8 answers
Hector
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
537 views
How can I get better at cooking?
How can I become a good chef and get good at cooking so once I get older I can get a job as a chef at a place that pays good money and is a nice place to cook and so i can become even better at cooking.
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8 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
616
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Hector,
Sounds great to know you are interested in cooking!
Getting better at cooking and eventually becoming a good chef involves a mix of practical experience, continuous learning, and passion for the craft. Here are some steps you can take to improve your cooking skills and set yourself up for a successful career as a chef:
1. Start with the Basics
- Learn Basic Techniques: Master fundamental cooking techniques such as chopping, sautéing, roasting, grilling, and baking. Understanding the basics will give you a strong foundation to build upon.
- Practice Knife Skills: Good knife skills are crucial for a chef. Practice different cutting techniques, like dicing, and mincing, to improve your speed and precision.
- Understand Ingredients: Learn about different ingredients, their flavors, textures, and how they interact with each other. Experiment with different spices, herbs, and seasonings to enhance your dishes.
2. Cook Regularly
- Practice Often: The more you cook, the better you’ll get. Make it a habit to cook meals regularly at home. Try to challenge yourself with new recipes and techniques.
- Experiment with Recipes: Don’t be afraid to try new recipes and make adjustments. Experimenting helps you understand how different ingredients and cooking methods work.
3. Learn from Others
- Take Cooking Classes: Consider enrolling in cooking classes to learn from professionals. This could be at a local community center, culinary school, or even online.
- Watch Cooking Shows and Tutorials: Shows like “MasterChef,” “The Great British Bake Off,” or YouTube channels from professional chefs can provide valuable insights and techniques.
4. Get a Job in a Kitchen
- Start with Entry-Level Positions: Work in a restaurant or a local café, even if it’s an entry-level position like a dishwasher or prep cook. This will give you firsthand experience of a professional kitchen environment.
- Learn from Experienced Chefs: Working in a professional kitchen allows you to observe and learn from experienced chefs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance.
5. Understand the Business Side of Cooking
- Learn About Food Costs and Menu Planning: A successful chef knows how to manage food costs, minimize waste, and plan profitable menus.
- Gain Management Skills: Understand how to manage a kitchen, including inventory, staff, and operations. This will be valuable if you aim to become a head chef or run your own restaurant someday.
6. Stay Updated with Food Trends
- Follow Food Trends: Keep up with the latest trends in the culinary world, such as plant-based cooking, sustainable eating, and international cuisines. This can make you more versatile and innovative as a chef.
- Attend Food Festivals and Expos: These events provide great opportunities to learn about new products, techniques, and trends in the food industry.
7. Consider Formal Education
- Attend Culinary School: While not mandatory, a degree from a culinary school can provide a structured learning environment, access to experienced instructors, and networking opportunities.
- Pursue Certifications: Consider obtaining certifications, such as ServSafe for food safety, which can enhance your resume.
8. Build a Strong Work Ethic
- Develop Stamina and Patience: Working in a kitchen can be physically and mentally demanding. Develop resilience, stamina, and a strong work ethic to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Be Open to Feedback: Accept constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills. A willingness to learn from mistakes is key to growth.
9. Build Your Culinary Portfolio
- Create a Portfolio: Document your culinary creations through photos, videos, and written descriptions. This can serve as a portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers.
- Consider Blogging or Social Media: Share your cooking journey and recipes on a blog or social media platform to build a following and connect with other culinary enthusiasts.
10. Network in the Culinary Community
- Join Culinary Associations: Organizations like the American Culinary Federation (ACF) offer networking opportunities, resources, and support for aspiring chefs.
- Attend Networking Events: Engage with other chefs, attend workshops, and participate in competitions to build your professional network.
11. Focus on Specialty Skills
- Develop a Niche: Consider specializing in a particular cuisine or technique, such as French cooking, pastry, or molecular gastronomy. Being an expert in a niche can set you apart in the culinary world.
- Learn International Cuisines: Understanding a variety of cuisines can make you more versatile and appealing to a wider range of restaurants.
12. Seek Mentorship
- Find a Mentor: A mentor can provide guidance, advice, and support as you navigate your culinary career. Look for mentors in your workplace or through professional networks.
13. Stay Passionate and Creative
- Keep Your Passion Alive: Remember why you love cooking and stay inspired. Passion is a key driver in the culinary world and will help you push through challenging times.
- Innovate and Be Creative: Always look for ways to innovate in the kitchen. Try new flavor combinations, plating techniques, and cooking styles to keep your cooking exciting and fresh.
