The Difference between a Cook and a Chef

Some people do not realize that cooking is a science. Anyone can cook and by cook I mean, "to make food appetizing by heating or preparing it in order to become ready for a meal". This can be achieved by throwing some favorite ingredients together, hitting it with some salt and pepper, and viola you have a meal. What most people do not realize is there is so much more to food than what meets the eye. If food is prepared correctly a mediocre dish becomes a sensational dish. You may wonder why that steak you had at Bones was so delicious and the very thought of re-creating it at home seems impossible. It's because steakhouses such as Bones, Rathbun's Steak, Chops, and the chefs that cook there take pride in what they do and handle the meat correctly. They know how to perfectly "sear" the steak resulting in that succulent crust you dream about. They know that a steak needs to "rest" before cooking and after to achieve perfection. These are some of the techniques that separate the cooks from the chefs. I have "cooks" that work in my restaurant and by "cook" I mean someone who comes in and "gets it done". They know how to prep, slice, chop, work the line, etc. but they have no finesse as I like to call it. They listen to what I say and they know how to make food taste good but they lack in the technique department.

In the next 52 weeks I am going to teach you (hopeful readers) how to become a better cook. Every week there will be a new technique and recipe to help you achieve that perfect roast, sear, or meal!

Nexy week's topic...
The Perfect Roast