Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Ingredients from Eclava

Yesterday, Duke Lenaril issued me a challenge.

It involved identifying issues with the dishes provided by her personal chefs and surpassing them.

I successfully cleared that challenge, earning myself the title of honorary head chef during my stay here. Additionally, I obtained permission to freely utilize the vast budget and estate facilities for the upcoming gathering of the four major dukes.

However, I can’t afford to bask in joy alone. I have only six days left to create the finest menu.

Time is running short.

Today, I’ve been pondering over the menu since early morning in my room.

This course is designed to serve the final dessert. There’s no room for compromise.

“Kurt-sama, are you considering the menu? Is the one you had in mind before coming here not suitable?”

Tina asks, looking concerned.

Truth be told, I’ve tentatively decided on the menu once, and some preparations have been made.

Specifically, my original fermented seasoning, to be used in the main dish, is currently fermenting in jars, reaching its optimal flavor just in time for the day of the course.

And then, there’s the deer jerky, which takes a few weeks.

I’ve also prepared chocolate requiring aging, among other things, and brought in a considerable amount of ingredients from Eclava, the domain of Count Fernande.

“I thought it was fine at first, but seeing the tuna we had yesterday changed my mind. Such ingredients are rare even in Eclava, but they were superb.”

I never dreamed I could savor such high-quality tuna.

I plan to incorporate tuna dishes into the appetizers. And…

“I might find even more splendid ingredients just by venturing into the city. So, I plan to explore the market today. If I come across ingredients that seem better than what I had originally prepared, I’ll change them without hesitation.”

That’s what should be done to aim for the finest course.

“Kurt-sama, that’s admirable. But there’s a risk of upsetting the balance with the courses you’ve been considering so far.”

“It’s tricky. And we don’t have much time for trial and error. But compromising is out of the question. I’ll just do my best to ensure it doesn’t come to that.”

That’s the pride of a chef.

As I discuss this with Tina, there’s a knock on the door.

It seems the guide I requested from Duke Lenaril to show us around the city has arrived.

I open the door.

“You…”

“Hmph, I am the most knowledgeable about this city’s market. In crucial banquets, I handle the procurement myself.”

Standing before me is a sturdy middle-aged man… the personal chef of Duke Lenaril, Benaritta.

“Your knowledge and experience are greatly appreciated. But are you sure about this?”

In the end, I’ve shredded this man’s pride to pieces.

Chef Benaritta himself admitted that he’s inferior to me as a chef in front of his master.

“Don’t worry about this kid’s feelings. It’s not fun, but oh well. I acknowledge the boy’s skills. So, I’ll show respect. Besides, the fate of my master rests on this course. If it means making something better, I’ll cooperate.”

I’m a little surprised. What a magnanimous man.

Few people can admit their own shortcomings, let alone offer cooperation.

“Well, the kid has done me a favor or two anyway.”

“Is it a favor?”

“You kept quiet about the misbehavior of my disciples, who caused trouble and hindered you. I’m sorry. I found out about it later. They did something unworthy of chefs, thinking of me. If you had told Duke Lenaril about it, it wouldn’t have ended with just firing them. Normally, they’re sincere about their cooking. It would have been a shame to lose them over one mistake.”

So that’s it.

I kept quiet out of sheer pragmatism. I simply didn’t want to stir up any more trouble than necessary.

“No, don’t worry about it. We made good food. And if you’re willing to lend a hand, that’s more than enough compensation for any interference.”

“I appreciate that. Let’s all cooperate to the fullest. And I’ll learn a lot from you and your disciples. If you’re stagnating, you’ll bring a breath of fresh air to the cuisine of this city.”

“The feeling is mutual. I feel like I’ll learn a lot of things I didn’t know here.”

Chef Benaritta and I firmly shake hands.

His cooperation is greatly appreciated. There are countless hidden gems and special sourcing routes in this area that he may know about.

Each chef has their own connections. Ones that newcomers can’t reach.

And so, we set off for the market in a carriage provided by Duke Lenaril.

◇

We were swaying in the carriage heading towards the market.

In this carriage are Chef Benaritta, my servant, the silver-haired fox-eared beauty Tina, the golden-haired elven beauty Chloe, and several men who serve as guards and assistants.

“So, what does the kid want? This market is vast. We can’t go everywhere.”

There’s no doubt that time is limited.

