Many people compare cooking to art. It takes skill to create a delicious dish using humble ingredients (even those found in the back of a pantry!), and those who are good at cooking enjoy the practice as a meditation. Food is a big part of everyone’s lives, so is cooking it. However, some people need a little more help in the kitchen. There is no shame in being a beginner cook; everyone starts somewhere! Luckily, there are many ways to level up one’s cooking game, some of which can be done in a few minutes (while others require some patience).
What Makes A Good Cook?
According to Gordon Ramsey, a sign of a good cook is someone who can adequately cook scrambled eggs (sounds simple, but Gordon’s scrambled eggs require a little more finesse!). However, other chefs have different definitions of a good cook, with some skills being easier to pick up than others. First and foremost, many argue that their passion for the kitchen defines a good cook. It’s not just about having a passion for food or being a self-proclaimed foodie. Those who genuinely enjoy cooking see it as a meditation or an enjoyable pastime.According to the late Leon Liandes, owner of Manhattan’s Coach House Restaurant, a good cook has love. He states that:
'If you don't have that love, and by that, I mean appreciation and love for the ingredients, you are not going to do anything…It's like being a musician. You can teach anybody to play the piano, but there are those special few who really bring out the melody.”
Aside from the passion, other signs signal a good cook in the kitchen, such as:
- The ability to multi-task
- Adaptation skills (as in, the ability to make delicious meals from any ingredients)
- Respects the ingredient’s origins and understand how it’s traditionally used in recipes
- Open-mindedness towards new foods or flavors
- Open to learning while receptive to feedback
- Patience during cooking
- Finds joy in preparing food for others
- Understands delicious food and flavor pairings
- Tastes and seasons the food while cooking, adjusting for flavors
- A sense of creativity in the kitchen while embracing mundane (yet vital) cooking techniques
What is the difference between a Cook and a Chef?
Some people believe that the title “Cook” and “Chef” are interchangeable. However, they are two different titles, each with different roles! While the cook is the person who prepares food at a restaurant, they also do basic prep work, whether it’s slicing potatoes or following a recipe. On the other hand, chefs manage the kitchen of cooks (and sometimes, the restaurant itself).
As one can see, it’s an exhaustive list that is also subjective. While some argue that following recipes is a sign of a good cook, others argue that recreating meals sans instructions is a skilled cook's trademark. However, it’s easy to see that some of these traits are simple to develop over time and with good practice!
Simple Ways To Become A Better Cook
Not everyone is born to become a Michelin-star chef or the world’s best chefs. But that doesn’t mean people can’t improve their skills in the kitchen! Luckily, there are simple ways to become a better cook. While some skills require practice and repetition, others can be achieved in mere minutes. So consider practicing these techniques or implement these practices in the kitchen:
- Go on a flavor safari and use different herbs and spices. Discover which seasonings pair well with what protein, or try making DIY spice blends.
- Seasonings are great to incorporate, but don’t forget to properly season food with salt and pepper!
- Keep kitchen knives sharp so they easily cut through ingredients.
- Keep a tidy kitchen space to make cooking a smoother process
- For an efficient cooking experience, prepare ingredients before cooking. This includes chopping vegetables, measuring the right amount of broth, and having the right utensils handy
- Don’t skip the preheat stage! Many recipes call for preheating the oven, ensuring the food is cooked correctly.
- Be patient! It can be tempting to flip food more than once or open the oven to check on a meal, but these seemingly harmless practices can affect the overall quality of the food (or even prolong the cooking time)
- Explore new recipes! While many argue that cooks don’t need recipes, they are one of the best ways to open people to new ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques. So try following a couple of recipes to a tee to get comfy around the kitchen.
- Practice safe cooking techniques! For example, while cutting ingredients, keep your thumbs away from the sharp end of the knife.
Recipes To Level Up Your Cooking Game
Looking to level up as a beginner cook? Try these dishes out for size while exploring new techniques to prepare food and different ingredients. From handheld appetizers to show-stopping dishes, these recipes are a great way to level up cooking skills!
- 10 DIY Hot Latte Recipes That You Can Make From Home In Under 10 Minutes
- Canned Fruits and Vegetables: How To Do it Properly
- 10 Homemade Sauce Recipes That Will Every Home Cook Needs To Know
- Making Compound Butter: 10 Simple Flavors That You Need To Incorporate Into Your Cooking
- Finger Licking Good: 10 Finger Foods That are Worth the Mess
- Devilishly Delicious: 10 Must-Try Deviled Eggs Recipes
- 10 Irresistible Pasta Salad Recipes to Take to Your Next Cook-Out
Cooking is a necessary skill, but is one that needs a bit of practice. With some helpful tips, leveling up cooking skills as a beginner is as easy as blinking an eye!
