The story of the black silk female knight

Less than 50 meters ahead of them was the Suri City branch of the Food Association.

Chapter 89 The Female Knight Was Forced to Pretend to Be Cool

The Food Association was established with the joint sponsorship and support of many powerful organizations.

The Church of the Sun, the Adventurers' Guild, the Nora Merchant Guild, the War Academy, and some high-ranking nobles are all supporters of the Gourmet Association.

At the same time, these major forces are also clients of the Food Association.

Whenever a major power hosts a banquet, the chefs and ingredients are usually provided by the Culinary Association, such as the annual welcome banquet for new students at the War Academy.

In addition, members of the Food Association are also researchers and explorers in the culinary world. In their daily lives, they try and record new ingredients, and also develop and improve new dishes.

Although it is just a non-governmental organization, the Food Association holds an unparalleled position in the hearts of foodies.

If a restaurant or chef's work is recognized by the association, it will quickly attract foodies from all over the world, making the business extremely prosperous.

This is why, after Nora Chamber of Commerce first came into contact with Valensa's Chinese cuisine, they had to register and get certified with the Food Association.

Besides protecting patents, another major reason is to promote the product.

Judging by the timeline, given the Nora Chamber of Commerce's efficiency, this matter should be nearing completion. Perhaps many association members are already astonished by the Chinese cuisine.

The food association branch in Surrey is also a restaurant, and it's doing quite well.

When Valensa arrived with Tia, the restaurant was already packed with foodies from all over the city, and there were even many people queuing outside, including some elegantly dressed nobles.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, our shop is currently full... Do you have a reservation?"

A waitress in a short skirt uniform seemed to mistake Valensa and Tia for customers and politely stopped them.

"If you did not make a reservation, please wait a moment outside the restaurant... Um, there are 11 tables ahead of you waiting, and it is expected to take 25-40 minutes."

"No, I'm here to see your boss."

Tia smiled faintly:

"Please pass on a message to Mr. Luffy that Yulian is visiting."

"Okay, I understand."

The waitress gazed at Tia, who was dressed in men's clothing, with infatuation. Seeing her extraordinary bearing, she realized Tia truly resembled an important person who had come to discuss business, and only then did she step aside.

"Please come in and wait a moment, I'll go tell the boss right away."

"Young Master You Lian has arrived... Oh, and he's brought such a beautiful female companion?"

The two women waited at the restaurant counter for about four or five minutes, and soon heard a loud voice.

The man was about fifty years old, with a large build. He had just walked out of the kitchen, carrying a bloodstained kitchen knife, indicating that he had just finished processing the ingredients.

It was only because he was wearing a chef's uniform and covered in cooking fumes that people didn't make a fuss; otherwise, some of the more timid people might have already called for the police.

"Good evening, Mr. Luffy. I'm sorry to disturb your business. I'm here to inform you that the shipment destined for the War Academy can depart tomorrow."

Seeing that the other person was clearly busy, Tia first briefly explained her purpose, then gently pushed Valensa, whom she was holding, forward and introduced her with a smile:

"This is Miss Valensa. I am fortunate to have won the favor of this beauty, and we are currently dating... She is also my new teammate."

"Haha, congratulations to you both... I knew it! How could someone like Young Master Youlian not be surrounded by a beautiful woman? I thought Miss Melody might have a chance, but I didn't expect... Wait, what's this pretty lady's name again?"

Just as Luffy was about to make a joke, his eyes suddenly widened like saucers:

"You just said her name is Valensa? Which Valensa? It can't be Valensa Bader, can it?"

"Oh?"

Tia was somewhat surprised:

"Mr. Luffy, you know Valensa too? She is indeed very beautiful, but this should be her first time in Suri City... Has she already become famous for her beauty?"

"A reputation for beauty? Hmph!"

Luffy curled his lip:

"I haven't cared about beautiful women for a long time... The only things that can move my heart are fresh ingredients and delicious food!"

After saying that, he looked at Valensa again, his eyes widening with each glance, until finally filled with rage, and he even raised the kitchen knife in his hand:

"That shipment is easy to handle; I'll just let the warehouse know later... But there's another matter I absolutely need an explanation from Valensa Bader!"

"...What's wrong?"

Tia first secretly pinched Valensa's lower back, probably to scold her for causing trouble, before stepping in front of her to face Luffy directly.

“Valenza does have a bad temper sometimes. If she has offended Mr. Luffy in any way, I can apologize to you on her behalf, and we can discuss compensation…”

"No! Young Master Youlian, you should be able to tell that I have little interest in those formalities and I won't bother with a temperamental young lady."

Luffy interrupted Tia, his eyes very serious:

“But this is different! This involves the chef’s dignity… Although many people in the association have compromised under pressure from the Nora Chamber of Commerce, I’m not so easily convinced by her!”

Is it also related to the Nora Chamber of Commerce?

Tia frowned this time; she was unaware of Valensa's collaboration with the Nora Chamber of Commerce.

"I've been helping out in the kitchen since I was six years old, so I have a good eye for things."

Ruff's sharp gaze passed over Tia and fixed intently on Valensa:

"A noble lady like you, who doesn't even reek of cooking oil, actually claims that you invented all those dishes? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

I have no interest in your and Nora's business plans, but I absolutely cannot tolerate a truly outstanding chef being sidelined and buried by you!

Tell me! Who was the real chef who invented those dishes?

Or you can prove to me yourself... that you do indeed have the ability to invent those dishes!

"I, Luffy, hold some sway in the Gourmet Association. If you can convince me, I guarantee I can persuade everyone else who doesn't believe in you, and I can even vouch for you to be admitted as a Gold-level member of the association!"