By following these steps, you can steadily improve your cooking skills and work towards becoming a successful chef. It takes time, dedication, and a love for food, but with persistence, you can achieve your goal of working in a great place and excelling in the culinary arts!
Best wishes!
Sounds great to know you are interested in cooking!
Getting better at cooking and eventually becoming a good chef involves a mix of practical experience, continuous learning, and passion for the craft. Here are some steps you can take to improve your cooking skills and set yourself up for a successful career as a chef:
1. Start with the Basics
- Learn Basic Techniques: Master fundamental cooking techniques such as chopping, sautéing, roasting, grilling, and baking. Understanding the basics will give you a strong foundation to build upon.
- Practice Knife Skills: Good knife skills are crucial for a chef. Practice different cutting techniques, like dicing, and mincing, to improve your speed and precision.
- Understand Ingredients: Learn about different ingredients, their flavors, textures, and how they interact with each other. Experiment with different spices, herbs, and seasonings to enhance your dishes.
2. Cook Regularly
- Practice Often: The more you cook, the better you’ll get. Make it a habit to cook meals regularly at home. Try to challenge yourself with new recipes and techniques.
- Experiment with Recipes: Don’t be afraid to try new recipes and make adjustments. Experimenting helps you understand how different ingredients and cooking methods work.
3. Learn from Others
- Take Cooking Classes: Consider enrolling in cooking classes to learn from professionals. This could be at a local community center, culinary school, or even online.
- Watch Cooking Shows and Tutorials: Shows like “MasterChef,” “The Great British Bake Off,” or YouTube channels from professional chefs can provide valuable insights and techniques.
4. Get a Job in a Kitchen
- Start with Entry-Level Positions: Work in a restaurant or a local café, even if it’s an entry-level position like a dishwasher or prep cook. This will give you firsthand experience of a professional kitchen environment.
- Learn from Experienced Chefs: Working in a professional kitchen allows you to observe and learn from experienced chefs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance.
5. Understand the Business Side of Cooking
- Learn About Food Costs and Menu Planning: A successful chef knows how to manage food costs, minimize waste, and plan profitable menus.
- Gain Management Skills: Understand how to manage a kitchen, including inventory, staff, and operations. This will be valuable if you aim to become a head chef or run your own restaurant someday.
6. Stay Updated with Food Trends
- Follow Food Trends: Keep up with the latest trends in the culinary world, such as plant-based cooking, sustainable eating, and international cuisines. This can make you more versatile and innovative as a chef.
- Attend Food Festivals and Expos: These events provide great opportunities to learn about new products, techniques, and trends in the food industry.
7. Consider Formal Education
- Attend Culinary School: While not mandatory, a degree from a culinary school can provide a structured learning environment, access to experienced instructors, and networking opportunities.
- Pursue Certifications: Consider obtaining certifications, such as ServSafe for food safety, which can enhance your resume.
8. Build a Strong Work Ethic
- Develop Stamina and Patience: Working in a kitchen can be physically and mentally demanding. Develop resilience, stamina, and a strong work ethic to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Be Open to Feedback: Accept constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills. A willingness to learn from mistakes is key to growth.
9. Build Your Culinary Portfolio
- Create a Portfolio: Document your culinary creations through photos, videos, and written descriptions. This can serve as a portfolio to showcase your skills to potential employers.
- Consider Blogging or Social Media: Share your cooking journey and recipes on a blog or social media platform to build a following and connect with other culinary enthusiasts.
10. Network in the Culinary Community
- Join Culinary Associations: Organizations like the American Culinary Federation (ACF) offer networking opportunities, resources, and support for aspiring chefs.
- Attend Networking Events: Engage with other chefs, attend workshops, and participate in competitions to build your professional network.
11. Focus on Specialty Skills
- Develop a Niche: Consider specializing in a particular cuisine or technique, such as French cooking, pastry, or molecular gastronomy. Being an expert in a niche can set you apart in the culinary world.
- Learn International Cuisines: Understanding a variety of cuisines can make you more versatile and appealing to a wider range of restaurants.
12. Seek Mentorship
- Find a Mentor: A mentor can provide guidance, advice, and support as you navigate your culinary career. Look for mentors in your workplace or through professional networks.
13. Stay Passionate and Creative
- Keep Your Passion Alive: Remember why you love cooking and stay inspired. Passion is a key driver in the culinary world and will help you push through challenging times.
- Innovate and Be Creative: Always look for ways to innovate in the kitchen. Try new flavor combinations, plating techniques, and cooking styles to keep your cooking exciting and fresh.
