The first half of the book is solid as Soma's father reappears. He's a great character.

The introduction of the quirky, curry experts in the second half isn't as successful, but it serves to introduce the reader to a lot of information about curry - which will be the main ingredient of the impending cooking competition - while still being entertaining. Not bad for an exposition piece. ( )

Soma's trip back home has come to a close, but he's made some unexpected new enemies at Totsuki; the Council of Ten Masters, Ninth Seat: Etsuya Eizan. And he's obviously planning to get his revenge during the next upcoming school event: The Fall Classic (or Autumn Election if you watch the anime).

We also get a surprise visitor who arrives just as the theme for the preliminary round is announced. Plus, we get a bunch of new characters~ ( )