This……

Valensa, who had roughly guessed the reason from the moment Luffy got angry, couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself.

It was indeed unbelievable that she claimed to have invented all those Chinese dishes in order to show off, and it's normal that people would doubt her.

But the words had already been spoken, and in order to maintain the most important face for a nobleman, Valensa had to continue pretending.

"no problem."

So she confidently stepped out from behind Tia, giving Tia a look that said, "Don't worry, I can handle this myself."

Only then did he openly and honestly meet Luffy's gaze:

"I wonder how Mr. Luffy wants me to prove this?"

"It's very simple, you just need to cook a dish on the spot."

Luffy seemed somewhat surprised by Valensa's confidence, his attitude softened slightly, and he pointed towards the kitchen:

"You can take any of my ingredients and tools."

"can."

Valensa nodded, her beautiful blue eyes brimming with confidence.

Chapter 90 The Female Knight in Black Stockings in the Kitchen

Things have come to this point, and even if Tia wanted to use her status to forcefully suppress the situation, it would be very difficult.

She could only watch helplessly as Valencia walked towards the kitchen, glaring resentfully at the girl in the short skirt and black stockings, deciding to deal with her troublesome best friend properly when she got back to her room that night.

When Luffy confronted Valencia, he was right at the restaurant's front desk, and many of the diners and waiters saw it.

Now many of them gathered around with great interest, putting aside their unfinished dinners and the work they were doing.

Luffy wasn't angry; he simply told everyone that they were not allowed to enter the kitchen and could only watch from the doorway.

Then he went into the kitchen, looked at Valensa who was examining the various ingredients, and snorted:

"You can use whatever you want. Even if it's an expensive ingredient that's not available here right now, I can go to the warehouse to get it myself... So don't try to fob me off with the excuse that we're short of ingredients!"

"No... Mr. Luffy has plenty of ingredients here, enough for me."

Valensa's demeanor remained gentle, and her smile was confident and beautiful.

"If we're just talking about cooking skills, I, as a young man, am definitely not as good as Mr. Luffy, nor as good as most of the professional chefs in the restaurant."

However, while refined experience and technology are important for the continuous development of human civilization, boundless inspiration and creativity are also indispensable.

"Heh~~ This little girl is quite confident in her creativity~~"

At this moment, Luffy was no longer angry; he had actually become curious about Valensa.

"Are you suggesting... that you're going to create a new dish to get my approval?"

"Why not?"

Valensa, radiating confidence, one hand on her hip, the other outstretched, deftly gesturing among the numerous ingredients:

"Since it's dinner time now, I'll use the ingredients we have here to make a dish suitable for dinner... It doesn't require any complicated techniques, but I guarantee it will be delicious!"

"...It's good for young people to be confident, but being too arrogant can lead to embarrassment!"

Ruffy was silent for a moment, then suddenly became bold and heroic:

"But if a young girl like you is already doing this, how can I, an old man, show weakness? How about this... if you can really make a new dish that satisfies me right here, I will humbly learn from you and make this dish one of the restaurant's signature dishes!"

From now on, all the profits from this dish will be given to you, young lady, as pocket money to buy pretty dresses, without even covering the cost. How about that?

"Well... I'm afraid that won't work."

Valensa simply shrugged.

"I previously signed an agreement with the Nora Chamber of Commerce, stipulating that if I want to commercialize any new dishes I invent within the next three years, I must entrust them to handle the process."

If Mr. Ruff really wants to cooperate later, he can contact the Nora Chamber of Commerce.

"...Those despicable unscrupulous merchants!"

Luffy's face immediately darkened.

"If my cooking is good enough for Mr. Luffy's approval, then please cooperate with us in our next mission, okay?"

Seeing this, Valensa smiled again and made a new, reasonable request.

"Hmph, I would have done it even if you hadn't said anything."

Luffy's expression softened, and he waved his hand:

"Don't worry, once the dinner rush is over, I'll personally go to the warehouse to select the best ingredients and load them onto the truck. I'll also have the workers work overtime tonight so you can set off first thing tomorrow morning."

"Then I thank Mr. Luffy in advance... In that case, my dear won't blame me for causing her trouble anymore, right?"

After Valensa finished speaking, she winked at Tia before actually starting to act.

Ruff didn't say anything more, but instead pointed out several hidden storage locations for ingredients and kitchen utensils in the back kitchen to Valensa.

This restaurant can accommodate many aristocratic guests, and it has no shortage of expensive ingredients.

But Valensa didn't touch any of the expensive ingredients that were almost worth gold; the first ingredients she took out were very ordinary.

Wheat flour is used in almost every household for baking bread.

Pour about 2 pounds of wheat flour onto a clean cutting board. Valensa then took out the jars of salt and baking soda from the condiment storeroom, scooped two small spoonfuls of each into the flour, and stirred it well.

First, pile the dough into a small mound, then hollow out the middle to make a basin. Add an appropriate amount of water to the basin and slowly knead the dough together.

After the flour and water combine, with the help of salt and alkali, they quickly turn into a doughy mass.

Valensa spread the dough evenly on the work surface, then added a small amount of water, sprinkling it on with her fingers.

Next, gather the dough pieces together and knead them into a dough.

Knead until smooth, then brush the dough with olive oil before covering it with the lid and letting it rest.

"Are you... planning to bake pastries?"

Seeing that Valensa had finished a phase of her work, Luffy, who had been watching her intently, finally spoke up out of curiosity:

"But the way you're processing wheat flour seems quite different from how you make regular pastries... What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Well...hehe~~"