I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
A Taste of Magic
143rd Course – On the Chopping Block
"Do you have a moment?"
Harry looked up and gave the other man a puzzled look. "Uh, sure," he said with some slight wariness.
It was the day of the first challenge event for the Rising Stars, if you did not consider the placement challenge as the first one anyways. It was held on a Wednesday, so that the other restaurants would not lose weekend business, and the contestants were in a waiting room, not yet assembled on the main kitchen floor.
Harry had ignored Mael's look of abject disgust and had sat in the corner of the room, his back to the wall. Mael fumed at that, but did not approach either, instead stayed and made biting remarks out loud. Harry continued to ignore him, sitting and thinking about flavor combinations in his head as his leg bounced a little from energy and nerves.
After the way the other contestants reacted to him at the end of the placement challenge, he did not expect any would approach him with any sort of positive energy or feeling. Yet, Kaito seemed to be at least non confrontational. The young man did not look friendly per se, but appeared professionally polite at least.
"I hope I am not bothering you," Kaito said, sitting in the chair beside Harry.
"Not really," Harry replied.
"Good." Kaito looked slightly uncomfortable and sighed a little. "I would like to apologize for being unprofessional last time."
Harry blinked at him. "Thanks but, you didn't really do anything," he said slowly.
"Which is part of the problem," Kaito said. "A senior should show a junior how to act and how to behave, and while we do not work in the same place, I am your senior in years and experience. I should have been more professional."
"That's really kind of you to say," Harry said, thawing a little. "Still, wasn't really your responsibility. I appreciate the sentiment though."
Kaito nodded a little. "I would like the opportunity to start anew."
"Sure, I like making friends and acquaintances," Harry said easily. He offered his hand. "Harry Potter."
"Kaito Sakai," Kaito said and shook it firmly. He smiled wryly. "You are as you are described."
"You've heard of me?" Harry asked, astonished.
"After meeting you at the placement challenge, well, I have actually heard of you before but never made the connection." Katio smiled a little at Harry's obvious confusion. "My family runs a very old and traditional restaurant and is well known in Japan's culinary environment. We are particularly close with a family who runs a bento restaurant."
"Oh how funny, my friend Sota's family has one," Harry said. "Small world."
"Very small in fact. The Sakai family and the Aikawa family are close friends and I count Sota as one. He has talked about his friend he made during the Showcase and how they regularly correspond and talk about cooking and things," Kaito said with a fond smile. "When we met after the placement challenge and I returned home, he confronted me and I learned that his friend was in fact you."
"Sota's great," Harry smiled. "I've learned so much from him."
"He is a good person," Kaito said proudly. He winced. "He was not impressed with how I treated you and neither were some of his other friends."
"I hope Tsumugi and Chiyo weren't too rude to you," Harry said weakly.
"They were and they I can handle," Kaito said. He shuddered. "I was wholly unprepared at what their foxes did however."
"Oh no," Harry said, unable to keep from smiling. "What did they do?"
Kaito smiled too though his was wry and pained. "They destroyed my room. They opened every container and drawer and reorganized everything and scattered the rest of my belongs through my family's home, hiding many things while displaying things I rather not have displayed. I was very shocked to hear that their owners had nothing to do with it, and they acted because they wished too."
"Azuki and Ebi are great and really sweet," Harry smiled.
Kaito gave him a look. "They are most definitely not sweet at all," he said at last. "They are worse than umeboshi and shichimi mixed together. And I have reason to believe that they in fact scattered shichimi in my belongings."
"That does sound like something they would do," Harry said.
"In the interest at preserving what remains of my dignity, as well as making up for my past wrongs, I would like to apologize and hope we can become good acquaintances," Kaito snorted.
"Like I said, I like making new friends," Harry said. "I appreciate it."
"Thank you," Kaito said sincerely and seriously. He shook his head. "I honestly did not believe it when Sota said the foxes loved you and would do much for you. Then I discovered what they did. I was especially sad to find all my Gunpla had their heads removed and stolen and apparently the only hope to have them returned was to be polite and act more like a proper person."
"Would it help if I wrote you a note to take with you?" Harry asked, bemused.
"That would be true kindness," Kaito said eagerly. "I would appreciate that." He sighed with relief when Harry wrote a small note with his notebook and tore out the piece of parchment, handing it to him.
