The main hall of the Diamond Mirage had never looked this alive.It was the kind of place that made you forget time — the ceiling so high it vanished into a swirl of light and mist, chandeliers dripping like frozen rain magically created by Elsa herself, tables stretched across the marbled floor like a chessboard built for gods. Every corner glowed with gold and crystal; every breath carried the faint scent of saffron, honey, and aged wine.This was not just another evening. This was the evening — the one night each year when the culinary world gathered to witness what humanity could do with flavor, fire, and imagination. And tonight, New York was its capital.The Culinary Festival of the Century, as it was now called, had chosen Diamond Mirage for one simple reason: no other place on earth could hold a thousand dreams under one roof and still feel intimate. The hotel wasn’t just famous for its food; it was built as an ode to creation itself. Along its walls were live artists — men a

The applause for Chef Rodolphe went on longer than expected — warm, respectful, and thunderous enough to make the chandeliers tremble. The old man bowed slightly, smiled, and made his slow way off the stage. Cameras flashed, capturing the moment that would probably end up on the cover of every culinary magazine by morning. He was truly a legend. Entity glided back to center stage, still all charm and sparkle. “Ah, thank you, Chef Rodolphe! What a legend — what a treasure! Let’s give him one more round of applause!”The crowd obeyed, the claps echoing like rain on glass.Then, with a flick of her wrist, Entity turned to the next page of her cue cards. Her diamond bracelet caught the light as she smiled at the audience again. “Now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the part we’ve all been waiting for — the introduction of tonight’s judges!”A roar of excitement filled the air. The spotlight swept the crowd, and the orchestra began a soft tune.Entity raised her hand dramatically. “F

The hall had gone quiet again. The soft music faded away until all that was left was the sound of camera shutters clicking and the faint hum of whispers traveling like wind through a forest.Adrian walked onto the stage. Slowly. Calmly. His expression was indecipherable.Each step he took echoed faintly against the floor was like a rhythm that somehow silenced the laughter that had started moments before. The lights above him were golden and warm, but they made the air feel heavier and hotter. Every pair of eyes in that massive hall turned toward him — the new guy, the nobody, the man nobody had ever heard of.Phones rose in the air like a sea of small lights. Some guests zoomed in to see his face better. Some turned to their partners and whispered things like—“Who’s that?”“Never seen him before.”“He’s representing what kitchen?”“Mr. Lin’s… Corner Kitchen? What the hell is a ‘Lin Keeshin’?”A group of young influencers laughed loudly, already typing into their phones. #WhoIsThisG

The hall buzzed like a marketplace dressed in diamonds. Lights shifted across the crowd as the voting screens came alive. It wasn’t just a contest anymore — it was betting. People laughed, shouted, and flashed their phones, scanning the giant QR code projected above the stage. The votes were money — real, heavy money — pouring in from men and women who treated thousands like pocket change.Entity’s voice, bright and teasing, carried through the speakers.“Come on, ladies and gentlemen! You’ve got ten minutes to back your champion! Who’s taking the crown tonight?”The air changed. The wealthy became wild.Screens blinked. Laughter mixed with tension. Waiters had to weave through the crowd holding trays of champagne while people barked at their phones, arguing over which chef would rise, which would crumble.The numbers on the digital board began to dance.Dorovan Altere — $20,000Dorovan Altere — $42,000Dorovan Altere — $67,000Every refresh made the room shake.Ruth leaned back at h

The lights dimmed just enough for the judges’ table to glow under a soft, focused beam. The chatter died down. You could hear the click of pens, the rustle of chef coats, the faint sounds of camera drones hovering overhead.Entity’s voice came, sweet and sharp like a blade wrapped in honey.“And now,” she said, “the moment we’ve all been waiting for — the tasting.”Cameras adjusted instantly. Every lens pointed toward the judges.Dr. Raymond Chu, calm and unreadable, led the procession, his silver hair glowing like frost under the spotlights. Behind him came Chef Lucia Bianchi, her eyes already narrowed, searching for flaws before she even sat down. Pierre Durant, Lady Henrietta, and Kenji Sato followed, forming the perfect line of scrutiny and prestige.The room held its breath.The first table: Chef Dorovan.He stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back like a general awaiting his medal. The judges approached, and the cameras zoomed in on his New York Prime Filet.Even before the