Man... Writers really got this - blondes must be represented as superior and brunettes as inferior - thing bad.
Not once did any of the blonde girls compliment Makoto on her skill, but the dark-haired girl does.
They should have asked Kei to slice and dice the running mandrakes. He's a farmer's son. He could do it. Like Calvin once said sagaciously, it must be hard to cook if you anthropomorhise your vegetables.