She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 512

Arthur started with the cold dishes and appetizers. He used only organic ingredients, which he brought from home.

The vegetables, in particular, were either brought with the soil intact or freshly picked and immediately stored in the most advanced preservation refrigerators. They were as fresh as if they had just been harvested when taken out.

Fresh fruits and vegetables only need simple preparation and seasoning. Arthur's technique was clean, swift, and efficient.

In just half an hour, he had finished making dishes such as cobb salad, bruschetta, ceviche, and poke salad.

Nina assisted him, carrying each dish as it was finished and placing it on the dining table for the elders to taste.

After finishing the cold dishes, Arthur began preparing smoothies and strained yogurt, keeping an eye on the stove and finding time to wash and chop items like sausage, bacon, ratatouille, beans, carrot sticks, cucumbers, and lemons.

As he cooked the strained yogurt, the subtle aroma of the yogurt, mixed with the tangy scent of the ingredients, wafted through the air. It made everyone nibble on the appetizers while sniffing, their mouths watering in anticipation.

Arthur prepared the chicken and fish after preparing the strained yogurt and ingredients. These were brought from Donovan's Farmland and usually reserved for their restaurant or high-end hotels; they were unavailable in the market.

His method of preparing the chicken and fish was swift and gentle, ensuring they met their end without pain or even a single unsettling cry. The blood and scales from the chicken and fish fell neatly into the sink, never splattering, keeping the kitchen clean and tidy.

At an average pace of cleaning one every 10 minutes, he first prepared two chickens, placing them into two soup pots with the spring water he brought to make a chicken potpie.

While waiting for the chickens to cook, he cleaned two fish thoroughly, leaving not a single scale behind, and cut them into neat, evenly-sized pieces.

Considering the meal was for the elders, he thoughtfully removed the fat and separated the fish pieces with extra bones, arranging them on a separate plate.

By the time the fish was cut into pieces, the three chicken potpies were also ready, and he could slice them into pieces and prepare the dipping sauces.

Nina was watching eagerly, nearly drooling. As soon as the chicken potpie was done, she quickly served it. Arthur, meanwhile, began to prepare chicken soup.

Next came dishes like baked ratatouille, lasagna, tuna casserole, stuffed sausages, stuffed mushrooms, roast beef sliders, and more—all prepped by Arthur and served one after another. The elders couldn't help but drool as they watched.

Someone mumbled, "We traveled all this way to see Arthur and didn't even have time for breakfast. We're starving..."

Just as Arthur brought over the tuna casserole, his sharp ears caught the comment. Smiling, he said, "Everyone, I just made the freshest dishes. Hurry and eat, or if you wait until everything is ready, many dishes will get cold."

"That's true. These ingredients are premium; they must be enjoyed at their freshest to honor the sacrifice they've made, right?" the elder replied. Everyone loved hearing that.

A group of people quickly said, "Arthur, if you're tired, take a break. If you're hungry, eat first. You can make the next dish after you're full. We're not in a hurry."

Arthur's eyes lit up as he heard that. "You're right! I don't have to wait until I'm done to eat. I can cook and eat at the same time." He quickly grabbed a bowl and said, "Everyone, please take a seat. Let me serve you some mushroom soup."

He scooped them bowl by bowl, holding them with both hands and placing them in front of the elders.

The elders all watched his hands closely. Even though his hands were already clean, Arthur was still careful, ensuring his fingers didn't touch the bowl's rim or dip into the soup. They nodded in approval, thinking Arthur had paid attention to hygiene.

Additionally, when scooping the soup, every bowl was filled exactly to eight-tenths, without exception. The elders couldn't help but marvel at how many soup bowls he must have served to perfect such a skill. Plus, he kept the kitchen spotless while handling the ingredients, which impressed them even more.

Dario and Niamh Lloyd felt for him and said, "Arthur, you've been driving and cooking for so long. You must be exhausted. Hurry up and eat; don't let yourself go hungry."

Arthur replied earnestly, "It was Nina who drove here. I wasn't that tired on the way."