Upstart Pastry Chef - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Durian Doughnuts and the Tea Party

I made a durian sweet.

Its name is the Durian Doughnut.

With the top priority of making the most of the fine, delicate cream unique to durian, heating it activates its sweetness, creating a sweet that competes using only the elegant sweetness inherent to the durian, without adding sugar or the like.

Inside the paper-thin dough, it is generously packed with durian cream.

And this dough has a secret, too.

Due to the nature of doughnuts being fried in oil, they inevitably absorb plenty of oil and become heavy, and as they cool, the unpleasant flavor and taste of the oil come out.

Furthermore, this sweet with its paper-thin dough and plentiful cream is an item that tastes better when chilled.

To resolve this contradiction, I created a dough that prevents absorbing more oil than necessary.

It’s a method used even at Reposo, a famous doughnut shop in Tokyo.

Fermenting the doughnut dough twice, mixing in yogurt at a set ratio, and adding a tiny amount of honey retains its moisture holding capacity.

By doing so, because it does not absorb more oil than necessary, an elegant doughnut is produced.

Thus, this Durian Doughnut is a doughnut that displays its true value precisely when chilled.

"Yup, it's the fragrance of the southern tropics. With this, no one should complain even if I bring it back to the mansion."

Eating it comes after it has cooled down thoroughly.

I stowed the Durian Doughnuts, whose surface oil had been wiped off thoroughly, into a paper bag, and returned the impromptu cooking utensils to soil with magic.

By the time those things were finished, Chloe, who had fainted to help Tina, woke up.

"Uuuu, it smells so bad, it smells like raw garbage, like rotten onions and fishiness all together."

As expected of Chloe. She hit the mark splendidly on the odor components of durian.

"Good morning, Chloe."

"Ha... Kurt... Huh, there's no nasty smell. Rather, it smells sweet and nice."

"The sweet-making is already finished. Sorry I couldn't show you the magic of a pastry chef."

"Which means, the sweet is already... the thing smelling so nice is... right there!"

Chloe pounced toward the paper bag in my hand, so I lightly dodged her.

"Uuuu, Kurt. When I endured that stench to help you, it's horrible that you won't let me eat it..."

She looked at me with resentful eyes.

It's a little pitiful, but I'll harden my heart. Eating a sweet that is delicious when chilled while it's still warm is the same as serving an unfinished product.

The pride of a pastry chef will not allow it.

"It's something to look forward to after returning. Once we're back, we can enjoy it together with tea."

"...You're really letting us eat it when we get back, right?"

"Yeah, I promise. Even so, both Tina and Chloe are so practical. Even though you two hated it so much before cooking."

The two of them put on slightly abashed expressions.

"Well, who would think that such a hellish smell would turn into such a lovely fragrance?"

"Right, I was really surprised. No matter what scent it had originally, if you make it smell this delicious, there's no way we could resist."

That was the exact line I wanted.

It makes being a pastry chef worth every bit.

Fighting with the stinky durian through all that hardship was worth the trouble.

Truth be told, it was ridiculously tough on me, too.

"Now then, let's head back to Duke Lenaril's detached villa."

"Yes! I want to eat that sweet right away."

"Nn, nn, Kurt, let's hurry."

I had my hands pulled by the two of them.

I let out a small smile and headed on the way home.

At the detached villa, which maintains an environment as identical to Duke Lenaril’s main estate as possible, there is also a proud garden.

Asking the servants, it seemed fine to use it, so we decided to eat there.

In my homemade thermos was tea I brewed myself. In the basket were Durian Doughnuts chilled with Tina's power.

In the garden, colorful flowers were blooming in abundance.

No matter how much they try to match the main estate, if the climate differs, the flowers that grow differ as well. That part alone showed a face completely different from the main residence.

However, that made me happy. There was a fresh sense of wonder.

Since this garden is intended to be used for tea parties, a roofed table and chairs are provided, so there is no trouble finding a place to eat.

