The magnificent training center had over 100 sets of pots and pans that were neatly displayed. It looked rather spectacular.
The children had never seen such an environment before. Hence, their mouths were all wide open as though they were Alice in Wonderland.
“This is where we will learn to cook. It’s the most efficient way of stove distribution. Here, you can cook most of the different types of food.” Mag introduced the place to the students.
“Teacher, do each of us have our own cooking bench?” Beck asked softly.
“Yes. Each one of you will have an independant cooking bench. You have the right to use all the equipment and condiments in class.” Mag nodded with a smile.
“This is awesome!” A glow lit up in Beck’s eyes.
The children looked excited too. All these stoves and kitchenware looked so cool. It was completely different from the greasy kitchens in their imaginations.
Mag looked at all those juvenile faces and gravely said, “Being a chef is an occupation that is tough but it pays well. I hope the students I take in are people who endeavor to become great chefs, and in return I’ll do my absolute best to train you all into being excellent chefs.”
The children looked at him with much more serious expressions.
“You might not know very well what kind of profession a chef is. Before the interview, I’d like to explain it to you simply.” Mag walked to the nearest cooking bench and then waved the children, who were still standing at the door, over. “Come over here.”
The children all crowded over and looked at Mag curiously.
“A chef is a person who cooks by profession. His job is to cook and create dishes for the customers. The cooking bench is your stage. You will be cutting ingredients and cooking here for the whole day.” Mag picked up a metal pot and said to the children, “The weight of this metal pot is triple of the one that you lifted earlier. If you become a chef, you will have to lift this pot several thousands times in a day. And, it won’t be an empty pot, but one that is filled with ingredients.”
The children were wide-eyed when they heard that. Some even had a hesitant look on their faces.
They thought they would be able to live in the lap of luxury after they entered this building. This was quite different from what they had imagined.
Lifting that heavy metal pot at the door earlier was already very difficult for them, and now Teacher Mag was saying that they would have to lift a metal pot that was triple the weight of that previous metal pot and fully filled with all kinds of ingredients thousands of times daily.
Beck had a worried expression too. However, his gaze became convinced again after he looked at the bruise on his arm.
It was hard for him to get in. Hardship was nothing to be afraid of!
Mag sternly said to the children, “To become a chef, you have to possess these four attributes. You need to be able to withstand the hunger, the fullness, the heat and the cold. This is a job that requires both brawn and brains. If you don’t have a healthy body, a strong will and confidence to persist on, then get out of the program now.”
The children were quiet for a moment before three children stepped out.
A boy who looked rather big among the children said, “Teacher, I think I’m not strong enough. I would like to leave.”
“We aren’t strong enough either,” the other two children also said softly and lowered their heads in embarrassment.
“It’s alright. Swipe your names off the name list yourself and you may return to the classroom to choose a course that is more suitable for you.” Mag nodded and placed the name list on the cooking bench.
The three children went to swipe off their names. They left quickly after saying goodbye to Mag.
“Is there anyone else who wants to leave the program?” Mag looked at the children and severely said, “I’m telling you all in advance that I am a very strict teacher. If you choose to stay, you have to complete all the learning assignments that I set for you. There will be a test at the end of every month. The students who fail the test will be kicked out.”
The hall was silent for a while before another four children stepped forward to swipe off their names and leave the program voluntarily.
“Very good.” Mag looked at the 32 children who remained and finally revealed a smile on his stern face. “Welcome to the God of Cookery’s Advanced Class. I hope you all can become great chefs in the future.”
The children were stunned as they couldn’t react to Mag’s words.
“Teacher, have we passed?” one child asked.
“Yes. You have all passed my test. You have the basic qualities and determination to become a chef.” Mag nodded with a smile. “Of course, this doesn’t mean that you all can really become a real chef. However, you have gotten yourself an admission ticket.”
The children started cheering and the tense atmosphere dissipated.
Looking at all those young and energetic faces, Mag and Miya smiled too.
“Alright. Now, you all will choose a seat that you like. There is a number on each cooking bench. After choosing the position you like, it will be your permanent position and this number will also be your student number,” Mag said, “We’ll introduce ourselves after you select your position.” Mag made the arrangements.
The children rushed off and started looking for a position they liked.
Soon, all the children found a position that they liked. Most of them chose to sit close to the front. The row that was closest to the lectern was fully occupied.
Mag felt gratified about the children’s studious and motivated attitude. He gestured to the children to sit down before saying, “Students, let me introduce myself to you first. I am Mag, your chef’s practical course teacher and the chef of Mamy Restaurant. For the coming term, I will give you all a systematic chef training. I’ll do all I can to make you all become a qualified chef.”
Beck was the first to clap and the children followed him.
Mamy Restaurant was very famous. Even children like them had heard about that very expensive restaurant.
“Alright. Now, we will start the self introductions from Table 1. Before we start formal learning, let me get to know you first,” Mag said smilingly before looking at Beck, who was sitting at the first table.
Beck stood up and smiled shyly before saying, “I’m Beck. I’m 11 years old. My mother said my father is a very formidable chef, but I have never met him. I want to become a very formidable chef too and then cook delicious food for my mother.”
Mag nodded slightly. So, that was the conviction that made him lift that pot.
“This child is so sensible.” Miya looked at Beck with sympathy.
