Cupid's Kitchen Episode 18 Recap
> Cupid's Kitchen Recap
Lin Kesong arrived at Yuxuan’s kitchen with her parents to bid farewell to Jiang Qianfan. He suggested she first settle her parents at a vacant table in the front. Her mother commented that Jiang Qianfan looked quite handsome in his uniform, while her father gasped at the menu prices, wondering if "Michelin" also sold tires. Back in the kitchen, Kesong told Jiang Qianfan that her parents, having seen the competition, wanted her to return home.
She didn't want to leave, but felt they wouldn't listen to her. Jiang Qianfan advised her that to make others listen, she needed to demonstrate her capabilities. He encouraged her to change into her uniform and cook a dish with Okinawa spinach for them, to prove she was not as bad as they imagined, and then she could speak her mind. Kesong agreed, eager to cook all she could for them.
When her parents tasted her dishes, they were full of praise, astonished by how much she had improved in just over a month. Kesong explained that Jiang Qianfan had taught her everything and that their relationship was purely that of master and apprentice. She wanted to stay not only because she now truly loved cooking but also to strive for honor in the competition.
Her father, pleased that she had learned to think for herself, agreed to let her continue her studies. Kesong tearfully hugged her mother, grateful for their understanding. Her father then called Lin Feng to inform him of their decision before driving home with her mother that night. On their way back, Jiang Qianfan offered to help Kesong analyze the reasons for her recent competition loss, but she declared it a small secret she wasn't ready to share.
Meanwhile, Xiao Pa handed Elise the week’s new reservations, specifically highlighting Boris’s booking. Later that evening, Elise messaged Jiang Qianfan, asking if Lin Kesong had inquired about his condition. He replied that she hadn't, and he had no intention of telling her, preferring to keep it hidden for as long as possible. The next morning, Junbin took Victor out for a walk to help him relax before the competition, fearing he might be too nervous.
Victor playfully asked if Junbin had a crush on Elise, which Junbin vehemently denied. Elise spoke to her mother, expressing concern that the kitchen staff at Shanghai Yuxuan were beginning to question Jiang Qianfan’s authority. Her mother calmly produced an equity transfer agreement, instructing Elise to get Jiang Qianfan to sign it, as he had previously expressed interest in handing over his shares.
She reasoned that after the competition, Victor would be champion, making him a suitable replacement as head chef. She emphasized the importance of securing Yuxuan’s profits, as it was her legacy, not to be squandered by Jiang Qianfan. Later, Elise brought Jiang Qianfan's crayfish dish to Kesong's home, asking her to taste it. She noted that while Jiang Qianfan's palate was unparalleled, his unique flavors sometimes proved difficult for the general public to accept.
She explained that Boris was dining at Yuxuan that night and would undoubtedly criticize any flaw during his live stream, jeopardizing Yuxuan's Michelin three-star rating. The challenge was that they couldn't change the menu or use alcohol. Kesong proposed a smoking method, which they immediately tested. The results were excellent, as the smoke effectively absorbed the crayfish's fishy odor. Kesong suggested applying the same technique to the beef to ensure a consistent taste and reduce its oily flavor.
Elise thanked Kesong for solving the problem, and Kesong replied that she was doing it for Jiang Qianfan, to which Elise smiled and said they were "even." In the kitchen, Da Mai, working under punishment, grumbled about Jiang Qianfan's bad temper and unpalatable cooking, and his poor choice of an apprentice. Jiang Qianfan, approaching, overheard him. He told Da Mai that he was the first person not to understand his cooking.
Da Mai retorted confidently that the entire chef team felt the same way. Elise intervened, reiterating that in Yuxuan, Jiang Qianfan's standards were the standards. Da Mai, fuming, declared he'd wait to hear Boris's comments that evening. In the office, Jiang Qianfan confronted Elise, asking why she hadn't informed him earlier about Da Mai’s feedback. He questioned if she believed he wouldn't change. Seeing her silence, he decided to stick with his original cooking method for the dish.
Boris soon arrived at Yuxuan and began his live stream. In the back kitchen, Jiang Qianfan was furious upon discovering the smoked ingredients. Elise quickly explained that it was Lin Kesong’s idea; she had called Elise over that morning, suggesting the method to remove the fishy odor. Jiang Qianfan personally served the dish to Boris.
After the first bite, Boris declared on his live stream that the crayfish’s fishy odor was still present, and combined with the beef’s fat, it tasted terrible. He labeled Yuxuan restaurant "garbage." Lin Kesong rushed to Yuxuan after receiving a phone call from Jiang Qianfan. Upon her arrival, Jiang Qianfan angrily accused her of daring to alter his dish after only a month of his tutelage.
He declared that anyone who didn't understand his cooking was stupid and anyone who changed his dishes was an enemy. He ordered Kesong to clean every area of Yuxuan – the front hall, the back kitchen, the fresh produce handling room, and the restroom – with Xiao Pa supervising, and dismissed everyone else. Tears welling in her eyes, Lin Kesong confronted Elise, asking why she hadn't explained the situation to Jiang Qianfan.
Elise falsely claimed she had, then advised Kesong to start cleaning immediately. Jiang Qianfan, feeling deeply defeated, went to the rooftop platform to drink alone. Elise joined him. He despaired, calling himself a pathetic Michelin three-star chef who had lost his sense of taste. He grimly noted that if a Michelin secret scout had already visited, everything would be ruined. Elise comforted him, assuring him that even if the entire world turned against him, she would remain by his side.
Moved, Jiang Qianfan clasped her hand, touched that Elise would stay with someone as "unlikable" as him, and invited her to drink with him. Lin Kesong was indignant at Jiang Qianfan for publicly humiliating her. Xiao Pa, out of kindness, offered to call a car for her, urging her to go home. Elise drove a heavily intoxicated Jiang Qianfan home. In the car, he murmured that he couldn't "persist anymore."
Meanwhile, Da Mai and the manager were drinking beer at a night market. Da Mai speculated that Jiang Qianfan's public scolding of his apprentice was a display for them. He also pointed out that Boris's live stream had brought shame to Yuxuan. The manager informed Da Mai that he had found a new opportunity at Fuli, which was recruiting. He suggested Da Mai join, assuring him he'd be the executive chef.
He reasoned that Jiang Qianfan would never humble himself to apologize to Da Mai, and that if he treated Da Mai this way today, he could do the same to other chefs tomorrow, adding that Jiang Qianfan might not last long at Yuxuan. Elise brought the drunken Jiang Qianfan to his home, where Kesong helped her get him into bed. In his dazed state, Jiang Qianfan held Elise’s hand, pleading with her not to leave.
Elise, secretly pleased, gently promised she wouldn't go anywhere. Kesong, observing this, discreetly excused herself. A short while later, Elise emerged in a bathrobe and apologized to Kesong for Jiang Qianfan’s behavior that day. Elise’s mother called, inquiring about the transfer agreement. Upon learning that Jiang Qianfan was heavily drunk, she instructed Elise to seize the opportunity and get him to sign the document, confident that he wouldn't deny it once sober.