The one thing that absolutely cannot be changed is the chocolate cake for dessert. It’s my specialty. I can’t compromise on that.

I’ve been preparing a special seasoning just for the main meat dish for over a week, and I’ve brought duck meat that will be just right by the time of the banquet. That can’t be changed either.

In that case…

“I want to get all the herbs and spices that are only available here and try them out. It might deepen the flavor of the dishes even more. And then there’s the fish. The fish dish feels a bit lacking right now. I want a mild yet meaty fish. Something with white flesh and strong umami.”

As I mention this, Chef Benaritta nods several times.

Then he speaks up.

“For herbs and spices, there’s a good wholesaler. They have almost everything, including some secret items. Let’s head there.”

A wholesaler, huh?

That makes sense. We probably won’t need to visit multiple shops if we go there.

“And as for the fish. There’s a discerning wholesaler who delivers the best fish. I always pick the ones chosen by him even more carefully. There shouldn’t be any problem if we go to him.”

That’s typical of Duke Lenaril’s way of choosing. It’s very efficient.

Just visiting each small shop one by one would take up the whole day.

We decided to go to the wholesaler and the wholesaler’s suggested by Chef Benaritta.

And then, it happened.

“Wait, stop the carriage.”

I hastily call out and jump out of the carriage.

Just then, I passed by some hunters.

They were sturdy men.

They were carrying deer with the blood and guts removed.

I call out to them.

“Hey, hold on. Are you here to sell that deer?”

“What’s up with you, stepping down from such a fancy carriage?”

“Never mind that. I’m asking if you’re here to sell the deer.”

“Yeah, that’s right. We’re hunters from a nearby village. We’re here to sell the surplus that we can’t finish in the village.”

I see, in that case, there’s something I’d like to ask.

“I see. The meat today is fine, but could you deliver a deer to the address I specify early in the morning six days from now? I want a deer that was just caught that day. I’ll pay five times the market price.”

There’s a terrifyingly large budget for this course meal.

So, I can afford to make such unreasonable requests.

“Five times? Can’t believe it.”

“I’m a chef from the Lenaril Duchy, and I’ll be preparing a special meal in six days. I need it for that. I won’t lie while bearing the Lenaril Duke’s banner. Take a look at the carriage behind me.”

Saying so, the hunters looked closely at the carriage behind me. They spotted the Lenaril family crest and widened their eyes in shock.

She’s a big deal in this city. There’s no one in this city who doesn’t know the Lenaril family crest.

“Wow, you’re someone really important. Got it. I’ll get my fellow hunters to help, and we’ll make sure to deliver the freshly caught deer to you. We’ll make sure to get five times the price.”

“Ah, I’d appreciate that.”

I smile pleasantly.

Normally, meat needs to be aged after death to bring out its flavor.

But the dish I’m trying to make is an exception, requiring fresh deer.

That’s why I had given up on the idea even though it was a candidate. If there’s a fresh deer available, I can make the best appetizer.

These hunters seem to hunt deer without damaging them too much, and they’re skilled at processing them after the hunt.

They’ll surely deliver the best deer.

Afterwards, we talked a bit more and parted ways after I handed over the deposit and the delivery address.

Considering the possibility that the deer might not be caught or that they might run off with just the deposit, I decided to think about what to do if I couldn’t get it.

Later on, I found some excellent herbs and spices, so I bought a considerable amount. This will add depth to the dishes.

And then, for the first time in this world, I came across a fish I had never seen before… eel.

Eel dishes are surprisingly versatile and often feature in French cuisine as well. It’s also one of the ingredients I’m skilled with.

Deciding to use eel for this fish dish, I bought some.

With that, the shopping was done.

This will greatly improve the quality of the fish dish.

Today, with the ingredients I acquired, the contents of the course meal were finalized.

Now, let’s keep moving forward with the preparations.

First of all…

“I need to make white sugar. Hopefully, it will go well.”

My chocolate cake doesn’t pair well with honey.

I need sugar, but all I have on hand is brown sugar.

Brown sugar has a distinct flavor. While you can make sweets that utilize its rustic taste, making delicate and refined sweets is difficult.

That’s why I decided to make white sugar from brown sugar myself.

Honestly, I’ve never put my knowledge into practice before.

Whether I can do it or not will determine the quality of the dessert by a notch.

There’s some uncertainty, but let’s give it a try.

This is a challenge. I was determined to give it my all.