Cupid's Kitchen Episode 38 Recap
> Cupid's Kitchen Recap
The 20th Future Star Culinary Competition began with Thomas introducing its enduring tradition of mentors selecting and teaching apprentices to ensure the progress and legacy of culinary arts. He emphasized that a chef's original intent is to bring warmth, beauty, and joy through food.
Thomas then acknowledged Jiang Qianfan, a mentor present who once notoriously despised sugar, before announcing the competition rules: two teams of mentor and apprentice would collaborate to create a sweet dish using glutinous rice and osmanthus within one hour. Jiang Qianfan and Lin Kesong worked seamlessly, with Jiang Qianfan quickly familiarizing himself with the unfamiliar cooking counter by touch while Lin Kesong gathered ingredients.
However, just after Lin Kesong finished plating in the final moments, Jiang Qianfan accidentally knocked over their entire dish with an empty plate, ruining their entry. The mishap left everyone in the audience heartbroken. Watching them, Lin Xiaoyu reflected on her own shortcomings, realizing that unlike Lin Kesong and Jiang Qianfan who brought out the best in each other, she and Boris had always blamed one another. Bru, sitting beside her, was relieved to see her newfound self-awareness.
Meanwhile, Elise, following instructions from a seller, retrieved a package of medicine from an automatic locker at a shopping mall. As the judges began their scoring, the host interviewed the contestants. Madam Quentin, speaking to her apprentice Victor, advised him to remain "sober and not get arrogant" like green tea. Victor then announced his decision to stay in Shanghai, expressing his fondness for China and hoping his mother wouldn't be upset, as they were connected by their common interest.
When interviewed, Jiang Qianfan expressed his apologies for the team's failure to complete their dish and for disappointing everyone, especially Lin Kesong. Lin Kesong quickly interjected, assuring him it wasn't his fault. She emphasized that his blindness was beyond his control and that she deeply understood his struggles and efforts. She told him she was incredibly happy he came with her, and that having worked hard, they had no regrets.
Lin Kesong then emotionally likened Jiang Qianfan to osmanthus, symbolizing beauty and loyalty, calling him her confidant, her muse, and her only teacher, profoundly thanking him for being in her life. Her heartfelt words moved Lin Xiaoyu and Lin Kesong's mother to tears in the audience. Thomas then thanked all the participants for their dedication to the Future Star Culinary Competition before announcing the results.
Due to their incomplete work, Jiang Qianfan and Lin Kesong were awarded second place, while Madam Quentin and Victor were crowned champions. Victor, in a gracious gesture, thanked Jiang Qianfan for teaching him that the journey, not just winning or losing, was the most important aspect of a competition. He then shook hands with both Jiang Qianfan and Lin Kesong, inviting them to join him in lifting the championship trophy.
After the ceremony, Jiang Qianfan, wanting to avoid the press, asked Lin Kesong to take him through the back door. As they exited, Boris, having anticipated Jiang Qianfan's desire for privacy, was waiting in his car and swiftly drove them away from the throng of reporters. In the car, Jiang Qianfan tried to act nonchalant about their zero score, but Lin Kesong sensed his profound disappointment, knowing that a proud man like him would not easily "restart from zero."
Back home, Lin Kesong discovered an admission letter from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris. She initially chided Jiang Qianfan for enrolling her after she had refused, but he explained that she was a talented individual and he felt it was his duty to send her to a place where she could further her skills, emphasizing she was still "100,000 hours away" from becoming the best chef. He then surprised her by revealing he would accompany her to France.
He asked her not to tell anyone about their plans, except her parents, to avoid unnecessary complications. Delighted, Lin Kesong immediately called her mother with the news. Her mother, concerned about who would care for Jiang Qianfan during Lin Kesong's year-and-a-half stay in France, discussed finding a helper with her husband. Soon after, Bru arrived at Lin Xiaoyu's private kitchen with Victor and Sister K to offer their help, much to Lin Feng's relief.
Boris sought out Lin Xiaoyu to say goodbye. Noticing a scar on her arm, he expressed deep remorse. Lin Xiaoyu, however, downplayed it, insisting that Boris would always be her mentor and that the scar was "quite cool," making her an "experienced woman." Boris, feeling ashamed, admitted he had ruined her potential and pledged to return as her mentor only after he had learned "to get along with this world."
Lin Xiaoyu warmly told him that his public cheering for Jiang Qianfan at the competition already proved he had changed. Boris, in turn, confessed he was moved to tears by her emotional support for Lin Kesong. They shared a heartfelt hug before he departed. Madam Quentin invited Huang Shi to dinner, suggesting he expand his culinary career in England, where his skills could attract "a thousand times" more customers than his current restaurant.
Huang Shi politely declined, stating his home, the thriving Chinese market, abundant opportunities, and his long-standing friendships kept him rooted in China. He even suggested Madam Quentin consider moving to China, but she demurred, citing her lifelong connection to London. At Yuxuan, with customer numbers dwindling, the chefs were dispirited. Xiao Pa, who had previously submitted his resignation, returned to work. Da Mai confronted him, accusing him of disloyalty during Yuxuan's difficult period.
Xiao Pa defended his decision to return, explaining that he had withdrawn his resignation letter, which Elise hadn't approved, and that she had agreed to let him stay. He declared his desire to become a respected individual like Jiang Qianfan and, having reflected, realized that individual talent was limited. He believed that integrating into Yuxuan's "loving group" and fostering team cohesion was the path to true security and hope for the restaurant.
Impressed by his newfound commitment, Da Mai rallied the team, urging them to embrace this "rare opportunity for reversal" created by Jiang Qianfan and deliver their best dishes and service to honor their customers' support. Later, Song Yiran confided in Chu Ting that Lin Kesong's gaze towards Jiang Qianfan during the competition was filled with love, a look he had never received. Chu Ting, acknowledging Song Yiran's hard work, offered to treat him to dinner at Yuxuan.
Shortly after, Xiao Pa excitedly announced that Yuxuan had received three new reservations, matching their average before Jiang Qianfan's blindness. The most thrilling news was that the first booking came from renowned food critic Marco, who wanted to support Jiang Qianfan. At home, Lin Kesong eagerly browsed French villas online, dreaming of their future life together.
Jiang Qianfan, however, brought her back to reality, reminding her that with less than a month until school started, she needed to travel back to Wuzhen with her parents to secure her passport. He assured her that he would manage perfectly well on his own.
