Chapter 9: Ignorant of Fine Cuisine in Kelton

Chapter 9: Ignorant of Fine Cuisine in Kelton

The verdant lettuce, the orange carrots, the pale green cucumbers... they brought vitality to the entire room.

Suye gestured to Master with an inviting motion.

Master didn’t hesitate, using his trembling hands to pick up the first true salad in all of Greece, put it in his mouth, closed his eyes, and shut out all other senses, fully engaging his taste buds to savor every bite.

While this behavior seemed crude to Suye, to others, Master’s actions were incredibly elegant.

"This deliciousness surpasses imagination! Suye, your family is truly the Prometheus of cuisine!"

This evaluation startled everyone, including those from Kelton.

In Greece, Prometheus held a very high status.

Not only did Prometheus steal fire for humanity, but he also helped reduce the standards of sacrifice and spread many other things, making significant contributions to mankind.

Ultimately, Prometheus angered the gods for the sake of humans and was imprisoned on Mount Caucasus.

Kelton hesitantly reached out to grab the salad.

"Wash your hands first!" Suye lightly tapped him with a bone spoon, then reached out himself to grab some salad.

Kelton was stunned. Could it be that Dolphin River now had a second person who dared to refuse him?

He couldn’t help but glance at the five servants, who immediately turned their heads, pretending not to see anything.

Kelton reluctantly went to wash his hands, then took some salad and placed it in his mouth, chewing slowly.

At first, he resisted, but soon regained his composure, his eyes sparkling.

An unprecedented richness of flavors exploded in his barren Ancient Greek palate.

Even though he claimed to be a gourmet, having tasted as many delicacies as Master, he was still conquered by this flavor.

He remembered Suye tapping his hand and coldly hummed, saying, "I’m unsure of its value, but calling it the Prometheus of cuisine, I disagree."

Master turned to look at Kelton with a disappointed expression, then turned back, unwilling to say more.

Kelton was bewildered. What kind of look was that? Compared to this gaze, the earlier reprimand felt like a gentle breeze.

As the mighty owner of Dolphin River, a powerful Silver warrior, why should he endure such indignity!

Suye said, "Master Chef, don’t be angry. He’s just a restaurant owner; what does he know about fine cuisine?"

Master nodded vigorously, agreeing completely.

The five servants looked up at the magic lamp.

Kelton’s gaze was blank.

What did he mean by not knowing fine cuisine?

Suye added, "How about this: you personally prepare a meal with roasted meat and fish, paired with salad, and he’ll understand the true purpose of salad."

"Please wait a moment." Master happily left to prepare dinner.

The five servants glanced at each other, then moved to stand against the wall farthest from Kelton, continuing to look up at the magic lamp.

Kelton’s mind was in a whirl.

Suye, on the other hand, began to inventory the food on the table and searched his mind for Greek dishes. He found that tomatoes had not yet been introduced to Greece, which would significantly affect the taste of Thousand Island dressing. However, Greeks were famously fond of sour flavors.

The popularity of sweet and sour foods in Europe was largely influenced by Italians, whose tastes were shaped by Ancient Greeks.

Fortunately, while there were no tomatoes here, there were pickles and fruit vinegar. So, Suye started to mix a sweet and sour salad dressing, which, although not as good as Thousand Island, was definitely suitable for Greek palates.

As for the famous Caesar salad, Suye had no intention of preparing it.

And the equally popular Italian vinaigrette, Suye planned to sell at a higher price.

Suye mixed another plate of salad with the sour dressing and placed it in front of Kelton.

"Try it again."

Kelton hesitated for a few seconds, sniffed the sour scent, and saliva flooded his mouth; he quickly swallowed.

"Hmm."

Kelton straightened his posture, elegantly reached for the salad, placed it in his mouth, and, while chewing, widened his eyes in disbelief.

Compared to the slightly sweet salad dressing earlier, he preferred this more sour one.

"Tasty?"

"Mmm... tasty..." Kelton realized he had let slip and hurriedly closed his mouth.

After taking the first bite, Kelton reached for more, but Suye knocked his hand away with the bone spoon.

"Wait until the main course is served."

Kelton silently withdrew his hand, feeling no resentment whatsoever.

He just wanted to eat dinner sooner.

The five servants suppressed their subtle facial expressions and continued to look up at the magic lamp.

Suye spent quite some time preparing the sour salad dressing. Soon, Master entered carrying a tray, placing a large portion of roasted pork chops and a large portion of roasted tuna belly on the table, then quickly went out again, returning with another new tray.

There were more things on top: rare and expensive wheat bread, vinegar squid, vanilla conger eel, and homemade vegetable soup.

Master cut the pork chops and a large portion of tuna into pieces and served them on three clay plates.

"Thank you," Suye said as he took the plates.

The aroma of roasted meat instantly filled the room, and the throats of the five servants never stopped rolling; their eyes could no longer focus, occasionally drifting towards the food on the table.

In Greece, even wealthy small merchants rarely eat beef, mutton, or pork, due not only to the high price but also various reasons such as difficulty in preservation.

Athens' laws stipulate that meat from butcher shops can only be sold after it has been sacrificed.

Most people generally eat meat only during festivals after sacrifices.

Even in Dolphin River, fresh meat is occasionally unavailable for purchase.

However, Greece being by the sea, people tend to eat more fish.

Pork and tuna belly are both known for their richness; when grilled, they sizzle and splatter with oil, their color enticing and their aroma mouthwatering.

Kelton, already enticed by the sour salad, couldn't care less about how hot the meat was and reached out to grab some.

Suye and Master both glanced at Kelton, showing no attempt to hide their disdain for his impatience.

Kelton helplessly chewed, wishing he could explain that he wasn't eager for the meat itself but wanted to taste the combination of roasted meat and salad, which was crucial for attracting more nobles.

"Is this a new kind of salad dressing?" Master asked, looking at the second salad dish.

"This is something I came up with on a whim. You can try it; I believe this flavor suits Greeks better," Suye said.

Master grabbed a bit of the vinegar-flavored salad, eating it while nodding vigorously.

After swallowing the last bit of salad, Master praised it without reservation.

"Not bad! I believe this sweet and sour flavor can win over more people. Suye, would you consider joining Dolphin River?"

Kelton stopped chewing, looking at Suye with a complicated expression before reaching for the sour salad.

"I prefer magic," Suye politely declined Master.

"A pity. But the kitchen of Dolphin River will always have a place for you."

Kelton helplessly chewed, knowing that even he didn't have the privilege of a kitchen position.

The three ate silently, while the five servants silently swallowed their saliva.

Today, Kelton realized just how much he could eat and how he didn't feel the slightest bit greasy.

After finishing the last piece of meat, he reached out, but both bowls of salad were empty.

Finally, all eight pairs of eyes fell on the bowl of cold vegetable soup.