Chapter 701: The Grand Finale Dish
Having sampled eighty-eight dishes, even with just a bite or two of each, they were almost full.
Chen Buhui asked, "It looks like all of you are about full, aren't you?"
The four, including Xu Yang, all nodded.
"Yes, the food has been so abundant that we're satisfied."
"Family Head Chen, without you, I would've never tasted such fine cuisine."
"Family Head Chen, when you return to Huaxia, give me a call."
"Family Head Chen, thank you."
...
Amidst the laughter, Chen Buhui said, "Next, there is one final dish. Chef Liang rarely prepares this dish, not even during the recent APEC summit in New Gold Mountain. The main reason is that this dish is incredibly intricate. However, in honor of your achievements, Chef Liang has gone to great lengths to prepare it for you. After tasting it, I guarantee it will leave an unforgettable impression."
Upon hearing this, the group, including Xu Yang, became curious.
Wang Xiaocong couldn't help but ask, "Family Head Chen, every dish we've had so far has been top-notch. Any of them could have been the grand finale at any other place. What is this final dish? I'm really curious."
Chen Buhui laughed heartily, "Haha, Mr. Wang, please be patient. The final dish will be served shortly."
Before long, a waiter arrived, carefully placing a tray in front of Xu Yang and his companions.
On this tray was a porcelain dish covered with a wooden lid.
Chen Buhui personally lifted the lid and announced, "Here is the final dish of today, 'Buddha Tofu'!"
Upon looking, Xu Yang and his friends noticed that the dish was made from tender tofu.
A large, delicate chunk of tofu had been carved into the figure of the Buddha.
The figure, with crossed legs and hands forming a dharma gesture, exuded a compassionate demeanor.
Steam rose from the statue, a refreshing fragrance permeating the entire hall.
Those who smelled it felt a sense of serene delight.
Without even tasting it, the carving skills alone were a marvel.
Even more impressive was that it had been carved from tofu.
Such a feat could only be achieved by a chef.
The top international carving masters would definitely be unable to carve such a piece out of tofu.
This elevated culinary art to the height of true artistry.
Xu Yang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Family Head Chen, Chef Liang is not just a chef; he's an artist as well."
Wang Xiaocong followed, "Yes, this level of carving skill is definitely that of a top-tier artist."
Liu Qiangxi added, "Family Head Chen, if Chef Liang were to enter a carving contest with this, his name would surely resound throughout the carving art industry."
Ma Hua Teng also praised, "This is my first time seeing such a perfect combination of culinary and carving arts. It's truly admirable!"
"Haha, indeed!" Chen Buhui laughed loudly, "This dish was created by Chef Liang for the 1998 Chef King Contest in Singapore.
It caused a sensation worldwide immediately after its debut and to this day, only 78 people have had the pleasure of tasting this 'Buddha Tofu.' Among them are the grand leader Bush of the beautiful country, the European Medical Master, the Huaxia physicist Yang Zhenning, the former Family Head Wilros Rothchild of the Rothschild family, the tech giant Chief Joe...
Anyone who has tasted this dish is, without exception, among the elite of human society!" Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire
Upon hearing this, Xu Yang and his group were shocked.
Since they did not pay much attention to this kind of information, they were genuinely unaware of such a renowned dish created by Liang Cong from JUDE Tower.
Only 78 people in the entire world had tasted this dish, and they were all top figures of humanity.
They couldn't help but feel that Chen Buhui's earnestness in offering them such rare delicacies indeed gave them an extraordinary gastronomic experience.
This also made them wonder, why was Chen Buhui going to such lengths?
Logically, when Liu Qiangxi made the call yesterday, he simply mentioned they were seeking Chen Buhui's assistance.
Chen Buhui's response shouldn't have been like this.
To those in the know, they were here to ask for Chen Buhui's help, but to those unaware, it might seem as if Chen Buhui was trying to ingratiate himself with them.
Otherwise, why would he have such an attitude?
The four, including Xu Yang, exchanged glances, quickly considering a possibility, yet they all remained silent.
Chen Buhui continued, "Mr. Liu, Mr. Xu, Mr. Ma, Mr. Wang, please try it. I assure you, you will be satisfied."
Xu Yang and the others were not shy, they each took a silver spoon lying beside them and scooped up a spoonful to taste.
"Delicious!"
"So delicious!"
"My goodness, how can tofu taste this amazing!"
"This flavor, it's beyond description!"
Xu Yang and the other three were all exclaiming.
The taste of this Tathagata tofu really couldn't be captured in words.
With each bite, they just felt completely relaxed, as if they had eaten some kind of miracle elixir.
Even business tycoons like Liu Qiangxi and Ma Huateng lost their composure in front of this Tathagata tofu dish.
They didn't care about anything else, after finishing one bite, they immediately took another, and after the second, they quickly moved onto the third.
Soon, the four men had polished off the dish completely.
Despite the many dishes served before, they wouldn't finish them entirely no matter how much they enjoyed the food; they always left some for Chen Buhui and his sons.
Now, they couldn't control themselves, regardless of everything else.
It seemed that, at that moment, their entire focus was on the Tathagata tofu alone.
After finishing, Xu Yang and the others still felt a sense of longing for more.
"Amazing, so amazing!" Wang Xiaocong let out a satisfied burp, summing it up with one word.
Xu Yang and the other two just nodded.
They completely agreed with Wang Xiaocong's sentiment.
Only such raw and straightforward words could describe what they felt eating the Tathagata tofu.
Liu Qiangxi also let out a burp and said apologetically, "Uh, Master Chen, sorry, we've finished all the Tathagata tofu…"
It was only upon hearing this that Xu Yang and the others realized what had happened.
In their eagerness to eat, they hadn't left any for Chen Buhui and his sons.
That was awkward.
"Master Chen, we…"
Xu Yang and the others gave awkward smiles, only able to apologize to Chen Buhui.
"Hahaha, Mr. Liu, you don't have to be so formal!" Chen Buhui didn't mind at all and laughed heartily, "As soon as this dish was served, I expected you would finish it, because according to Chef Liang, everyone who eats this dish does exactly that!"
Xu Yang said with a wry smile, "Master Chen, we are truly sorry that you and your sons didn't get to taste the dish."
Chen Buhui laughed again, "Mr. Xu, as I said, I anticipated this, there's no need for concern."
After thinking for a moment, Liu Qiangxi looked at Xu Yang and the others, "Mr. Xu, Mr. Ma, Young Master Wang, having the chance to taste so many delicious dishes today, Chef Liang has worked hard. Why don't we follow the culture of the Beautiful Country and give Chef Liang a tip as a way of showing our appreciation?"
"Absolutely!"
"I have no objections!"
"We must express our thanks."
Xu Yang and the others had no objections.
Liu Qiangxi immediately took out his checkbook, wrote a number, "Eight million USD, as a thank you from the four of us. Please, Master Chen, pass it on to Chef Liang."
Eight million USD, equating to two million from each person, which is more than ten million in Huaxia currency.
To the four of them, this amount of money was insignificant.
But to call it a tip, it was certainly the highest sort of gratuity possible.
Chef Liang had made it into the ranks of the wealthy, and could retire from then on.
"Mr. Liu, you really are generous, no wonder you can make so much money," Chen Buhui said admiringly.
"Master Chen, please pass this check to Chef Liang," Liu Qiangxi placed the check in front of Chen Buhui.
"All right, I'll give it to him right away, please wait a moment," Chen Buhui stood up and left.
He quickly returned, this time with a chubby figure in chef's attire.