Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Imperial Torte

Finally, at the end of the course, the grand finale: dessert.

Servants bring forth the Imperial Torte, which is nearly eighty percent complete.

What they’ve just brought out is merely a sponge, mixed with chocolate I baked in advance.

But that alone doesn’t make it the ultimate cake. There’s still the finishing touch to be added.

The prototype for my chocolate cake, the Sachertorte, is a chocolate sponge cake made by mixing plenty of chocolate and butter. On its surface, apricot jam is spread, and finally, it’s coated with a fondant icing containing chocolate.

It was hailed as the king of chocolate cakes due to its unparalleled perfection.

To surpass that Sachertorte, my Imperial Torte substitutes walnut oil for butter, and a hint of liquor is added for flavor. Furthermore, instead of apricot jam, I used pinaru jam, blessed by the elves, resembling peaches.

Additionally, it’s layered with two sponges and fruit cream.

“Hehe, once again, quite a peculiar cake with its black color. Is it influenced by that thing you call chocolate, perhaps?”

“Yes, indeed, Duke Heltring. This is an adult confection, promising the utmost elegance.”

As I smiled and replied, a servant brought in a polished marble slab.

It’s an absolute necessity for making the Imperial Torte.

Now, let’s begin the finishing touches.

“From here, I will commence the finishing touches before you all. Please observe.”

First, I have Tina heat a bowl containing chocolate, liquefying it.

The temperature should be between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. That’s crucial.

I pour two-thirds of the melted chocolate onto the marble.

The black liquid spreads out. The bewitching scent of heated chocolate fills the air.

The finest chocolate made from cocoa. Not only high-quality, but also adjusted specifically for making the Imperial Torte.

Its aroma captivates even the most mature adults. The four dukes experiencing it for the first time won’t be able to resist.

Their eyes were completely fixated.

I thinly spread the chocolate on the marble, mixing it with a spatula.

This process is called tempering. It crystallizes the cocoa butter, giving it a crisp, firm texture when solidified, and it can achieve a beautiful gloss.

There’s no room for compromise in temperature or thickness; extreme caution is required. A minor mistake can cause the chocolate to lose its shine and compromise its texture. Mastering tempering is a hallmark of top pastry chefs.

Thin, thinner.

As they watch my work, those around me hold their breath.

Gradually, the temperature drops, and when lifted with the spatula, it forms horns.

A sign that crystallization has been successful.

I mix the perfectly tempered chocolate with the remaining one-third in the bowl.

Failure here would ruin everything.

Perfect.

I spread the jam made from pinaru soaked in liqueur onto the sponge infused with chocolate. The liqueur flavor complements the chocolate well.

Using the finest pinaru blessed by the elves for the jam alone is more than enough. It pairs exceptionally well with chocolate.

Coat the surface of the jam-covered chocolate cake with tempered chocolate.

Quickly and evenly. In an instant.

The thinly coated chocolate shell quickly hardens.

As a precaution, I have Tina remove any residual heat. By taking away the heat itself rather than blowing cold air, it prevents any adverse effects on the cake while solidifying.

The perfectly tempered chocolate, once hardened, radiated an incredibly glossy and beautiful shine.

“Beautiful.”

Duke Lenaril couldn’t help but exclaim as he watched my work.

With this, my cake is complete.

Without any exaggeration, it’s a radiant cake. That’s the evolution of the Sachertorte. The Imperial Torte.

“It’s finished now. I’ll start cutting it.”

I begin slicing the Imperial Torte.

For the tables other than those of the four dukes, Imperial Tortes prepared by me yesterday are served.

“Now, please enjoy. This is the best confection I can offer.”

The sound of swallowing saliva can be heard.

The four dukes begin to dig into the Imperial Torte.

“This is…,”

“How amazing…”

Their expressions soften, filled with ecstasy.

With minimal words, they devour the cake in a trance.

In no time, the cake is completely gone.

Everyone is equally stunned.

Until they finish eating, not a single word is uttered.

Truly delicious things steal words away.

The response elicited thus far wasn’t solely due to the power of the exceptional cake; it was because every course leading up to dessert was designed to enhance the cake’s flavor. It’s the culmination of all those efforts that finally paid off.

After a while, the nobles finally spoke up.

“I’m amazed. As I savor the noble bitterness and the perfect sweetness of the crispy chocolate exterior, I discover a wonderful jam with a gentle acidity hidden within, and beneath it, a moist cake. Bitterness, sweetness, acidity—when they all come together, it creates an indescribable sensation. Indeed, compared to this, all the dishes I’ve praised before seem like mere appetizers. My, if this is what cake is, then what have I been eating all this time?”

Duke Heltring seemed incredulous.