"What are Gunpla?" Harry asked.
"They are models I built, based on one of my favorite manga and anime. They are mecha, robot warriors," Kaito explained.
"That sounds cool," Harry smiled.
"I think so too," Kaito beamed.
"How did Sota and the others find out how you treated me?"
Kaito sighed. "They subscribe to Gourmancy Monthly and read the article there. There were also some articles written by our media that did not necessarily hide how you were treated."
"I'm surprised the magazine is in Japan," Harry said, eyes round.
"It's rather popular," Kaito said. "The main writer has a way with words."
"She really does," Harry smiled.
Kaito looked over at Mael and frowned when the other man said something rude once more. "I do not think I have to tell you to be wary of that one."
"No, you don't, but thanks," Harry said quietly, ignoring the unpleasant man.
"'The wind howls, but the mountain remains still'," Kaito said. "Something my father taught me and I still remember."
"I like that," Harry said. "Ignore the loudmouth and remain calm?"
"Yes," Kaito nodded. "Though sometimes it is hard."
"I have some friends and family who would tell me to howl louder than the wind," Harry said with a small smile.
"Also an option," Kaito chuckled.
"Or spite the wind for howling in the first place," Harry said with a bigger smile.
"I believe you and I could become very good friends," Kaito smiled.
-0-
"Bonjour mon ami," Nicolas said warmly.
"Hello hello!" Flitwick smiled, greeting Nicolas and Perenelle with enthusiasm.
"Come to support our boy?" Perenelle smiled.
"Of course! I volunteered to accompany him today since Sirius and Andromeda could not," Flitwick said. "And Ariana is here to mind me."
"Which is funny because Filius is doing the same for me," Ariana smiled. "Mutual minding. He's the adult in this situation to keep me in check."
"Bold of Albus to assume that I will not encourage you," Flitwick chuckled, making them laugh. "Or at the very least, not hamper you."
"We get along so very well," Ariana giggled. She looked out on the floor and waved energetically when Harry looked over. "So which is the arsehole that got in Harry's face?"
"That one," Nicolas said softly, looking directly at Mael. "He was very rude."
"I assume revenge is in order?" Ariana asked.
"After the competition ends," Nicolas sighed.
"I want in. I'd like to put some bats in his belfry," Ariana said. "Belfry being the top of a steeple, you know, a bell tower," she explained to Flitwick's confusion.
"Abadie means 'one who lives by an abbey'," Perenelle said, chuckling richly.
"Oh I see," Flitwick nodded. "Do you mean that literally or metaphorically?"
"Yes," Ariana grinned.
"In either case, I won't be stopping you," Flitwick chuckled. "Ah, Miss Skeeter, hello there."
"Hello everyone," Rita said warmly as she walked up to them.
"You look a bit peeved, what's the matter?" Ariana asked.
Rita rolled her eyes and made an irritable hand gesture over her shoulder. "The Prophet sent someone else over. Something about another possible point of view for writing articles."
"Do they think it is inappropriate that you are writing for both them and the magazine about the same topic?" Flitwick asked.
"They shouldn't be. I change up the articles some." Rita shrugged. "I mean, I shouldn't care too much. As long as they pay me proper, that's what matters. Anyways, let's cheer on our boy, that's what's important."
-0-
"Hello and welcome everyone to the first challenge of the Rising Stars!" Francis appeared in a swirl of magic, cloak billowing out and smiling wide. He led the applause from the packed seats in the Cuisine Capitale. "We have our eight contestants here and I see that they are ready to show their talents!"
He winked broadly. "I would have everyone simmer to build the appetite, but I think we are all too eager to wait for that. So allow me to explain today's challenge and one that we heartily enjoy using at the World's Kitchen competitions." He waved his wand and a section of the floor retracted, allowing a large stone table to rise to ground level. Several heavy black boxes with closed lids sat on it, arranged in a row.
"It is the Mystery Box Challenge!" Francis announced and people clapped eagerly. Harry looked around and saw that none of the contestants seemed surprised by the revelation and he tried to look as calm as they did.