I chose a spot surrounded by flowers with the weakest scent possible.

To enjoy the tropical fragrance worked hard to produce, even the scent of fragrant flowers gets in the way.

"Finally, it's taste-test time!"

"Yeah. It's just about afternoon snack time. At this hour, it shouldn't affect the evening restaurant."

If we eat too much, we won't be able to enjoy the restaurant recommended by Duke Lenaril.

It's a shop praised to the skies by Duke Lenaril, a gourmet. It would be a loss not to enjoy it with all our strength.

"Tina, set the plates. Chloe, handle the tea preparation."

"Yes!"

"Leave it to me."

While the two of them were setting out plates and brewing tea, I sliced the Durian Doughnuts.

Then, I plated them on the dishes.

"Kurt-sama, the combination of the fox-brown dough and the golden cream is wonderful."

"It's really a beautiful sweet. It feels like a waste to eat it."

Eating while gazing at the golden cream makes it feel more delicious like this. Sweets seem to change their impression and even their taste depending on presentation alone. Plating is an important job for a pastry chef, too.

Everyone took their seats.

And just as we were about to offer a prayer before the meal, a guest appeared.

"Oh my, how unfair of you to try eating such delicious-looking sweets in secret from me."

"Duke Lenaril, why are you here?"

"My work hit a stopping point, and as I was thinking of getting a change of pace, I heard from the servants that you were out in the garden. I thought I would chat with you since I had the chance, but it turned out to be good timing."

She smiled softly.

Tina and Chloe quickly covered their own plates with their hands.

The two greedy gluttons seemed to hide their portions, fearing their share would be reduced if taken away.

It was endearing enough to make me laugh.

No need to worry; I made plenty to distribute to various people.

"Whether it's good timing or not won't be clear until you try eating the sweet."

"I can tell. There's no way a sweet made by you could taste bad."

Being expected of that much, it can't be helped.

I sliced a Durian Doughnut and placed it on a plate.

"My, it's only half."

"If you eat too much, it will interfere with the evening restaurant."

"Come to think of it, your plate is only half as well. ...Yet those girls have a whole one each."

Just as she said, half-sizes rested on my and Duke Lenaril’s plates, while whole ones sat on Tina's and Chloe's plates.

"Those girls are at a growing age and eat a lot. Something like this is nothing to them."

That fact is something I know best of all. Both Tina and Chloe eat a lot of delicious food. They are still in their growth period.

"Uuuu, that phrasing is terrible."

"That's right. Saying it like we're big gluttons."

"In that case, shall I cut yours in half, too?"

""No to that!""

The two of them explicitly rejected it.

Watching that scene, Duke Lenaril laughed pleasantly.

"You all are remarkably close, aren't you?"

"Yes, because they are precious family."

"I'm a little envious. I have no one I can say such a thing about."

She, usually so strong, wore a rare, sad smile.

Her father died in battle and her brother was assassinated; she is completely alone in the world.

"It makes me sad to hear you say that. Your words about wanting to become friends—I intended to accept them earnestly."

"That's right... Is that why, I wonder? Being here feels strangely soothing. Next Baronet of Arnoldt, it's only someone like you. Who talks to me without hidden motives. Do you not have such a thing as ambition? If you flatter me, a path to advancement might open up, you know?"

Ambition, huh... Of course I have such a thing.

However, I have no intention of borrowing Duke Lenaril’s power.

"I certainly have ambition and motives. However, those are things to be seized with my capability as a lord and my skill at making sweets. I don't intend to receive charity from Duke Lenaril. ...Saying this might make me a failure as a noble, though. Otherwise, there's no meaning to it."

"Indeed. A failure as a noble. But I would like you to stay just as you are."

I've always thought that nothing is more foolish than power struggles.

Richness enough to eat sweets every day, and peaceful days without conflict. As long as I have those, I don't need anything else.

