Oh, they still exist, the determined young people! At the age of 27, the teacher Linda (“I completed my studies very quickly”) is training educators at a vocational college, also has plenty of international teaching experience and has just met her boyfriend, a lawyer (“He took his state exam early and is doing his doctorate” ), moved into a representative city apartment in Cologne.
When it comes to cuisine, the convinced native of Cologne (“Wherever I am in the world, I miss this city”) does not make any compromises. Where others of this age tear open the packet of soup in their shared student flat, their favorite dish is a multi-armed creature from the sea: “Everywhere I’ve been on vacation, I’ve eaten octopus.” On the final evening, she presents it in an unusual way.
As usual, the main part is played by the multi-cupped tentacles. “They taste best when they are well seasoned and fried until crispy,” explains the ambitious young chef. And it becomes more and more martial: “You could theoretically eat the head, but you have to remove the beak.” At some point the chopped up sea creature sinks into the pot, where it will simmer for almost two hours. It later lands on the plate, on a bed of purple potato puree garnished with chestnuts and mushrooms. “Somehow that doesn’t go together for me,” analyzes headmaster Jörg (62), who also finds the dessert tart “not conclusive”. In general, the following applies to him: “Pureee is puree, and mash is mash.” The present is too undecided.
Ramona (39) has more sensory problems with the octopus: “I don’t like to bite on suction cups.” Mustafa (38) doesn’t even like it “for all the garlic and lemon” and has fundamental things to say: “Linda’s and my taste obviously don’t work together.” Regarding the feedback from her guests, the self-confident young teacher can only shrug her shoulders: “Maybe it was a bit too new for her. I saw a lot of question marks.”
In the end, Sarah (31) gives the highest rating with nine points. Altogether it will be 31 points for Linda. She shares second place with Ramona – behind the really beaming winner Jörg (36 points). With 27 points, Mustafa ended up in 5th place – and is grumpy: “Not enough for the effort I put into it.” Winner Jörg’s conclusion was diametrically opposed: “It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.”
While Mustafa’s menu isn’t particularly well received in the “The Perfect Dinner” session, he still manages to lift the spirits of the group. And for that he needs nothing but his hookah.
The home-cooked modification of the “Cologne Basic Law” runs through day 3 of the “Perfect Dinner” (VOX): “Et kütt wie et kütt and et would have still tasted good”. But hostess Ramona does not always manage to keep to the serenity that the law promises.
The home-cooked modification of the “Cologne Basic Law” runs through day 3 of the “Perfect Dinner” (VOX): “Et kütt wie et kütt and et would have still tasted good”. But hostess Ramona does not always manage to keep to the serenity that the law promises.
*The contribution “”The perfect dinner”: There is an octopus in the finale” is published by Teleschau. Contact the person responsible here.