"Within each box, there is a variety of ingredients carefully selected," Francis explained. "No two boxes are the same and the contestant must utilize at least a portion of each ingredient in their dish. There will also be some ingredients that can be used by all." He waved his wand again and another stone table appeared and it was covered with a variety of things. "But the dish must highlight the box's ingredients. Some of the boxes will be more difficult than others, depending on the chef's skill."
Francis smiled. "And another twist. Each contestant will claim a box one at a time and can open it to see what is within. If another contestant wants the box, they can try to trade for it, but the original contestant can refuse if they wish. The point of this challenge is to see the contestant's breadth of knowledge and their flexibility, as well as to see their approach to cooking of course."
He made a graceful gesture. "Ladies first, shall we?"
Gwendolyn was closest and she approached the table of boxes first. She looked up and down the row and selected one, opening it and peering inside. "Beef, potatoes, leeks, honey, yeah, I can work with this!" She happily took the box to her station.
Celine walked up next and picked a box at the end. She opened it and her cool expression warmed ever so slightly. "Eggs, cream, quail, endive. I will keep this."
"Classic French ingredients, lucky for her," Perenelle mused softly.
Kaito was the first to walk up for the men and he opened a box. His expression went blank and he looked at the contents for a long moment. "I believe this must be a mistake."
"That is no mistake," Francis said, looking amused and sympathetic all in one.
"You are telling me that this is food?!" Katio reached in and pulled out a large round metallic object. "This?!"
"I'll take it!" Harry shouted, surprising everyone.
"You will?!" Kaito gaped.
"I will," Harry said, nodding firmly.
"Please," Kaito said, putting the metallic sphere back in and giving Harry a grateful and confused look.
"It seems our youngest contestant has an idea of what it is," Francis grinned, nodding at Harry as Harry walked up and took the box back to his station.
"I don't believe it," Flitwick gasped softly.
"What is it?" Nicolas asked eagerly. "A goblin ingredient I assume given yours and Harry's reaction."
"That is an ironnut," Flitwick confirmed. "That must be a box of goblin ingredients! Has the World's Kitchen ever done that before?"
"I think only once," Ariana said. "A long time ago and it caused a huge thing because the chefs at the time were insulted. Do you think they included it this time knowing Harry worked at Gringotts?"
"It certainly is possible," Perenelle said softly. "You can do this, cheri!"
Harry put the box down and looked at the rest of the ingredients. There were also several varieties of mushroom within, a large array of different kinds of carrots, a small whole caddok, and the afore shown ironnut. He nodded, feeling very confident all of a sudden.
"You will have one hour to cook and present your dish," Francis said once all the boxes were claimed. "Today, two chefs will be asked to leave." A sudden hush filled the kitchen and the contestants looked nervous and focused at that. At his gesture, a large hourglass appeared and numbers glowed on the surface. "Time starts, now!"
People clapped and cheered for their favorites as the contestants scattered. Some ran to get equipment and others went to the ingredients to supplement their dish and box's contents. Harry ran to the ingredients first and went through what was available. Luckily, he found what he wanted and piled them high on a tray and ran back to his station and got to work. As he cleaned the produce with the Produce Cleansing Charm and tied on apron and bandanna, he was startled when Francis appeared at his station.
"I will be going around and visiting with the chefs," the host explained. "And asking a few questions but will not try to stay overlong. I wanted to start with you because I am sure everyone is so curious at what this is!" He tapped the large round object.
"It's an ironnut," Harry explained as he continued to work. "It grows deep underground, usually near hot zones or natural heat vents. They start growing where it is hottest but then the plant moves away from the heat and the nuts harden in the cold."
"Extraordinary!" Francis explained. "Where did you learn about this?"
"I worked in Gringotts Britain," Harry explained as he set to peeling the larger mushrooms, taking off the thick fibrous skin on the upper cap. "I learned a lot there; it was my first professional kitchen. Well, second, but the first place would say they aren't exactly professional for a lot of reasons."
Francis chuckled and the crowd laughed appreciatively with Ariana's pleasantly raspy laugh being the loudest of them all. "So goblin cooking?"
"Yes Sir," Harry said. "It's really good."
"I confess I know practically nothing at all about goblin cooking so I am even more excited. But please, put me out of my misery, how do you prepare such a thing?"
