God of Cooking

There was a joke that said actresses eat only dew. People tended to see all the celebrities in this frame. And Min-joon was also suffering from that frame.

“You don’t have to be conscious of us. I can understand even if you are talking to me casually as you used to,” one of the Grand Chef participants said.

“I’m talking to you as usual...”

“Nope, I know you don’t. I’m a participant in the current Grand Chef competition. So, I’ve watched all the previous Grand Chef competitions. I watched how you talked to people after the Grand Chef was over,” said another participant.

Min-joon was embarrassed. He could understand them if they had a fantasy about him, saying they knew he was thinking about cooking all the time, what kind of dish he was enjoying, or the way he thought about dishes uniquely.

However, their fantasy about Min-joon was completely unexpected. So much so that Kaya nearly split her sides laughing.

“Well, I don’t like to talk cheesy.”

“Well, I understand because you meet us for the first time here. If I have a chance, I’d love to see you once before I go back. Can I look forward to it? Brother?”

A black man who identified his name as Jaden spoke to Min-joon, chuckling. Min-joon could hardly understand because of Jaden’s unclear pronunciation peculiar to Black English, but since Jaden spoke to him in a friendly manner as if he was a long-time friend of his, Min-joon was more embarrassed. The only black friends Min-joon had were Marco and Havier’s cook, Fred.

Besides, they were unique rather than the typical blacks.

‘Well, this guy is rather unique like Marco or Fred...’

Min-joon looked at Jaden again. Sturdy and skinny, he seemed a nice guy. A gentle Japanese man next to Jaden shook his hand and said, “Hey, stop there. Min-joon is going to be upset.”

“No, I’m not angry, but I’m just embarrassed.”

“I’m sorry. This guy has a nasty personality. Have you watched the Grand Chef competition this season?”

“No. Unfortunately, I was so busy I couldn’t watch it.”

“I wish you had. This guy has become notorious for odd behavior during this competition.”

“Oh, I see. I can understand why.”

Min-joon nodded with a smile. Junichi, the Japanese man, looked at him with his eyes trembling a bit.

“I really wanted to see you, Chef Min-joon. I’m your fan.”

“Hey, don’t you think you were so nice to him when you were so mean to me?” Jaden demanded.

“Nope, I cheered Kaya when she came down here,” replied Junichi.

“Enough, guys. Chefs love this guy all the time,” Kaya cut in.

When she said that, Junichi’s cheeks turned red. He seemed to be happy that she called him a chef even indirectly.

Looking at her, Min-joon said, “Okay. Tell me what you’re doing here these days.”

“You know what the Grand Chef mission is like. They are dividing the teams every day. This time, the participants are divided into three teams, and each season’s winner is supposed to be their team leader.”

“Got it. What is the theme this time?”

“Course meal.”

“I think they’re going to feel comfortable about it because they’re used to it.”

Even though it was an event-oriented restaurant, Kaya had also been active as the head chef of that restaurant for almost half a year. She was sure she would be at least as good as the other winners of the Grand Chef competitions, even if she was not better than them.

“Let us leave early. We don’t have enough time for dating.”

“Oh, I can feel you guys are cheesy. Look, you can do it!” Said Jaden with a smile, tapping Min-joon on the shoulder.

Min-joon looked at him with an embarrassed expression then hurried to get out of that place. While Kaya was giggling at him, Min-joon muttered in a tired voice, “I’m not going to talk cheesy to you in the future.”

“Do you think you can do it?”

“Do you feel I’m cheesy, too?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I have to fix it then.”

“You’ve been doing it, and I always warned you against it. Stop it from now on, okay?”

“It’s because I am speaking in English, which is not my native language.”

“Hey, you’re trying to make excuses by blaming your English.”

She looked at him with a suspicious expression. He could not reply at all.

He hurriedly changed the topic.

“So how is your life here? Is it okay?”

“Well, so far, so good. They are quite cooperative, and if there’s a problem...”

At that moment, she blurred for some reason. It seemed like she had something to say, but she smiled lightly at him and said, “Let’s go inside. Are you going to sleep here tonight?”

“Sleep here? I don’t think they’re going to give me a room.”

She said with a smile, “Don’t worry. My bed is queen size.”

***

“You look tired,” said Martin.

“It was a long journey,” Min-joon replied awkwardly.

Martin looked at him quietly. Just like a Korean who washed twice a day, Min-joon’s hair was neat and his skin was clean even early in the morning. However, in contrast with his neatness, he had bags under his eyes, and his eyelids were often closed as if he felt sleepy.

