"Master Chef," the debut program finally aired, and it was a show that had caught fire even before being broadcast, resulting in an outpouring of attention for its first episode and a sharp increase in ratings.
Eighty-eight young chefs from all corners of Hua Country, with the ambition to glorify their nation’s cuisine, approached the competition with the fearless vigor of newcomers, reflected in their youthful faces.
The program aired on the satellite channel, and even though it was a bit late, many still stayed up with dark circles under their eyes, waiting eagerly.
Most came because of the teasers showcasing dish after dish of delicious food, while others were drawn by the eight star judges.
Ji Guang’s fans were mostly young and vivacious girls bursting with energy.
Teacher Li’s fans were generally older, more seasoned, and shared a fondness for comic dialogues.
Little Taotie’s fans were of no specific kind, ranging from eighty and ninety-year-old grandmas and grandpas to six-year-old classmates, the Little Cubs.
The show’s footage showed Little Taotie swallowing his saliva, which made the audience laugh at how the Little Cub’s gluttonous look enhanced the immersive experience.
If those dishes weren’t delicious, why would the Little Cub sitting at the judges’ table be so eager?
In the shot, Little Taotie began to ball up tissue paper to block his nostrils.
[Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter!]
[I was eating watermelon while watching TV and almost choked!]
[Zaizai’s antics are just too funny!]
[But what’s the point of blocking his nose?]
[I can tell those dishes must really smell amazing, or else Zaizai wouldn’t bother plugging his nose!]
[Did you see the woman with purple eyeshadow? The way she looks at Zaizai seems kind of off!]
[I know her, she’s a model turned actress, playing supporting roles in big movies, always cast as the villain.]
[She is quite the villain herself. I feel like the way she looks at my Zaizai is quite malicious.]
[Look, Ji Guang glared at her!]
[I never expected Ji Guang, who seems like such a big boy, to have such a protective side!]
[He’s looking out for Zaizai!]
In the show, Little Taotie eagerly looked at the plate, which held only a tiny amount of food, and the shine in those bright, sparkling eyes instantly faded.
[Zaizai, as a food connoisseur, you’re only meant to taste a bit, not eat your fill—take it in stride!]
[She’s upset, but I can’t help but laugh.]
[The person above, you’re not being very nice.]
Just when everyone thought Little Taotie could only taste the dishes and wouldn’t get full today, they saw the other judges managing to hold back.
[Eighty-eight chefs, five dishes each, let me do the math.]
[Right, how did I forget, 440 dishes—it’s a feast to rival the most lavish imperial banquets!]
[They all need to taste every dish, they’ll definitely be stuffed by the end.]
[The other judges are fine with just one bite, but my Zaizai is honest to a fault, eating as much as is served, polishing off everything!]
[Saving food and avoiding waste, Zaizai is awesome!]
[440 dishes, can she really fit all that in her stomach?]
The show provided the answer to the audience members’ questions, Little Taotie could indeed eat them all!
The other judges eventually just sniffed the dishes or took the occasional sip, while Little Taotie ate as much as was served.
When the egg fried rice was served, the audience was ecstatic.
[Egg fried rice! It’s the egg fried rice from the trailer, right?]
[Eh, it seems a bit different, doesn’t it?]
[Chef number 88 is the Cupid Chef, right? Why does it look different from the egg fried rice in the trailer?]
[In the trailer, the egg fried rice was glistening gold. Why does this serving look so ordinary?]
[Zaizai only took one bite!]
[He was eating as much as was served of everything until now; a good-sized plate finally comes and she takes just one bite?]