"Using this." Harry took out the immense ironnut mallet and Francis gaped at it while people in the crowd pointed and murmured. Harry tapped the ironnut with the flatter end of the mallet a few times, listening for the sound he was looking for. When he found it, he turned the mallet and struck the spot firmly with the wedged end.
"Look at that!" Francis exclaimed when the ironnut fell apart into two equal pieces, revealing the pale interior. "What does it taste like?"
"It's very starchy and can be used like a potato when you cook it," Harry said. He scooped out some of the interior and handed Francis the spoon. "You can eat it raw though and it's nice."
Francis took the spoon and tasted the ironnut meat. "My, it is very much like a potato, but you do not have the quality of eating a raw potato. Thank you, Chef Potter, for teaching me something new today!"
"Thank you for being interested," Harry smiled back.
Nicolas looked around at the crowd, noticing their reaction. "I think they are noticing what we have known," he said fondly. "He is drawing them in with his honest enthusiasm and delight. I doubt most people here have had goblin cooking."
"I'd be shocked if many did," Ariana said. "I'm friendlier with them than most and even I barely had any goblin cooking before meeting Harry."
"Well well well! I think our Harry has learned a thing or two from us and is using it to great effect," Rita said, looking proud. "That Mael prick and his buddy that didn't place mocked Harry for working at Gringotts and being so happy about it."
"So now he's going to kick his arse by cooking goblin food. I love that boy," Ariana smiled.
Flitwick continued to look at Harry with a mixed expression. "He is doing something that I never thought possible. Showcasing goblin culture in a positive light and doing it sincerely."
"That's our Harry," Perenelle said proudly.
"Allow me to introduce our judges for this challenge," Francis said after meeting with all the other contestants. "Chef Akari Morimoto is back today." He smiled when she appeared and waved cheerily. "Joining us is Robert Shaw of Shaw Shipping, one of the biggest food distributors in the world. His company regularly provides the food that we use for our competitions." A large man sat beside Akari and he smiled and waved as people clapped. "And finally, we have Melanie Auclair, one of the finest food critics in all of France!" An older woman sat demurely and nodded professionally at the crowd.
"Is that a bad thing?" Flitwick asked, looking at the Flamels.
"Well, we did not read food magazines or articles all that much before meeting Harry," Nicolas said, "but have since then and she is very opiniated."
"She has to be if you say that," Ariana grimaced.
"She can be very biting," Perenelle said. "She also has a way with words."
"Will she play favorites?" Ariana asked.
"I do not think so. She is rather generous in skewering everyone," Nicolas said. "And yes, if I am saying that, it does mean something."
"I agree," Rita said. "She's very honest and does not hold back, like some I could mention." She smiled cheerily at Flitwick's and Ariana's looks and snorts.
Harry finished cooking the pickling liquid and poured it over sliced carrots, mushrooms, and pieces of ironnut, setting the container aside. He checked on his bubbling stock that he made with the bones from the caddok and the scraps of the vegetables he had prepared for other uses. By then, the crabs had finished steaming and he quickly cleaned them and removed the meat from the shells, setting them aside. He then sweated onion and garlic in oil and added minced carrots and other vegetables and poured in the strained stock that he had made to simmer.
He worked smoothly, focused. The moment he saw the ingredients he knew what he wanted to do and he knew he would need all the time to do it. It would be close and he made good use of the alarm charms that Gabriel had taught him to stay on task. Cooked ironnut meat was mashed and mixed with mushrooms and parsnips and formed into patties that he pan fried until golden brown. When the chowder had reached the flavor and consistency he wanted, he mixed in the cooked crab meat and the caddok that he had pan-seared and flaked. He assembled the plates, putting a bowl of the crab chowder to the right and laying three ironnut fritters on the left with a mound of pickles in the middle. Satisfied, he carried them to the judges' table as the time reached the end.
"Hello," he greeted the judges nervously.
"Good to see you again," Akari said kindly, making him feel better.
"You too, Chef," he said gratefully. "I made crab chowder and it also has flaked pan-seared caddok mixed in. These are ironnut fritters with mushroom and parsnip. Finally, these are goblin style pickles. It's a quick pickle but it's very nice." He watched with mild apprehension as the judges ate.
