What a lovely chapter. Toor Deen is one of my favorite characters.
It's pretty clear that Geol Zaza is slowly staking is claim on Toor Deen. He's always around her and getting flustered over the thought of her marrying implies that he's been thinking about it. However, poor boy is not really in Toor Deen's mind. According to her inner thoughts, the first people she thinks about when reminiscing are her father, Asuta, and Odifia. Geol Zaza has a long uphill climb to win a place in her heart.
As for a potential cooking competition, I feel like that would be a great way to foster cooking in the Forest Edge, especially the distant clans not receiving direct tutelage from Asuta. They can see how much the local clans and the Ru subordinates improve and become motivated to take more lessons. Asuta would probably have to sit out, otherwise he would be the clear winner. But he needs to prepare at least 1 dish as an exhibition to serve as an example for the others.