“This chocolate is magnificent. But the skill to fully utilize its perfection. Truly, there’s nothing to criticize. Duke Lenaril, you’ve won. Presented with something of this caliber, I can’t deny that it’s the ultimate, the latest in culinary art.”

Even the stubborn Eichhorn from the west conceded.

Duke Lenaril smiled.

“I’m delighted that you’re pleased. Does this acknowledge the high cultural standards of the east that I oversee?”

“Yes, indeed. I acknowledge it. The course has progressed over a hundred years. But, is this really the power of the east?”

Duke Heltring pondered.

“What do you mean, Duke Heltring?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Today’s banquet was splendid, Duke Lenaril.”

He deflected, and the conversation transitioned into peaceful banter.

Somehow, the banquet was a success.

It was a great experience to be able to fully utilize the finest ingredients, but I’d prefer to avoid such tension-filled work in the future.

“By the way, Kurt Arnoldt, did you oversee and prepare all the courses today?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“It’s the first time I’ve tasted such a wonderful course. I’d like to express my gratitude. I’ll make sure to reward you later.”

“As expected of Duke Heltring from the west, quite generous indeed. As a duke from the west, I cannot fall behind. Allow me to send my gratitude as well.”

A reward directly from the duke himself. It’s probably something I’ll never see in my lifetime.

For the future development of Arnoldt, I do feel inclined to accept it.

But…

“I’m terribly sorry, but I must decline. I am merely an extension of Duke Lenaril’s will. If this banquet was splendid, it’s all thanks to Duke Lenaril, who chose me as his aide. If I were to receive a reward, it would be from Duke Lenaril alone. I cannot accept it from anyone else.”

That’s the only response I can give.

Engaging in such blatant poaching, even if it offers temporary gain, would undoubtedly bring forth criticism and increase adversaries.

“Hahaha, Kurt, you’re… something else.”

Duke Heltring’s tone is cheerful and friendly, but it sends shivers down my spine.

“Let’s forget about what I just said. But, let me say this much. I want to taste your cooking again. It’s hard to imagine just having it once. Will you treat us again?”

“Whether that happens depends on Duke Lenaril.”

I replied.

“Haha, that’s right. Exactly. Hmm, but I must say, I’m surprised. To think a dragon would be born from a kite rather than a hawk.”

Duke Heltring remarked.

And with that, the conversation between Duke Heltring and me concludes.

Duke Lenaril smiles at me.

Perhaps this is the right decision after all.

After a while, the banquet comes to an end.

“Now that our stomachs are satisfied, let’s move to the dance hall. We’ve arranged a place for socializing. It’s open to all, so feel free to join.”

Duke Lenaril announces.

With those words, a major migration begins.

Even though it’s a free-for-all, it’s a prime opportunity to network and make connections. No noble would pass up such a chance.

I stand there, feeling somewhat reluctant to join.

Ideally, I wouldn’t want to participate, but I don’t really have a choice.

After all, I am a noble.

There are probably many nobles who see me as a favorite of Duke Lenaril and would like to ingratiate themselves with me, which could be quite bothersome.

But for now, I need a break. I’m mentally exhausted.

I watch as other nobles are guided away by the servants, paying them no mind.

Then, an elderly man approaches me.

It’s Duke Ortlepp, one of the Four Dukes of the North. He’s from the royalist faction and supports Duke Lenaril.

“Thank you for the splendid meal and for aiding Duke Lenaril.”

He said.

“I only did my job.”

I replied.

“Even so, there aren’t many who support that child. To have someone who can fully carry out their duties and be trusted is reassuring.”

He continues.

I’m unsure how to respond.

With someone like him, saying the wrong thing could be seen as disrespectful.

“Your cooking was excellent. It wasn’t just the taste; the attention to detail was admirable. I feel lighter now than I did before eating, and the performance was very enjoyable. Such things cannot be done without considering the diner. You’re a good chef. While I may not be from Heltring, I look forward to the opportunity to taste your cooking again.”

Duke Ortlepp says before turning away without looking at me.

Then, without facing me, he offers me some advice.

“As someone who’s lived many years, let me offer you a piece of advice. You’ve shown your strength too openly. In the future, unsavory characters may approach you, and some of your allies may become blinded by greed and change. Don’t trust people too much, but don’t distrust them too much either. As a noble, remember this.”

He’s an enigmatic person.

His words carried more weight than just the years he’s lived.

As he fades into the distance, I mutter to myself.

“That’s certainly true. The power of a pastry chef alone isn’t enough. I need to learn more.”

I have knowledge from my past life about pastries and cooking, but everything else I’ve learned in this world. And as Arnoldt I have had too few opportunities to behave as a noble.

My abilities haven’t surpassed those of a mere pastry chef.

Just being a pastry chef alone would make me easy prey in a society full of deceitful nobles.

That realization hits painfully close to home.