By following these steps, you can steadily improve your cooking skills and work towards becoming a successful chef. It takes time, dedication, and a love for food, but with persistence, you can achieve your goal of working in a great place and excelling in the culinary arts!
Best wishes!
Paul McClure
28
Answers
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Updated
Paul’s Answer
The answer is very simple you are going to have to practice practice and practice step out of your comfort zone. Don't keep cooking the same foods constantly you need to expand so that way you have more knowledge of what to cook
I will definitely try cooking new stuff when I have the time!
Hector
SANDY SIMON
CUSTOMER SERVICE
3
Answers
Albany, Georgia
Updated
SANDY’s Answer
Pursuing what you adore and are passionate about can transform you into an exceptional cook or chef. The love you infuse into your food will be felt by those who savor it, making them appreciate your culinary creations even more.
Jun San Juan
Chef Owner
1
Answer
Cary, Illinois
Updated
Jun’s Answer
Keep practicing, keep learning, and never cease to grow. Seek out a mentor who can guide you on your journey. Remember, you don't necessarily need a formal culinary education to become a chef. Many of the most successful chefs I've admired throughout my life were self-taught, drawing from the wisdom of their parents or mentors. They often shared stories about how these early lessons shaped them and kept them grounded. Of course, a culinary degree can be beneficial if you're serious about making cooking your career. But remember, the knowledge you gain in a cooking school is just a fraction of what you'll learn in a real kitchen. So keep pushing, keep learning, and keep creating delicious dishes!
Olalekan Adeniji
Chef
1
Answer
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Olalekan’s Answer
Your passion for cooking shouldn't be negotiable.The afterwards you need to enroll into a culinary program,if you are opportune to find yourself working as steward, kitchen assistant in any restaurant or hotels.That is a good way to start.The culinary program is very paramount because it will helps your craftiness, management skills,giving you the basic knowledge a chef should have.
Lastly you must engage yourself in researching and building yourself up personally, because some culinary might not teach everything you need to know but the basic you will surely get.Then be committed,have resilience and dedicated to it.
Lastly you must engage yourself in researching and building yourself up personally, because some culinary might not teach everything you need to know but the basic you will surely get.Then be committed,have resilience and dedicated to it.
I will definitely enroll I cooking classes when I have the chance!
Hector
To get better at cooking, I recommend hands on every opportunity you get go into the kitchen and help . You can also purchase a cook book, google recipes and use social media.
Priscilla Gray
Rich Mancini
Executive Chef
7
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Rich’s Answer
Well, Not sure if you have any Culinary background but
1. Go to culinary and get a job in the field, however you will be entry level and need to prove your knowledge and Experience
2. Get a job in a good restaurant under a noted chef and work, pay attention, ask questions and learn.
1. Go to culinary and get a job in the field, however you will be entry level and need to prove your knowledge and Experience
2. Get a job in a good restaurant under a noted chef and work, pay attention, ask questions and learn.
Thanks so much! I will try this when I have the time
Hector
Howard Pierceall CEC, CCE WCEC
Chef, Chef Instructor, Business owner
104
Answers
Sun City, Arizona
Updated
Howard’s Answer
Good education and training. Practice and hard work. You need to learn some basic skills first. Then practice over and over again until you get good at each job. Cook at home, move to getting a job in a restaurant. Pay attention, ask questions, follow directions and be on time. Work hard be patient. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from the mistakes that you do make. It takes time to get good. If you do well and work with good people you will get noticed and hopefully make a salary that matches your skill. Good luck. Do not give up.
Laurent Savoye
culinary arts professor
11
Answers
Daejeon, South Korea
Updated
Laurent’s Answer
hi!
the answer to this question is very simple.
PRACTICE as much than you can. try to work with the best chef/etablishment as possible. not easy,it is like anything practice will get you there but correct practice. look at the Olympians,Musicians,Soldiers,Nurses,etc... or anyone that is above average in their work or skills ,they work on it. they practice, challenged themself .learn from many people and not just 1 person or just books.
i still tak courses,watch videos try new things to get better but as well to learn new things.
the 1st time to try to ride a bicycle is not easy but with practice you become better. and don't cut corners.
wishing you all the best
the answer to this question is very simple.
PRACTICE as much than you can. try to work with the best chef/etablishment as possible. not easy,it is like anything practice will get you there but correct practice. look at the Olympians,Musicians,Soldiers,Nurses,etc... or anyone that is above average in their work or skills ,they work on it. they practice, challenged themself .learn from many people and not just 1 person or just books.
i still tak courses,watch videos try new things to get better but as well to learn new things.
the 1st time to try to ride a bicycle is not easy but with practice you become better. and don't cut corners.
wishing you all the best