If you love your food and want to start your journey as a great cook, this one is for you! Everyone starts somewhere, and that is the same with cooking. You do not just wake up being a renowned cook without putting in the work. However, because we already know that you are capable of putting in the work, you’re already our chef-to-be! Exciting right? Remember, no piece of information is too small, and no tip is minor. To master the art of cooking, here are tips that will help you to become the chef you see yourself becoming.
Learn and Master the Basics
When it comes to cooking, there are no shortcuts. You need to learn everything, right from the bottom going up. Every detail matters, and a good dish is comprised of small details that are amalgamated into a tasty dish. How, then, can you cook a great dish if you skipped some of the basics? Do not skip any lesson and learn every aspect of cooking with the same amount of enthusiasm so that you become a well-seasoned chef one day.
Experiment
Food is art. There is no such thing as ideas being exhausted and you running out of things to do with them. If you have a hunch and want to experiment on it, Do it. You will never stop learning, and you will never stop discovering new things when it comes to food. Be creative and tap into your unique ideas. Do not be afraid of trying out new things. If it doesn’t work out, well, now you know. You can safely move on to the next idea you have. Regardless, experiment as much as you can.
Your tools matter
Contrary to the popular belief that as long as you have the ingredients, you have everything you need; the tools matter. Having the right tools will make your experience easier and more productive, allowing you to tackle other things that need your attention in the kitchen. Your pots, pans, and silverware matter, and if you underestimated this, you should consider investing in quality tools that will help you in your journey. Make sure to buy quality tools because we don’t want to taste the metal in our food, do we? Invest in your tools for the dear chef-to-be.
Master the Knife
In your run as a chef, the knife will be your best friend. You need to be friendly with it and know it inside out. This will refine your technique and reduce any avoidable incidents in your kitchen. You need to learn how to properly hold a knife. It is not about just cutting the food; it’s about cutting the food properly and to perfection. Learn how to use your knife properly, and you will notice how your technique will improve. The quality of your food will also become better, as the way the food looks matters and is important as well.
Taste Everything
Looking at your food and feeling like it will taste good based on the way it looks is not a thing in the kitchen. No matter how well-browned your meat is and how healthy-looking your soup is, taste it. You are not a psychic, and you should not act like you are. Taste everything to ensure that it is well seasoned, well cooked, and well prepared. Remember, this is just tasting; don’t feast, but taste the food. For you to become the best chef you want to become, make sure that no dish leaves your sight without being tasted.
Organization Matters
When you are a chef, the kitchen is your workplace. You need to ensure that everything is cleaned and organized to perfection. This is important because it creates a good working environment, allowing you to feel free and comfortable to work to your greatest potential. This also helps avoid kitchen accidents. The disorder is a playing ground for kitchen accidents. So, for you to avoid them, you need to have all your ingredients and tools organized well and structured in a way that you find comfortable and conducive for you. Stay organized and ensure that you maintain an orderly standard for your kitchen.
Patience is a priority
Dear Chef to be, please be patient. Firstly, you need to be patient with yourself. Do not beat yourself up when you make mistakes because every new day brings a new lesson. Stay patient so that you can master your skills one day. Secondly, be patient with the food itself. We know you want that chicken to roast right now, but that isn’t reasonable, is it? Stay patient so that you can perfectly cook through every dish without serving raw food due to your impatience. On the journey of food, you need to exercise patience, as this will make you more refined and cool.
Ask for Feedback
You can never know what needs improving unless you ask for feedback. If and when you feel like you have mastered a dish, serve it to someone else so that they can give you their honest review. Serve it to family, friends, or random participants and work on the tips that they offer you after they give you feedback. You need to be open to constructive criticism if you want to become a great chef. Ask, learn, and improve your cooking skills as you go. You are capable of becoming a master of food; just make sure to ask for other people’s opinions, dear chef-to-be.