‘Well, isn’t it natural, given he is sexually active at that age?’ Martin thought to himself.

As if he understood, Martin smiled and looked at Kaya.

“How do you feel after seeing your boyfriend after a long time?”

“Martin, I think it’s a working disease. You always try to talk in the form of an interview.”

“Don’t you think you usually start a conversation by asking? Did you say my occupational disease? Doesn’t anyone have it unless they are unemployed? Please understand me.”

“By the way, I think we’re seeing each other too often. To be honest, when the shooting was over, I thought it would be difficult to see you again other than by chance.”

“You’re so mean. Well, as long as Min-joon keeps this kind of romantic relationship with you, I think I will see you sometimes even in the future. I think I’m going to ask the winners of the Grand Chef for help like this sometimes anyway.”

“Well, that depends on whether I can accept your request.”

“Once that’s the story of when I accept your request for help,” she said curtly.

Martin put his hands together and looked at her desperately as if he was begging her.

“Hey, please don’t be so mean to me, Kaya. We’re on good terms, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Man, you hit the nail on the head!” Said Martin, dropping his head sullenly.

Now, Min-joon looked at Martin with a smile, “If Kaya declines, call me. Let me help you when I am available.”

“Are you serious?”

“I owe a lot to the Grand Chef competition. I’ve received much more than I gave. I want to pay it back if I can. I have a lot of affection for this place.”

“I’m really touched by your remarks...”

Martin’s voice trembled a bit as if he was really touched.

Min-joon said, shrugging a bit, “Don’t have a crush on me.”

“Nope...”

“Sorry to bother you when you are so busy. In fact, an outsider like me should not move around like this here,” said Min-joon.

“But you allowed us to film you. As a matter of fact, if we can shoot some scenes of Min-joon and Kaya spending time together and you talking to other participants, we’ll be absolutely happy.”

“If you think so, I’m greatly relieved.”

“Did you meet other people?”

“Well, I met Kaya’s team members briefly yesterday. I didn’t see others yet...”

“If you feel up to it, please meet them. I’m sure there are quite a few members who want to see you here because you’re one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Grand Chef.”

Martin didn’t say that out of courtesy. Actually, that was what not only Martin but also lots of people in the food industry and TV viewers said about Min-joon. Everyone knew that Min-joon, who was not the winner back then, is currently the most popular chef in the restaurant industry.

Min-joon’s fame was not just felt at the Grand Chef. Among all the chefs from various fields, there were almost none who stood out more or attracted more attention than Min-joon as quickly as possible.

Of course, there were quite a few chefs who received good reviews in the gourmet circles, but what was most important was Cho Reggiano because his dessert conquered America.

“Come to think of it, I think I’ve benefited from the Grand Chef a lot here.”

“We didn’t give you anything. We just showed people who you were. Back then, you proved that your strength in cooking was really unique.”

“Well, as you know, it’s not easy for a chef to show his or her cooking skills to people.”

“I admit that.”

Min-joon ended his conversation with Martin in a good atmosphere. Shortly after, Martin, who seemed busy, left. A couple of men popped out as if they were waiting for that moment.

One of them was a white man who seemed to be quite nervous, and the other was a woman who seemed to be of Southeast Asian origin.

They spoke to Kaya first, “Good morning, Kaya. May I ask who this gentleman is?”

It seemed that the man didn’t recognize Min-joon.

Kaya replied in a sullen voice, “He’s my boyfriend, Min-joon. Don’t you know him?”

“Oh, I heard about him, but I can’t remember his face. Nice to meet you. I’m Brian.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Laura. I personally love Cho Reggiano very much.”

“Thank you.”

A smile touched the corners of Min-joon’s mouth. To the best of his memory, Brian was the winner of the Grand Chef Season 1, and Laura was the second winner of the Grand Chef Season 2.

Brian asked, looking at Kaya, “Kaya, did you check the recipe I sent you last time?”

“No.”

“Please. I’m curious what you think of my recipe.”

“What are you talking about?” Min-joon asked as if he was curious.

Brian glanced back at him and shook his head as if it was nothing.

“I asked her a light favor. I’m working on a recipe with Kaya.”

“Hey, you’re not working on it with me! You’ve asked me for a favor. Can’t you be honest?”

“Man, you’re so mean today, Kaya.”

Min-joon looked at Brian with a bit displeased expression. He felt somewhat uncomfortable.

‘I wonder if this guy is trying to hit on Kaya before her boyfriend...’

Right at that moment, Kaya grabbed Min-joon’s hand and walked ahead.

“I’m hungry. Let’s cook first to eat some food.”