The Gourmet Chef Cheat Sheet

The Gourmet Chef Cheat Sheet: Nail these basics and you’re on your way to gourmet.

by Brandi Schlossberg
brandi.schlossberg@cooking-school-search.com
Cooking School Search Columnist

Ah, to be hailed as gourmet! This top compliment is a jumble on the French word groumet, which translates to “person in charge of wines.” To many, a gourmet chef is the person in charge of the food, and much more than that. Gourmet chefs use high-quality ingredients to make rare and wonderful dishes.

The Gourmet Chef Cheat Sheet is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to going gourmet, but knowing these basics is a wonderful step in the right direction. Go ahead, go gourmet for a day. Your guests will be sure to remember their chef!

Present Well

A true chef serves food that is appetizing to the eye and the stomach. That means it must be both artistic and tasty. Make sure each plate is well-balanced with colors, textures, and garnishes. A chef will often add at least one splash of color to every plate. It could be in the form of bright-purple cabbage, orange bell peppers, frilly green parsley, or any other colorful edible—the choice is yours.

Besides presenting an appealing platter, the gourmet chef must serve his or her meals on an elegant table. Lay out a tablecloth, or at least clear the table of all clutter. A few candlesticks or a single flower will go a long way in transforming the everyday to gourmet.

Shop Well

Here’s another habit great chefs live by: use nothing but the best when you prepare a gourmet meal. That may mean picking organic produce without a speck of pesticide to distort the flavor, or splurging on a bottle of truffle oil to achieve a whole new level of subtle flavor. Be especially discriminating when shopping for packaged food. For instance, if the first ingredient listed on a wrapper is high-fructose corn syrup, you’re not in the right aisle. Gourmet chefs know that natural sugars are not only better for the body, but they’re also tastier to the tummy.

Eat Well

Go gourmet by eating that way on a regular basis. Try a mint-and-avocado milkshake at a Brazilian cafe, or stop for the squash ravioli at a restaurant with a renowned chef. By tasting other gourmet creations, chefs get motivated and inspired.

Of course, one of the only ways to truly earn the status of gourmet chef is to attend a culinary academy. If you’re serious about living everyday gourmet, investigate local and online culinary schools.

About the Author

Brandi Schlossberg holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She writes for a variety of print and online publications.

Posted on May 9, 2007 at 10:05 AM

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