The dishes were finally ready. Mason and his wife emerged from the kitchen, carefully balancing the plates, each representing the restaurant’s legacy. They set them on the table with a mix of nervousness and hope.Â
Ethan could feel the weight of their anticipation, but his focus remained on the food. Jessica and the chauffeur sat beside him as they were surprised to be included in the tasting. Ethan had insisted—they weren’t just his assistants today; he needed honest, unbiased opinions.
The anticipation was thick as Ethan picked up his fork, carefully taking a bite of each dish, starting with the Seafarer’s Delight. His face remained impassive, but his mind was alive with new insights, thanks to the Tongue of the Divine.
Jessica and the chauffeur followed his lead, sampling the dishes individually.
Ethan paused, turning to Jessica and the chauffeur. “What do you think?” he asked, his expression calm.
Jessica hesitated before speaking. “It’s… good, but the flavors aren’t as bold as I expected. It’s almost there, but something’s missing.”
The chauffeur nodded. “Yeah, it’s solid, but it feels like it’s holding back. The balance isn’t quite right.”
Ethan smiled knowingly. He placed his fork down and began offering his observations, his voice measured and precise. “The Seafarer’s Delight has a good base but needs depth. The broth is too sweet—adding a dash of saffron and more lemon zest will give it the complexity it’s lacking. The herbs should be bolder to bring out the seafood’s natural flavors.”
Mason’s eyes widened as he absorbed the feedback, and his wife didn’t wait for a second longer. She sprinted back to the kitchen, calling for Mason to join her, and the two quickly set about making Ethan’s suggested adjustments.
A few minutes later, they returned with the updated dish. This time, the aroma alone made Jessica raise an eyebrow. Ethan tasted it again, and his face broke into a satisfied smile. “This,” he said, “is how Seafarer’s Delight should taste.”
Jessica and the chauffeur tried the new version, their expressions changing from curiosity to surprise. “Wow,” Jessica breathed. “It’s so much better. It’s like the flavors have woken up.”
The chauffeur nodded. “This is miles ahead of what it was before. It’s fresh, vibrant… perfect.”
Mason looked stunned, unable to believe the difference.
Next was the Neptune’s Crown. Jessica’s initial comment was straightforward. “The lobster’s good, but it’s missing brightness. It feels a bit heavy.”
Ethan nodded, adding his thoughts. “Exactly. The citrus needs to stand out more. A splash of lime juice and some fresh dill would enhance the natural sweetness of the lobster, and a touch more seasoning for the rice—garlic and smoked paprika—will add a layer of depth.”
Mason’s wife was off to the kitchen again before he even had a chance to respond, and Mason hurried after her. They returned quickly with the revised dish, and the difference was immediate.
Jessica’s eyes widened as she tasted the new version. “Oh, this is amazing,” she said, her tone filled with admiration. “The citrus is perfect, and the rice has much more flavor.”
Ethan gave a small nod of approval. “This is what it should taste like—fresh, bold, and balanced.”
Mason’s expression was a mixture of disbelief and excitement. He couldn’t stop glancing at Ethan, who seemed to have a sixth sense for the missing elements in his dishes.
They moved on to Ocean’s Harvest Chowder. Jessica was blunt in her assessment. “It’s good, but it’s missing that comfort factor. It feels a bit flat.”
Ethan didn’t hesitate. “The creamy base is solid but needs a stronger herbal kick and a hint of heat. A bit of smoked salt and cayenne will give it the depth and warmth it needs.”
As before, Mason’s wife ran back to the kitchen, with Mason quickly following. They worked with a new urgency, adjusting the chowder exactly as Ethan suggested. The creamy aroma hinted something new when they returned—an inviting warmth.
Jessica and the chauffeur each took a spoonful, their faces lighting up. “This is it,” Jessica said, her voice tinged with surprise. “It’s hearty, comforting… exactly what a chowder should be.”
The chauffeur nodded. “It’s like a whole new dish. So much richer.”
Mason looked at Ethan with newfound respect. “How do you know exactly what it needs?”
Ethan’s smile was modest, his eyes reflecting the confidence the Tongue of the Divine had given him. “It’s about understanding the core of the dish. You’re almost there, Mason—you just need to bring out what’s already inside.”
Next was the Golden Tempest Calamari. Ethan’s feedback was quick. “The batter isn’t consistent. A stronger spice blend will fix that, and the aioli dip needs more acidity—add extra lemon juice and a touch of Dijon mustard for a sharper flavor.”
Mason’s wife didn’t hesitate. She darted back to the kitchen with Mason in tow. They returned quickly with the adjusted calamari, and the difference was immediate—the aroma was sharper, the batter looked more even, and the dip had a vibrant yellow hue.
Jessica’s eyebrows shot up as she tasted it. “This is incredible,” she said, astonished. The flavors are so much more defined. It’s crunchy and spicy, and the dip has that perfect tang.”
The chauffeur agreed, unable to hide his grin. “This is leagues ahead of the first version. It’s got character now.”
Ethan turned to Mason, whose face was a mixture of surprise and pride. “See?” Ethan said gently. “You had the skill all along—you just needed to refine it.”
Finally, they arrived at the Captain’s Feast Platter. Ethan’s critique was pointed. “The seafood needs more char and a bolder marinade. Chili for heat, honey for sweetness, and a longer grill time to bring out the flavors. The presentation needs a bit of flair—consider using some fresh herbs and lemon wedges to make it pop.”
Mason’s wife dashed back to the kitchen again, Mason following her with a newfound energy. They returned with the revised platter, and the difference was astounding.
Jessica’s eyes widened at the presentation alone. “It looks amazing,” she said. Then, after a taste, she added, “And it tastes even better. The seafood is flavorful, and the sauces make each bite unique.”
The chauffeur, taking a bite of the perfectly grilled prawns, looked genuinely impressed. “This is restaurant quality—better than anything I’ve had in a while.”
Mason’s expression blended joy and disbelief as he watched everyone enjoy the dishes. He turned to Ethan, awe written across his face. “I… I never thought I could cook like this.”
Ethan’s voice was calm but encouraging. “You always could. You must trust your instincts and step out of your father’s shadow.”
Jessica and the chauffeur remained silent, watching the exchange. It was clear that Ethan’s words had struck a chord, and Mason’s wife stood by the kitchen door, listening with tears in her eyes.
Mason looked down at the table, his hands clenched tightly around the edge. After a long pause, he nodded, his voice hoarse but determined. “Alright,” he said. “I’ll do it. I’ll give it everything I have.”
Ethan’s lips curved into a confident smile. “Good. Let’s bring Ocean’s Bounty back to life.”
Mason’s wife, now standing beside him, wiped away a tear. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For believing in us.”
Ethan nodded, feeling the weight of what had just happened. The transformation had been extraordinary—Mason had rediscovered his identity as a chef, and Ocean’s Bounty was returning to greatness.
Jessica looked at Ethan with newfound admiration. “I don’t know how you did it,” she said quietly, “but you’ve brought out the best in them. This is better than what they say Arthur used to make.”
Ethan’s smile was genuine, and there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. “Ocean’s Bounty has a future,” he said simply. “And it’s going to be even better than its past.”
With Mason and his wife beaming with newfound hope, Ethan knew this was just the beginning. There were still nineteen more struggling restaurants to visit. Still, for now, Ocean’s Bounty had taken its first step toward reclaiming the culinary throne it had once held.
The journey was far from over, but it had started with something simple—a willingness to see potential where others only saw decline.