"I was really interested in the ironnut," Robert said enthusiastically, his voice deep and pleasant. "I've shipped it before but never knew what it was for or what it was like. If I didn't watch you prepare it, I wouldn't have guessed it was all these things and all different textures. It's really something!" He gave Harry a look. "But you call this a chowder?"
"Yes Sir," Harry said. "Well, I mean, it's a goblin dish and they call it a chowder."
"I'm from Boston and we take our chowders seriously," Robert said, narrowing an eye slightly.
Harry resisted the urge to gulp. "This is the first one I learned and one of my favorites," he said, standing a little straighter. "I've learned you can make chowders with cream, with a roux, and adding tomatoes makes it red while some don't have any of that. The Gringotts one thickens it with a roux but the ironnut releases a good amount of starch when simmered so it becomes thicker that way too."
"I like it when someone knows their stuff and doesn't just throw a word around," Robert said, smiling broadly. "And lots of chilis in it too. Not used to spicy chowder, but I like this one."
"These are delicious pickles," Akari said, munching on them. "And I adore pickles. Pickled ironnut has a very interesting texture that pickles very well. A nice halfway between the mushrooms and the carrots. You also put in some chili pepper as well?"
"Goblin cooking has a lot of strong flavors," Harry said. "The majority of their ingredients from underground have really strong flavors so they use chilis to combat a lot of it, and cook them in different ways to either mellow them or enhance them. I know Japanese pickles are more sweet and tart, but goblin ones range from sweet to spicy to really sour. I made sure to take out the pith and the seeds so it won't be too hot or spicy."
"These fritters are well fried," Melanie said, her voice cool and professional. "Not oily or greasy, crisp exterior, and they soak up the broth very well." She looked at Harry directly and he suddenly felt like he was a firstie once more, being confronted by McGonagall for the first time. "Why goblin cooking?"
Harry gulped. "I don't see why not."
A murmur ran through the crowd and a slim eyebrow rose on Melanie's face. "Explain," she said.
"I mean, goblin cooking is like any other," Harry said. "It's good. If someone doesn't like it, then that's fine. Everyone likes different things. But the box had goblin ingredients and I learned how to cook that way from some of the best chefs I know, so why not cook goblin food?"
"Do you consider yourself a goblin chef?" she asked mildly.
"No Ma'am," Harry replied. "I'm just someone who learned from them and wanted to show others how good it can be. How good it tastes."
"Thank you for a delicious meal," Akari said with Robert smiling and nodding along. Melanie inclined her head and said nothing more.
"I think that went well," Ariana said as the crowd applauded warmly for Harry.
Harry had been the last to present and he stood at his station, feeling very tired after all the adrenaline had waned. He busied himself by cleaning and washing the equipment he used and boxed up the remainder of what he had made, setting it aside. The judges conferred with one another and finally Akari nodded at Francis.
"It looks like the judges have made their decisions," Francis said and everyone fell silent. "Not only will they decide on the two contestants to be eliminated, they will also decide and announce the winner of today's event. A winner will receive a reward but will have no further advantages for the remainder of the competition. Judges?"
"The winner is the chef that approached the challenge well," Akari said. "They will be the one that utilized all the ingredients and did so with intent and with technical skill." She smiled cheerily. "As well as making good food that tasted delicious. It is a cooking competition after all." The crowd laughed appreciatively at that.
"We decided that Harry Potter has won this challenge," she said and Harry gasped while the crowd cheered and applauded with the Flamels, Ariana, Flitwick, and Rita being the loudest of them all. "He used the ironnut in three different ways, showcasing a very surprising range from one ingredient, while showing us a new realm of cooking that we are not familiar with."
Harry felt a smile grow and his heart hammer as the applause rained down upon him. He could not resist waving back at the people that came with them, glad that he could share this moment with them. Out of the other competitors, Kaito looked openly happy and was applauding sincerely. The others looked polite about it, giving him calculating looks, with Mael glaring angrily at him.
"Unfortunately, two must be asked to leave," Akari said, growing more serious. The good humor died away and they looked at her with held breath. "Mael Abadie and Aldo Russo, we thank you for your efforts and hope to see you once more in the future for another competition."
Groans and murmurs came from the audience and Aldo looked stunned while Mael looked irate. "I do not accept this!" he thundered.
