Mr. Li Qiang is a friend who has a deep passion for Thai culture. He has put in a lot of effort to learn Thai cuisine. Somchai continued, "I believe his intention in creating this dish is not to seek attention, but to express his respect for Thai culture."
Somchai pointed at me earnestly, saying, "He just wants to promote cultural exchange and development between China and Thailand in his own way."
The judges turned their gaze towards me. I looked into Somchai's determined eyes, feeling a warm surge in my heart. I straightened my back and rekindled a glimmer of hope.
"I... I truly want to express my understanding and respect for Thai culture," I said, gathering my courage. "I named this dish 'Fusion,' symbolizing the mutual blending and promotion of the two cultures."
I paused, picked up my chopsticks, and pointed to different parts of the dish as I explained to the judges: "The base of this dish is Thai curry, representing the warmth and inclusiveness of Thai culture; while the elements I added from Sichuan cuisine represent the profound depth of Chinese culture. Although these two cultures may seem incompatible, through my careful preparation, they can harmoniously blend together to create a brand new taste experience."
Taking a deep breath, I continued, "I know my work may not be perfect yet, but I hope the judges can see my sincerity and the ideas I wish to convey."
I set down my chopsticks and looked sincerely at the judges, waiting for their final verdict.
The venue was silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Somchai walked over to me, gently patted my shoulder, and whispered, "Don't worry, I believe in you."
I glanced at him gratefully, and Somchai smiled encouragingly.
"Cough, cough..." A judge cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Mr. Li, your explanation is wonderful, but ultimately, it comes down to the taste of the dish."
He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of the dish, and placed it in his mouth to savor it.
The other judges also began to taste my creation.
As time passed, the expressions of the judges gradually became serious, as if they were deeply contemplating the flavors and meanings of the dish.
Finally, one judge set down his chopsticks, looked up at me, and displayed a look of surprise on his face.
"This dish..." He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "The flavor of this dish... is simply incredible!"
The other judges nodded in agreement, their faces showing expressions of appreciation.
"The flavors in this dish are distinct; it has the rich spiciness of Thai curry and the numbing heat of Sichuan cuisine. The two flavors blend together beautifully, creating an unforgettable experience."
"Moreover, the meaning behind this dish is also very profound. It embodies the inclusiveness and innovation of two cultures, showcasing great creativity."
"I give this dish a perfect score!"
Hearing the unanimous praise from the judges, my anxious heart finally settled down.
I looked excitedly at Somchai, who gave me a thumbs-up with a beaming smile on his face.
Wang Li and Li Ming also jumped up from their seats, excitedly waving and cheering at me.
In the end, I won the championship of the competition with an absolute advantage.
Standing on the podium, holding the heavy trophy, I felt an immense sense of pride and excitement.
This competition not only deepened my understanding of Thai culture but also allowed me to gain friendships and recognition in a foreign land.
More importantly, it taught me a valuable lesson:
As long as you put your heart into it, you can overcome difficulties and achieve your dreams.
After the award ceremony, an elderly gentleman with gray hair approached me. He was wearing a white chef's uniform, looking spirited with bright eyes.
"You are very talented, young man," the old gentleman said, looking at me with an appreciative smile. "Your dish is very creative, and I admire your cooking philosophy."
"Thank you, sir," I said, feeling honored as I quickly bowed to express my gratitude.
"My name is Apichai, and I am the Royal Chef of Thailand," the old gentleman introduced himself. "I would like to invite you to work at my restaurant. Would you be interested?"
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