeles?”

“I didn’t tell you to live. I just asked you to consider it. You have a lot of time. Just go easy, man. Just feel relaxed here. This city is perfect if you want to kill time.”

“I guess so. This is Los Angeles, not New York. But that’s not the problem. Did you call me to say I should move to Los Angeles?”

“Man, did you think I called you over here to treat you to just one meal?”

Marco couldn’t answer his question readily because he also knew Min-joon didn’t call him just for a meal. He thought Min-joon wanted to meet and comfort him. Normally, he would have rejected Min-joon’s offer, but he didn’t this time because he desperately needed his advice at the moment. Actually, he was looking for somebody’s warm encouragement or bitter advice that could help him wake up and challenge again.

Marco thought Min-joon could give him advice as well as encouragement. Perhaps, he decided to fly to Los Angeles because of that.

“Of course, I didn’t come here just to hang around with you. Besides, I had no intention of settling down in Los Angeles. Don’t you think you made up all this so suddenly? You didn’t give me any hint?”

“Hey, do you think you can survive as readily as you think? Don’t you know the proverb that reality is stranger than fiction? You know reality is really tough in this world.”

“Yes. It’s really weird. I’m feeling it keenly right now.”

Marco shook his head in a weary voice.

He looked around and whispered, “Do they recognize us in Los Angeles?”

“Sure, most of them recognize us, but don’t worry. They don’t gather around you even if they recognize you. Even if Hollywood actresses pass by them, most of them just pretend not to have noticed them.”

“Well, I’m not worried about them gathering around me or anything like that,” Marco said, scratching his head with an embarrassed expression.

Anderson said, “Well, you and I don’t have a reason to draw their attention, but Min-joon and Kaya are a bit different from us. You know they were unique chefs at the Grand Chef competition. So, these two guys are popular among people here. The other day, Kaya even said that there was a stalker shadowing her.”

“Well, I understand. You know this couple is a really famous star. People who recognized me in New York asked more questions about them than me. They also asked me about Min-joon, in particular.”

“Me?” asked Min-joon, who was standing next to Anderson.

When Min-joon reacted as if he was surprised, Marco continued, “Yes. You have a perfect palate. Besides, you are Kaya Reuters’s lover and a demi chef at Rose Island. You appeared on TV sometimes even after Hunger Trip, right? That’s why you guys are famous. I should say you are a young genius.”