"Our chat has dragged on, hasn't it? Let's start the tea party right away. Before Tina and Chloe get angry."

They had been kept waiting all this time. Tina's and Chloe's restlessness was growing more and more pronounced.

Let's start the tea party before an explosion happens.

Everyone joined their hands together.

""We thank the forest and the spirits for receiving today's sustenance.""

And so, ending the prayer, everyone began to dig in.

I tried eating right away, too.

Alright, all targets succeeded. I can puff out my chest and call this sweet my creation.

"Kurt-sama, it's delicious! The moment it enters my mouth, the fragrance of the southern tropics Kurt-sama mentioned earlier overflows, making me feel spellbound."

"Next Baronet of Arnoldt, this is amazing. It's my first time having cream this smooth. It's almost like silk. Furthermore, this unbelievably elegant sweetness—it's a sweet like a dream."

"The dough is supreme, too! Even though it's this thin, it's moist, pairs fantastically with the cream, and feels like I could eat any amount of it."

The Durian Doughnut seems to be well received.

A cream smoother than any pastry chef could craft, with an elegant sweetness fitting of being called the King of Fruits.

The paper-thin dough that doesn't absorb oil doesn't spoil the texture of the smooth durian cream; it clings to the tongue to produce a unique sensuality, creating room to savor the durian cream.

Precisely because it's a chilled sweet, it feels this delicious.

It's a sweet that drew out the charm of durian to the utmost limit.

This sweet is a special item that could absolutely never work without durian.

"Ahaha, I'm moved. A sweet like this, it's my first time."

"This sweet keeps well. I made a large quantity thinking of using them as souvenirs for the nobles we'll visit to pay our respects."

Not only is it delicious, but no one has ever eaten a sweet like this. The chances of it being appreciated are high.

"If there are plenty, I'd like a second helping."

Hearing Duke Lenaril’s words, Tina and Chloe nodded repeatedly as well.

"That won't do. Although it doesn't feel like it because of the elegant sweetness, it has a fairly high fat content. After a while, it will fill your stomach. We're closing shop for today. I've set aside portions to eat tomorrow and beyond, so if you'd like, again tomorrow."

"I shall do so then. How unfortunate."

Moderation in all things is important.

Tina and Chloe were looking resentfully, but I couldn't be lenient.

It's a relief the Durian Doughnut was a huge success. With this, there will be no trouble finding sweets for greetings.

"This fruit used as the ingredient, it's my first time eating it, but it's wonderful. By all means, I'd like to try eating it raw as well."

"...I think you had better stop that."

"Why would that be?"

Duke Lenaril tilted her head in wonder.

"Unless you take time and effort to cook it, it's a fruit that is deadly stinky."

"There's no way a fruit with such a lovely scent could be like that."

"I have warned you. I will inform your servants of the store where it was purchased. I call it durian, but I don't know under what name it circulates. If you tell the shopkeeper it's a large, spiky fruit with a strong odor, he should understand."

"Thank you. I'll arrange it right away."

She seems to be taking "deadly stinky" as a joke.

Well, if she won't believe me when told, she'll just have to experience it herself.

Tina and Chloe were looking at Duke Lenaril with eyes meant for a pitiful person.

What will happen is plain to see. If the durian is about to be thrown out, I'll work hard to retrieve it. Buying it at list price makes it an absurdly high-end dessert, and there are hardly any acquisition routes. I want to hold onto as many opportunities to handle precious ingredients as possible.

"Now then, I've had my rest, so I'll work hard on one more job until the evening restaurant. It was a nice breather. Thank you, Next Baronet of Arnoldt."

"Likewise, I had a enjoyable time. Please do your best with your work."

When I said so, Duke Lenaril smiled and stood up from her seat.

She's working hard. I'll do what I can on my end.

Both the investiture ceremony and the day of serving sweets to the Royal Family are fast approaching.

Now then, while there's time, shall I refine the recipe further?