"Accept it or not, it is the decision we have come to," Akari said, quirking an eyebrow at him.
"I refuse to believe that I lost to goblin cooking!" Mael said, nearly spitting the word.
"Did you think you won with what you put forth?" Melanie asked, her words cold and biting. "I have eaten at Le Bistro d'Or many times. I have tasted many of their signature dishes. Can you so boldly claim that what you made today comes close to their standards?"
"I have made those dishes time and again," Mael blustered. "The quality of the ingredients was not up to par-"
"No, the quality of the ingredients was not the problem," Melanie said coldly while Robert looked angry. "The quality of the chef is the quality in question. You tried to force the ingredients into a dish they were not supposed to be in. That is why you failed, Monsieur Abadie. Goblin cooking, French cooking, Italian, Japanese, American, all that matters is if it tastes good. Can you look me in the eye and tell me it tasted good? Or did it taste what it should?"
Mael looked away, unable to say anything.
"Your failing in this event was that you did not use enough of the ingredients," Akari said to a quiet Aldo. "Your dish did not highlight them as much as it could have."
Aldo nodded, also not saying anything, but in a way where he accepted the critique and knew it was correct.
"Thus concludes our first event," Francis said and once more led the applause. "The second will be held towards the end of November. Chefs, thank you for your efforts!"
Harry's smile had not faded as he rolled up his apron and his tools. Lost in his glee from the win and the relief that it was over, he was startled once more. "Oh hey."
"Thank you," Katio said sincerely. "You saved me, by taking that box. I would have had no idea how to deal with it."
"Glad to help," Harry grinned. "Even though it's a competition."
Kaito smiled at that. He offered his hand first this time and shook Harry's warmly. "Some say it is ill luck to compete against a friend. However, it is good luck to make one despite it. Thank you, Harry."
"You're welcome," Harry said, touched. He grinned again. "You can tell Azuki and Ebi we're friends now."
"Even better!" Kaito laughed. He looked over as Mael fled the kitchen floor. "And the wind howls no more and the mountain remains. Such is the karma of people who breathe foul air."
"He can howl all he wants to now; we don't have to listen," Harry said with sincere relief.
"Indeed," Kaito chuckled. "We will keep in touch, I will make sure of it. Until next time."
"Congratulations, Mister Potter," Francis said as he approached Harry, his smile bright. "Splendidly done."
"Thank you, Sir," Harry smiled back. "Here you go."
"For me, again?" Francis asked, surprised but eagerly taking the boxed food.
"It must be tough for the host to never be able to eat the food too," Harry said.
Francis' smile grew warm. "Sadly, a part of the job. Good thing I am not a judge," he said, lowering his voice into a conspiratorial whisper. "I do not have to worry about hiding sincere appreciation. Thank you, I am sure I will enjoy this very much."
Harry felt even better as he walked over to Nicolas, Perenelle, Rita, Ariana, and Flitwick, feeling more accomplished and all the happier for it, and to bask in the reflected happiness from those that supported him.
"Harry, I cannot thank you enough," Flitwick said later as they returned to the castle. "It has been so long since goblin culture was so positively portrayed and so sincerely."
"Oh well, it really should be," Harry said stoutly. "And I should be thanking you, Sir. Without you, I wouldn't have had the opportunity.
"You still made the most of it," Flitwick said proudly. "And you still actively chose to cook those dishes today."
"I mean, those were really good ingredients," Harry said. He grinned. "And I got to use the mallet. It was a good day."
"A very good day," Flitwick agreed.
-0-0-0-
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Glad you enjoyed and had a nice birthday.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Exactly, and she keeps them safe. No one would dare try to poach her shinies. Thanks for reading.
odonnellzoo99 - My sisters are all very much older than I and I still have a very well cultivated fear/respect for them. I also think it's that much better that the prefects all don't mind and actually encourage Hedwig to wear the badges.
TheSphynx - Nicolas would side either side to spite the other because the three of them have rather contentious relationships with very different views on propriety lol.
poka - Glad that you liked it.
JRSDH1 - I'm glad I leaned into her gremlinness early on and glad others enjoy it as much as I do.
alix33 - Right? Little Millicent just punching her and not understanding how different it was compared to her brothers is honestly a very cute mental image. I also liked Mademoiselle Blinky.
