I cook for a living in NYC/Brooklyn and do catering around the holidays.
1. I cook at home because I love it. I grew up having Sunday dinners with family so the time in the kitchen and at the dinner table means a lot to me. I cook professionally because I enjoy getting beat down into the ground on a regular basis and feeling like a complete idiot. I enjoy the challenge because every event is a new one. Nothing ever goes according to the plan.
2. I only plan ahead when I've invited non-family guests. The rest of the time I decide based on what looks the most fresh/vibrant in the grocery store.
3. Whatever I think will taste good. A lot of Italian/Spanish food.
4. Nope. I truly believe that you should eat healthy, season appropriately, and enjoy every dish as an experience rather than sustenance. If you follow that, you will eat considerably less and be much happier.
5. Yes I have more tips, tricks, and unusual skills than you would probably care to know. From cooking you become very good at unusual skills like pouring liquids.
The restaurant culture has many traditions but we have one in particular that I think sums up the true importance of cooking. Every day we get together as a team and plan/cook a meal for all of the staff to eat before our busiest part of the day begins...
We call it "family meal" and thats exactly what it feels like.
1. I cook at home because I love it. I grew up having Sunday dinners with family so the time in the kitchen and at the dinner table means a lot to me. I cook professionally because I enjoy getting beat down into the ground on a regular basis and feeling like a complete idiot. I enjoy the challenge because every event is a new one. Nothing ever goes according to the plan.
2. I only plan ahead when I've invited non-family guests. The rest of the time I decide based on what looks the most fresh/vibrant in the grocery store.
3. Whatever I think will taste good. A lot of Italian/Spanish food.
4. Nope. I truly believe that you should eat healthy, season appropriately, and enjoy every dish as an experience rather than sustenance. If you follow that, you will eat considerably less and be much happier.
5. Yes I have more tips, tricks, and unusual skills than you would probably care to know. From cooking you become very good at unusual skills like pouring liquids.
The restaurant culture has many traditions but we have one in particular that I think sums up the true importance of cooking. Every day we get together as a team and plan/cook a meal for all of the staff to eat before our busiest part of the day begins...
We call it "family meal" and thats exactly what it feels like.